Division 49 members: COR-Update
Ale DeSilva, Psy.D., CGP, AGPA-F
I am honored to begin serving as your representative to the APA Council of Representatives. I sought this role to make sure that group therapy remains part of the conversation at the highest levels of APA governance, and I am committed to being a voice for historically marginalized populations. Next weekend marks the first Council meeting of the year. Here is a preview of some of the key issues being considered at the meeting:
APA-Standards of Accreditation-The Council has been engaged in making edits to the organization’s accreditation standards for over a year. Issues related to master’s level practice and the elimination of the requirements to recruit and retain diverse students and faculty will be at the heart of the discussion as we move towards finalizing the new standards.
Psychologists role in medical aid in dying and palliative care-Council members will consider a resolution that updates APA’s policies regarding psychological practice during the terminal phase of a patient’s life. Key issues here include standards of practice, psychologists as members of interdisciplinary teams, and ethical considerations.
Resolution on global issues in psychology-This business item seeks to formalize APA’s efforts to decenter US perspectives in the way that APA conducts all of its business. Procedural changes to ensure that our field’s research, practice, teaching, and advocacy are cognizant of the fact that a US perspective is not necessarily generalizable or generally applicable. APA at the UN-Council will receive an annual update about APA’s advocacy work at the United Nations.
Best, Ale