Advocate Spotlight: Sharon Berry, PhD, ABPP

Name: Sharon L. Berry, PhD, ABPP
Home State: Minnesota
APA Division: Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology), Division 38 (Society for Health Psychology), Division 53 (Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology), Division 54 (Society of Pediatric Psychology) 
SPTA Membership: Minnesota Psychological Association

I was fortunate to serve as an inaugural grassroots advocacy coordinator with the initial education advocacy efforts, recruiting from all accredited doctoral, internship, and postdoctoral training programs. This provided so many additional opportunities including participating in advocacy at the Education Leadership Conference, attending fundraising dinners for congressional representatives, and working closely with both education and practice directorates to help states address regulatory or legislative barriers to payment for trainees.

Getting psychological science out to the public and to those creating state and federal policies that impact all constituents.  Psychology is often misunderstood and it is so important to help others understand the implications of research to improve lives and governing policies.

Our individual and collective voices really matter. Likewise, advocacy can take on many forms and at all levels of engagement every day: department, university, classroom, community, state, or national.

Bring your passion to the table, and be willing to speak up, sign on, or create the background information that will move legislation and policy changes forward. Everyday advocacy really matters.  Increasing the numbers of psychologists and trainees involved in advocacy efforts and political fundraising will benefit each of us and our profession. APA makes it very easy to participate without taking much of your time...but the wins are huge and every voice matters. We need you!

There is no perfect way to communicate—and no reason to be nervous—speak to what you know and follow the message laid out by APA.  Your stories and passion is all you need.

So many of our Capitol Hill efforts have highlighted the importance of a broadly diverse profession—with suicide prevention, health services in general, and funding to support all trainees. Positive action and change are apparent...gradually over time.

Doors are opening.  Awareness is broadening across the profession, with funding sources, and with training programs.  It is an exciting time to advocate for psychology and psychological science.

Sharon Berry, PhD, ABPP, is an inaugural member of the Advocacy Coordinating Committee (ACC). She is committed to continuing these advocacy responsibilities as we fine tune support for APA’s dedication to advocacy on behalf of psychologists and our profession. She served as a member of the Presidential Workgroup on APA Expanded Advocacy Model, APA Education (Grass Roots) Advocacy Coordinator (since 2003), Psychology PAC Advisory Board. Berry enjoyed two terms on the APPIC Board of Directors, including two years as chair, and has also served in governance as a two-term member and chair of the board of educational affairs, as well as division leadership with both Divisions 54 (President) and 12. In addition, she was the recipient of the first Education Advocacy Distinguished Service Award in 2003 and first Political Advocacy Champion Award in 2015. She was successful in building collaboration between the education and practice communities that lead to improved sustainability of accredited internships by insuring all states allow billing by doctoral and postdoctoral trainees. She is currently director of training at Children’s Minnesota and ACC chair-elect. Berry earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the Florida State University following internship at the Medical College of GA/VA Consortium.