About Us

Dear CPA,

I hope you all had a relaxing and restorative summer with some opportunities to unwind, unplug, and take time off from your normal routines and responsibilities. If your house is anything like mine, the transition from summer to fall is both an exciting and hectic one, whether that means a new academic year, a new clinical placement or supervising new trainees, the joy and struggle of getting your children back into the routine of the school year, or simply counting down the days to your first cider donut and pumpkin spice latte.

CPA has been hard at work over the summer months and we are very excited about our upcoming fall events. Don’t miss our informational webinar on the PSYPACT Interjurisdictional Compact next week, as well as our monthly Social Justice Series which is always an engaging and thought-provoking event (see the CPA website for details and to register).I also encourage you all to attend our upcoming Convention, which will be held in November at the Yale West Campus in Orange. This will be CPA’s first in person convention since 2019, and we could not be more excited to see you all to catch up and connect! #CPACON has another incredible lineup this year and includes two specialty tracks – one for Diversity and one on Pain and the CT Workers Compensation Pain Protocol. The convention day will be followed by a social hour to give us all time to unwind and chat. Please come say hello – I can’t wait to finally have the opportunity to meet so many of you in person!

Our Public Education Team and members have continued to promote psychology, champion mental health and wellness, and disseminate important information about how and where to find help across the state. Our relationships with our legislators and with public-facing media outlets has never been stronger, and we routinely receive requests for CPA members to feature in print, radio, and on television. Together, we can show the world what psychology and psychologists  can do, and we are doing our part to make sure good, reliable, and evidence-based information about mental health and our profession are accessible to all who need it.

As we approach membership renewal season I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued support of our organization and the work that we do. Our trend of membership growth has continued, and we couldn’t be happier about it. With every new member who joins us (and every existing member who renews!) our voice and advocacy power grow stronger. While we are on the right track, we aren’t where we need to be yet and we must continue to demonstrate our value to psychologists across our state. Please help us by spreading the word about CPA and encouraging your friends and colleagues to join. Community is everything, and now more than ever the policy and advocacy work we do is critical to the viability of our profession, to ensure access to high-quality and affordable mental health care, and to illuminate psychology’s unique role in helping to solve the major societal problems we face. There has never been a better time to join or renew. Thank you for your partnership and for being a part of our team!

As things continue to move forward into more of a pre-pandemic normal we look forward to resuming more in-person events. Keep an eye out for opportunities to gather and connect. Interested in hosting an event or a regional gathering? Curious about CPA and would like to get more involved? Adept at fundraising and want to help us grow and sustain the organization? Have a legislative issue you think we should tackle in 2023? Whatever your passion, interest, or skill set, please reach out! We are, as always, #StrongerTogether.

Finally, information about our annual elections will be coming soon. Stay tuned and please remember to vote!

I hope to see you soon in both our virtual spaces and at Convention. Until then…

Stay well, stay positive, stay connected.
Jennifer

Want to know more? Meet your 2022 Board of Directors here: https://connpsych.org/cpa-leadership/. Check out our new “Sharing Our Stories” series on YouTube to hear some personal words from our leaders: Connecticut Psychological Association – YouTube. Follow us on your preferred social media platforms to stay up-to-date on all things psychology and CPA (https://www.facebook.com/ConnPsych ; https://twitter.com/ConnPsy ; https://www.instagram.com/connpsych/). We value your connection and engagement!

The Connecticut Psychological Association… working for ALL the psychologists in our state.  Working for you.

January 5, 2020

CPA 2019: A Year in Review

Happy New Year!  CPA had a very productive 2019 and we have even more planned for 2020!

