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News
Candidates for President-elect
Tony Rousmaniere, Psy.D.
I am humbled by the nomination to serve the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (Division 29) in the role of president. The Society has long been my professional home at APA, and I would be honored to serve in this role.
Over the past decade, our Division has made significant accomplishments towards the mission of advancing psychotherapy. Through the collaborative effort of leadership and members, the Division has expanded international outreach and emphasized the importance of making psychotherapy available to the underserved. In recent years, Presidents Jennifer Callahan and Clara Hill have made significant contributions to the important causes of psychotherapy competence and training. I agree with President-Elect Jean Birbilis’ goal of strengthening continuity in the Division across time and leadership. If elected, my goal is to continue these efforts, with an emphasis on outreach and services for early-career psychotherapists and graduate students.
One of the Division’s strengths is the extent to which the membership includes a broad range of practitioners, researchers, and educators. This has special resonance for me, as my professional experience includes clinical practice, research, writing, training/supervision, and government advocacy. More recently, I have added program administration to my skill set, as I am part of a team starting a new therapist graduate program focused on deliberate practice and outcome data (www.sentio.org). If I am elected president, I will aim to include all voices and perspectives in Division governance.
Thank you very much for considering me for your vote.
SECOND CANDIDATE: WRITE-IN CANDIDATE
Candidates for Council Representative- Slate 1
Gerry Koocher, Ph.D., ABPP
Dear Colleagues,
I appreciate the honor of renomination to Council, having left in mid-term last year when the division lost a seat through reapportionment.
My background includes service as chief of psychology at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, and as a tenured professor and dean or provost at Simmons (Boston) and DePaul (Chicago) Universities. I hold active psychology licenses in three states and five active board certifications from ABPP. At present I continue to practice psychotherapy, teach the graduate ethics course at Boston University, and serve on faculty at the Hospital and Harvard Bioethics Center. I have actively participated in the division on many committees and as a former president. I currently chair the award committee. I also served as treasurer and president of APA. My track record includes obtaining more than $3.5 MM in grant funds, 350 published manuscripts and 17 authored or edited books, including a best-selling ethics textbook – Ethics in Psychology and the Mental Health Professions, plus The Parents’ Guide to Psychological First Aid, and the Psychologists’ Desk Reference.
During the next three years the Council will deal with a number of issues critical to the future of psychotherapy practice in psychology including focus on EDI initiatives, a new ethics code, evolving practice guidelines, and the future or practice voices in APA governance. I would be honored to represent you in attending to these issues.
I respectfully request you #1 vote.
Jeffrey Younggren, Ph.D.
I greatly appreciate being nominated as a Council Representative from Division 29. If elected, I will bring to the council meetings my 6 years of experience as a Council Representative from Division 42. I will work to return APA to its role as a membership-based organization, focused on the goals of its diverse membership. The current APA needs to change and begin attending to the science of psychology at the forefront, dealing with the broad spectrum of issues facing the profession: from practice concerns to research productivity, and extending from the consultation room to the world of academics. It also needs to return the control of the organization to the membership, the diverse membership of our wonderful organization. APA also should continue to attend to social justice issues, but with an eye toward balance with other issues facing the profession, and make sure that the value of psychology, and especially psychotherapy, is clear to those at the local, state and/or national level. That is currently not the case. I promise to work to return APA to its role as a membership-controlled organization, reflective of the interests of the whole of our psychological science.
Candidates for Council Representative- Slate 2
Amy E. Ellis, Ph.D.
I am honored to be nominated for a position as a Council Representative for Division 29.
I am an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Trauma Resolution & Integration Program at Nova Southeastern University where I train and supervise 12 doctoral students and predoctoral interns in the treatment of complex trauma using integrative care and the utilization of routine outcome monitoring. I am also a licensed psychologist with a part-time practice. My research focuses on the need for evidence-based, but tailored and individualized, care in underserved communities. I also examine how psychotherapy works and why it works, with an emphasis on common factors. Lastly, I am committed to a social justice framework and both study psychotherapists’ advocacy behaviors as well as engage in my own advocacy for mental health reform and equality.
Division 29 has and continues to be my “home” division. As former Internet Editor for the SAP website, I feel privileged that I was privy to many of the ins-and-outs of the division, its membership, and the larger APA governance. I also serve on the Editorial Board of three APA journals, and am a member of Divisions 29, 42 (Independent Practice), and 56 (Trauma).
