Division elections are here

Divisional elections opened on April 15 and close on May 30. If you have not yet voted, please do so—exercise your right to vote! Voting is easy; simply follow your ballot link in your email from APA. Another option is to login to my.apa.org and use the link “2013 Division and SPTA Election” to access your ballot. Happy voting!! All of the candidate statements below were recently sent out via the ANNOUNCE listserv for the division.

President-Elect (one candidate):

Dr. John Heil

Biography: My work with sport psychology began in the 70s as an extension of coaching and instruction I was providing in distance running and fencing. Currently, I am a partner in Psychological Health Roanoke, a 26-person clinical and consulting practice. I am a licensed clinical psychologist, an AASP certified consultant and fellow, as well as a fellow in APA divisions 47 and 18.

I have previously worked in academics and a multispecialty physician group practice. I maintain affiliations with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine as a lecturer, and with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, supervising a sport psychology rotation that was established in the early 90s. My clinical practice focuses on pain and behavioral medicine with a consulting practice in performance psychology. Since the early 90s I have worked in a variety of roles with USA Fencing, including service as chair of sports medicine and science for 15 years. With a group of clinicians at Psychological Health Roanoke, I have been providing consulting services to police and public safety agencies throughout Virginia since the early 90s. For the last 10 years I have been an lnstructor at the Roanoke City Police Academy in officer survival training.

I am currently a member of the Div. 47 Social Media Committee. Within AASP, I have served in number of roles including the executive board and the certification committee. Other service and administrative work includes over 20 years on the board of directors of Virginia Amateur Sports, sponsor of the Virginia State Games.

Position Statement: In service of APA Div. 47, I can offer a broad base of experience and longstanding involvement in the field of sport psychology, and with this an extensive network of colleagues and an historical view of the field.

My impression is that the key agenda for the profession of sport psychology has and continues to be visibility, credibility and employability. In service of these goals much has been done and there is still much to do. First and foremost, it is important to continue the initiatives begun by others who have served in leadership roles in Div. 47, since without persistence long-term goals will remain elusive. Philosophically this means a focus on what joins us together across the disciplines of psychology and exercise science – and the sport sciences broadly. I would look to maintain and extend relationships with other professional organizations and to encourage outreach and advocacy.

Secretary-Treasurer (one candidate):  

Dr. Cristina Fink

Biography: Dr. Cristina Fink is the director of sport psychology for High Performance Sports and YSC Sports, as well as the sport psychologist for the Philadelphia Union MLS Team and the Philadelphia Union Academy program.

Dr. Fink is a highly experienced sport psychologist with over 20 years of experience in teaching, counseling, and sport administration. Counseling clients include Olympic medalists and world champions, as well as professional soccer teams. She competed in two Olympic Games (Seoul 1988 and Barcelona 1992) and held the Mexican high jump record with a 6-foot, 4-inch jump for 22 years. She is the author of a number of published papers and has been a keynote speaker in many national and international conferences. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is proficient in French.

Dr. Fink has been the co-chair of the Science and Sport Medicine Committee of the Mexican Olympic Committee, was a member of the Mexican Olympic Committee Coaching and Development Committee for six years and has worked as a sport psychologist extensively with a variety of national teams. She was the sport psychologist for the Mexican Olympic Team in the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2004 Athens Olympic Games. She worked with the diving and the equestrian Mexican team for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Position Statement: I am grateful to be nominated for secretary/treasurer position of Div. 47. I view this position as an honor and also a responsibility.

I have been actively involved in many aspects of sport psychology for most of my life; as an athlete, a teacher, as a practitioner dealing with performance issues at the elite level and developing programs for children and sports both in Mexico and now at YSC Sports in Wayne, Pa. I lived in Mexico for many years teaching and directing a master’s program and always worried about the competencies sport psychologists need to develop have to help athletes at different levels. When I moved back to the United States four years ago, I realized we have the same challenge. I have a group of students and practitioners at YSC Sports who are in training and supervision.

Like past secretaries, I am very interested in the APA Proficiency in Sport Psychology and am looking forward to contributing to the next steps in its development and implementation. I have had experiences both as an athlete and as a practitioner with a number of self-proclaimed "sport psychologists" who have harmed our field because they seem to be unaware of the education and training necessary to legitimately claim this title. I would like to contribute through APA Div. 47 to have and apply higher standards for our field.

I will give this position 100 percent in supporting our executive board and maintaining the necessary energy and expertise to maintain the secretary-treasurer position with integrity and professionalism.

Member-At-Large (two candidates):

Candidate One: Dr. Scott Goldman

Biography: As the director of clinical and sport psychology for the University of Arizona’s athletic department, Scott Goldman, PhD, provides direct patient care to the student-athletes as well as consulting services for the coaches and staff. Dr. Goldman has provided mental health care in a variety of settings for amateur, collegiate, semiprofessional and professional athletes. Starting in 1994, Dr. Goldman’s clinical experience includes working in university counseling centers, rehabilitation centers, private and government funded psychiatric children’s hospitals, school counseling centers, and outpatient therapy institutes.

