APA Division 18 Psychologists in Public Service - Veterans Affairs

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APA Division 18 Psychologists in Public Service - Veterans Affairs

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The VA Section of Div 18 promotes psychology, clinical care, training, & research to serve Veterans.

08/08/2026

Please congratulate Dr. Tamara Morris, Psy.D. for winning the James Besyner Award for Lifetime Achievement awarded by APA Division 18’s VA section.

In order to receive this award, a psychologist must demonstrate “sustained, widespread influence at the highest standard of psychology leadership”. Dr. Morris was recognized in particular for her active voice supporting VA healthcare, VA psychologists, VA trainees but most importantly - longstanding humble support of our Veterans. Numerous psychologists spoke on her behalf, recognizing her efforts. Thank you, Dr. Morris.

Dr. Morris is associated with the BRAVE (Building Resilience through Action in VEterans and first responders) and is an Assistant Professor at the Wisconsin Institute of Neuroscience (WINS).

08/08/2026

Congratulations are in order for Dr. Allyson L. Ruha, PsyD, ABPP who received the APA Division 18 VA Section Excellence in Service Award.

Dr. Ruha serves within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, where she is the Section Chief Psychologist for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (PRRC) program. She has held numerous leadership roles within STVHCS, American Psychological Assocation's Division 18, and Bexar County Psychological Association.

Pictured with Dr. Ruha today are supporting friends, Dr. Lisa Kearney (editor of Division 18’s Psychological Services), Hannah Baker (conference presenter for Division 19 poster session and daughter of Dr. Ruha) and Dr. William Elder.

We are so proud of the legacy Dr. Ruha has fostered, and we’re honored to award a psychologist so well-deserving of recognition. Thank you for your service!

08/05/2026

We are here at APA!

The VA Section meeting will be Friday, 8/7/26 from 1:00pm to 2:00pm EDT in the Division 18 Engagement space, at the Marriott Marquis (Independence Salon, level 4).

We hope you'll also join us or our AVAPL partners for:

- Division 18's Business Meeting: Friday, August 7th, 4:00-5:00pm EST - Convention Center 151B

- Division 18 Social: Friday, August 7th, 5:30-7:30pm EST - Marriott Marquis - Mount Vernon Square Room

- AVAPL Social will be held on Friday, August 7th 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. EST at Yardbird, 901 New York Ave NW Washington, DC

- AVAPL Annual Business Meeting Saturday, August 8th 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST at the Marriott Marquis, Level 4, Independence Salon

06/29/2026

In addition to the amazing opportunities to connect at our reception and mix-and-match moments, American Psychological Association, Psychologists in Public Service APA Division 18, and Association of VA Psychologist Leaders (AVAPL) have an amazing agenda planned including:

- Keynote Address with Dr. Terry Keane
- "APA: View from the Hill" with APA's K. Conwell Smith
- "Moral Distress in Healthcare Work" with Dr. Sonya Norman
- "Data-Driven Insights from RAND's Veterans Policy Research Institute” with RAND's Dr. Carrie Farmer
- Conference Address: Dr. Lisa K. Kearney

And don't forget the nationwide VA Psychologists providing PK Speed presentations and Posters, as well as celebrating with some awards!

06/29/2026

Students, interns and fellows! Check out our free upcoming webinar: Demystifying Licensure & the EPPP with Joel E. Kamper, Ph.D., ABPP-CN.

Participants will be able to:

- Describe the general requirements for licensure as a psychologist in independent practice.

- Identify the steps and recommended timeline in training to complete the licensure process.

- Understand the EPPP and how it is used to evaluate candidates for licensure.

- Discuss changes to the EPPP coming in 2027.

Register now at: https://app.tpn.health/education/demystifying-licensure-the-eppp-554364bb?

American Psychological Association Psychologists in Public Service APA Division 18 National Register of Health Service Psychologists

06/26/2026

Time to plan your travel and reserve your seats at VA Psychology Leadership Conference 2026. This year, we are welcomed to the headquarters of the American Psychological Association for our 2-day weekend conference (immediately following APA's annual convention).

Our theme this year is: Abiding Stewardship of Veteran-Centered Care. We are joined by fabulous speakers, and have included plenty of time to connect, network, and collaborate.

Learn more and register now at: https://avapl.org/mpage/VAPLC

Psychologists in Public Service APA Division 18

06/25/2026

Our newest podcast includes a conversation about recently published research, "Learning from the best: A positive deviance approach to Veterans Health Administration leadership practices" with co-author Dr. Jennifer Wisdom and Division 18's Dr. Emilia Brown.

Check out the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/gfiy4J-G

Check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/gWxfEiEQ

06/05/2026

Are you a VA Psychologist considering leadership within American Psychological Association? Take the first step by joining Psychologists in Public Service APA Division 18 leadership in the VA Section.

Not ready for a leadership role, but interested in preparing for one in the future? We can help with that as well - contact us to be an incoming/elect leader!

We are accepting nominations through June 12th! Postdocs and early career are welcome. Email us to learn more.

06/01/2026

Join us for our next webinar: "AI-Driven Clinical Decision Support for Veteran PTSD Treatment: A Bayesian POMDP Simulation Study" with Dr. Umit Tokac, PhD.

This workshop presents a simulation study examining the development and evaluation of a Bayes-Adaptive Partially Observable Markov Decision Process (POMDP) algorithm designed to personalize PTSD treatment intensity recommendations for veterans. The algorithm integrates a Bayesian hierarchical framework with Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation to model latent PTSD severity trajectories and generate individualized, data-driven clinical recommendations. Using synthetic data modeled on realistic VA clinical presentations, including PCL-5, PHQ-9, and Q-LES-Q-SF scores across three therapy sessions, the study demonstrates proof-of-concept that such a framework can accurately estimate hidden patient states and adaptively refine treatment decisions over time.

Participants will explore how AI-driven sequential decision-making approaches address a critical gap in veteran mental health care, where only 4–9% of veterans with PTSD receive adequate evidence-based treatment and approximately two-thirds retain their diagnosis after completing care. The workshop will discuss both the promise and current limitations of this approach, including the path from simulation validation to potential clinical implementation in VA settings.

To learn more and register: https://app.tpn.health/education/ai-driven-clinical-decision-support-for-veteran-ptsd-treatment-a--43fe9a05?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=direct

American Psychological Association Psychologists in Public Service APA Division 18 APA Division 56 - Trauma Psychology Society of Clinical Psychology, Division 12 of APA

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801 Mt Vernon Pl NW
Washington D.C., DC
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Website

http://www.apadivisions.org/division-18/sections/veterans/index.aspx

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