The Wright Institute

Eric Samuels Publishes Article on Psychologists' Disabilities

Eric Samuels, PsyD student, has published an article in the APA Public Interest Directorate Newsletter entitled "Question in a Practicum Interview: How Would You Respond when Clients Ask about Your Tics?"

Eric discusses the challenges of deciding whether to disclose a disability with clients, and when applying for internships and praticums. He writes that although the U.S. Census reports that there are 56.7 million people with disabilities - 18.6 percent of the U.S. population, "people with disabilities are underrepresented in psychology. A 2003 study found that only 2 percent of members of the American Psychological Association identified as people with disabilities."

To read the entire article, go to http://www.apa.org/pi/about/newsletter/2014/09/practicum-interview.aspx

CAMFT Board Votes to Adopt a Strong Statement Against SOCE

Currently, the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) allows its members to practice sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) in attempts to change lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals' sexual orientations and/or gender identifications or expressions. Master's student Beth Greivel has spearheaded a campaign directed at CAMFT, asking them to denounce SOCE tactics like conversion or reparative treatments.

On September 20, 2014, the CAMFT Board voted 10-2 to adopt a strong statement against SOCE. With CAMFT's public denouncement of SOCE, it has now established best practices with LGBTQIQA clients. Beth's proposal to make SOCE specifically unethical in CAMFT's Code of Ethics is still under consideration by CAMFT's Ethics Committee.

Margery Wang Discusses Long Distance Relationships on "Insights with Dick Goldberg" Radio Show

Margery Wang, Psy.D. candidate, was recently featured on the radio program, "Insights with Dick Goldberg: Interviews with Experts of Self Improvement, Business and Society." She discussed the challenges and advantages of long distance relationships. Margery completed her dissertation entitled "The iHuman Experience: Redefining What it Means to Be Connected at a Distance."

Margery stated that the trend in long distance relationships is growing rapidly; as of April, the total number of couples in long distance relationships is 14 million. She explained that the increase is partly due to many couples who graduate from high school and don't want to end their relationship. They use technology to stay connected via text, Skype, and messaging. She pointed out that online dating also facilitates access to more long distance relationships. Margery said couples assume that "eventually one of us can move closer together."

Adam Blum Wins 2014 Mitchell Award

We are pleased to announce that Adam Blum, Psy.D. (2012) is the winner of the 2014 Mitchell Award. Dr. Blum's paper, "This Must Be the Place: Thinking Psychical Life with Music" explores the use of music in clinical work with a specific patient, and how music illuminates clinical processes in general. Established by Psychoanalytic Psychology and the APA Board of the Division of Psychoanalysis, the Mitchell Award honors an esteemed colleague as well as a graduate student whose paper is deemed exemplary by a panel of judges. Dr. Blum presented his paper at the Spring Meeting of Division 39 in April 2014, and the paper will be published in Psychoanalytic Psychology.

Dr. Blum completed his pre- and post-doctoral hours at California Pacific Medical Center, where he started working as a staff psychologist in July. He is in private practice in Berkeley and San Francisco.