Advocate Spotlight: Lisa M. Lind, PhD, ABPP

Although I had participated in advocacy efforts before 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic motivated me to become more actively involved. While working in long-term care (LTC) settings and serving as President of PLTC, I learned that many psychologists were being denied access to LTC facilities because they were classified as visitors rather than essential healthcare providers. As a result, thousands of residents lost access to critical mental health services. In response, I wrote letters to local and state congressmen and the CMS administrator and gave interviews to raise awareness about these barriers to care. I also worked with APA Advocacy and participated in virtual meetings with members of Congress to advocate for the Medicare Mental Health Access Act and other issues affecting treatment access. This experience reinforced the importance of advocacy and the value of collaboration in shaping policy decisions.

One of the most rewarding aspects of advocacy is seeing tangible evidence that your efforts contributed to positive change. Even small actions—speaking up, sharing information, writing letters, or supporting collective efforts—can lead to meaningful outcomes that improve lives. For me, this became clear through my work addressing the lack of practical Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) measures for psychologists working with older adults in long-term care settings. After joining APA’s MBC/MBHR committee, I was able to advocate for this issue alongside colleagues who shared similar concerns. During my time on the committee, I helped develop a new MIPS measure, “MBHR19: Trauma Screening and Re-Traumatization Prevention,” which CMS adopted in 2025. Knowing that my contributions helped advance trauma-informed screening and care and improve clinical practice reinforced my passion for advocacy and the importance of using our voices to create meaningful change.

Advocacy is not limited to formal meetings with policymakers or organizations. At its core, it is about recognizing opportunities to make your voice heard on issues affecting individuals, communities, and systems. Advocacy can take many forms, including writing letters to congressmen, responding to APA action alerts, participating in interviews, serving on committees, engaging in community discussions, or supporting grassroots efforts. Some of the most effective advocacy comes from individuals who can connect policy issues to real human experiences. I have learned that meaningful change is rarely achieved through a single conversation or action; it requires persistence, collaboration, and a willingness to continue despite obstacles or setbacks. Every day presents opportunities to speak up, contribute, and help create positive change.

When advocating for change, it is important to frame your message around values that already matter to the listener, such as cost savings, improved outcomes, or increased access to care. Using language that resonates with their priorities can help gain attention and encourage engagement. Real-life examples are also powerful because they make abstract issues more personal and relatable by showing how policies directly affect individuals, communities, or constituents. In addition, offering practical solutions helps shift the conversation from simply identifying problems to creating meaningful change. People are often more willing to support an issue when they can see a realistic and beneficial path forward.