It is with profound gratitude that I embrace the opportunity to accept a nomination for the esteemed position of President-elect for the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA). I am driven by a steadfast dedication to represent and advocate for the reputable psychologists of Colorado, while forging a profound bond between our profession and the communities we serve.

As the chair of the Society and Advancement for Multiculturalism and Diversity (SAMD) committee, and also the chair of the Colorado RxP Task Force, I have been actively involved in advancing the field of psychology within the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA). A notable achievement during my tenure has been spearheading the groundbreaking prescriptive authority legislation for Colorado psychologists. Our tireless efforts and strategic approach resulted in the remarkable success of passing this crucial bill into law earlier this year, setting a precedent for swift legislative achievement. It is noteworthy that while numerous states have struggled for years, if not decades, to pass similar legislation, we achieved this remarkable feat in a remarkably short timeframe. This exceptional accomplishment reflects the collective dedication and commitment of our team, as well as our ability to navigate complex legislative processes effectively. By introducing the bill for the first time and achieving resounding success, we have demonstrated our pioneering spirit and unwavering resolve to advance the profession of psychology in Colorado. I am immensely proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together, and I am eager to continue leveraging my experience and expertise to drive further progress and innovation as President-elect of the Colorado Psychological Association.

The landscape of mental health in Colorado is fraught with challenges, as evidenced by the alarming 90% increase in youth suicidality since the pandemic and the prevalent issue of limited access to care. Addressing these pressing concerns requires a multifaceted approach that not only emphasizes the need for a greater number of psychologists but also underscores the significance of collaboration with other professions and engaging the community at large. Expanding the pool of psychologists is crucial in meeting the growing demand for mental health services. However, it is equally vital to foster partnerships and synergies with professionals from diverse disciplines, recognizing that a comprehensive and holistic approach to mental health care yields the most effective outcomes. By leveraging the collective expertise and resources of various professions, we can devise innovative, affordable, and accessible solutions tailored to the specific needs of our community. Moreover, community engagement plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of mental health care in Colorado. By actively involving community members, organizations, and stakeholders, we can gain valuable insights, foster a sense of shared responsibility, and co-create sustainable strategies that address the challenges at hand. By forging strong alliances, we can ensure that the voice of the community is heard and that mental health services are not only available but also responsive to the unique circumstances and cultural diversity of the population. As we navigate this mental health crisis, it is imperative that we prioritize the development of a comprehensive plan that promotes both affordability and accessibility. By working collaboratively, we can explore innovative models of care, advocate for policy changes, and identify alternative approaches that optimize resources and expand mental health services to those in need. Together, let us confront the major issues facing psychologists today in Colorado, integrating diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration, and mobilizing the community towards a brighter future for mental health and well-being.

As an individual, I embody a myriad of personal qualities that I believe would greatly contribute to the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA). These qualities include unwavering passion, tenacity, resilience, exceptional leadership abilities, effective communication skills, the ability to foster unity within the community, and an unwavering commitment to going above and beyond expectations. My passion for psychology and its transformative potential fuels my dedication to the CPA and its mission. I approach every task and responsibility with an unyielding determination, refusing to succumb to obstacles or setbacks. My persistent nature ensures that I will tirelessly advocate for the needs and aspirations of Colorado psychologists, always striving for positive change and progress. Leadership is one of my core strengths, allowing me to inspire and guide others towards shared goals. Through my strong interpersonal skills and effective communication, I welcome open and transparent dialogue, promoting collaboration, understanding, and unity among diverse stakeholders. By bridging gaps and bringing people together, I aim to create an inclusive and supportive environment within the CPA and the larger community. I am unafraid to go above and beyond in my commitment to the CPA's mission and the well-being of the professionals and communities it serves. Recognizing that extraordinary results require extraordinary efforts, I am willing to invest the necessary time, energy, and resources to drive meaningful change and achieve ambitious goals.

Elevating membership engagement and fostering a sense of value among Colorado psychologists are among my top priorities for the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA). Currently, with membership participation standing at approximately 10%, it is evident that we must actively engage with psychologists and communicate the inherent benefits and significance of becoming a member. To achieve this, I propose expanding our efforts to provide a diverse range of opportunities for professional growth and connection. This includes offering an enhanced selection of continuing education (CE) webinars, symposiums, conferences, and networking events. By creating a vibrant platform for knowledge exchange, skill development, and meaningful interactions, we can unite psychologists across the state, facilitating collaboration and a shared sense of purpose. Increasing membership engagement not only strengthens the CPA as an organization but also amplifies our collective voice and influence. By cultivating a robust and inclusive community, we foster an environment that nurtures professional development, encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, and promotes the exchange of best practices. Additionally, I recognize the significance of networking opportunities as a catalyst for building relationships, fostering mentorship opportunities, and expanding professional networks. By facilitating these connections, we enhance the support system available to psychologists in Colorado, promoting collaboration, camaraderie, and mutual growth.

