California Psychological Association

Please allow us to introduce Laila Figueroa, PsyD, Chair of CPAGS. CPAGS is the graduate student arm of the CPA, and we love having these up-and-coming members of our profession involved with our work! Dr. Figueroa graduated from Alliant International University in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology. She holds a certification in Neuroscience from Harvard University, and she’ll continue her early career path with an emphasis in pediatric neuropsychology. As the CPAGS Chair, she brings her “let’s get it done” spirit and a unique perspective as a proud mixed-race, multi-ethnic individual. Her passion is to advocate for wellness, justice, and inclusion within the mental health field.

Barbara Ackerman, PhD, has two passions: improving whole-person health care for underserved populations and promoting the professional interests of California psychologists. Dr. Ackerman wears many hats. She is a Director-At-Large, Chair of the Research Committee, and a member of Division I (Clinical & Professional Practice). In addition to being a clinical psychologist, she is also a registered nurse. Dr. Ackerman is a member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association and an associate program director for a family medicine residency program in Los Angeles. We’re so glad to introduce you to this member of our Board of Directors!

Alan Lincoln, PhD is a good example of what it looks like to have a lifelong commitment to leadership in psychological associations. Dr. Lincoln is a Director-at-Large and a Chapter Liaison on the CPA Board of Directors. He is both Past and Chair-Elect of Division V (Division of Clinical Psychopharmacology). Furthermore, he’s a three-time Chair of Division V (Clinical Psychopharmacology). Additionally, he was a Member-at-Large of Division 55 of the American Psychological Association. He served on APA’s Psychopharmacology Taskforce and received the Chuck Faltz Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Psychopharmacology and the Division 55 Instructor of the Year in Clinical Psychopharmacology. Dr. Lincoln is a Distinguished Professor of clinical psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology of Alliant International University. He has been involved in NIH-sponsored research for 40 years, focusing on developmental psychopathology involving the neuropsychology and neurophysiology of persons with ASD, Williams Syndrome, and ADHD. He has over 150 peer-reviewed presentations and journal publications. “I am dedicated to improving the public understanding, impact, and professional opportunities for psychologists, all psychologists, including academic, research, educational, counseling, and clinical psychologists,” said Dr. Lincoln. We share Dr. Lincoln’s dedication, and your membership in CPA demonstrates that you do as well - thank you!

The service and time of our Board of Directors and all our Divisions supplement the hard work of our talented staff. Today, we’d like to introduce Rick Williamson, PhD, a Director-At-Large and one of the two Liaisons to our eight CPA Divisions. In addition to his role on the CPA Board of Directors, Dr. Williamson is a member of two Divisions: Division I (Clinical & Professional Practice) and Division II (Education & Training). He is also co-founder of a nonprofit dedicated to understanding and serving the mental health needs of marginalized communities. Dr. Williamson serves both the local and international context and specializes in the treatment of trauma. He has a passion for training and has served as clinical director of a multilevel training clinic for master and doctoral-level therapists. Thank you for your time and service to CPA, Dr. Williamson!

We hope you got to meet one of our incoming Board members at the Convention last month! Dr. Kruser is Treasurer-Elect of the CPA Board of Directors, Chair of the Leadership and Advocacy Network, and a member of Divisions I (Clinical? & Professional Practice) and VIII (Neuropsychology). Dr. Kruser is also on the 2024 Convention Committee and started her service in CPA as a student. She has attended the convention for a number of years and even helped to coordinate two prior CPA conventions! She is also a member of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association and a licensed clinical and forensic neuropsychologist. Dr. Kruser is passionate about advocating for our field, and we’re so grateful for her professional service!

We’re on a mission to share our Board of Directors on social media, so you can get to know CPA leadership better. So please let us introduce Michele Willingham, PsyD: Dr. Willingham is our Board Treasurer, liaison to the California Psychological Association of Graduate Students (CPAGS), CPA’s student division, and a member of Division II (Education & Training). She is a licensed psychologist and Director of the Counseling Center at Biola University. Dr. Willingham is also the founding Internship Training Director for the APA-accredited internship in Professional Psychology at Biola and serves on the APA Commission for Accreditation. Dr. Willingham maintains a small private practice in Orange County, where she supervises associates. She is also part owner of a group practice building that serves as the professional home for over a dozen licensed clinicians. Additionally, she is a clinical faculty member for the Rosemead School of Psychology at Biola and enjoys teaching doctoral students about the business aspects of private practice. Please help us thank Dr. Willingham, and all our Board members, for their service to our profession!

Dawn Vo-Jutabha, PhD, is a CPA Director-At-Large and a Division Liaison. We’ve been introducing our Board members on social media this summer, and after a busy Convention season, we’re continuing into the autumn! Dr. Vo-Jutabha is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Wayfinder Family Services in Los Angeles. She has over twenty years of experience in clinical services and training, program development, and quality improvement. She is also a graduate of @American Psychological Association's flagship leadership training, the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. Thank you for your service to CPA, Dr. Vo-Jutabha!

This summer, we’re introducing our Board of Directors on social media so our members can get to know CPA better. Today, we’re highlighting Past-President David Hindman PhD! Dr. Hindman is the Chair of the Nominations, Elections, and Awards Committee and a Member of the 2024 Convention Committee. He is a member of Division I (Clinical & Professional Practice), Division II (Education & Training), Division IV (Psychologists in Public Service), Division V (Division of Clinical Psychopharmacology), Division VI (Media, Technology and Communication), and Division VII (Diversity & Social Justice). Outside of his incredibly active CPA service, he is a member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association and the San Gabriel Valley Psychological Association. A health psychologist by training, Dr. Hindman serves as the Division Director for the Sage EHR Management Division of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Substance Abuse, Prevention & Control Bureau (SAPC). He is active in private practice at the Emmada Psychology Center. Dr. Hindman’s involvement with so many CPA Divisions is inspiring, and we encourage our members to get more involved in their areas of interest as well! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dw9Au36v.

We have so many interesting and important sessions at the Annual Convention! We hope to see all our members September 19-22 in San Jose! In the meantime, check out this session highlight: “Intersectionality and Mental Health: Addressing the Unique Needs of Marginalized Humanitarian Workers” presented by Scott Grover, PhD, Clarisa Paschall, MA, and Jenn Alcalde, MS. Drawing from case examples, particularly from UN work in Lebanon and Gaza, participants will delve into the impact of national identity, conflict, and limited access to mental health care. Participants will discuss strategies for psychological support within an organizational context, staff care perspectives and responsibilities, advocacy and building trauma-informed organizations. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/exe9zUFH.

Psychology in the Fire House! One of the important sessions at our Annual Convention includes “Five Roles of a Fire Service Psychologist: Paths to Cultural Competency” presented by Anne Bisek, PsyD, Captain Heather Buren, SF Fire Department, and Assistant Fire Chief Chad Costa, MS, EFO, CFO, CAL FIRE TEAM 1, Petaluma Fire Department. This presentation will provide an overview of the fire service psychologist's role within the five domains of Police and Public Safety Psychology. This presentation will also preview the body of research that needs to be done in the next five years to better inform psychological work in pre-employment screening. You will not want to miss this! If you have not registered for the CPA COnvention - don't worry! You can still sign up onsite! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/exe9zUFH.