It feels like such a short time since I began as vice president for science of Div. 43, but I am excited to be approaching a year after first meeting with the division leadership in this role. As VP of science, I have focused on discussing ways for couple and family psychologists can conduct research on our clinical approaches despite waning grant funding for this work. Please take the opportunity to advance this discussion at the APA's 2018 convention in San Francisco. Come see the symposium, "Clinic-Based Couple and Family Therapy Research: Using Measurement to Improve Treatment," in which Anthony Chambers, PhD; Karen Petty, PhD; and I will present empirical findings from three studies that have integrated research into ongoing couple and family therapy practice. These studies illustrate how it is possible to make substantive research contributions to our understanding of effective couple and family treatments in a clinical setting. Division members are also encouraged to check into the range of members' research in the poster sessions. Use this opportunity to discuss the research of early career couple and family psychologists to foster the new generation of researchers in our area.
Our efforts continue in trying to advance research funding for couple and family psychology. The APA convention presents opportunities for Div. 43 leadership to work with APA staff to help increase awareness of this need in members of Congress. APA staff have been putting forth significant effort in making psychology relevant to political efforts to respond to mental health problems of the U.S. population, but more can be done to emphasize the importance of families in this effort. APA's CEO Arthur Evans, PhD recently attended the White House opioid summit, had meetings with senior Health and Human Services staff and met with the leadership of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. I believe we can leverage the expertise of Div. 43 research in the effort to improvement of the mental health of Americans. Our activities at the convention will focus on meeting with APA staff about what role family psychologists can have in addressing today's mental health problems with increased research funding.
Do you have ideas about how your research can contribute to this effort? Please feel free to email meopens in new window about your ideas, proposals and research solutions. See you at convention.