cpsylist: FW: Difficult Days

[Ellen McWhirter]

CPSY Community,
Here are messages from the president of division 17/counseling psychology, and a press release from APA. Trying to consolidate as I know we are all inundated with emails.
Best,
Ellen

*******************************************
Ellen Hawley McWhirter, Ph.D.
Ann Swindells Professor in Counseling Psychology
Director of Training, Counseling Psychology Program
5251 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-5251
(541) 346-2443 (office)
(541) 346-6778 (fax)
https://education.uoregon.edu/users/emcwhirter


From: Division 17 Discussion list [mailto:DIV17DISCUSS at LISTS.APA.ORG] On Behalf Of Heesacker,Martin
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2017 2:48 PM
To: DIV17DISCUSS at LISTS.APA.ORG
Subject: [DIV17DISCUSS] Difficult Days

Dear SCP Colleagues and Student Colleagues,

These last dozen days have been difficult ones for me, because of changes in immigration policies and a host of other concerns. I know from speaking with and reading reactions from many of you that I am not alone. I admire and appreciate what you are doing. Thank you.

At times like these, I believe that our counseling psychology values can guide us. As our website says, we:

  *   facilitate personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span
  *   attend to people's emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organizational concerns
  *   engage in a broad range of culturally-sensitive practices that help people improve their well-being
  *   alleviate distress and maladjustment
  *   resolve crises and increase client ability to function better in their lives
  *   attend to developmental issues and problems associated with physical, emotional, and mental health challenges
  *   serve persons of all ages and cultural backgrounds in both individual and group settings
  *   consult regularly with organizations seeking to enhance their effectiveness or the well-being of their members
  *   engage interventions that are brief or long-term, and are often problem-specific and goal-directed
  *   value individual differences, diversity, and multiculturalism
  *   focus on prevention, development, and adjustment across the life-span, with the aim of social justice, equity, and advocacy
As challenging as it might be, we must stay true to the core values of counseling psychology as we negotiate and challenge a new political landscape, where those who experience marginalization in our society need our leadership as counseling psychologists. This means highlighting community, inclusivity, and connectedness within and beyond America's borders. It means taking time to reach out to and support marginalized and vulnerable people, including our clients, students, and colleagues. It means taking time to understand those we experience as different from us. It also means taking care of ourselves even as we support others and demonstrate our commitment to individual differences and diversity.

In November, I asked if you were with me in challenging oppression. Today, I ask you to continue to live and uphold our time-tested counseling psychology values in both our personal and professional lives. I am with you in that endeavor.



Best,

Marty

Martin Heesacker

SCP/D17 President

********************* Division 17 information can be found at http://www.div17.org/ To leave the the LISTSERV please send mail to div17discuss-unsubscribe-request at lists.apa.org?subject=unsubscribe<mailto:div17discuss-unsubscribe-request at lists.apa.org?subject=unsubscribe> and do not include your signature Information on LISTSERVs may be found at http://www.div17.org/about_listserv.html ********************

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017
Contact: Kim I. Mills

(202) 336-6048

kmills at apa.org<mailto:kmills at apa.org>

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TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ORDERS POSE HARM TO REFUGEES, IMMIGRANTS, ACADEMIC RESEARCH AND INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE, ACCORDING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS

APA asks president to consider impact on families, students and researchers

WASHINGTON -  While safeguarding the nation from terrorist entry is of critical national importance, the Trump administration's proposed restrictions on refugees and other visitors are likely to compound the stress and trauma already experienced by populations at risk for discrimination, limit scientific progress and increase stigma, according to the American Psychological Association.

APA voiced concern regarding the executive order issued Jan. 27 that suspends all refugee admissions for 120 days, more than halves to 50,000 the number of refugees to be admitted in 2017, indefinitely blocks all refugees from Syria, and bars entry for 90 days to individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries.

"Refugees, particularly those displaced from war zones, experience stress, trauma and other serious mental health problems," said APA President Antonio E. Puente, PhD. "Denying them entry to the United States, particularly those who have already been vetted, is inhumane and likely to worsen their suffering. This conclusion is based on extensive research and clinical experience, as well as my own personal past."

Such policies can lead to a perception of reduced freedom, safety and social connection for those directly affected, as well as for society at large. APA urged the administration also to consider the importance of allowing international students and psychologists with proper documentation to enter the United States. The restrictions to entry will prevent many international students and scientists from studying, working or attending conferences in the United States, curbing the nation's ability to benefit from global scientific talent, according to APA. They will also impede the international engagement of scientists living in this country who are not U.S. citizens.

APA also took exception to an executive order issued on Jan. 25 that would make it easier to deport immigrants. Research has documented serious mental health consequences for immigrant children and/or their parents who have been forced to leave the United States, which may magnify earlier trauma experienced in or upon fleeing their country of origin. Sudden and unexpected family separation is associated with negative outcomes on child well-being that can last well into adulthood.

The president's executive order on immigration could lead to expanding family detention centers, according to APA. Immigration detainees are more vulnerable to psychological stress, compared to those in the community. The longer the detention period, the greater the risk of depression and other mental health symptoms for immigrants who were previously exposed to interpersonal trauma.

"The United States has historically served as a safe haven for the world's refugees and a destination for those interested in the educational and employment opportunities that our nation offers, as it did for me," Puente said. "We must strive to develop ways to secure our borders from those very few who wish to harm us while continuing to welcome others who come to our shores in peace."

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The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700  researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.

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