We invite you to consider joining the Massachusetts Psychological Association’s Annual Conference Planning Committee. This committee plays an important role in shaping a conference that reflects the breadth, depth, and evolving priorities of our field. We are looking for members who are excited to help develop ideas, identify timely topics, support outreach, and contribute to a successful and engaging event.

Whether you have prior conference planning experience or are looking for a new way to become involved with MPA, we would welcome your perspective. Serving on the committee is a meaningful opportunity to collaborate with colleagues, help shape programming, and ensure the conference is relevant, inclusive, and impactful for attendees across practice settings and career stages.

 - Help brainstorm conference themes and session topics

 - Recommend speakers, panel ideas, and areas of emerging interest

 - Support efforts to broaden participation and outreach

 - Collaborate with fellow members to create a strong attendee experience

If you are interested in joining the planning committee, we would be glad to share more about the role, expected time commitment, and next steps. Please send an email of interest to mapsych@masspsych.org.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to contribute to MPA’s annual conference and to the broader professional community. 

The Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) invites members to apply for the Presidential Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force. This Task Force advances MPA’s Strategic Plan by promoting equity-informed practices through clarity, accountability, and collaboration throughout the organization.

Since its inception in 2019, the DEI Task Force has played a central role in advancing MPA’s equity efforts. Its work has included the development and analysis of a membership climate survey; review of organizational practices, policies, and structures; implementation of recommendations; support for enhanced DEI training for MPA leaders; and collaboration with the Executive Committee and Board during periods of organizational transition.

As MPA continues to evolve, the DEI Task Force is being revitalized as an empowered, purpose-driven, and sustainable working body. Equity and inclusion efforts are most effective when they are accountable, consistent, and recognized as a collective responsibility at every organizational level, rather than the sole responsibility of a single committee or select individuals. Our objective is to embed DEI principles within MPA’s operations, uphold clear processes, and ensure their continuity throughout leadership transitions.

Serving on this Task Force provides a meaningful opportunity to shape MPA’s future by influencing policies, practices, and organizational culture to better support our psychologist members and the communities they serve. MPA is committed to engaging members as collaborators in this effort and to ensuring that the work of equity-focused leadership is properly recognized, supported, and protected.

Structure & Commitment

The DEI Task Force will function as a presidential task force with a clearly defined charge and reporting structure.

Members should expect:

1)  1–2 meetings per month, approximately 90 minutes each

2)  Occasional work between meetings related to ongoing and emergent issues

3)  An overall time commitment of approximately 5–6 hours per month

The Task Force may convene time-limited working groups to address specific initiatives or urgent concerns as they arise.

Application Process

To support transparency, continuity, and shared expectations, participation will be determined through a structured application process.

Interested members should submit:

1)  A statement of interest (up to 500 words) describing:

2)  Your interest in serving on the DEI Task Force

3)  Relevant experiences, perspectives, or skills

4)  What you hope to contribute to and gain from this work

5)  A Current CV

Please send application materials to casey@masspsych.org by May 22, 2026. We encourage your vision, professionalism, and collaboration as we work together to build an MPA that is intentional, equitable, and inclusive—now and for the future. 

We are writing to provide a quick update on our efforts advocating for enacting PSYPACT in Massachusetts (Bills H.2528/S.1487, An Act Establishing the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact). Our lobbyist has shared that we are still in a very good place with these bills.

S. 1487 is in the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. We met with the senior staff of the committee chair, the committee chair, and the Senate President. These meetings have gone well and staff have been very supportive of PSYPACT. We have also met with the bill sponsor to make sure this bill continues to be prioritized. Our lobbyist hopes the bill will be moved to the Senate Floor for vote in late winter/early spring.  

Given the momentum and support from Senate leadership, we have focused our efforts on the Senate version of this bill. If the Senate votes favorably on S. 1487, the House will take up this version of the bill in committee. If it is reported out favorably by the House committee, it would go to the House floor to be voted on. Only one version of these bills needs to pass both chambers to be signed by the governor.  

