Monthly Newsletter - Feb. 2024 |
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Promoting Psychology. Supporting Psychologists. |
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| IPA representatives Gili Goldfrad, Maria Borden, Dick Rhoad, Shannon Woller |
Student Delegates, including IPA's Maria Borden |
Carolyn Herrera, UIndy student interning in Arkansas and Maria Borden, IPA Student Committee Chair |
| Hello IPA Membership!
As you know, I traveled with our President-Elect Dr. Shannon Woller, Executive Director Dick Rhoad, selected student delegate Maria Borden to Washington, DC this month for the 2024 Practice & SPTA Leadership Conference. Collectively we agreed, it was an informative, energizing experience! We heard from numerous APA representatives about the state of our profession and the current pressing issues most impacting psychological associations across the US, territories and Washington, DC, and Canadian provinces. The largest topics discussed included the current state of population psychological wellbeing (and rates of reported unwellness/stress and diagnosed mental illness), psychology's current workforce and associated treatment access/waitlist rates, technology and digital therapeutics (with note of who can prescribe these software as medical device interventions), and APA's movement in developing a standardized template for a multi-tiered psychological practice. During this conference, we also break out into Affinity Groups, meeting with our counter-representatives for further discussion as to how all issues are playing out in our respective SPTAs. I am so happy we went, and I've included below the reflections of my fellow travelers:
Shannon shared, "I very much enjoyed my time in D.C. and am grateful to APA for funding this opportunity for me and my traveling partners. There were a few key takeaways for me from this experience I would like to share. irst, I was very surprised to learn just how often and how strongly APA is advocating for Psychologists across all states. APA is regularly advocating at a federal level for higher Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement rates, working to increasing the scope of what services psychologists can offer (e.g. through being able to "prescribe" digital medical devices), and developing opportunities for psychologists to develop their skills across the span of profession (e.g. Leadership Institutes for Women in Psychology). They also recently strongly advocated for more active commitment from Congress to work toward keeping online spaces safer for children. Another takeaway was that many states, like the country more broadly, are struggling with contentious and divisive issues that bifurcate or splinter their state associations. I think that it’s very important for us, as IPA, to figure out how to wade into these difficult professional discussions and learn, challenge, and grow as a group. This is not an easy ask but if anyone can figure it out, Hoosier psychologists can! On a tip from our esteemed President, Dr. Goldfrad, I will be reading the book
High Conflict: How We Get Trapped and How We Get Out and, if meritorious enough, I may try to work on setting up discussion groups with any interested IPA members. Overall, it was a very cool experience and I’m glad I got to be a part of it. Thank you!"
Dick has been attending this conference for seven years now, and he said they keep improving upon themselves! He noted specifically, "All states were well represented. There were effective and meaningful discussions among colleagues – Presidents, Presidents Elect, Student Representatives, and Executive Directors." He continued to say, "Maintaining membership services is the most important responsibility for state associations. Advocacy representation in D.C. for psychology is strong and effective. Demand for psychologists exceeds availability throughout the nation, very similar to what we are experiencing in Indiana. APA has increased emphasis to coordinate more closely with state associations to support their efforts, and we in Indiana look forward to further implementation."
And, lastly, but certainly not least, Maria offered, "I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 2024 Practice and STPA Leadership Conference. I joined twenty-one student representatives from across the nation to discuss the variety of ways that state psychology associations support students. I was struck by IPA's strength of support for its student members.
1. Not only does IPA have a student committee, but our student committee members represent nearly all doctorate training programs in the state. 2. IPA students have a voice through student representation on the IPA executive board. 3. Training: unlike many states, there is no cost for students to attend IPA CE offerings. Additionally, our two-part internship application webinar series was unique.
4. We are one of two states that offer a mentorship program for their student members."
Maria also added, "As my time as a doctorate student and chair of the student committee comes to an end, I share a message of hope and opportunity for students interested in joining IPA student leadership. Practicum supervisors, please let your students know that we are opening our IPA Student Committee Meetings on Feb 23rd and March 22nd at 11am to students who are interested in learning more about the committee and student leadership. Please contact Connie Vore at
admin@indianapsychology.org for the meeting links."
Thank you all for reading along, and of course, if you’d like to dialogue about any of the above, reach out!
Warmly,
Gili Goldfrad, PsyD, HSPP – IPA President 2024
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New Members (January 14 - February 15, 2024) We welcome our new members to IPA and appreciate having them join us. • Shana Markle, PhD, HSPP; Markle Professional Counseling, Indianapolis • Melissa Lachajewski, PsyD, HSPP; IU Center for Eating Disorders, Indianapolis
• Katelyn James, PsyD, HSPP; Norton Children’s Autism Center, Louisville • Eva Kurtz-Nelson, PhD, HSPP; Riley Children’s Health, Indianapolis
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2024 Membership Renewal
Thank you for your membership in IPA for 2023! 2024 Membership Renewals were due January 31st. If you have not yet renewed, please do so asap to avoid any lapses in membership as unpaid memberships will be automatically dropped on March 1, 2024. When you renew, kindly update your member profile. You can follow the link provided in the email we have sent you or you can login to the IPA membership website and update your information and make your 2024 membership payment. Please contact Connie Vore at admin@indianapsychology.org if you have any questions at all.
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Job Opportunities (January 15 - February 15, 2024)
The IPA Message Board frequently sees posts seeking referrals, sharing job opportunities, requesting feedback on trending topics, educational opportunities, and more. Many consider the IPA Message Board a valuable component of membership. If you have not opted into the Message Board and would like to, please contact Connie Vore at admin@indianapsychology.org. Back to top |
The Trust
Professional Liability Insurance Protection |
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