Jin Lee, Psy.D., MSCP, BFB is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in children and adolescents with persistent medical conditions. She owns a private practice focused on helping those with chronic pain and functional neurological disorders (FND). Dr. Lee serves as the chair of the Colorado Prescriptive Authority initiative Task Force and the Society and Advancement for Multiculturalism and Diversity (SAMD). Her leadership as the chair of the CO RxP Task Force led to the successful passage of legislation in March 2023. Dr. Lee holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from UCLA and completed her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University, an APA-accredited program in Los Angeles, CA. She completed her internship in rehabilitation psychology and fellowship in the hematology/oncology department at Children's Hospital Colorado. Driven by her passion for serving patients with medical conditions, Dr. Lee pursued additional training and education, including board certification in biofeedback and a postdoctoral master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, an APA-accredited program. Dr. Lee's ultimate goal is to empower her patients to regain control of their lives. She has contributed to the field through authoring book chapters on chronic pain management, health psychology, and complementary and alternative medicine. Website: https://www.yourpediatricpsychologist.com https://www.teenchronicpainacademy.com

Over the past 3 years I have learned so much about the various roles and influence of psychologists throughout the state of Colorado. I hope to continue to use this knowledge that I have gained as a board member in order to advocate for our profession and expand the positive benefits of professional education and collaboration. Colorado Psychological Association members and leaders can have lasting impact on the field of psychology in Colorado and beyond as we continue to learn from and respond to changes in policy, society, healthcare, and our environment. I would be grateful to use what I have learned over the past 3 years as a board member in order to be able to create a better state for all of our psychologist colleagues and consumers of mental health care.

In recent years I have been involved in a number of committees as a board member for CPA. Most recently I am a member of the Communications Committee. We have made significant updates to our web presence and necessary changes to the Psychologist Finder tool on the Colorado Psychological Association website. Additionally, I have been involved in the Membership Committee and the Programming Committee. My engagement in the Programming Committee involves evaluation of Continuing Education programs for APA accreditation. In remote and recent years, I have benefited greatly from attendance at dozens of webinars and continuing education programs offered by CPA. I have attended the Green Symposium and the Annual Membership Meeting and Ethics Seminars. As a board member, I attend quarterly board meetings and voting as needed.

The Colorado Psychological Association and the entirety of the state of Colorado would benefit from expanded diversity and inclusion of psychologist representation for all consumers. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mental Health and Emotional Wellness has gained national awareness and has grown in acceptability and desigmatization. As a result, there is increasing consumer demand for access to mental health services. As psychologists, we need to continue to differentiate ourselves and demonstrate our value as providers in the current world of “big box” Mental Health Services. It is essential for CPA to be involved in helping to increase education and access to high-quality mental health care for consumers in Colorado. Another opportunity for psychologists in Colorado is to be engaged in understanding, education, and consumer safety and treatment in the era of expanded access to psychedelic-assisted therapies. Finally, psychologists face challenges in responding to climate change impacts on the mental health and wellness of our communities.

The personal qualities that I have in the service to the Colorado Psychological Association are that I am a curious, passionate and energetic team member. I am a seasoned and ever-evolving entrepreneur. I am currently involved in a 12-month training certification program in psychedelic assisted therapy in order to better serve our psychologist community and the consumers of Colorado as a thoughtful and cautiously optimistic clinician.

The top priorities I see for the Colorado Psychological Association in upcoming years are first to expand and improve our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion both as an organization and as a state of psychologists. An additional priority is to expand the reach of the Colorado Psychological Association throughout the entire State and to understand the needs of providers outside of the Denver-metro area and to better serve them. We as an organization need to continue to focus on policy and advocacy for psychologists in all sectors of the field of psychology. Finally, I see an important role in upcoming years for psychologists to be involved in creating consumer education and safety around psychedelic-assisted therapies as our society continues to grow in its curiosity and excitement for this chapter of Mental Health care.