Dr. Goldman has presented nationally and internationally as well as written about mental health issues in athletic and general populations. He serves on the review board that edited the 2012-13 National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Sports Medicine Handbook. He is also a member of the sport psychology registry for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), as well as the NCAA Health and Safety Speaker Registry.

Position Statement: I am honored to be nominated as a candidate for the Div. 47 member-at-large position. Sport and exercise psychology is an exciting field, especially during this time of growth and exposure. I have always had a passion for our field. Currently, I am the director of clinical and sport psychology for the University of Arizona’s athletic department, where I provide direct patient care to the student-athletes as well as consulting services for the coaches and staff. I have taught undergraduate, graduate, and medical students for the past 10 years. I served on the review board that edited the 2012-2013 National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Sports Medicine Handbook. And, I am a member of the sport psychology registry for the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as well as the NCAA Health and Safety Speaker Registry. Additionally, I am the creator of the Athletic Intelligence Quotient (AIQ), an intelligence test that assesses the innate cognitive abilities that are most utilized in attaining, developing, and applying athletic skills, strategies, and tactics. And, I am on the advisory board for STEP UP!, a bystander intervention program that has been adopted by over 100 universities and colleges.

I have been an active member of APA since 1998, and am the current chair of the public interest committee for Div. 47. As the public interest chair, I have listened to our division members and implemented projects based on their ideas and visions. It is exhilarating to watch an idea come to fruition, as well as see its impact on our division as well as the public. Similarly, I am honored to be a part of our division’s growth and exploration. I believe Div. 47 should guide our field through the development and promotion of noble science, sound training, and empirically validated practice. Further, my hope is to connect associates who share my passion for this field with the goal of expanding our membership as well as enhancing our development as a division and the individuals in it. In conclusion, I am grateful for the nomination. And, if given the opportunity to serve our Div. 47 as the member-at-large, I will do my best to honor our membership and the field of sport and exercise psychology. Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions about me or my statement, please email me.

Candidate Two: Dr. Ariane Smith-Machín

Biography: Dr. Ariane Smith-Machín, PhD, CC-AASP, is a licensed psychologist working in private practice, the sport psychologist for the Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sport Medicine Clinic, and an adjunct faculty at Kaplan University.

Dr. Ariane Smith-Machín earned her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of North Texas and master’s degree in kinesiology with a specialization in sport psychology from the University of Minnesota. Her bachelor’s degree is from Franklin & Marshall College, where she competed on the women’s cross country team and first became interested in the field of exercise and sport psychology. At this time, she maintains a private practice, is the sport psychologist for The Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Sport Medicine Clinic, and is an adjunct faculty at Kaplan University. She also serves as an advisory board member for the Kaplan University College of Arts & Sciences, and is a peer reviewer for the Journal of Academic Psychiatry.

Position Statement: It is an honor to be considered for the Div. 47 member-at-large position, and I would be very excited to take on this new role and opportunity! In my personal and professional life, I am always balancing many different roles. One of the most important new roles I have is "mom" to my three young children. Not only has my ability to multitask been taken to entirely different level, my children have also taught me how to have more patience, thrive with the unexpected, effectively manage a lot of chaos, and exhibit a great deal of energy! In my potential role within Div. 47, these traits will also be helpful as I work with fellow colleagues, inspire creativity for enhancing our division, manage different opinions and ideas, and make time for challenges that may be presented. Being a parent has also made me much more aware of the "cost" of time and "cost" of services, both of which I want to be a benefit for the members of Div. 47 and APA. In this respect, I want to ensure that students and professionals alike are being supported as much as possible when they commit to being a member within an organization. We know you are here for Div. 47 and I will ensure that Div. 47 is committed to you. Specifically, I want to make sure there are opportunities for students and professionals interested in enhancing their knowledge and clinical or research experiences through connections with current peers and colleagues in the field. In addition, I want to make it easier and accessible to have conversations about clinical skill-building, ethical awareness and decision-making, professional development and sport-related opportunities, and theoretically based treatment interventions.

In addition to my role as "mom," I work professionally as a clinician, researcher, and educator. Thus, I work with clients, athletes, and students on a daily basis, and will use this variety of experiences to inform me as I make decisions, evaluate situations, engage in critical thinking about the direction of our division, support and develop new initiatives, and work with others within APA. I would be excited to help draw greater attention to the many benefits Div. 47 has to offer, including educating the public about exercise and sport psychology and connecting the public to resources within the division that could be mutually beneficial to members and public alike. Overall, I would be really excited about the opportunity to serve the members of Div. 47 in the member-at-large position! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions! Thank you for reading my statement and for your consideration!

