Advocate Spotlight: Evelyn Burrell, PsyD

I first became engaged in advocacy through my role as the Diversity Representative for my SPTA. In that role, I was invited to participate in the APA Practice and State Leaders Conference (then known as PLC). During the conference, I had the opportunity to meet with legislators alongside psychologists from across the country to advocate for issues affecting the profession and the communities we serve.

That experience was transformative. I saw firsthand how psychologists can influence public policy. I fell in love with advocacy because it allowed me to extend my impact beyond my training. It showed me that meaningful change happens not only through individual clinical work, but also through shaping the policies and systems that affect entire communities. That experience sparked a passion that has continued to grow and ultimately led to my ongoing leadership in state and national psychological advocacy.

What I am most passionate about in my advocacy work is creating opportunities for others to thrive. That includes supporting psychology students as they develop into the next generation of leaders, advocating for practice issues that strengthen our profession and improve access to high-quality psychological care, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within psychology.

I believe advocacy should not only shape policy, but also build a stronger, more representative profession. I have been especially committed to expanding leadership opportunities for students and early career psychologists, increasing diverse representation in organized psychology, and ensuring that psychological expertise informs decisions that affect our communities.

One of the most important lessons I have learned is that advocacy takes many forms. Early in my career, I viewed advocacy primarily as meeting with legislators and influencing public policy. However, I have come to recognize that advocacy also happens in our communities, within our organizations, and in our clinical practice.

Advocacy can mean mentoring students, speaking up for a client who cannot advocate for themselves, educating the public, promoting evidence-based practice, or creating more inclusive systems within our profession. Recognizing these different forms of advocacy has made me more effective because it allows me to look for opportunities to create change every day, not just during legislative visits. It has also helped me engage others who may not see themselves as advocates and has helped me assist students on their journeys to advocacy.

I would want APA members to know that advocacy is not always political, and it does not have to be time-consuming. Many people hear the word "advocacy" and immediately think of lobbying on Capitol Hill or spending hours contacting legislators. While those are important forms of advocacy, they are only one part of the picture.

Advocacy can be as simple as mentoring a student, educating your community about mental health, sharing psychological science with decision-makers, serving on a committee, writing an op-ed, or speaking up for a client or colleague. Every psychologist has expertise that can make a difference.

The key is to find the type of advocacy that aligns with your interests and strengths. When advocacy becomes part of your everyday professional life, rather than something separate from it, it feels both meaningful and sustainable. Every voice matters, and even small actions, taken consistently, can have a significant impact.

My advocacy supports underserved communities by addressing the systemic barriers that contribute to disparities in mental health care, education, and the justice system. Through organized psychology, I have advocated for policies that expand access to behavioral health services, strengthen the psychology workforce, and promote inclusive practices that better serve diverse populations.

My work also extends beyond policy. I partner with probation departments, and educators to provide training on trauma-informed care, adolescent development, substance use, prevention, and evidence-based management strategies. These efforts equip professionals to better support justice-involved youth and adults, many of whom come from historically underserved communities, and promote rehabilitation, early intervention, and reduced recidivism.