H.2528 is in the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. Our lobbyist worked with Representative Sabadosa who sponsored this bill. A number of MPA members have reached out to committee members to encourage their support and we will continue to monitor its progress.  

We have also drafted an OpEd to be published in the CommonWealth Beacon, which targets our legislators.

Although we are hopeful by our lobbyist’s positive impressions and the progress these bills are making, we remain cautiously optimistic. Getting legislation passed is not linear and unexpected barriers are always possible.  

Keep an eye out for opportunities to support this effort going forward, including an email campaign in the next few weeks.

Lastly, a huge THANK YOU to all the members of MPA and the Advocacy Committee who have participated in various efforts to support PSYPACT!

If anyone is interested in getting more involved, please contact Diana Westerberg, Committee Chair (dianawesterberg@gmail.com).

Sincerely, 

Diana Westerberg

Chair of the MPA Advocacy Committee

Our Disaster Response Network is pleased to bring you a newsletter detailing their activity.  Please click here to read it.

In an era marked by political polarization, social upheaval, and global crises—including climate change, public health emergencies, systemic oppression, and threats to human dignity and freedoms - professionals across disciplines are increasingly compelled to critically examine the ethical foundations and implications of their work. Psychologists and allied professionals face complex moral questions as they navigate competing responsibilities. This topic is especially timely as the American Psychological Association reviews and revises the discipline’s Ethics Code, prompting renewed reflection on the principles that guide professional conduct. The urgency of this context demands not only critical self-reflection, but also interdisciplinary dialogue and collective action to reimagine ethical practice in ways that are responsive, inclusive, and justice oriented.

Thus, our 2026 Annual Conference, on March 21, 2026 at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, seeks to convene psychologists and allied professionals to critically engage with the theme of responsibility—toward one another, toward those we serve, and toward the systems within which we operate. We are especially eager to welcome a diverse group of colleagues across disciplines, including law, social work, medicine, public health, and individuals with relevant lived experience, to contribute to this vital conversation. We also invite and welcome graduate trainees, as well as community members with relevant lived experiences, to submit abstracts for review, and to attend this conference.

Potential Conference Topics Include (but are not limited to):

• Ethical dilemmas in clinical, community, legal, or organizational settings
• Decolonizing research and practice across disciplines
• The role of professionals in advocacy, policy, and social justice movements
• Navigating dual roles and boundaries in marginalized communities
• Ethics of AI, surveillance, and digital tools in mental health and law
• Trauma-informed approaches in politically charged environments
• Teaching ethics in a polarized world
• Ethical considerations in participatory and community-based research
• Institutional responsibility and systemic change
• Intersections of ethics with race, gender, disability, and class
• Cross-sector collaboration in ethically complex cases
• Case studies related to intersectionality and activism, research, ethical practice, and/or clinical work

Presentation sessions may take a variety of formats, including workshops, roundtables, experiential dialogues, panel discussions, and other interactive formats. Each session will be one 1 hour and 40 minutes in length, including 15 minutes for questions and discussion. Proposals should directly address the conference theme and integrate equity, diversity, inclusion, and ethical considerations, including a self-reflective component.

For Continuing Education (CE) eligible presentations, please submit a proposal that includes a presentation title, list of presenters (including CVs), abstract, 2-3 learning objectives and 3-5 citations/references, including some that are evidence-based and recent. Please review the this document which outlines how to correctly craft learning objectives.  All programs being considered for CE must meet the criteria explained here.

For non-CE eligible presentations, please submit a proposal that includes a presentation title, list of presenters (including CVs), and abstract.

Proposals are due December 20, 2025, at 5:00pm EST.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL!

As you have probably heard, the Joint Committee on Public Health is scheduled to convene a hearing on Monday July 14at 10:00 am during which MPA’s bills -- An Act establishing the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compactand An Act relative to facilitating the utilization of psychologists on the health care team -- will be heard. 

