Update from SCCAP Representatives to APA Council

Update from SCCAP Representatives to APA Council

By Mary Louise Cashel, PhD & Stephen Hupp, PhD
SCCAP Representatives to APA Council

By Mary Louise Cashel, PhD & Stephen Hupp, PhD
SCCAP Representatives to APA Council

SCCAP Board Members, Dr. Mary Louise Cashel and Dr. Stephen Hupp, attended the APA Council of Representatives meeting held on February 21-22, 2025, in Washington, DC. The Council voted to pass the following resolutions and policy statements:

• Resolution on Advancing Evidence-Based Health Promotion and Prevention Across the Lifespan
• Resolution on Protecting Psychological Test Security, Test Validity, and Public Safety
• Resolution on the Protection of Neural and Cognitive Data
• 2025 Ageism Policy Statement
• 2025 Caregiving Policy Statement

We approved a one-year extension of recognition of Sport Psychology as a proficiency in professional psychology and adopted the following guidelines as APA policy:

• Professional Practice Guidelines on Measurement-Based Care
• Guidelines for Psychological Practice in Health Care Delivery Systems
• Guidelines on Trauma Competencies for Education and Training
• APA Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Adults (revision of 2017 Guideline)

Council authorized the APA Board of Directors to establish an expert panel to develop an APA position statement regarding equity, fairness, and transparency in psychology licensure examinations. We also approved a statement, Reaffirming APA’s Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

There was extended discussion of a proposed Competency Framework for Master’s and Doctoral Degree Education and Training in Health Service Psychology, which ultimately was not approved by Council.  It is anticipated that a revision will be presented at the next meeting in August.

Dr.  Mary Louise Cashel additionally attended Council Hill Day on Thursday, February 20, 2025.  Council members and APA Advocacy staff met with congressional leaders (or their representatives) on Capitol Hill to advocate for continuation and reallocation of NIH, Medicaid, and Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) funding.  Over 100 Council members participated.

The next COR meeting will be held in August 2025, in Denver Colorado. 

Finally, we are happy to note the results of the 2024 APA Apportionment Ballot election results.  Because of our increase in Division 53 (SCCAP) voter responses, we have gained an additional seat on the APA Council of Representatives. Beginning in January 2026, SCCAP will have three representatives.