Taking action to improve our resilience

Why do some people recover quickly from traumatic experiences while others go in to a spiral of negative emotions and reduced functioning? Dr. Donald Meichenbaum, one of the ten most influential psychotherapists of the 20th century,  has some answers in his new book "Roadmap to Resilience: A Guide for Military, Trauma Victims and their Families." Dr. Meichenbaum outlines six different areas of resilience and provides ways that we all can boost ours. For example: exercising regularly, giving back and helping others, expressing gratitude, journal writing, establishing realistic expectations and more. You can find a large list of suggestions on this checklist from the Roadmap to Resilience website.

If you'd like to hear more from Dr. Meichenbaum about resilience, particularly after a trauma, you can hear an interview Todd Finnerty, Psy.D. did with him on the first ever Mental Health Day podcast. Dr. Meichenbaum describes post-traumatic growth and the six domains of resilience. He also talks about ways that you can I can improve our resilience in each area. Check out the podcast now.

APA Launches Psychotherapy Awareness Initiative

This morning APA launched the Psychotherapy Awareness Initiative to the public and media. A multimedia press release with the embedded video series, Psychotherapy: More Than a Quick Fix, was sent over the news wires across the U.S. Additionally, new resources are available on the Psychology Help Center including Understanding Psychotherapy and How It Works and an updated Talk to a Psychologist brochure. See Quick Links below.

QUICK LINKS
Press release on APA website "Has Psychotherapy Taken a Back Seat to Medication," http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2012/09/psychotherapy.aspx
Psychology Help Center landing page: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/. This is sort of a portal to all the psychotherapy materials including the videos.
Psychotherapy Works! page: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/psychotherapy-works.aspx
Understanding psychotherapy and how it works: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/understanding-psychotherapy.aspx       
Blog post from Dr. Katherine Nordal, http://www.yourmindyourbody.org/5-reasons-you-should-choose-psychotherapy/
Talk to a Psychologist brochure (online version): http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/talk.aspx
Order FREE print copys of Talk to a Psychologist brochure: http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/brochure-request.aspx
(APA members can order Talk brochures packets of 50 for FREE. Bulk supply of Talk brochures were mailed to SPTA executive directors last week with template labels so SPTAs can add their information to the back of the brochure.)

Awards for High School Teachers

Know a High School Psychology Teacher who makes a difference? Want them to be able to get funding for education or professional development? Please pass this information on!


NEW: APF Professional Development Awards for High School Psychology Teachers

The purpose of these awards is to help high school psychology teachers travel to and attend regional or national teaching and/or psychology conferences. Applicants may be awarded up to $250. Funds can be used to offset costs of travel, conference registration, and housing accommodations. Applications to attend the APA Convention (August 4-7, 2011, Washington, DC) are encouraged. $2,500 is available for funding. These grants are made possible through a generous gift from Dr. Lee Gurel.

The application deadline is April 15, 2011; for details on how to apply, visit http://www.apa.org/apf/funding/professional-topss.aspx.


NEW: APF High School Psychology Teacher Network Grants

The purpose of the these grants is to support the development of local and regional networks of psychology teachers and to support a local or regional teaching workshop or conference for high school psychology teachers. APF is particularly interested in proposals for professional development opportunities for teachers that could lead to the formation of a new regional network of psychology teachers. APF will award $1,500 in grants in 2011. These grants are made possible through a generous gift from Dr. Lee Gurel.

The application deadline is May 1, 2011; for details on how to apply, visit http://www.apa.org/apf/funding/psychology-teacher-network.aspx.