Question: What is your position on prescriptive authority for psychologists? Sandy's Brief Answer: I have been (since the initial DOD demonstration project), and continue to be, fully supportive of prescriptive authority as a specialty for psychologists with appropriate training and credentials. The evolution of treatment settings combined with the critical need, as exemplified by those in many rural settings, has long justified prescriptive authority psychology practice.

Question 1: What are your goals, as APA President, for APA’s international engagement and for infusing an international perspective into APA’s own vision, activities, and initiatives? In its 2009 vision statement, APA aspired to be “a principal leader and global partner promoting psychological knowledge and methods to facilitate resolution of personal, societal, and global challenges…” Yet, the 2009 implementation of the strategic plan reflected no international perspective

We have a children’s mental health crisis in this country, and we need all of psychology to help address it. The fact that we have watched daily as families have routinely been separated at our southern border reflects a major gap between psychology’s scientifically-based understanding of child adjustment and the development of effective, culturally-responsive public policy. Question 1. What do you see as the most pressing issues affecting children’s mental health? From my

Substance abuse problems extract a huge toll on society. The CDC reported 63,600 drug overdose deaths in just 2016. These problems do not get the national attention they deserve, except occasionally, where consequences are so apparent, they demand response. Opiate use is currently such an example and provides psychology with both a significant and unique opportunity to contribute. Psychologists bring science-based expertise, behavioral non-pharmacological intervention optio

Question 1. How do you view specialty/subspecialty psychology practice and board certification in professional psychology? The APA Ethics Code notes that all psychologists can practice within their area of competence, thus allowing each psychologist to describe their own scope of practice. However, training in a recognized specialty and the board certification in that specialty acknowledges that the practitioner has been recognized by their peers as following the expected g

Question 1: How do you differentiate Health Service Psychology from Health Psychology? For me, Health Service Psychology (HSP) is the broader of the two concepts. HSP encompasses the foundation for psychology as a primary care profession as well as psychology as a specialty care profession. In the Blue Print for Health Service Psychology Education and Training, APA has promulgated a list of broad and general competencies for the wide range of psychologists who work across

Sandy’s Response: Addressing global challenges such as health, poverty and geopolitical violence requires globally aware partners working side-by-side. US psychology must broaden its global perspective. We could Define global partnership as central in APA’s strategic plan Integrate multicultural and cross-cultural methodology, training and practice throughout APA Encourage international psychologists to join APA Take action steps to develop paths for practica/internships ou