In 2019, CPA answered many inquiries related to practice, ethics, licensure, and training and kept you informed and up-to-date about practice issues such as reimbursement, insurance audits, and changes to reporting requirements under Medicare. CPA responded to media inquiries and offered educational information at community events.  CPA enhanced communication through our listserv CONNPSYCH@LISTS.APAPRACTICE.ORG

CPA offered outstanding educational trainings and networking opportunities to support our professional growth.  Offering excellent in-person CE trainings throughout the state:

• ·       Declan T. Barry, Ph.D., Chronic Pain and the Opioid Use Disorder
• ·       Joseph Kulas, Ph.D., ABPP, Update on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Veteran Populations
• ·       Traci Cipriano, JD, Ph.D., Arnold Holzman, Ph.D., ABPP & Robb Wright, OTRL PAIN MANAGEMENT:
  Training in the Biopsychosocial Model to Enhance Coping Skills of Individuals with Musculoskeletal Pain Who Have Work-Related Injuries
• ·       Elaine Ducharme, Ph.D., Cybersex Use and Abuse: From Fantasy to Addiction
• ·       Stacy Cruess, Ph.D., & Gabriel Martz, MD, Diagnosis and Management of Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures (PNES)
• ·       Howard Oakes, Psy.D., ABPP-CN & David Lovejoy, Psy.D., ABN, Independent Neuropsychological Evaluations
• ·       Dan Abrahamson, Ph.D., CPA Spring Retreat  and lunch with Special Guest
• ·       James J. Connolly, Ph.D., JD, Strategies for Effective Deposition Testimony by Forensic Psychologists
• ·       Stephen Sarfaty, Ph.D., Psychological Pain: Assessment, Treatment and Medical Protocols for the Worker’s Compensation Commission

Offering 6 outstanding free to members webinars featuring:

• ·       Jeffrey Zimmerman, Ph.D., ABPP, Strategies for Building an Ethically Responsible Niche Practice
• ·       James J. Connolly, Ph.D., JD, What Psychological Science Tells Us about Living Long and Well
• ·       Alex M. Siegel, J.D., Ph.D., Director of Professional Affairs Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, Telepsych and PSYPACT
• ·       Beth Rom-Rymer, Ph.D., Sometimes David Wins: How Illinois Psychologists Achieved Legislative Success with Prescriptive Authority
• ·       David Tate, Ph.D. & Daryn David, Ph.D., The Disruptive Psychologist: Leveraging Your Skills to Build an Innovative Career
• ·       Kathleen Chapman, Ph.D., Suicide Assessment and Prevention

CPA’s 33^rd Annual Convention

Dr. Ilene Grueneberg and colleagues organized CPA’s 33^rd Annual Convention on October 25, 2019.  Thank you to committee members Drs. Ralph Balducci, Jessica Guite, Robert Horwitz, Mikaru Lasher, and Elizabeth Rathbun, for putting together an excellent convention.  CPA was honored to have APA Council Leadership Chair Dr. Beth Rom-Rymer join us in CT.  The events started with a dinner in honor at Ludal’s in North Haven with CPA and RXP Taskforce members. We had some challenges with this year’s Keynote address. Our original Keynote speaker, Jeremy Richman, sadly passed away. We were very excited when Paul Bloom agreed to step in and then he was unexpectedly hospitalized the day before the Convention! (He is fully recovered, by the way!) We were VERY lucky to have Beth Rom-Rymer already scheduled to present a workshop and she graciously agreed to host a Keynote conversation entitled “The Future of Psychological Practice “with our own David Greenfield, Anne Klee and Darius Fathi.” Thanks to all for their enthusiasm and expertise, the Keynote conversation was an excellent beginning to our day.  We also had a mix of new and returning presenters; all were thoughtful, informative and seemed to be well received. What a treasure chest of knowledgeable and personable speakers!

CPA’s 2019 Legislative Session

In 2019 CPA tracked over 100 bills that could impact our license, scope of practice or public mental health.  Our legislative season started on January 2,2019 when we heard that there were problems with the new testing codes (that came into effect on January 1^st).  Within days we had calls with APA, and Anita Schepker, our lobbyist, was meeting with the CT Department of Social Services (CT DSS).  While CT DSS maintained there were no intentions to lower Medicaid reimbursements, there were coding glitches that took time to correct and other consequences with the new codes.  All members are welcome to join the legislative calls on Mondays at 8:30 am.  Contact: Dr. Marcy Kane drmkane71@aol.comor       203-217-5276

Some outcomes from the 2019 CT legislative session:

• o   CPA did an outstanding job getting SB 966 AN ACT CONCERNING THE PRESCRIPTIVE AUTHORITY OF PSYCHOLOGISTS raised in the public health committee.  After the public hearing, it fell short by one vote of getting out of committee.