Individuals can testify virtually or in-person, but they must register to testify (members representing MPA will be testifying, but individuals may testify as well). To register to testify, one must register via this link:  https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/XR67MD4ZMS.  The deadline to register to testify for the hearing is July 11^th at 2:00PM. Each person testifying will be limited to 3 minutes. The co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Health are Representative Marjorie C. Decker (House Chair) and Representative William J. Driscoll, Jr. (Senate Chair). Information on the hearing can be found on the following link:  Hearing Details - Joint Committee on Public Health

Written testimony can also be submitted online by individuals.  The deadline to submit written testimony is Tuesday, July 15 at 5:00 pm. To submit written testimony you need to first create an account for “My Legislature” follow these instructions. If you already have an account click here. MPA will be submitting written testimony for both bills.

 To review the bills, you can access them as follows:

 Re: H.2528/S.1487, An Act Establishing the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact

(H.2528 introduced by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa and S.1487 introduced by Sen. Cynthia Creem)

Click on the following link for H.2528:  Bill H.2528

Click on the following link for S.1487:  Bill S.1487

Re: H.2536/S.1488, An Act Facilitating the Utilization of Psychologists on the Health Care Team (H.2536 introduced by Rep. Greg Schwartz and S.1488 introduced by Sen. Cynthia Creem)

Click on the following link for H.2536: Bill H.2536

Click on the following link for S.1488: Bill S.1488

We are writing to provide an update on MPA’s Advocacy Committee efforts during the new legislative session, which started January 1st, 2025. We have been working closely with our lobbyist, Benjamin Fierro, to support the following four bills which MPA worked actively to have introduced in the legislature, with PsyPACT being the highest priority:

• S.1487/H.2528, An Act establishing the psychology interjurisdictional compact
• S.685/H.1321, An Act relative to transparency of consumer health insurance rights
• S.255/H.462, An Act establishing senior psychologist licensure
• S.1488/H.2536, An Act facilitating the utilization of psychologists on the health care team

To review a description and status of these bills in the legislature, please CLICK HERE.

Here is a longer update on our work to support enactment of the PsyPACT bill from our lobbyist, to date:

“Legislation to authorize the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact has once again been introduced in the Massachusetts Legislature.. H.2528 and its identical Senate bill, S.1487, An Act establishing the psychology interjurisdictional compact, were sponsored by Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) and Senator Cynthia Creem (D-Newton). Both bills have been referred to the Joint Committee on Public Health. At this time, the committee has not announced a date for a public hearing. Please note that the various committees of the Legislature generally do not provide much advance notice of public hearings. We would likely have 5 to 7 days advance notice.

The enactment of the PsyPACT bill this legislative session is of the highest priority to the Massachusetts Psychological Association. In the past few months, representatives of the MPA have met twice with officials at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, including meeting with Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, to seek the department's support for PsyPACT.

In addition, we have met with the senior leadership of the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission and have urged the commission to produce a report on the benefits of Massachusetts joining the compact, as it did relative to the Nurse Licensure Compact, which was instrumental in garnering support in the Legislature for the enactment of that compact. I recently had the opportunity to speak briefly with David Seltz, executive director of the Health Policy Commission, at the State House. I thanked him for all the time his senior staff extended to us and hoped they would produce a report on the benefits of the Commonwealth joining PsyPACT. He told me they were thinking about it. Our efforts have been greatly assisted by the staff and legal counsel of PsyPACT.

I am still waiting to hear back from Rep. Sabadosa regarding a new date to meet with her to discuss PsyPACT. I have requested meetings for us with Sen. Willian Driscoll, the new Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, as well as Rep. Majorie Decker, the House Chair of the committee.

We will be seeking volunteers to testify in support of these bills at the public hearing once they are scheduled.

There is not much more to report at this time. The House and Senate just completed action of the FY '26 State Budget, so I expect the pace of committee hearings to begin to pick up.”