Student Representative (two candidates):  

Candidate One: Thomas Nguyen

Biography: Thomas Nguyen is currently a second-year doctoral student in the counseling psychology program at the University of North Texas in the sport psychology specialization. Under the supervision of current Div. 47 President Dr. Trent Petrie, Thomas has the opportunity to work with the student athletes in the sport psychology consultant role. His research interests include the psychological antecedents/consequences of athletic injuries, and athletes' perceptions and willingness to receive mental health counseling. Although he is gaining invaluable experience through his clinical and didactic training, Thomas acknowledges that he has much more to learn as a researcher, consultant, counseling practitioner, and aspiring sport psychologist.

Having held numerous academic and extracurricular leadership positions on the local, regional, and national level throughout his lifetime, Thomas now wants to serve Div. 47 and its members as a voice for the students. Even if he is not elected, he plans to become involved with the committees and its initiatives. Thomas is very proud of his cultural heritage and wishes to bring more diversity into the field of sport and exercise psychology.

Thomas does enjoy some physical activity from time to time, which does not include hand-writing papers, grading assignments, and walking up and down the stairs of the psychology building. His hobbies include playing sports (namely football and basketball), fantasy sports, sport video games, watching sports, and reading about sport psychology. In case it wasn’t already clear, Thomas loves sports.

Position Statement: Over the past decade, the field of sport/exercise psychology has made significant strides in terms of education, application, research, and public awareness. The impetus behind this advancement has come in large part from Div. 47 and the active involvement of its members. It is an honor to be nominated as the voice of the students who strive to contribute to our profession.

My goals for the term, if elected, are twofold: 1) To develop new or enhance existing projects, initiatives, and opportunities related to student recruitment and involvement. My wish is find out what students want, need, or are interested in and connect them with mentors who are willing to help. 2) To stay abreast with the current issues that may impact future professionals in the field and promote awareness amongst the division. As attention and curiosity surrounding the mental side of athletics begins to grow, it is important for our division to lead the charge in informing the general public about sport/exercise psychology, and to establish and maintain standards of ethical competence for those who wish to work with athletes. This can be accomplished by working closely with the committees.

I would be humbled to serve the members of Div. 47. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email. I am happy to answer any inquiries about myself, hear your ideas for the division, or get to know you personally. Thank you for your time, and I request your consideration for the student representative position.

Candidate Two: Ryan Pittsinger

Biography: Ryan Pittsinger is a fourth-year doctoral student at the University of Iowa in the counseling psychology program. Ryan received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Utah and a master’s of science degree in sport and exercise psychology from California State University, Long Beach, where he received the 110 Percent award for his academic record and significant scholarly contributions. His commitment to leadership and outreach is evident through his roles as the newsletter director and the chair of the Social Service Committee within the University of Iowa’s counseling psychology program, as well as his involvement with the Iowa Psychological Association as a member of the spring 2012 Conference Planning Committee. Along with teaching resiliency, relaxation, and sports psychology courses in the health and human physiology department at the University of Iowa, Ryan is a practicum counselor in the athletic department, where he conducts counseling and outreach programs with student-athletes. His research interests include the psychological effects of physical activity and athletic injury, the role of personal identity among action sports athletes, as well as the impact of multicultural factors. Ryan’s scholarly work has been published in numerous academic journals and books, including the Journal of Sport & Health Science and the Handbook of Multicultural Mental Health. He also has presented at national and state conferences, including the American Psychological Association Annual Convention and the Annual Association for Applied Sport Psychology conference. Ryan enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and surfing in his hometown of Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Position Statement: It is my honor to be nominated for the position of student representative for Div. 47. As the student representative, I would collaborate with the executive committee, other student representatives, and current members/students to achieve two distinct goals: (a) increase communication between students, members, and professionals to enhance the experiences of each member; and (b) increase multicultural awareness in an effort to promote cultural competency within the field of exercise and sport psychology.

First, through my experiences at the University of Iowa as a student representative and director of the newsletter committee for the counseling psychology doctoral program, I have developed strong interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills. Using these skills, I would build a greater sense of community by increasing web-based communication between Div. 47 students/members regarding training activities and professional development opportunities to increase student involvement and connectedness.

Finally, my research, teaching and clinical endeavors, as well as my personal experiences as a first-generation college student, have helped me recognize the importance of culturally responsive behavior. I would strive to enhance the multicultural awareness of Div. 47 members by establishing a multicultural taskforce and encouraging the inclusion of culturally relevant scholarly work in the newsletter and at conferences designed to raise awareness of cultural factors that impact practice, research, and mentorship.

My previous experiences and commitment to the mission of Div. 47 will allow me to execute the abovementioned goals. It would be a privilege to serve as student representative, and I appreciate your consideration of my candidacy.