o   CPA lobbied for PSYPACT. There is a commitment by the Department of Public Health to study this issue and bring back a recommendation to the Public Health Committee in 2020.

o   CPA lobbied against HB 6401  AN ACT RECOGNIZING PARENTAL ALIENATION SYNDROME AS A FORM OF EMOTIONAL CHILD ABUSE Along with bills such as HB 5877 restricting the use of Guardians ad Litem in highly contested family court cases, these bills all failed despite the public forum on parental alienation held at the state Legislative Office Building early on during the session.  The drafted bills were highly controversial and ultimately did not even get a public hearing.

o   CPA actively supported HB 7140 which would have required, among other things that motorcycle operators and their passengers be required to wear helmets.  CPA testified in favor of this portion of the bill, but ultimately this bill did not pass.

• o   CPA was part of coalition that helped pass HB 7125 AN ACT CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER BENEFITS. (PARITY) The bill requires that each health carrier annually report to the insurance commissioner mental health and substance use disorder benefits and nonquantitative treatment limitations.  We were at the Governor’s bill signing.
• o   CPA closely followed HB  7159    AN ACT ADDRESSING OPIOID USE
  This bill updates and adds to existing laws with respect to providers and prescribers of opioids.
• o   CPA supported SB164 AN ACT CONCERNING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL IMPAIRMENTS, MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR POLICE OFFICERS AND WELLNESS TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS, PAROLE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS.  This bill establishes the eligibility requirements for these officers and firefighters to receive PTSD benefits. The bill also prohibits a law enforcement unit from disciplining police officers solely because they seek or receive mental health care services or surrender their work weapons or ammunition.  The diagnosis and treatment of a police officer or firefighter may be conducted by a board-certified psychiatrist or a licensed psychologist specializing in the treatment of PTSD. It also requires law enforcement units to request that officers seek a mental health examination before returning their weapons or ammunition.
• o   CPA supported HB 7198  AN ACT CONCERNING SOCIAL WORKERS
  This bill prohibits anyone from using the title “social worker,” or any associated initials, or advertising services as a social worker unless he or she has a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in social work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

CPA’s Annual Legislative Breakfast at the Capitol

Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual CPA Legislative Breakfast at the Capitol. We had a terrific turnout and some encouraging comments from legislators who were disappointed that RXP did not go further.

Anita Schepker and Ralph Balducci with State Senator Derek Slap

Mark Spellmann, State Rep Holly Cheeseman, State Rep Mary Mushinsky, and Anne Klee

Good News and Congratulations!

• At the 2019 CPA Convention, Dr. John Mehm announced that former CPA President Dr. Jack Plummer and his wife Lynn have made a sizeable donation of $100,000 to the Connecticut Psychological Foundation.  Their donation will support the Jack and Lynn Plummer Lectureship.  The Plummers want the lectures to be of educational benefit to psychologists and to reflect the current status of research and practice in areas of clinical psychology. A very active and longstanding member of CPA, Dr. Plummer believes all psychologists in Connecticut should be members of CPA. Recognizing that a state psychological association is the stepstone to our profession, Dr. Plummer personally engaged and mentored many members over the years such as Drs. John Mehm, Steve Moore, Jane Owens-Lane, Stephen Sarfaty, Jeff Zimmerman, to name just several among many. The lectureship will support his legacy by bringing members together to learn from renowned speakers.  The Plummers hope the lectureship will make an impact by providing ongoing education and inspiration to the membership of CPA! Drs. John Mehm, Steve Moore and Anne Klee will oversee the investment and spending of the funds. The CPA and CPF boards are awed by this significant gift and opportunity to further engage CT psychologists.

• ·       CPA was awarded a $7,000 grant from APA to support our lobbying efforts.  This is part of an APA effort to support small state associations.  As small state associations like ours across the country struggle with low membership numbers, we are at risk for being unable to have a paid lobbyist.  We are very grateful for this financial support.
• ·       CPA and the RxP Task Force (RxPTF) are pleased to announce that the APA Committee of State Leaders has awarded CPA an APA Services Inc. Grant in the amount of $7,500 to help pay for expenses related to pursuit of prescriptive authority.  After a hiatus of several years and some restructuring of advocacy efforts, APA Services, Inc. (through the Practice Directorate) reinstated a legislative grant program in 2019. They received many applications and especially considered factors such as the importance of the issue to psychology, the description of advocacy strategy, and the SPTA’s financial need.  Capitalizing on our 2018-2019 legislative success, the CPA Task Force proposed to build on our success and expand our campaign and fundraising efforts in upcoming sessions. Our general plan is 3-fold:

1. Build coalitions with public officials, public and private agencies and organizations, psychologists and consumers to educate and gain support.
2. Explore and hire a person or firm to increase and improve marketing, including and especially grassroots efforts and social media campaigning.
3. Explore and establish donation mechanisms for RxP. (By the way, a DONATION button is already up and running on connpsych.org.)

• ·       At the CPA Convention, Dr. Jan Owens-Lane, Chair of the Ethnic Diversity Task Force (EDTF) of CPA presented Mentoring Scholarships to two high school students and twelve undergraduate and graduate students from various colleges/universities across the state. These students were given a free one-year CPA Membership, EDTF Membership, training and networking opportunities among other mentoring opportunities. After founding and leading EDTF for two decades, Dr. Jan Owens-Lane has retired to Maryland.  Drs. Miki Lasher and Maysa Akbar have graciously agreed to co-lead EDTF starting in January 2020.
• ·       Darius Fathi, PsyD, our ECP Rep, was nominated by CPA and selected to be part of the first ever cohort of APA Leadership Development fellows!  He will join a diverse group of 14 fellows – 5 graduate students and 9 early career psychologists – who were nominated by 5 APA Divisions and 9 State Psychological Associations (SPTAs), respectively.  These individuals were selected from a very competitive pool by the APAGS Committee and the Committee on Early Career Psychologists, which worked together to champion this initiative. It is being funded by APA, with support allocated by Early Career and Graduate Student Affairs, the Education Directorate, and the Practice Directorate.  The fellowships’ purposes are (1) creating strong candidates for service to SPTAs, Divisions, and APA boards and committees, and particularly to the APA Council of Representatives; and (2) raising the visibility and importance of students and ECPs within APA at large. Each of the respective Divisions and SPTAs will receive $1500 to develop or strengthen its own leadership program.
• ·       Congratulations and thank you to CPA members Drs. Carrissa Phipps, Nick Pinkerton and Janet Spoltore who are serving on the CT Task Force to Study the Policies & Procedures Adopted by Each Institution of Higher Education Regarding the Prevention & Treatment of Mental Illness.  The link to CT-N’s coverage is now on the TF’s web page

Congratulations to 2019 CPA Awards Recipients

Distinguished Contribution to the Practice of Psychology  James Connolly, Ph.D.

Distinguished Contribution to Psychology in the Public Interest  Timothy Kearney, Ph.D.

Distinguished Contribution to Diversity in Psychology John Mehm, Ph.D.

Distinguished Contribution to the Science of Psychology Award Jessica W. Guite, Ph.D.

Distinguished Early Career Contribution to Psychology Darius Fathi, Psy.D.

Outstanding Student of Psychology Emmanuel Silva de Sousa

Distinguished Legislators State Senator Heather Somers and State Representative Jonathan Steinberg

President’s Award  Anita Schepker, JD 

Award for Extraordinary Service to CPA  Mark Spellmann, Ph.D.

CPA Priorities Survey

Thank you to Drs. Jessica Guite and Mark Spellmann who in early 2019 initiated a needs-based planning project designed to survey our existing members and to also invite input from all licensed psychologists in the state. The survey seeks to elicit information about membership priorities and to also engage CT psychologists in sharing feedback on preferred advocacy efforts for CPA to target into the future.  A brief electronic survey was constructed and initially launched in September 2019 to all psychologists in the state and is ongoing to ensure that we are gathering a broad perspective of voices. We can only support you effectively when priorities and concerns are shared and now, more than ever, psychologists in the state of CT need the strength in numbers to successfully advocate shared priorities.  Please take the survey today! 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cpapriorities

Update on APA Activities

CPA’s Annual trip to Washington DC to participate in the Practice Leadership Conference and visit the CT Congressional Delegation on Capitol Hill.

