Iranian psychologists in American Psychological Association (APA) Convention
Psychology is an active discipline in America and Iranian - American psychologists are among the most active minorities making highly recognized contributions to this professional field.
From August 12th to August 15th Iranian Psychological Association of America (IPAA) officially attended the 118th Annual American Psychological Association (APA) Convention and Exhibition in San Diego, California. The following report was prepared by IPAA.
According to Jodi Ashcraft, Director of APA Advertising & Exhibit, IPAA was the first Ethnic Minority Psychological Association that participated in the APA convention. In this 5 day event IPAA booth staff welcomed psychologists from around the US and Canada with traditional warm Iranian hospitality including fine Persian candies and beautiful pictures of Iran. Visitors were also amused by the fine artistry and the beauty of the handmade Persian rug and the poems of Rumi, Hafez, and Khayyam.
In a meeting with Mr. Peyman Raoofi, APA CEO and Executive Vice President Dr. Norman Anderson expressed his joy and happiness in hearing about IPAA and it's hard work for the Iranian professionals. Dr. Merry Bullock Director of APA International Affairs in a meeting with Dr. Alan Modarressi, the IPAA president acknowledged and appreciated the work of Iranian Psychological Association of America for its members and consumers in North America.
At the end, the IPAA representatives received high recognition and special invitation to the APA Presidential Reception by the APA President Dr. Carol D. Goodheart.
According to Mona Alcazar, the Exhibition Manager, over 10,000 mental health professionals attended and about 170 organizations and universities exhibited in this year's convention .
Several Iranian clinicians also presented at the event. The IPAA Chair of the Ethics Committee Dr. Niaz Khani presented on "One perspective of the psychological impact of stigma including an overview of the different types of cultures; a closer look at Middle Easterners; challenges and stigma related to seeking mental health services". Ms. Sepideh Soheilian from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA also presented on "Multicultural issues in training and supervision in counseling and clinical psychology programs in the US".
Among those who generously sponsored IPAA booth included: Drs. Ahmad Riahinejad, Alan Modarressi, Homa Mahmoudi, Sean Pakdaman, Shirin Nooravi and many more who donated to APA Convention Fund.
The members who actively participated in networking and staffing the booth over the 5 day period were: Fariba Rabizadeh, MFTI, Marmar Mehrpouyan, Psy.D., Niaz Khani, Psy.D., and Sheava Rahimi, MFTstu. Mr. Peyman Raoofi, MA, actively participated in all phases of the project, from preparation and implementation of the project, to networking, communications and staffing the booth.
IPAA is a nonprofit organization established in 2005 in order to organize and educate Iranian mental health professionals as well as the Iranian-American community on issues related to the delivery of psychological services and the application of its principles to the psycho-social needs of the Iranian community in the U.S. For further info plea visit www.myipaa.org or contact (310)499-5622.
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