From our own:  

Using the Ethical Context to Enhance Practicum Training
Erica Wise and Tony Cellucci
Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 8(4), Nov 2014, 221-228

ABSTRACT
Ethics is a foundational competency that is critical to education, training, and future professional practice. In this article we define the ethical context as the articulated enactment of ethics in the academic program preparing psychologists to become health service providers. More specifically, we provide a broad road map and strategies for explicating the ethical context designed to enhance practicum training. We initially focus on the academic program that supports practicum training and describe how the ethical context approach can enhance graduate student understanding and appreciation of key program ethical responsibilities. These include the obligation to provide sufficient knowledge and developmental training experiences to achieve program objectives (i.e., identified competencies) within a supportive context and adhering to clearly stated policies regarding student personal disclosures and evaluations. The ethical context of practicum training itself is discussed in depth with an emphasis on early training for professional practice in the training clinic and community settings. Examples are provided for how this approach can be used to enhance professional and ethical competence through a focus on key ethical principles including competence, informed consent, confidentiality, and multiple relationships. Finally, it is suggested that future work could focus on examining related aspects of professionalism such as multicultural competence, and advocacy for the profession and social justice. We believe that this approach to explicating the ethical context may also serve to inspire faculty via its intentional focus on aspirational ethical principles and practices. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved).  




Connecting Cultures: A Training Model Promoting Evidence-based Psychological Services for Refugees.
Fondacaro KM, Harder VS.
Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 8(4), 320, Nov 2014.

ABSTRACT
Training clinical psychology graduate students in providing effective psychological services to refugees can be extremely complex. The training approach requires a culturally sensitive framework, potential modification of empirically validated techniques, and flexibility on the part of trainees and supervisors. Connecting Cultures is a program that creates a culturally sensitive context from which trainees can learn to effectively work with refugees within a social justice framework and the ecological model of human development. Connecting Cultures graduate students provide both community-based outreach and direct clinical services to meet the mental health needs of refugees in the Northeast region of the United States. The primary aim of this manuscript is to provide an overview of Connecting Cultures' training and supervision model, highlight the importance of working with cultural consultants, interpreters, and community elders, and discuss the impact this work has on clinical psychology graduate students. A secondary aim is to describe our method for evidence-based psychological assessment and to present preliminary outcome data from our graduate students. Strengths of the Connecting Cultures program include its clinical and research efforts with refugees from over 20 countries, and its ability to flexibly incorporate alternative therapeutic frameworks such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Finally, the manuscript concludes by providing the implications of our work in attempting to meet the mental health needs of refugees after resettlement.
Board of Educational Affairs Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Directors at BEA
Training directors hard at work!  With directors Tony Cellucci and Erica Wise, and fellow psychologist Susan Whitbourne




CONGRATULATIONS!  
Bob Hatcher to receive the 2015 American Psychological Association’s Distinguished Applications of Psychology to Education and Training Award

Bob HatcherThe award will be presented along with other distinguished APA awards at the 2015 American Psychological Association/American Psychological Foundation Award Ceremony at the APA Convention in Toronto, Canada. 

Sponsoring Division: APA
Session Type: Invited Address
Session Title: 2015 APA Distinguished Contributions of Applications of Psychology to Education Award
Your Role: Participant/1stAuthor
Presentation Title: How to Make Creative Use of Competency-Based Education
Date & Time: Sat 8/8/2015 03:00 PM - 03:50 PM
Location: Convention Centre Room 717B


















And at the Annual Meeting: Austin Texas  April 16-19, 2015. . .

Rain Soaked Directors
It rained.  
While in Philly, they all got together. 

Philadelphia Directors

 Bruce Zahn, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Mary Lazar, Widener University, Catherine Panzarella, Temple University, Josh Saks, Chestnut Hill College, and Jen Schwartz, Drexel University had a great time talking shop and comparing experiences.