H.R. 884 Medicare Mental Health Access Act

Thank you to Dr. Beth Rathbun CPA’s Federal Advocacy Coordinator who is coordintating the CT effort to garner congressional support ofr H.R. 884.  APA is currently in the process of working to confirm co-sponsors for H.R. 884. This bill was introduced by Reps Judy Chi (D-CA), Jason Smith (R-MO), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). The bill seeks to remove the delay in mental health treatment for Medicare beneficiaries by ending the need for a physical signature and supervision of psychological services. Currently, for Medicare recipients in nursing homes and related hospital facilities Medicare requires a physician to sign off on all psychological treatment services. This stipulation negatively effects many older Americans with multiple medical and psychological diagnoses as they must wait for treatment to begin. However, many private health care plans, the VA and TRICARE all support licensed psychologists signing off and practicing independently in all inpatient and outpatient locations. In addition, physicians are often limited and difficult to access. This bill would not add or change the services that psychologists already provide. Passing this bill would allow psychologists to practice within their scope of practice and ensure that Medicare clients effected get their treatment needs met more efficiently.

Please share any related Medicare issues you have experienced with Beth as so she can  share them with Connecticut Congressional representatives. These experiences will likely help representatives fully understand the necessity of passing this bill. You can contact Beth at therapywithelizabeth@gmail.com.

APA Council convened on Wednesday, Aug. 7, and Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. At the onset, council voted to reject suspending Association Rule 30-2.1, which means we agreed to not publish individual votes on open session agenda items. Council passed the consent agenda which included the following educational proficiency and specialty areas:

• Recognition of Biofeedback and Applied Psychophysiology as a Proficiency in Professional Psychology.
• Recognition of Behavioral and Cognitive Psychology as a Specialty in Professional Psychology.
• Recognition of Clinical Neuropsychology as a Specialty in Professional Psychology.
• Recognition of Industrial and Organizational Psychology as a Specialty in Professional Psychology.
• Extension of Recognition of Clinical Child Psychology as a Specialty in Professional Psychology.

Also approved on the consent agenda under public interest were several resolutions related to HIV prevention, infection and transmission. They include:

• Resolution on Drug Abuse Treatment to Prevent HIV Among Injecting Drug Users.
• Resolution on Neuropsychological Assessment & HIV Infection.
• Resolution on Legal Liability Related to Confidentiality & Prevention of HIV Transmission.
• Resolution on Combination Biomedical & Behavioral Approaches to Optimize HIV Prevention.

On the Wednesday morning of council, we received an inspiring update from APA President Rosie Bingham-Davis on her presidential initiative on deep poverty. We also received an update from Arthur Evans, CEO of APA. For the past two years, membership has increased! Evans also reported on the implementation of the strategic plan and highlighted APA’s important work in artificial intelligence and responses to national tragedies. Jean Carter then provided council with the financial report. On Wednesday afternoon, recently deceased members were honored. Diana Prescott recognized Rich Tirman, and Frank Farley recognized Wilbert (Bill) J. McKeachie. Additionally, on Wednesday afternoon, the Committee on Early Career Psychologists presented Div. 42 with a recognition for promoting the expertise of early career psychologists and encouraging early career involvement in leadership.

Council explored an amendment to association rules to change the composition of the Board of Professional Affairs (BPA). With sunsetting of the Committee on the Advancement of Professional Practice, it was determined more seats were needed on BPA to support the work. This passed, adding three seats to BPA.

Council spent much of the remainder of our time discussing and debating the following items:

• After some debate as to whether to include refugees in this policy statement, council approved, by 98 percent, the 2019 APA Immigration and Refugee Policy Statement. The policy highlights the psychological stressors faced by immigrants and refugees and encourages psychologists to use their training to treat and advocate on behalf of immigrants, refugees and people seeking asylum in the United States.
• Council put forward a Bylaws amendment to give student members voting privileges. Nearly three-fourths of council members approved amendments to the APA bylaws and association rules that would create an official membership category for graduate students that specifically provides them voting rights after one year. Those rights include the ability to vote for president-elect, members-at-large of the board of directors, apportionment and bylaws amendments. In addition, council voted to change the voting waiting period for associate members from five years to one year. APA voting members received the ballot to vote on this amendment on Nov. 1, and council voted for these votes to contain pro and con statements. Please note that when pro and con statements are included, past items have not passed.  The results were tallied and the amendment did not pass by a narrow margin. Bylaws amendments must be approved by 2/3rds (66.67%) of those voting to pass.   The Bylaws Amendment ballot results are below.