We plan to provide both oral and written testimony for the two remaining bills once their hearings are scheduled. Oral testimony involves delivering a brief, prepared statement at a legislative committee hearing on the bill. This can usually be done either in person or via Zoom. MPA will assist anyone interested in preparing and presenting oral testimony.

If anyone is interested in testifying on either topic, please contact Diana Westerberg, Chair of MPA's Advocacy Committee, at dianawesterberg@gmail.com.

If you have questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

• President-Elect(3-year term; 1 year as President-Elect, 1 year as President, and 1 year as Past President; nominees for President shall have served a prior term as an Officer or Director)
• Director At-Large (3-year term)
• Northern Region Representative(3-year term; must be from this region)
• Western Region Representative(3-year term; must be from this region)

Serving on MPA's Board of Directors is an honor and provides a unique opportunity to contribute to the profession of psychology. It builds leadership experience, and a greater network of peers. Many find this kind of service to be a very rewarding experience both personally and professionally.

We seek candidates who are committed to upholding and furthering the values of MPA reflected in its Mission and Diversity Statement. We are particularly interested in receiving nominations from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups to represent inclusion and diversity. New Board members will have the opportunity to participate in and influence a variety of initiatives, for example, improving the diversity, equity and inclusion at MPA, determining and executing MPA's legislative and regulatory advocacy priorities, shaping MPA's vision and strategic plan, and helping to develop educational activities to assist members in their professional and personal lives.

Candidates may be nominated by MPA members or they may self-nominate. To increase diverse perspectives to the Board, members in marginalized and/or underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Please consider fellow MPA members who would best represent you and nominate them. If you have colleagues whose professional or academic approach you would like to see represented on the Board, please nominate them. If you have worked with energetic and thoughtful colleagues on an MPA committee, please nominate them.

Nominations are due by 5:00 pm on June 20, 2025.

For more information, including eligibility requirements and Board responsibilities, and to access the nomination forms, please CLICK HERE.

As many of you may know, the American Psychological Association (APA) has released a draft of its proposed Ethics Code for review. We want you to know that the MPA has formed a workgroup to carefully examine the proposed changes and provide feedback before the deadline of March 19, 2025. We encourage all members to take this opportunity to review the APA Ethics Code and submit your own independent comments as well.

Here is a link to the site: https://apps.apa.org/APACommentingPortal/.

Kind Regards, 

Co-Chairs, Christopher Martell, PhD, ABPP, and Luana Bessa, PhD on behalf of the Workgroup

Beth Jerskey, PhD, Board Member and Federal Advocacy Coordinator

Claudette Pierre, PhD, Chair of the Ethics Committee

Cathleen Cider, PhD, Ethics Committee Member

Aleesha Young, LPC, PsyD, President

The MPA’s Advocacy Committee and Board of Directors have been working closely with our lobbyist to advocate for the passage of the PsyPact bill in Massachusetts. We understand the significance of this bill for all of us, and we would like to update you on its current status. This update will outline where things stand, the likelihood of the bill's passage, and how you can help support its advancement.

We’d like to acknowledge the Advocacy Committee, particularly Committee Chair, Diana Westerberg and Board Director/Committee Member, Beth Jerskey, for their efforts in drafting this update.

Background

We are in the second year of a two-year legislative cycle that concluded its formal sessions on July 31, 2024. The current informal sessions run with very minimal attendance and no roll call is taken; legislation that gets passed during this time is usually non-controversial and not considered to be “major” legislation, as all business during this time must be passed unanimously. Although the PsyPact bill is not opposed/controversial, it would be considered major legislation. Legislation typically takes many years to pass once introduced, even with intensive lobbying (e.g., the anti-claw back bill took at least five years with very strong support and advocacy from MPA). For information regarding the legislative process and how the legislative cycle works, see:  http://www.lynchfierro.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Fierro_Legislative_Process.pdf .

What this means for PsyPact

S.1980/H.2986 An Act establishing the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PsyPact) was originally filed on January 17, 2023 in the Senate (sponsored by Senator Cindy Creem) and on February 16, 2023 in the House (sponsored by Rep. Ruth Balser). Since its introduction, MPA held many meetings with key legislators and participated in hearings.

