And the answer is ...
The five candidates for APA’s 2014 president are answering two questions in the June,
July/August and September issues of the Monitor. This month’s questions are:
Q3 Taking into account the changing demographics of our society (e.g., aging population,
ethnic diversity), how would you forge effective alliances with other organizations and
disciplines to promote APA’s science and practice expertise?
Q4 Given the growing importance and impact of technology on psychological practice and
the positioning of psychotherapy and other psychological treatments, assessment and
other services in health-care reform, what do you envision as an appropriate role for the
association on these issues?
Balloting begins Sept. 14 and the election closes Oct. 29. For biographical information on each
candidate and the candidates’ election statements, see the May Monitor.
PsychContinuingEd.com,
Columbus, Ohio
Todd Finnerty, PsyD
Q3
There’s nothing like a cup of coffee
— especially when cups of coffee are
enjoyed together at joint conferences
and collaborative projects. As co-founder of PsychContinuingEd.com, I
know all about how people from different backgrounds can
come together to present their findings, discuss issues and find
common ground. Let’s not simply “promote APA’s science and
practice expertise” and our own agenda. Let’s find a common
purpose and consider the needs of other organizations so
we’ll have success in joining forces in effective alliances. Great
alliances start by daring to try; daring to try starts by pouring
more cups of coffee.
Q4
We can’t simply react to changes from external sources like
new technology by endlessly debating guidelines. We must
actively stimulate innovation. Technology is only one piece of
a comprehensive, innovative approach to health-care reform.
We’ll expand the influence of psychology and improve the lives
of those we serve. We won’t form another insulated, closed-off committee — we’ll crowdsource innovative ideas with
the Psychology Innovation Challenge. We’ll actively seek out
great ideas no matter who they come from, and give them the
national attention APA can provide and connections to grant
funding. Read more about the Psychology Innovation Challenge
at www.toddfinnerty.com.
86
Independent practice,
University of Washington, Seattle
Douglas C. Haldeman, PhD
Q3
I will lead APA in reaffirming
psychology’s position at the forefront
of culturally aware delivery of
behavioral and mental health services
via our participation in coalitions
that include other health and cultural
organizations. Our inclusion in groups that are developing
legislative agendas on all matters relating to health, such as
Medicare regulations, is essential for practitioners to meet
society’s needs. I will actively pursue collaboration with
other health, scientific and cultural organizations to ensure
psychology’s influence. I have been part of developing some of
APA’s guidelines for working with more diverse groups, which
positions me strongly to lead in this area.
Q4
I support the integration of technology into psychologists’
work, and would use advances in technology to make APA the
primary source of mental and behavioral health information
for all Web consumers. I will lead APA to develop high-quality,
Web-based interactive products addressing the questions
raised by our increasingly diverse world. Members and the
public alike will have easy access to information that addresses
mental (depression, anxiety, workplace stress, everyday trauma)
and physical (exercise, eating behaviors, sexuality, disability)
concerns through podcasts, apps and Web-based therapeutic
resources.
MONITOR ON PSYCHOLOGY • JULY/AUGUST 2012
