DIVISION 42 LISTSERV

Division 42 is truly a home for practicing psychologists. The list serve has been an incredible resource for me on so many occasions. People really want to help each other. On countless occasions I have sought and found referrals for patients out of state, input on numerous topics including best resources for patients or myself. Recently I wanted a few ideas about a letter I needed to write for a college student. I asked if anyone could get back to me fairly quickly. I received wonderful information within less than 2 hours! Our list serve is truly a way that we can be there for each other. During Covid, the support professionally and personally has been incredible. We definitely are better together!

• Elaine Ducharme Ph.D, Division 42 President

I like to say, “Joined Psychologists In Independent Practice for the listserv, Stayed for everything else.” This is almost literally true for me. It might be hard to believe, but there was a time when “listservs” were new. It quickly became apparent this was a way to connect with many colleagues in a way that was not otherwise possible for a practical matter. Also, to get opinions out, or maybe even worthwhile information, in a way that seemed to have minimal real world consequences. That turned out to be nowhere near literally true. Some of the effects happily included making lifelong friends; finding colleagues to collaborate with for writing, for advocacy, to talk about our clinical work, our livelihoods. I “met” and corresponded with many Division 42 members before having the chance to meet in person. Many became friends, close friends, many became colleagues in common interests. All of these relationships I owe to the listserv.

The listserv is one of the most valuable resources the Division provides for members. It is a national “water cooler,” actually international with our members in different countries. You can find someone there most any day, to share the news or a joke, to share your latest work, or to ask your most pressing practice question. It is the ultimate “Cheers Bar” of a place to gather. Yes, there is great diversity – people, backgrounds, opinions, knowledge, experience. That’s who we are! At the same time there is a commonality – a community – that is like no other “place.” List members reflect the entire range of our professional lives – from those in doctoral programs who have not yet graduated, to newly minted doctors of psychology, to early, middle, and senior ranges of career development. There is a breadth and depth of shared knowledge and experience. There is a generosity among members to share, to support, that is unique and unrivaled. Join the listserv, and stay for everything else!

• Gordon I. Herz, PhD

I have been a member of Division 42 for over a decade. The biggest benefit of membership is our listserv which is a true community of psychologists. It is a lively and active list that people use for all sorts of purposes: seeking referrals, sharing insights and expertise, discussion of private practice issues (anything from office chairs and art to EHR and malpractice recommendations). The most valuable thing I have gotten from the listserv isn’t actually the referrals, networking, or professional collaborations…it is actually the deep friendships I have developed with psychologists across the globe, which only could happen from our finding one another and conversing on the listserv. If you want the benefit of a national network of colleagues and friends, our list is where you would nurture and grow that.

• Keely Kolmes, Psy.D.

The heart and soul of the Division are the members and their diverse thoughts and actions, workplace interests and practices, extra professional activities, interests, backgrounds, their personal and professional life journeys that bring them to their current status as a practitioner in Independent Practice and their “professional home” in the Division of Independent Practice. No where is this diversity more apparent in than in the listserv, the lifeblood of the Division, a venue to communicate with others about yourself and interests as a clinician, to gain professional information or share activities about your activities, to request information about marketing your practice, find out about social media and digital platforms, the latest equipment or services, request a mentor or information about becoming a Fellow in the division, and more… Whether you are thinking about going into independent practice, are new to practice, want to expand your expertise or retire from practice, you are able to get support and information from this caring community of practitioners through your participation in the listserv. And, it is a great place to read and discuss interesting books, keep up your friendships and develop new friendships.

• Alan Entin, PhD

As a longtime member of Division 42, I have much appreciated the listserv over the years. It is an active, supportive community with diverse members from around the US and beyond. We ask and answer questions, as well as exchange opinions and share resources. Just from reading daily postings, I have learned about important issues and resources that I never knew existed. The listserv has also been fulfilling to me on a personal level. Several colleagues whom I “met” on the listserv have become personal friends, and a few have become business partners.

• Pauline Wallin, Ph.D.

LEADERSHIP AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There are many opportunities for members to become involved in Division 42 committees or projects!  These roles offer wonderful opportunities to develop your leadership skills, acquire in-depth perspectives on issues affecting psychological practice, and network with and get to know colleagues.

There are also many opportunities for members to get involved and volunteer with the Division’s journal, Practice Innovations. Members can submit manuscripts, be a Guest Editor for a Special Section or Special Issue, serve on our Editorial Board or Review Board, or be an AdHoc reviewer. 

JOURNAL

Practice Innovations serves practitioners by publishing clinical, practical, and research articles on current and evolving standards, practices, and methods in professional mental health practice. Designed as a cross-disciplinary publication with a multi-theoretical scope, the journal supports innovation and the highest standards of care in mental health practice. Coverage areas include population-based practice issues, procedure or technique-based practice issues, diagnosis-based practice issues, and service delivery models.  There are also many opportunities for members to get involved and volunteer with the Division’s journal, Practice Innovations. Members can submit manuscripts, be a Guest Editor for a Special Section or Special Issue, serve on our Editorial Board or Review Board, or be an AdHoc reviewer. 

NEWSLETTER

The Independent Practitioner, the newsletter of Division 42, contains articles about timely topics relevant to the clinician working in private practice.  Because the members of the Division have various specialties in their practices, ranging from consulting to forensic evaluations to therapy, the articles seek to address these diverse interests.  Examples of topics discussed in recent issues include:    burnout and fatigue, immigration, telepsychology, risk management, diversity and ethics.  Members who are running for office also present their platforms.  Members have the opportunity to submit articles for publication in our newsletter.

NEW MEMBER COLLEAGUE PROGRAM

If you are new to the Division and would like to be more connected, the New Member Colleague Program may be for you. New members are paired with an existing member, of similar interests, who can serve as a liaison to what the division has to offer, help you get more involved or simply have a colleague to whom you are connected in the division. After the initial pairing and meeting, the relationship can go forward and be defined in whatever way best suits the pair.

MENTORSHOPPE

Mentorshoppe is Division 42’s mentoring program for students and early career psychologists. Here you will be able to find guidance, consultation, and information that will help you navigate through the labyrinths of training and early career issues under the guidance of a psychologist who’s been there! The Mentorshoppe Chair will help match you with a mentor.The formal mentoring program runs from October through May.

ADVOCACY

The Advocacy Committee meets monthly to advance an advocacy agenda focused on issues that are important to psychologists who practice independently in the behavioral health space.  We track relevant issues within APA and in the psychology business world.  We welcome new committee members for whom psychology advocacy is a passion.

MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

The Membership Directory is a searchable directory of Division 42 members.  This Directory is a useful resource for networking with fellow members, identifying potential referrals in different locations, and searching for members with specific areas of expertise for collaboration, consultation, and referral.

 MASTERMIND GROUPS

Mastermind groups are a form of peer coaching, with group members meeting on a regular basis to share business ideas and to support one another in pursuit of their respective goals. Groups set their own structure and meeting schedule.  Mastermind groups are mutually supportive networks that offer accountability, progress tracking, and resources in the form of skills, expertise, and different viewpoints.  Groups typically have a topic area of focus such as marketing and group practice ownership.  

FELLOWS

Fellow status is an honor bestowed upon APA members who have shown evidence of unusual and outstanding contributions or performance in the field of psychology. Fellow status requires that a person’s work has had a national impact on the field of psychology beyond a local, state or regional level.  To apply for Fellow status, you must be a member of the division and apply through the division.