The first hearing was convened on October 3, 2023 by the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight with MPA providing oral testimony and was reviewed favorably. The bill was then referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means where it is still under review.

MPA has requested to meet with the Department of Public Health (DPH) as the DPH’s position could be influential to the Ways and Means Committee. DPH has committed to respond to our lobbyist (Ben Fierro) to schedule a meeting to discuss PsyPact, but DPH is currently focused on addressing the Steward Health Care crisis. Ben has advised that it is important now to have DPH’s support on the bill.

If the Senate Committee on Ways and Means releases the bill, it will then go to the full Senate to be approved, after which it will go to the House. If approved in the House, it will finally go to the Governor. While this seems unlikely at this point in the legislative cycle, if the Senate passed the bill, it would “give us a leg up” in the next legislative session. 

The House recommended to the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing to review the cost implications, however, on September 5, 2024 this committee recommended that the bill be studied further (i.e., “a study order”), which generally means the bill will remain in limbo for the rest of the legislative session - in other words, it is a convenient way for a committee to quietly kill a bill. It is unclear as to the rationale behind this decision. Given this occurrence, the passing of PsyPact during this legislative session seems remote. 

What we can do if PsyPact does not pass this legislative session

We need to go into the next cycle with a robust lobbying plan, as bills must be filed by the third Wednesday in January. MPA is working closely with its lobbyist, intensifying efforts to develop a plan that will improve our chances of successfully passing PsyPact legislation.

In addition, there is an election this November and new committee members and chairs will be appointed early next year. With Representative Balser retiring, our lobbyist is planning to make contact with Rep. Balser's successor, Greg Schwartz, MD, to discuss taking on her priorities. Constituent psychologists can also try to take advantage of campaign events in the community to advocate for PsyPact, and if it passes in the Senate, we can point to that success.

What MPA members can do

We need volunteers who are interested in speaking on behalf of PsyPact as follows:

Right now:

Per Rep. Ruth Balser’s office, members can continue to advocate for PsyPact by writing to Senator Michael Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, and to Senator Karen Spilka, the Senate President, to express support for S1980 and urge its passage. Here are links to the contact information for each:

• https://malegislature.gov/Committees/Detail/S30
• https://malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/KES0

In January/next legislative session:

• Speak at meetings with committee chairs early in the new session;
• Testify, preferably in-person, at a hearing. Members need to provide examples of how this legislation will impact access and continuity of care. It makes a big impact on legislators to hear from stakeholders in-person and have examples that aid their understanding of what the bill can do. Ben will press the legislators to have the hearings earlier in the next legislative session - typically they are held in September of the first year of the legislative session; 
• After the hearing is a good time to do a letter campaign to legislators to advocate for the bill to get it favorably moved out of committee;
• Talk to the Health Policy Commission;
• Publish an Op Ed in the Commonwealth Beacon, a well-respected online magazine; and 
• Please consider joining the advocacy committee to stay involved in this effort and receive updates directly from our lobbyist - email Diana Westerberg for more information.

MPA will continue to work with our lobbyist to prioritize the passage of PsyPact and we need your involvement/support, as specified above, with these ongoing efforts!

Your feedback will help us better understand your needs and preferences, ensuring that the new website is user-friendly, informative, and tailored to serve you better.

CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Thank you in advance for your time and valuable insights. We look forward to creating a more engaging and efficient online experience for all our members.

Deadline to Submit Proposals Extended to July 1st by 5:00 pm EST

In the digital era, our world is undergoing rapid change. Each technological advance brings about a transformative shift in Psychology, enhancing research methodologies, clinical interventions, and our understanding of human behavior. From online therapy platforms to virtual reality exposure therapies, the intersection of Psychology and digital innovation offers unprecedented opportunities to reach diverse populations, improve accessibility to mental health services, enhance research and explore the complexities of the human experience, interpersonal process, and relationships in new and dynamic ways.

