WSPA Winter Newsletter | January 2023 |
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There are many WSPA committees that our members can help with upcoming projects. Be on the lookout for our call for committee members coming soon! |
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Chair of WSPA Taskforce Facilitates Connections with the American Psychological Association by WSPA Editorial Staff January 25, 2023
Dr. David Shearer is a WSPA member and a clinical and prescribing psychologist working for the federal government in Washington State. He has been the Chair of the WSPA Prescribing Psychology Legislative Taskforce since 2018. This year, Dr. Shearer stepped into the role of President of APA’s Division 55, the Society for Prescribing Psychology. Dr. Shearer is excited to work on continuing the collaboration between our state’s association and the national organization.
This collaboration has already paid off in the form of $30,000 in APA grants for WSPAs pursuit of prescriptive authority for psychologists. Dr. Shearer says he sees the relationship with APA as a “…reciprocal relationship that helps us both expand and improve the opportunities for psychologists. Further, it helps cement psychology’s role as a leader in the field of behavioral health.” Dr. Shearer states that Washington’s pursuit of prescribing psychology has been just one of WSPA’s activities that has positioned Washington state as a leader in professional psychology at the national level. “I’m proud to be part of WSPA’s amazing team,” says Dr. Shearer.
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WSPA Receives a Fourth Grant from APA to Support Prescribing Psychology Efforts
by David Shearer, Ph.D., MSCP |
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The Committee of State Leaders (CSL) of the American Psychological Association have been stalwart supporters of the Washington State Psychological Association’s (WSPA) efforts to bring prescribing psychology to Washington state. CSL awarded WSPA with a fourth APA Services Inc. grant for 2023 in the amount of $7,500 to help pay for expenses related to pursuing prescriptive authority for psychologists in our state. This brings the total financial support of APA to a total of $30,000 over the course of four years.
This financial support has been of immense assistance in helping WSPA support the work of our excellent lobbyist, Ms. Melanie Smith. Without this generous financial support from APA it is likely we would not have had the capacity to continue the time intensive work of bringing a prescriptive authority bill to the legislature.
With the support of APA, the WSPA Board of Trustees, and countless hours of volunteer time we have brought a prescribing bill to the House of Representative twice, once in 2022 and now again in 2023. This year the House Healthcare and Wellness Committee held a hearing to hear testimony from supporters and detractors of the bill on January 13th. At the time of the writing of this article the bill remains in the Committee while awaiting a vote. If the bill is passed out of the Committee it will continue its journey toward a vote on the House floor. We never lose sight of the goal of this legislation: to provide consumers in our state with greater access to safe and comprehensive behavioral health care. Any legislative change, but especially scope of practice changes, are time consuming and expensive. We are greatly indebted to APA for their generous grants, without which we would not have been able to make the progress we see today.
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Outgoing President's Letter
by Christen A. Carson, Ph.D., ABPP
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Dear Membership,
Thank you for the opportunity to serve for the past year and a half as president of WSPA. It was a significant period of growth in membership, communication with membership, advocacy, and educational opportunities. We are pleased that psychologists in Washington have seen increased value in WSPA, reflected in unprecedented growth in membership and almost 100% retention of members!
This year, WSPA has focused on key aspects of our mission, including the following highlights:
Advocating for public policies that promote psychological services: WSPA provided support for Washington joining PSYPACT and assisted in creating a new prescribing psychologist credential that is before the legislature.
Creating and sustaining an environment of diversity and inclusion: The Board had intensive consultation with Dr. Leticia Nieto for DEI education and process intervention and is working to integrate DEI throughout all aspects of our work, such as leadership recruitment and CEs. Looking ahead to the coming year, we hope to continue the financial growth of the past two years, increase membership engagement, keep a diversity, equity, and inclusion focus in all work, and continue to adapt, educate, and advocate for psychologists in a changing environment.
Ensuring the advancement of academic knowledge: Excellent trainings were offered in spring and summer CEs and in the fall convention.
Assisting members with information and best practices: WSPA’s masterful Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Samantha Slaughter, has assisted members with practice issues, place of service code questions, understanding changing pandemic mandates, and PSYPACT --to name a few.
Looking ahead to the coming year, we hope to continue the financial growth of the past two years, increase membership engagement, keep a diversity, education, and inclusion focus in all work, and continue to adapt, educate, and advocate for psychologists in a changing environment.
