Assembly of Scientist-Practitioner Psychologists Caucus

1.  How does the scientist-practitioner model guide your everyday work as a psychologist?

The basis for my entire training is the scientist-practitioner model because counseling psychology has espoused this model since the beginning of my doctoral education in 1972. Since my thinking process is so intertwined with the science-practice way of thinking, I am constantly using the scientific method of inquiry to guide The Division of Student Affairs' strategic planning and implementation of programs. In fact, I have asked that we create a learning culture in the Division of Student Affairs. All departments must create learning objectives, demonstrate their assessment techniques and demonstrate measurable outcomes. The approach grows directly from my training as a scientist-practitioner/educator. When I work with individuals I am constantly forming and testing hypotheses. I use current evidence-based material of which I am aware to guide any interventions at the group, individual or community level. I use my work as a practitioner to help shape my theoretical conceptualizations. Evidence can be seen in the career instruments my colleagues and I have developed.

2.  What special qualifications, experiences, skills, accomplishments, etc., do you present that would benefit the position to which you are applying, and in advancing the mission of integration of science and practice of psychology?

I have held numerous job positions and organizational leadership positions ( including my current position as Vice President of Student Affairs at the University of Memphis ) that directly prepared me for and demonstrate that I would be an effective President for the APA. I directed a University Counseling Center that had five major divisions, psychological counseling, career counseling, testing services, educational support programs and academic advising for undecided undergraduate students. Within this context I had to develop an APA accredited internship and maintain accreditation by the International Association of Counseling Services. I had to help a disparate group see itself as a team committed to the education and training of psychologists and had to help site visitors understand how the entire structure fit together. We did that successfully from the very inception of the program in 1987. I believe that my skills as a team builder, a listener, a synthesizer, and leader helped to make that group function well. I used my training as a scientist and a practitioner to bring the needed facts to the table to help individuals overcome their resistance to an unfamiliar concept and structure.

My work as President of the Society of Counseling Psychology also helped to prepare me for the APA Presidency. Because I really wanted to do something that mattered during my short stint as President, I enlarged the circle and joined with two other presidents (Drs. Melba Vasquez and Derald Wing Sue) and one past president (Dr. Lisa Porche-Burke) to co-found the National Multicultural Conference and Summit . We intentionally worked to include scientists and practitioners in the Summit because it was our belief that our best work happens when we integrate science and practice.

I have also been president of two other national organizations, The Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors and the International Association of Counseling Center Services (AUCCCD.) Each of these positions increased my managerial and leadership skills. In addition to the Multicultural Summit, I also coordinated a national conference while President of AUCCCD. Both of the conferences were profitable. I have coordinated national conferences at the University of Florida and at the University of Memphis . These six conferences have been profitable.

I believe that my ability to pull teams together, manage well, inspire and motivate, using evidence-based material, will enable me to be a very effective President for APA.

3.  What roles and activities do you anticipate taking on, if chosen for the APA governance body, that would effectively advance the integration of science and practice?

My campaign theme is Exclusion is Easy, but Inclusion is Power. I chose that theme because it is essential for us to include every psychologist from every dimension and division of our profession if we are to be a powerful organization doing work that matters. It seems to me that we have been working toward making APA more welcoming for ethnic minorities and we will do more as we implement the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Enhancing Diversity. And we need to make sure that we include in those recommendations all ethnicities, all races, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, religions and more. We now must apply the same kind of attention to the collaboration and welcoming of all scientists and practitioners. I plan to establish a task force that will be charged to bring back recommendations for strengthening the science-practice collaboration within APA and within the profession. I would like to see a summit that is structured as a science/practice collaboration that is problem-based and solution-focused. The problem could be "Managing Managed Care: Insuring that Psychologists Can Earn a Living". Or in could be "Funding the Science of Psychology." The team of psychologists would determine the problem. It is the duty of the President to present the larger picture and then ask our colleagues to bring their time, talent and treasure as practitioners and scientists to help us specify the problems and find the methods that direct us to a solution.