Advocacy and Mentoring Program for Diversity (AMPD)

Application Due Date: March 1, 2026

The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy announces its Advocacy and Mentoring Program for Diversity (AMPD) and invites interested doctoral students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows to become AMPD scholars. 

Purpose: The purpose of the Advocacy and Mentoring for Diversity Program is twofold: 

(a) to allow doctoral students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows to become familiar with and involved in activities of the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (i.e., Division 29 of APA) and 

(b) to provide mentoring and guidance for scholars consistent with their career goals and professional aspirations. 

As part of this program, AMPD Scholars will work closely with Executive Board members on a specific diversity-related project and ensure implementation of domain specific goals related to diversity and the advancement of psychotherapy. Projects may be in any of the domains represented on the Board of Directors of the Society (i.e., Diversity, Early Career, Education and Training, International, Membership, Professional Practice, Science and Scholarship, Public Interest and Social Justice). The project could take various forms. For example, a project could involve research, a theoretical/scholarly paper, creation of a toolkit, a film, policy efforts, or anything else that would be of interest to the AMPD Scholar. In their applications, students indicate which domains are of greatest interest to them.

Throughout this program, AMPD Scholars will receive mentoring from Domain Representatives and associated Committee Chairs, and Diversity Committee members.

• In Year 1, AMPD Scholars will attend the first Executive Board meeting after their selection to get acquainted with Board members, learn about the various activities of the Society, and learn about the various projects of the domains. This meeting will serve as part of the orientation to the Society and leadership within the Society. If this meeting is held in-person, AMPD Scholar expenses for attending this meeting will be covered by the Society.
  • AMPD Scholars will participate in monthly videoconferences/phone calls during the year as part of the program’s mentorship activities
  • AMPD Scholars will begin the initial process of identifying a diversity-related project consistent with goals related to diversity and the advancement of psychotherapy.

• In Year 2, AMPD Scholars will present their proposal for input and approval from the Executive Board at the annual Fall meeting
  • AMPD Scholar expenses for attending this meeting will be covered by the Society if an in-person meeting
  • AMPD Scholars will have an opportunity at this meeting for contact with their mentors, as well as the rest of the Board and committee chairs.
  • AMPD Scholars will receive up to $500 to support their project
• In Year 2, AMPD Scholars will implement their projects and present their work and give a progress report at the Winter meeting.
• In Year 2, AMPD Scholars will present their work at the annual APA convention in August 

• AMPD Scholar expenses for attending the APA meeting will be covered by the Society, up to $1000.

Funding offered to AMPD Scholars for participation in the program and in connection with mentorship and their development of a project will include:

• Year 1 and Y2: Funding to attend Board Meetings of the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy if held in person for orientation to the Society, to present project proposal (up to $2,000 per AMPD Scholar); $500 to support project expenses as needed.
• Year 2: Funding to attend APA convention to present projects and/or project outcomes (up to $1,000 per AMPD Scholar to help offset convention expenses) 

Doctoral students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows who: (a) demonstrate a strong commitment to psychotherapy research, practice, and/or training and education; (b) have a strong commitment to diversity, social justice, and advocacy; and (c) will be enrolled as graduate students, interns, or postdocs at the time of selection and throughout the course of the program are eligible to apply for the program.

All materials must be submitted electronically according to the instructions below—also listed on the Division 29 website (see below for email address to which the application should be submitted).

All Required Materials below should be sent to: Tracey Martin at assnmgmt1@cox.net.

• Personal Statement
  • Please submit a personal statement (750 words or less) that addresses the following questions:
    • What activities have you been involved in that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion?
    • What are your career goals?
    • In what ways would you benefit from participation in the AMPD Scholars program in the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy?
    • Which two of the Society’s Domains (listed below) are of greatest interest to you and that you would potentially like to develop a project and receive mentoring? Please explain your interest.
      • Diversity
      • Early Career
      • Education and Training
      • International
      • Membership
      • Professional Practice
      • Science and Scholarship
      • Public Interest and Social Justice
• Curriculum Vitae
• Application Form (see below)
• One Letter of Recommendation from a faculty member
  • Note: If the letter of recommendation does not confirm student status, submit another Letter from Director of Training or Department Head indicating Verification of Status in the Program
  • Faculty members are asked to address the applicant’s readiness to engage in the AMPD Scholars Program and confirm that they are a current student in psychology. 

All inquiries about the application process and award may be directed to the Coordinator of the AMPD Program, Dr. Rosemary Phelps (rephelps@uga.edu) or the Diversity Domain Representatives Dr. Wonjin Sim (wsim0930@gmail.com) and Dr. Changming Duan (duanc@ku.edu)

Please download the document for the application.