I am pleased to announce the new members of the Board of Trustees: Dr. Nasreen Shah, Dr. Staryln Hayes, and Dr. Phyllis Sanchez. The Board is honored to announce new WSPA leadership. Co vice-presidents Dr. Megan Wagoner and Dr. Jenna DelVentura have moved to the role of co-presidents. The newly elected treasurer is Dr. Starlyn Hawes, and the new secretary is Dr. Nasreen Shah.
Thank you for all of your support over these past few years. It has been my pleasure to serve as president. Please consider becoming more involved in WSPA. There are opportunities to participate in active local chapters, WSPA committees, speaker’s bureau, and planning CEs.
Please do not hesitate to reach out,
Christen Carson (drccarson@mac.com) |
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Happy New Year! WSPA is trying out a new co-leadership model, and we (Dr. Jenna DelVentura and Dr. Megan Wagoner) are your new Co-Presidents!
WSPA has been through a lot in its 76 years, including most recently successfully weathering a global pandemic and helping to guide our members through the many associated changes and challenges. Along with Sierra VanderHoogt as our new Associate Executive Director, we are excited to build on the strong foundations of the past and help chart the course for WSPA’s future. Our guideposts for this year are: - Connection
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We have a newly expanded Board (now at 11 members!) and are working to connect with each other as well as with the membership at large. You’ll be hearing from us and from other Board members in various formats, including newsletters and listserv posts. Please feel free to reach out any time, or to attend one of our monthly meetings!
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We are returning to some in-person meetings and an in-person Fall Convention, while also maintaining the accessibility of online gatherings and resources. We hope to see you wherever you are!
- Equity
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As a part of WSPA’s mission to support our diverse community of psychologists, psychologists-in-training, and the practice of psychology throughout our state, WSPA is committed to centering equity, diversity, and inclusion into all that we do. This includes efforts at improving equitable access, representation, engagement, and leadership pathways for all of our members; providing a range of high quality, equity-focused professional education resources; centering equity in our legislative advocacy; and continuing to grow and learn as an organization and as individuals.
- Goals Goals Goals
- This year, in support of our mission and vision, we are focused on strategic planning for the present and future of WSPA.
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The Board of Trustees met on Saturday, 1/21 for an all day leadership retreat and identified a number of target growth areas for the year. Members will be invited to participate in various projects and growth initiatives and your interests and feedback are welcomed! Areas identified include:
- Crafting WSPA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Plan
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Getting a Convention Committee re-launched
- Plan 2023 Convention & delayed 75th anniversary celebration
- Get ready for APA Convention to be in Seattle in 2024
- Expanding (and making sustainable) our newly-launched online CE Webinar program
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Launching a Membership Committee
- Increase Board and WSPA transparency & connection
- Improve communication
- Assess representation in WSPA of various identity markers
- Create and assess membership goals and interventions
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Creating a Website Taskforce to identify and guide implementation of website improvements
Is there something you’d like to see more of from WSPA? Any bees in your bonnet? Please let us know how you’d like to get involved! Our volunteer-powered organization would love to have your hands on deck! You’ll be hearing from us quite a bit about various projects and we will need all the help we can get. |
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Dr. Jenna DelVentura
Co-President |
Dr. Megan Wagoner
Co-President |
| A little bit about Jenna: I’m a licensed clinical health psychologist based out of Seattle, WA specializing in pain psychology. I have been involved in WSPA since 2019, shortly after relocating here from Atlanta, GA with my cat, Rosie. I enjoy getting out and exploring the natural beauty of the PNW, as well as spending time at home cooking or reading from my ever-growing library.
I’m looking forward to serving as your WSPA Co-President this year, and taking part in WSPA’s growth and development. Wishing you a happy and healthy 2023!
A little bit about Megan:
I’m a licensed psychologist in private practice in Seattle, where I work with adults using relational psychoanalytic psychotherapy and an anti-oppression lens. I also do some administrative support for other therapists, which along with WSPA work soothes my desire for organized spreadsheets, Google docs, and tidy to-do lists.
My at-home life includes my partner and kids, a dog, bees, and an ever-evolving garden. I’ve been a member of WSPA since my internship year at Central Washington University and have more recently gotten more actively involved, including being on the Good Trouble committee and joining the Board of Trustees in 2022. I volunteered for this gig because I want to continue developing my leadership skills, including practice with conflict and connection across difference; as well as help WSPA continue to build equity into its infrastructure. I am eager to continue exploring this new co-leadership model with Jenna, and to continue supporting WSPA’s mission and vision for the future!
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