Education and Training Committee

Chair

Maryka Biaggio and Brad Larsen

Mission

The committee advocates for LGBT-affirmative policies in psychology education and training. Although official statements of the American Psychological and many other professional associations now make it clear that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and also encourage, even require, members to affirm lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender lifestyles, some professionals and members of the public do not agree with these positions. The Education and Training Committee seeks to employ an educational approach in combating regressive and repressive opinions both within the profession and the general public.

Recent activities

The Committee has explored resources that individuals applying to graduate programs in psychology can review to assess the extent to which programs may be lgbt-friendly/affirmative.

Suggested readings

Biaggio, M. (2004, Spring). Thoughts on addressing institutional sensitivity to lesbian/gay/bisexual individuals and groups. Division 44 Newsletter, 25-26.

Biaggio, M., Orchard, S., Larson, J., Petrino, K., & Mihara, R. (2003). Guidelines for gay/lesbian/bisexual-affirmative educational practices in graduate psychology programs. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 34, 548-554.

Results of a survey entitled "APA Graduate Faculty in Psychology Interested in Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Issues", are linked to on the APA Publications page in our Resources section. It contains information about research, courses, professional training, and climate indicators in graduate programs.

What You Can Do

  • Inform the current committee chair of issues that you would like to have addressed or ideas about committee projects.
  • Volunteer to contribute to the committee’s work. Please contact the committee chair if you are interested in joining the committee.

See also