Council In Action!

Linda Campbell, Ph.D. and Norine Johnson, Ph.D.

We are quite used to stalemates, filibusters, and partisanship these days, aren’t

we? I wish you could all have attended this Council meeting to see actual decision-

making, compromise, and respectful disagreement. There were items on this Council

agenda that truly spoke to who we are, what our values are, and what is important to us.

You would have been very proud to see how differing members conducted themselves

and how the decisions were made. We are going to plunge into the top items of

importance to Div. 29 here and hope that if you want more detail or want to discuss any

of these subjects that you will contact us at lcampbel@uga.edu or NorineJ@aol.com.

Recognition of Psychotherapy Effectiveness

Before your blood pressure goes up, yes, all of us who are members of Div. 29

know and have known for many years that psychotherapy is effective. What we recently

realized, however, is that never has there been a resolution, declaration, or any official

statement adopted by APA to acknowledge this fact. Melba Vasquez, Nadine Kaslow,

and Linda Campbell authored a new business item to be presented in August for a vote

of Council acknowledging this important fact. Linda Campbell or Nadine Kaslow can

send you a copy of the statement if you would like to read it. Several of our Div. 29

members contributed to the supporting seminal references and citations. It’s a great

read!

Amendment to The APA Ethics Code

For the first time ever, the APA Ethics Code has been amending between official

revisions. You are aware of the concerns that many APA members have had regarding
the potential use of the Standards 1.02 and 1.03 and the ambiguity of the meaning of

the standards in serving as guidance for psychologists. A primary concern about the

potential interpretation of the standards as they stood was the possibility that following

the law could be used to coerce psychologists into inhuman treatment of others. The

APA Ethics Committee drafted the proposed change that is meant to better define this

uncertainty. The draft change went through without a hitch. The revised standards are

written as follows. The underlining represents added text and the strike through

represents deleted text:

Standard 1.02 Conflicts Between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other

Governing Legal Authority
If psychologists’ ethical responsibilities conflict with law, regulations, or other
governing legal authority, psychologist clarify the nature of the conflict, make
known their commitment to the Ethics Code and take reasonable steps to resolve
the conflict consistent with the General Principles and Ethical Standards of the
Ethics Code. If the conflict is unresolvable via such means, psychologists may
adhere to the requirements of the law, regulations, or other governing legal
authority. Under no circumstances may this standard be used to justify or
defined violating human rights.

Standard 1.03 Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands

If the demands of an organization with which psychologist are affiliated or for
whom they are working are in conflict with this Ethics Code, psychologists clarify
the nature of the conflict, make known their commitment to the Ethics Code, and
to the extent feasible, resolve the conflict in a way that permits adherences to the
Ethics Code. Take reasonable steps to resolve the conflict consistent with the
General Principles and Ethics Standards of the Ethics Code. Under no
circumstances may this standard be used to justify or defend violating human
rights.

These amendments represent hard work by many people and very difficult and

challenging conversations. Those whose efforts were greatly invested in this matter

rose to the occasion most admirably and respectfully.

The APA Model Licensure Act Has Been Approved!

 The primary purpose of the Model Licensing Act is to provide a model to state,

provincial, and territorial legislatures of language that would be consistent with APA’s

policies in the event that legislatures enact a change in their law or regulations that

affect the practice of psychology. Several areas were reviewed and updated; however,

the major discussion centered around the use of the term “psychologist” in school

settings and licensure requirements for I/O psychologists. The challenge for consensus

came from the policy of APA enacted several years ago and the stance of professional

psychology in that psychology is a doctoral level profession. Although, some state and

provincial licensing boards have variations in masters level practices, the policy of APA

is that psychology remains a doctoral level profession.

For many years, prior to licensure in some states, State Departments of

Education have authorized and certified individuals who have masters and educational

specialist degrees to practice in the schools and be termed “school psychologists.”

Individuals who work in public school settings in these roles are typically not doctoral

level. The question at hand was whether or not to extend the exemption that school

psychologists have had for some years. In other words, could school psychologists be

an exception to the requirement for doctoral level status of those calling themselves

psychologists?