I would be humbled if you vote for me and consider me for the position of Council Representative. I am committed to the research, training and supervision, and provision of psychotherapy. I am a passionate advocate in the therapy room, in the classroom, and beyond. Thank you for your consideration.
Elizabeth (Libby) Nutt Williams, Ph.D.
Why am I running for Council Representative? I believe it is critical that we continue to have a strong voice for psychotherapy practice, research, and advocacy at Council.
Who am I? I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stanford University and my doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Maryland. I have been a professor at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the national public honors college, for 25 years. I am a Fellow of the APA (Divisions 2, 17, 29, and 35), have served on several editorial boards (e.g., Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Research), and study both the science and practice of psychotherapy.
What is my connection to the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy? I have worked with Division 29 governance for nearly 20 years, first as the Early Career representative to the Board of Directors in 2005, then as the Membership Domain Representative (2008-2010), as President of the Division in 2011, and as your Council Representative from 2017 to 2019. I have consistently focused on a few key issues: 1) highlighting the effectiveness of psychotherapy, 2) strengthening the link between psychotherapy science and practice, and 3) promoting our commitment to diversity and multiculturalism.
Why should you vote for me? I care deeply about the Society, and I would be honored to again serve as a Council Rep for 29. I am invested in collaborative, solution-oriented processes and would work to ensure clear communication between the membership of the Society and Council. Thank you so much for your consideration.
Candidates for Science & Scholarship Domain Representative
Patricia Spangler, Ph.D.
I’m honored to be a candidate for Division 29’s Science and Scholarship Domain Representative. I’ve been a Division 29 member since 2004 and have served as the Science and Scholarship Domain Representative since 2020. As Domain Representative I have administered the Norine Johnson Grant and Charles J. Gelso Grant, worked to increase grant funding for Division 29 researchers, reviewed abstracts for Division 29 presentations for the APA convention, and written articles for Psychotherapy Bulletin. Prior to serving as Science and Scholarship Domain Representative, I was on the Professional Practice Committee from 2014 to 2020, and I am currently collaborating with that committee on a study of the impact of COVID-19 on the needs of psychotherapists.
At Uniformed Services University, I’m principal investigator on a DoD-funded ($1.05M) pilot trial of a psychotherapy for trauma-related nightmares. As a recipient of awards and grants as a student and early career researcher, I appreciate the impact that funding has on career development. My prior service to SAP as a Domain Representative and a Committee Member combined with my psychotherapy research experience and successful grant writing will help me serve Division 29 as Science and Scholarship Domain Representative. If elected, I will happily continue administration of the Gelso and Johnson grants, two important mechanisms for nurturing early career researchers, and thus for the future of psychotherapy process and outcome science. In addition, I’ll continue to work with the Board, Domain Representatives, and Committee Members to identify and develop initiatives to serve our members’ research endeavors.
Cora E. Courage, Psy.D.
I’m a licensed psychologist, the Director of Clinical Services at North Dakota State Hospital, and an LTC, US Army (Retired). As a clinical psychologist who deployed four times, treated members of the military in-country, and has spent much of my civilian career working with those who are seriously and persistently mentally ill in state hospitals in Wyoming and North Dakota, I’m invested both as a psychologist and a veteran in the advancement of psychotherapy that is effective in real world conditions. My publications and presentations have focused primarily on military personnel and veterans. If elected, I would work to continue the advancement of the science behind psychotherapy as the foundation of its application. I can envision opportunities for the Science and Scholarship Domain of Division 29 to collaborate with Division 19, the Society for Military Psychology, which encourages research and the application of psychological research to military problems.
Candidates for Early Career Psychologist Domain Representative
Nicholas R. Morrison, Ph.D.
It is a privilege to be nominated for Early Career Psychologist (ECP) Domain Representative of APA Division 29. I have been involved with Division 29 since 2017, when I was elected to serve as Student Representative and Chair of the Student Development Committee. During my tenure, my flagship initiative involved expanding Division membership to post-bacc and undergraduate students. Additionally, having recognized the breadth of interests of Division 29 members, I expanded the student awards beyond the research awards to include the Student Excellence in Practice Award and Student Excellence in Teaching/Mentorship Award, which continue to be awarded annually. I am indebted to Division 29 for awarding me the 2020 Jeffrey E. Barnett Psychotherapy Research Paper Award, and I continue to serve the Division as a member of the Membership Committee.