• ·        Approved            5,566 votes (65.98%)
• ·        Not Approved    2,870 votes (34.02%)

• Council also voted overwhelmingly in favor of two sets of guidelines. The Guidelines for Psychological Practice for People with Low-Income and Economic Marginalization studies the needs of low-income people who are underserved and often understudied and from diverse backgrounds. The Race and Ethnicity Guidelines in Psychology: Promoting Responsiveness and Equity guidelines update research on the understanding and treatments for ethnically and culturally diverse individuals.
• Council representatives came forward requesting APA explore a public information campaign on racism. Council then quickly passed a motion directing the APA Board of Directors to establish a task force that will assess the possibility of developing a public education campaign on racism and discrimination.

Council meets again Feb. 28 through March 1, 2020.

Save the Date!

List of selected 2020 CPA upcoming events.  For more details and to register please go to www.Connpsych.com

CPA Networking Gathering

Friday, January 17, 2020 from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM (EST)

Burroughs Community Center

2470 Fairfield AvenueBridgeport, CT 06605

CPA Annual Legislative Breakfast

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 from 8:30-10 am

Legislative Office Building, Hartford

CPA’s 34^th Annual Convention

Friday, November 13, 2020

Yale’s West Campus

Orange, CT

At the end of 2019, three board members are rotating off.  Thank you to Dr. Katie Berk (Treasurer), Dr. Jim Connolly (Region 2 Rep) and Nana Yaa Marfo (Student Rep) for your outstanding service and dedication to CPA and our profession.

 Announcing the 2020 CPA Board, Divisions, Taskforce and Committee Chairs

President                                             Anne Klee, Ph.D.

President-Elect                                    Jennifer Doran, Ph.D.

Secretary                                             Meghan Butler, Ph.D.

Treasurer                                             Mark Spellmann, Ph.D.

Early Career Representative               Darius Fathi, Psy.D.

Graduate Student Representative Nadika Paranamana, MA

Undergraduate Representative            Emily Hotz

Council Representative                       John Mehm, Ph.D.

Region 1 Representative                     Jennifer Ferrand, Psy.D.

Region 2 Representative                     Sharif Okasha, Psy.D.

Region 3 Representative                     Stephanie Pennington, Psy.D.

Region 4 Representative                     Ralph Balducci, Psy.D.

Region 5 Representative                     Heather Paluso, Ph.D.

Diversity Representative                    Maysa Akbar, Ph.D.

Practice Representative                      Stuart Sokol, Ph.D.

Public Interest Rep                            Kathleen Chapman, Ph.D.

Science Representative                       Jessica Guite, Ph.D.

Legislative Chair                                Marcy Kane, Ph.D.

Federal Advocacy Coordinator            Elizabeth Rathbun, Psy.D.

Public Education Coordinator             Elaine Ducharme, Ph.D.

Continuing Education Chair               Ilene Grueneberg, Ph.D.

Forensic Division Rep                        Eric Frazer, Ph.D.

Neuropsychology Division Rep      Jon Woodhouse, Psy.D.

Healthcare Reform Taskforce                     Barbara Ward-Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Prescription Authority Taskforce        Barbara Bunk, Ph.D.

                                                            David Greenfield, Ph.D.

PSYPACT Taskforce                         Carrissa Phipps, Ph.D.

CT Suicide Advisory Board            Kathleen Chapman, Ph.D.

                                                          Candice Weigle-Spier, Ph.D.

CT Task Force to Study the                 Carrissa Phipps, Ph.D.

Policies & Procedures Adopted            Nick Pinkerton, Psy.D.

by Each Institution of Higher             Janet Spoltore, Ph.D.