Dr. Lomax is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Colorado. She completed her undergraduate education in Psychology and Spanish at Miami University, Ohio. She went on to complete a Master of Arts (MA) and Doctoral (PsyD) degree in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, Chicago. Since 2004 Dr. Lomax has provided compassionate mental health and specialized health psychology services to individuals, couples, families and community members through her work at the following organizations: Denver Health Medical Center, University of Colorado Hospital, AMC Cancer Research Center, Good Samaritan Medical Center, Saint Joseph Hospital, and University of Denver Graduate School for Professional Psychology. Dr. Lomax formerly held faculty positions at the University of Colorado – Denver and University of Denver. She has deeply valued the training of future Health Psychologists. Jana is currently a Board Member at Large for the Colorado Psychological Association (2020-2023). She is on the Medical Advisory Board for Fight CRC! She is a former Advisory Board Member for the Roots and Wings Charitable Foundation. She has been a member of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society for many years. Dr. Lomax regularly provides community presentations on topics related to Cancer Survivorship and Coping with Chronic Illness. Dr. Lomax clinical care is dedicated to helping people adjust to the psychological, physical, spiritual, and social effects of health conditions in their lives and with their loved ones. Dr. Lomax has worked extensively with professional healthcare and medical providers in helping them improve resilience and heal from vicarious trauma. The majority of her clinical experience has focused in the area of Psychosocial Oncology – care for people who have been diagnosed with or impacted by cancer at any point in their lives. She also has extensive training in therapy for grief, loss, and bereavement. Currently Dr. Lomax is becoming trained to better understand the role, risks, and benefits of Psychedelic Assisted Therapies. Dr. Lomax is the owner of Shift Healing | Health Psychology, a group psychotherapy practice focused on high quality psychotherapy for adults coping with medical conditions, grief, and health related trauma. As a psychologist, Dr. Lomax enjoys working in partnership with individuals as they face life’s unexpected challenges and to support them in finding resilience, hope, and new strengths.

Helped coordinate Spring Symposium happy hour event (Spring 2023); served on COPAGS as a graduate student (2019-2020)

Becoming siloed as practitioners; demand for services outpacing insurance reimbursement rates and funding; lack of accountability and feedback for ongoing clinical development; poor marketing in general for our value to people/business/healthcare/society

Engaged and interested in the local community, extraversion (when required!) for event planning, strong investment in my own personal growth and development

Recruitment of new members, maintaining a strong political voice, earning trust as an authoritative voice in the field

Dr. Alex Littleton is the owner and clinical director of Vivid Psychology Group, a Denver-based private practice specializing in anxiety treatment. He graduated from DU's GSPP in 2021 and is excited about continuing to build a strong professional community in Denver. He currently spends all of his time building up his business, playing bluegrass music, and doing anything with his wife, Madison, and 5 month old son, Archer.

Neal Brugman, PsyD

None.

While the issues facing psychologists are constantly evolving, on a clinical level I think the pandemic created a significant paradigm shift in how psychologists need to quickly adapt to unprecedented world events. Some of the issues we need to start learning how to help our clients through include the strain and stressors created by climate anxiety. With increasing concerns about climate change, we as psychologists have a responsibility to help those impacted by environmental issues manage their justified anxieties. Psychologists also need stay updated on the care of the entire lifespan, our adolescents and large aging populations have never been in greater crisis. Our youths turn to social media to diagnose and validate their mental health concerns, deal with isolation created by the pandemic and living in constant threat of gun violence while trying to get an education. Psychologists of all ages will also need to grapple with how to provide the best care for our elders by addressing issues related to dementia, caregiver stress, and how to promote healthy aging. On a professional level, the issues facing psychologists in my opinion are how to prevent burn out, reduce the burden of graduate school debt, and address the very real disparity in the EPPP pass rate between clinicians of color and the White majority. We should be concerned that this test creates any more barriers for clinicians of color entering this field when we already have such an incredible shortage of BIPOC clinicians. There is no real transparency around the validity of this test and if it measures a person’s readiness to “be a psychologist.” This issue is near and dear to me, as a 6 time test taker who has yet to pass.

I have a passion for building and creating community, which are important qualities for a CPA board member. For the last five years I have served as co-chair for the Multicultural Concerns Committee for APA Division 39, and in that role I welcome new clinicians of color into the Division and create a safe space. I am skilled at collaborating and bringing together communities of color by offering mentorship and guidance to my peers. I am open and respect different perspectives, but also hold a willingness to challenge biases and inequalities. I am also incredibly committed to our field as a whole, and want to see our profession advance to the highest ideals of creating a truly inclusive and welcoming psychological association here in Colorado.

Currently I would like to see the CPA prioritize and advocate for the reduction of gun violence. I think there are so many issues at stake for our association, not just this one, but we are at a critical juncture in our country when it comes to the impact of gun violence. Gun violence has a profound impact on the social fabric of communities. It can lead to increased fear, decreased community cohesion, and long-lasting emotional and psychological distress. Psychologists can contribute to community-based programs, policy development, and advocacy efforts aimed at reducing gun violence and promoting community healing. I believe psychologists have the ability to create meaningful change even outside of the therapy room, and using our voices for social justice and advocacy for the well-being of all people, not just our clients, is an ethical endeavor.

I received my PsyD in 2016 from the University of Denver's Graduate School of Professional Psychology. I completed and APA-accredited internship at the University of Washington's Counseling Center, followed by a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Colorado Boulder Counseling Center. I am currently employed at Denver DBT and Psychotherapy, where I relish in running DBT groups for teens and adults, as well as tending to the many plants which brighten our space.

Cecilia Gay, PsyD

*Why are you interested in being a CPA board member?
I want to learn more about the governing body of psychologists here in Colorado. I want to see how matters are discussed, how decisions are made, and how the board is or is not representative of us.