By embracing the digital landscape, psychologists navigate ethical considerations, harness the power of big data analytics, and pioneer novel interventions, shaping a future where technology becomes an integral part of psychological practice and research. Our 2024 Annual Conference aims to bring together practicing psychologists, colleagues from academia, training directors, supervisors, students, and others to examine and showcase some of these pioneering advancements that are pushing the boundaries and raising new questions about the nature of psychological practice. Proposals are also encouraged from those who are newer to or have less experience in this space.  

Potential Conference Topics:

• Digital Therapeutics
• Client use of technology
• Cultural considerations in technology development and usage
• Ethical considerations
• Reimbursement of services delivered with new technologies
• Artificial intelligence
• Virtual Reality
• Barriers to technological advances
• Benefits/challenges of social media usage
• Demonstrations of technology (e.g., wearables, electronic routine outcome monitoring, EHR)

Workshops will be 1 hour and 40 minutes in length, including 15 minutes dedicated to questions and answers. Proposals should directly address the general conference theme and integrate equity, diversity, inclusion, and ethical considerations as part of the presentation and in the self-reflection portion of the presentation.

Please submit a proposal that includes a presentation title, list of presenters (including CVs), abstract, 2-3 learning objectives and 3-5 references, including some that are evidence-based and recent. Please review the attached document which outlines how to correctly craft learning objectives.

To submit a proposal, CLICK HERE

Proposals must be received by 5:00 pm EST on Monday, July 1, 2024.

Please direct any questions regarding your submission to conference committee co-chairs: Sukanya Ray, Ph.D. (sraymay@gmail.com) and Emma Peterson, Ph.D. (emma_peterson@williamjames.edu).

In recognition of the ongoing importance and impact of these initiatives, we are excited to announce the initiation of a search for a new Consulting Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for MPA. The Consulting Director will play a pivotal role in advancing and sustaining the DEI strategies recommended by the Task Force and will lead MPA's efforts in this crucial area. We invite you to review the position description [here] and encourage you to share it with any individuals whom you believe may be interested and qualified to serve in this important role.

The Council of Representatives (Council) of the American Psychological Association (APA) is the legislative body for the association. A critical role of Council is to direct and inform the process of development of policies that promote the science of psychology and that use psychological knowledge to address important current and emerging societal issues and needs. The APA Council Representative for Massachusetts represents the interests of the Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA), and reports the proceedings and activities of the Council to the Association.

Members of MPA who are also APA Members, Fellows, or Voting Associate Members are eligible to nominate and to be nominated for the APA Council Representative seat. Nominees should have significant governance experience and be ready to commit significant time and energy to the role. Nominations reflecting a broad definition of diversity (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, all intersecting identities) are encouraged. It is required that nominees for APA Council Representative shall have served a prior term as an MPA Officer or Director.

Council members are expected to attend two business meetings each year*, join or view recordings of several webinars scheduled throughout the year, read agenda materials in advance of the Council meetings, and respond to email correspondence. Council members need to have access to a personal computer to fulfill these duties. In addition, the Council Representative sits on the MPA Board of Directors with all attendant duties and responsibilities. Please see the attached document for information on Council members’ job duties HERE.

*There are two business meetings of Council each year that normally take place as follows: a mid-winter meeting held in Washington, DC, and a meeting held at the time and place of the APA annual convention. In February 2024 a hybrid option will be offered so that individuals who are unable to attend in-person can participate through Zoom. However, there is no guarantee that the Zoom option will be offered again in August 2024 or at any time in the future.

Please think about individuals who meet the criteria and who have demonstrated the capacity to function at a high level. The MPA Nominating and Governance Committee will review nominations received and will submit at least 2 nominees to the Board, for their review. The final slate will be forwarded to APA, who will administer the election in April 2024.

Please CLICK HERE for the Nomination Form which has additional information.  Please send the completed nomination form to Susan Wagner at her email at wagner@masspsych.org by 5:00 pm on February 1, 2024.