Education Regarding the Prevention

& Treatment of Mental Illness

The recent US policy to separate immigrant children from their parents has been especially alarming to psychologists who understand the science of stress on children and families.  In the weeks following the policy to separate families, over 2,300 children were separated from their parents. CPA is concerned about family separation and the serious short and long-term negative health impacts it can have on both children and adults. Several letters from organizations have been sent around in response to the US policy to separate children from their parents at the borders.
The CPA Board voted to co-sign two circulating letters. CPA has signed on to a letter spearheaded by Physicians for Human Rights that was sent to every member of Congress.  We also co-signed a second letter, written and organized by Child’s World America, that has been signed by a number of mental health organizations. A few CPA members have reached out with ideas for us to be more involved on this matter through advocacy and education.  If you would like to be involved, please reach out to me at anne.klee@yale.edu
In other news, June has been a busy month for CPA. On Friday, June 8^th many of us attended the daylong training on measurement-based care taught by Drs. Barbara Ward Zimmerman and Jason DeViva. Their presentation was very informative and practical including free tools to use in practice settings and codes to bill insurance for administration of measures. We are grateful to them for sharing their knowledge and expertise. On Thursday, June 14^th, CPA hosted a showing of the documentary That Way Madness Lies followed by a panel led by Yale film professor and the filmmaker Sandra Luckow and public mental health experts Drs. Tracey Sondik and Tom Styron. The film was very well-done and quite thought-provoking. The discussion after the film was rich with information. Drs. Sondik and Stryon did an excellent job debunking myths about schizophrenia and imparted important stories demonstrating that recovery is possible. We are grateful to all three for their time and knowledge shared as well as their dedication to improving the lives of individuals with serious mental illnesses. As I write this article, a number of us are looking forward to the CPA social event on June 28^th at Ordinary in New Haven hosted by Dr. Stephanie Pennington, Region 3 Rep.  I hope I see many of you there!

Dear Colleagues,

On this Global Day of Giving, please support our students! Please invest in educational and networking opportunities for graduate students like Nana ‘Molinha’ Marfo.

We would love to send students and early career psychologists to the American Psychological Association’s Practice Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., where they can learn about cutting edge Issues facing our profession and public mental health, connect with psychologists who are at the forefront of our field and meet with Connecticut’s Congressional Delegation to advocate on behalf of mental health care reform.

Please invest in future educational opportunities for graduate students and early career psychologists from diverse backgrounds by making a contribution to the Ethnic Diversity Mentoring Scholarships of the Connecticut Psychological Foundation. We need your support!

Today, Giving Tuesday, the global day of giving, please donate to efforts to support psychology and public health

Thank you so much!

The Connecticut Psychological Foundation is a not-for-profit educational foundation with the goals of advancing the proficiency of psychologists and contributing to the health and wellbeing of the public. CPF sponsors programs that promote education of the public, students, and psychologists. Tax-deductible donations can made via PayPal or a check can be sent to the CT Psychological Foundation P O Box 915, North Haven, CT 06473-0915.

Our Paypal option allows you to donate monthly and/or to earmark your donation for a specific fund if you so choose. Specific funds include: Mindstylz, Catherine Acuff Awards & the Ethnic Diversity Mentoring Scholarships. Non-specified donations will support educational programming as needed.

Donate here.

The following message is is an excerpt from a letter CPA sent to Senator Richard Blumenthal.

Dear Senator Blumenthal,

I am honored to inform you that you have been selected for Connecticut Psychological Association’s 2018 Distinguished Legislator Award for your steadfast commitment to protecting people’s rights.  We salute your advocacy work around mental health parity, access to care, elder protection and abuse prevention, common sense legislation to reduce gun violence, and funding for intervention programs that address the opioid epidemic.  In all, we recognize your unwavering public support for laws and services that promote human welfare.

We would also like to acknowledge your vocal support of our colleague and sexual assault survivor, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and for all victims of sexual violence. In stating your belief in the veracity of her account of her sexual assault, you have communicated to all victims of sexual abuse that their experiences matter and that they, as human beings, matter.

As you are aware, further psychological damage from sexual violence occurs when victims are ignored, blamed and shamed when speaking up about their abuse. Women and men who have been victimized often avoid reporting their experience to law enforcement or even family members and friends, for fear of a negative reaction. Instead, you modeled a positive response to Dr. Blasey Ford’s story with words of acknowledgement, concern, and support.  Your voice has given hope and strength for victims to continue to seek acknowledgement and repair.  As psychologists who provide resources and treatment to sexual abuse victims, we applaud your efforts to elevate public awareness and support survivors.

Sincerely,
Anne Klee, Ph.D.