My experiences as a graduate of a clinical science program, fellow at a clinically oriented postdoctoral program, and currently as an assistant professor at a teaching-intensive institution have led me to value the numerous roles of psychologists in the field. I recognize the diversity of early career psychologists, and the diversity of interests represented by the Division; I hope this is reflected in both my professional experiences and my previous initiatives within the Division. If elected to the position of ECP Domain Representative, I will continue to serve the interests of our diverse field, including initiatives related to supporting early career psychologists grappling with post-pandemic professional concerns. Thank you, and I look forward to continued service to Division 29!
Yujia Lei, Ph.D.
I am feeling deeply humbled and honored to be nominated for the Early Career Psychologist Domain of the APA Division 29. Currently, I am a staff psychologist and strategic planning representative at Health and Wellness Center, Washington University in St. Louis. In the past four years in this position, I have specialized in helping diverse college students succeed by overcoming psychological challenges with a focus on working with historically marginalized student communities and international students. As a first-generation immigrant woman from China, I am devoted to integrating multiculturalism and social justice into psychotherapy, and have been actively engaged in culturally informed supervision, teaching, training and research both in the US and in China. The scientist-practitioner model has guided my professional development. My research interests include investigating the roles of cultural values in psychotherapy process-outcome and developing culturally sensitive interventions to promote mental health.
As an ECP, I know the struggles and challenges that most recent graduates experience such as starting a career, work-life balance, systematic racism/sexism, isolation during the pandemic, etc. “Be connected!” is the motto of Div 29. If elected to the position, I would strive to make the voices of Div. 29 ECPs be heard by the division leadership, and help create connections for ECPS with each other and with the larger membership of the division. I would also focus on promoting collaboration on psychotherapy research and practice, mentorship, networking, professional development, advocacy, and grants application.
Candidates for Diversity Domain Representative
Wonjin Sim, Ph.D.
I am honored to be a candidate for the Diversity Domain Representative of Division 29. I am an Assistant Professor in the counseling psychology program at Towson University where I teach and supervise master’s level trainees. I am deeply passionate about multicultural counseling training and have taught multicultural counseling classes for over 10 years. As a researcher, I have conducted multicultural psychotherapy research and received two grants, specifically on incorporating dream work and spirituality in counseling with Asian Americans, international students, and people outside of Western cultures to make therapy more accessible for these populations.
I am currently serving as the Chair of the Diversity committee and have been an ad-hoc reviewer for Psychotherapy. Outside of Division 29, I have served as an Early Career Professionals section board member, Continuing Education committee member, and the Chair of the Section for the Promotion of Psychotherapy Science of Division 17, the Society of Counseling Psychology. I will bring my leadership experiences and passion and expertise in multicultural counseling, training, and research to this position. If elected, my priority would be to expand support for our members with marginalized identities such as providing resources and support groups for self-care and professional development. Given the success of the Advocacy and Mentoring for Diversity (AMPD) program, I would also like to expand support for minority students, such as providing a mentoring programs to discuss issues related to clinical training and professional development such as applying for internship and job search. Thank you for your consideration.
Susan S. Woodhouse, Ph.D.
I am an Associate Professor in Counseling Psychology at Lehigh University. During the time I have served on the Board of the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (SfAP), first as Early Career Domain Representative, then as Science and Scholarship Domain Representative, and most recently as one of the two Diversity Domain Representatives, advancing attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Board and in SfAP initiatives has been in the front of my mind at each step. As a white woman and ally, I would be excited to continue to serve in this role, doing my part to collaborate and support meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in our Society.
My research program uses community-engaged approaches to focus on supporting under-recognized strengths in underserved parents of young children, and on culturally appropriate psychotherapy and community support for families. I have worked hard to build trust with community partners and bring research results back to the community. I am collaborating with the Social Justice Committee of SfAP on a project to better understand the relational and therapeutic competencies of clinicians who work in low-income, underserved communities. Much of my energy in my first term has gone into providing support and mentoring for the Advocacy and Mentoring Program for Diversity (AMPD) Scholars Program, which has been an exciting and deeply meaningful collaboration.
I am deeply committed fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within our field through mentoring, grants, and other initiatives, and would be honored to serve a second term.
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