Article archive / September 1, 2009
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 1. Source pages: 10.
On Oct. 5th, 2000 I sent this e- mail to the Louisiana Psychological Association list serve.
“Dear LPA: I have been pondering the ‘battle between the prescription folks and everyone else’ that Kim referred to in a recent e-mail, and wondering what we can do to unify our members. The following message, which I wrote to Div. 46 (Media) as part of our effort to reach out to the public and other psychologists, may have relevance for LPA. I believe that we need to spend as much time and money building relationships with consumers and colleagues as with lobbyists and legislators. Otherwise, our focus is too narrow, and the strength of our organization is jeopardized. Let us broaden our priorities, recognizing that a solid foundation is based on interconnections among all of the supporting structures of our profession. I would be glad to help with this mission.”
The message I had written to Div. 46 (Media), my primary APA affiliation, was about my new television show. During the 1990s my activities within LPA had included writing a column for the Louisiana Psychologist, and chairing the Public Education Campaign. By the fall of 2000 I realized that LPA and I had vastly different priorities, so I continued with my television, radio, and print media activities independently. Nine years later I still am passionate about the media and about psychology. However, I have less need to “unify our members” and a greater sense of the importance of simply unifying our profession, both within and beyond any professional affiliations, through media activities. The opportunity to write a column for Psychology Times provides a place to discuss how media matters can help us with “building relationships with consumers and colleagues.” I look forward to expanding our reach.
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