Members elected APA’s 2009 president: James H. Bray, PhD, a Baylor College of Medicine associate professor of family and community medicine and psychiatry. Active in APA’s governance for over 15 years, Dr. Bray is perhaps best known for his clinical work and research on developmental and family factors in divorce, remarriage, adolescent substance use; and collaboration between physicians and psychologists.

Dr. Bray ran to advance psychology as a health profession and being recognized as a partner and an equal in all the health professions. But being on the campaign trail, he shifted his priorities because in talking with hundreds of psychologists he learned that they are hurting. Practitioners in particular are hurting very badly in their practices. Their reimbursement is

going down, not up. APA needs to do something to help by refocusing our energy on this issue.
Dr. Bray also wants to shine a light on those who are homeless. Many homeless people are there because of psychological trauma, mental illness, problems because of drug and substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse. When you give them the help they need, they can become productive citizens. Homelessness is increasing.  Dr. Bray would like to see what we can do to turn that around.

Dr. Bray will also continue to highlight the importance of prescription privileges for appropriately trained psychologists. His goal is to have at least three more states adopt the privilege. [Currently, only Louisiana and New Mexico give psychologists the right to prescribe.] He will do everything he can to make that happen.

For more information, visit www.bcm.tmc.edu/familymed/jbray.