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This bill is strongly supported by MPA as it increases consumer access to behavioral health services and allows for continuity of care. Andrea Barnes, JD, PhD, MPA's Director of Professional Affairs, provided oral testimony at the hearing, along with psychologists Aimee Yermish, PsyD, Rika Alper, PhD, Christine Runyon, PhD and Michael Parsons, PhD. Dr. Barnes also submitted written testimony on behalf of MPA. CLICK HERE to read an article on the hearing from the State House News Service.

Next steps: it’s up to the Joint Committee to decide whether to “report favorably” and move the bill to the next stage of the legislative process. We are optimistic that this will happen and will keep you apprised of any actions and/or how you can help support the bill moving forward.

Attached is the public notice regarding the hearing on PSYPACT scheduled Tuesday, October 3rd. If you are interested in providing oral or written testimony, see the requirements provided in the public notice. 

You must sign up by 5:00 pm on Friday, September 29th to provide oral testimony (in person or virtual). If you have questions, feel free to contact me. Oral testimony is limited to three minutes. There is no length limit to written testimony. The deadline to submit written testimony is 5:00 pm on Wednesday, October 4th. Instructions on how to register for oral testimony and how to submit written testimony are provided in the public notice. If you want to see PSYPACT adopted in Massachusetts, it is important for the legislators to hear from you.

Only a select few of these awards are given each year. For a list of past recipients, please CLICK HERE.

Nominations are sought for the following awards:

Kenneth D. Herman, Ph.D., J.D. Career Contribution Award: Recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of psychology as a science and a profession. 

Ezra Saul Psychological Service Award: Recognizes the promotion and acceptance of psychological services in Massachusetts. 

Stanley R. Berkowitz Allied Professional Award: Recognizes individuals who have played a significant role in advocacy and support of mental health issues. Such individuals have supported psychologists in their profession by assisting in advocating for the welfare of their clients and the practice of mental health and treatment. 

Humanitarian Award: An award for outstanding contributions to the humanitarian goals of society, through service and activism, and to the enhancement of its educational, psychological, and social process. 

Special Recognition Award: An award to recognize members of the public who have made exceptional contributions to the enhancement of psychology as a science and a profession.

Teacher of the Year Award: An award for undergraduate or graduate professors who: 1) Have demonstrated influence in promoting an interest in the field of psychology to students; 2) Have developed effective teaching methods, courses, and/or teaching methods; 3) Are concerned with professional identity as a teacher of psychology as seen by professional activity within and outside the university.  

Media Award: Aims to recognize journalists, authors, and filmmakers who played a significant role in advocacy and support of mental health issues. Such individuals have supported psychologists in their profession by reporting on issues pertinent to the practice of psychology and the many individuals suffering from mental illness. 

Corporate Recognition Award: Recognizes corporations for their efforts to create products that improve mental health well-being and/or create and foster a healthy environment for their employees to facilitate mental health well-being. 

Eric A. Harris, Ed.D., J.D. Distinguished Service Award: Recognizes individuals who have provided extraordinary service to the advancement of psychology, and who have made significant contributions to, and an impact on, MPA. 

Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award: Recognizes workplaces for their efforts to create and foster a healthy environment for their employees to facilitate mental health well-being. 

The APA Citizen Psychologist Award: Recognizes and honors those psychologists who, through their expertise, time, actions and dedication, are involved in exemplary community engagement service. 

The MPA Early Career Award: Established to honor an individual in the early stages of their career who has made noteworthy contributions to the field of psychology. Contributions may include involvement in the development, scientific evaluation, and/or dissemination of evidence-based treatments; improvement in treatment delivery systems; development of and/or scientific study of novel pedagogical strategies aimed to enhance training in psychology; advocacy on behalf of underserved communities; consultation; or other activities advancing psychological knowledge and/or practice.

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION 

Submission Deadline Extended to 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 26 2023