Statement Provided by the Nominee for the Membership Domain Representative of the Society for the Advancement in Psychotherapy
Dr. Birbilis is running unopposed
Dr. Jean Birbilis
Dr. Jean Birbilis
Division 29 is beginning a new chapter of its growth and development as the Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Membership Domain Representative and continue contributing to the Division’s growth. As the Chair of the Membership Committee, I have assisted the current Membership Domain Representative, Dr. Annie Judge, in implementing innovative strategies for recruiting members, such as replacing the APA Convention Suite with a booth in the Exhibit Hall the past three years in order to be more visible and accessible to potential members. I am delighted that during this time, the Division has been making a concerted effort to increase the diversity of its membership in many aspects of identity, particularly from members of marginalized groups. We have farther to go in this respect, but it has been a good start. I’m also pleased that the past couple of years have seen the number of Division 29 members with Psy. D.s increase; given that the majority of new psychologists are graduating with Psy. D.s and that most Psy.D.s identify as practitioner scholars, Division 29 is a natural professional home for psychologists with Psy.D.’s. Furthermore, now that we are a society, we can also draw membership from other mental health professions. In sum, I would appreciate your support of me for Membership Domain Representative so that I can continue the work that Annie and I began.