In hearing out all sides and all opinions on this very difficult matter, the Council

voted to adopt the following: “The act recognizes the authority of appropriate state

education bodies to issue titles to those who provide psychological services in schools

as long as those titles incorporate the word “school.” The act continues to restrict the

practice of such individuals and their use of their title to employment within school
settings.” In other words, the adopted wording recognizes Departments of Education to

be able to authorize professional positions under their aegis. The second amendment to

the Model Act exempted I/O psychologists from the requirement of licensure (except as

required in their jurisdictions) unless they provide mental health services to individuals.

Council Moves Out Of The Manchester

Contracts for APA Convention sites are made several years ahead of the event.

After contracting with the Manchester Hyatt, it was discovered that the owner, Doug

Manchester is a major contributor to the California Proposition 8, an effort to overturn

the California Supreme Court ruling providing marriage equity for same-sex couples.

This development resulted in much deliberation between values and money. On the one

hand, many members felt that they could not in good conscience attend the Council

meeting if held in the Manchester. The other meetings and where members’ hotel

reservations are would, of course, be individual or divisional decisions. The Council

meeting location represents a decision by APA that is logistical, financial, symbolic, and

value-driven. The Treasurer, Paul Craig determined that a move would cost no more

than $100,000. President Goodheart established a context for Council members’

remarks that was respectful, inclusive, and encouraging of all to speak. After the

discourse, Council voted overwhelmingly to move the August Council meeting to

another location. Dr. Goodheart summarized the discussion by saying, “Members of our

Council will now not be faced with having to choose between their responsibilities as

members of Council and their wish to express their opposition to Mr. Manchester’s

action by not entering his hotel.”

Consensus and Endorsement of the APA Core Values

 Our APA CEO Norm Anderson has initiated the development of our first ever

Strategic Plan. Along with the plan was needed a mission statement, vision statement,

and set of core values. As we have reported from earlier Council meetings, all had been

decided except the core values. The task force charged with developing the core values

for acceptance by Council was chaired most ably by Rodney Lowman and one of our

representatives, Linda Campbell, was a member of this group. Over a period of months,

the task force worked on finalizing the values with the sticking points being around (1)

how to word the diversity value and (2) how to word the science value. Even on the floor

of Council during the discussion, editing and compromise were still going on. Almost

miraculously, we now have a set of core values overwhelmingly supported by Council

and they are:

The American Psychological Association commits to its vision through a mission based

upon the following values:

Continual Pursuit of Excellence

Knowledge and its Application Based Upon Methods of Science
Outstanding Service to its Members and to Society
Social Justices, Diversity and Inclusion
Ethical Action in All that We Do

Approval of APA 2010 Budget

Good news, sort of. As you know, APA like the rest of us was hard hit by the

economic downturn of 2008 and 2009. Many cuts were made in meetings, personnel,

and services, and benefits in order to right the ship. The cash flow from the buildings,

however, yielded $3.5 million which contributed greatly. As a result, APA can report a

forecast of $114,400. with expenditures of $113,500 resulting in a forecasted operating

margin of $900.000.
Transparency In Advertising

APA has become aware that students and potential students who are reading

APA materials see paid advertisements which sometimes appear to be endorsed by

APA and therefore can be misleading for students who are looking for graduate

programs and other educational services. As a result, the Council voted soundly to

develop criteria and transparency for educational advertising:

1. Advertising of educational programs in APA publications and web sites must be

programs that are fully accredited by regional or other institutional accrediting

associations recognized by the Department of Education.

2. Programs representing areas of professional psychology that are eligible for APA

Accreditation (e.g., clinical, counseling, school, I/O, combined) must be

accredited by APA to quality as advertisers.

To our loyal and faithful members, if you made it this far in the report, you not only

get the t-shirt but a sweatshirt to boot!. It is our pleasure to serve as your Council

representatives and we would very much like to talk with you individually about your

thoughts regarding Council and our Division 29.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Campbell, Ph.D. Norine Johnson, Ph.D.

lcampbel@uga.edu NorineJ@aol.com
phone: 678-234-1444 phone: 617-471-2268