Over the last 20 years, the rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicides have rapidly increased in the United States (Garnett & Curtin, 2023). At the same time, evidence has developed that interventions can effectively reduce the risk of suicide (Calati et al., 2018). Given these changes, it is time for APA to require […]
Discovering My Professional Home When guiding graduate students through their academic journeys, I consistently emphasize the importance of finding a “professional home” – an organization that not only advocates for their desires and requirements but also offers a supportive community and a wealth of information. Any one of my past students will attest to the […]
I was inspired to write this piece by my postdoctoral mentor, Joanna Drinane, who asked about the integration of my two programs of study. To make a long story short, I achieved my PhD in Human Development and Family Studies some years ago and joined the Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Program at the University […]
Mental health is a global concern with profound societal and individual implications. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects over 264 million people worldwide, making it the leading cause of disability. Anxiety disorders aren’t far behind. To tackle this growing crisis, we need to highlight the role of consulting psychology in improving mental […]
History teaches us that some professions have not survived the test of time as well as the profession of psychology. One example of a failed discipline is the antique science of phrenology, the study of skull protuberances. Phrenology posited that skull characteristics reveal a person’s character and mental capacity. The reader may not be aware […]
Having a patient die from suicide is one of the events most feared by psychotherapists, yet a recent survey found that 6% of psychologists had at least one patient die from suicide while in treatment in the last year (Leitzel & Knapp, 2021). The ongoing possibility of a patient’s suicide prompted Simon (2011) to write […]
Part One: Foundational Issues The informed consent process is an essential component of ethical, legal, and clinically effective practice by psychotherapists. Yet, how we engage in this process can have significant implications for the unfolding professional relationship and for the assessment, treatment, or other professional services provided. This is the first of four consecutive articles […]
As members of the Professional Practice Committee of the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy, we are tasked with meeting the needs of private practitioners. In our monthly meetings, we noted how the needs and experiences of practitioners change as one matures into the role of a psychotherapist. Since our committee has a diverse combination […]
In this article, we propose a trauma-informed lens as an essential ingredient of clinical competency. We draw from established trauma theory and research (e.g., Levine, 2010; Mate & Mate, 2022; Menakem, 2017; van der Kolk, 2014), including that specific to graduate and postgraduate supervision (e.g., Courtois, 2018; Knight & Borders, 2018; McChesney, 2022) to explore […]
2018 Was A Great Year: In March, the APA Practice Leadership Conference (PLC) celebrated its 35th anniversary with over 300 colleagues honoring Katherine Nordal during her final PLC. “During my career, I have tried to embody and facilitate this affirming, strategic collaboration between practice and other parts of our discipline, connected groups and organizations, policymakers […]