Committees & Volunteer Opportunities

Chair:

Bea Gerry, PhD

Role of Committee:

Fostering greater organizational transparency and engagement, and expanding MPA's communication presence in newsletters, on the listserv and in social media.

Chair:

Colleen Spada, PsyD

Mission:

Develop, support, and promote awareness and sensitivity of the diverse communities to which Maryland psychologists belong and serve.

Chair:

Danielle Wexler, PhD

Role of Committee:

The Early Career Psychologist Committee (ECPC) supports Maryland psychologists during the first ten years of their careers after earning their doctoral degrees. The committee provides professional development opportunities, networking events, mentorship connections, and practical resources for psychologists working across a variety of settings. ECPC also encourages early career psychologists to become active members and future leaders within MPA.

Whether you're looking to expand your professional network, develop new skills, find a mentor, or connect with colleagues facing similar career challenges, ECPC offers opportunities to help you grow and thrive.

Connect with ECPC

• Follow ECPC on Facebook.
• Interested in joining the committee?
• Have an idea for a program, webinar, or networking event?
• Want to join the ECPC listserv or simply introduce yourself?
• Want to connect with a senior psychologist mentor?

Email us—we'd love to hear from you!

Chair:

Shalena Wade, PhD

Chair:

LaShaun Williams, Psy.D.

Members:

Jennifer Bakalar, PhD, Ethan Bliss, PhD, Michael Heitt, PsyD, Cara Jacobson, PsyD, Tonya Lockwood, PsyD, Gina Santoro, PhD, Teresa Trabue, PsyD

Ex Officio:

Christpher Dean, Gordon Feinblatt, LLC, Legal Counsel

The Purpose of the Ethics Committee

The Ethics Committee provides education related to ethical concerns to MPA members, other psychologists and members of other professions through its continuing education programs.  The Committee also provides ethics consultation to MPA members upon request to address questions involving their own professional activities.   However, the committee neither investigates, adjudicates, nor mediates ethical complaints.

The Committee is guided by the American Psychological Association (APA) Code of Ethics, the Maryland State Code of Ethics as well as the standards of the profession.

The Ethics Committee has eleven members, who bring a diversity of training, education and experience to the work of the Committee via their service to different populations in different settings and geographic areas.

Ethics Committee Consultations

MPA members can receive a complimentary consultation from the Ethics Committee. To get in touch with a member on call, please call the office at 410-992-4258.

You can also submit a request online here.

Consultation Process

Questions frequently asked of the ethics committee, including information about reporting, subpoenas, records, wills, and fees are posted in Risk Management FAQs.

Submit an online request form or contact the MPA office at 410-992-4258 to request an Ethics Committee consultation.

A Historic Moment for MPA , Psychology, and Mental Health in Maryland. Governor Hogan signs HB 970 (PSYPACT) into law in May 2021.

MPA works with our legislative committee, lobbyists and members to monitor and respond to proposals and bills as they became available.  Through the filter of MPA’s legislative committee policies and agenda - developed ultimately from the MPA mission statement - pieces of legislation affecting insurance and reimbursement, scope of practice, children, schools, forensic services, public mental health, and other areas, legislation is scrutinized for its effect on practice and the equitable access to mental health care for the citizens of Maryland. 

During the 90-day MD legislative session, information on legislation that is of particular interest to Maryland psychologists is available in the members section of the website. Information and MPA's position on bills from the past session are also available.

Chair: 

Stephanie Olarte PhD

mpalegislativecommittee@gmail.com 

Vice Chair:

Elizabeth Getzoff Testa, PhD 

Ex Officio:

Christpher Dean, Gordon Feinblatt, LLC, Legal Counsel

Committee Members: 

Paul Amsel, Paul Berman, Jason Dufour, Julia E. Petersen, Bill Flook, Jon Gorman, Katie Killeen, Shari Kim, Lauren Moss, Dane Onorio, Judith Phibbs, R. Patrick Savage, Jr., Ed Shearin, Peter Smith, Jennifer Tripp, Kaylie Wiseman, Stephanie Wolf

Mission or Role of Committee:  

To implement the legislative priorities of the Maryland Psychological Association's (MPA) Board of Directors, through consultation with legislators, provision of testimony, and advocacy for bills that protect and enhance the profession of psychology and the delivery of mental health services to all citizens of Maryland. To advise the MPA Board of Directors on all matters concerning legislation, help the Association form legislative position statements, and encourage members to take an active role in legislative advocacy. The committee also helps to encourage and facilitate grassroots involvement in and input into legislative matters at the state level.

MPA Legislative Committee

A Historic Moment for MPA , Psychology, and Mental Health in Maryland. Governor Hogan signs HB 970 (PSYPACT) into law in May 2021.

MPA works with our legislative committee, lobbyists and members to monitor and respond to proposals and bills as they became available.  Through the filter of MPA’s legislative committee policies and agenda - developed ultimately from the MPA mission statement - pieces of legislation affecting insurance and reimbursement, scope of practice, children, schools, forensic services, public mental health, and other areas, legislation is scrutinized for its effect on practice and the equitable access to mental health care for the citizens of Maryland. 

During the 90-day MD legislative session, information on legislation that is of particular interest to Maryland psychologists is available in the members section of the website. Information and MPA's position on bills from the past session are also available.

Chair:  Stephanie Olarte PhD, mpalegislativecommittee@gmail.com 

Vice Chair:  Elizabeth Getzoff Testa, PhD 

Ex Officio: Christpher Dean, Gordon Feinblatt, LLC, Legal Counsel

Committee Members:  Paul Amsel, Paul Berman, Jason Dufour, Julia E. Petersen, Bill Flook, Jon Gorman, Katie Killeen, Shari Kim, Lauren Moss, Dane Onorio, Judith Phibbs, R. Patrick Savage, Jr., Ed Shearin, Peter Smith, Jennifer Tripp, Kaylie Wiseman, Stephanie Wolf

Mission or Role of Committee:  

To implement the legislative priorities of the Maryland Psychological Association's (MPA) Board of Directors, through consultation with legislators, provision of testimony, and advocacy for bills that protect and enhance the profession of psychology and the delivery of mental health services to all citizens of Maryland. To advise the MPA Board of Directors on all matters concerning legislation, help the Association form legislative position statements, and encourage members to take an active role in legislative advocacy. The committee also helps to encourage and facilitate grassroots involvement in and input into legislative matters at the state level.

Find your State and Congressional Representatives 

MPA members who would like to join the committee or encounter a situation affecting the practice of psychology that might be addressed through legislative action, please contact the Legislative Committee Chair or Vice Chair. 

Co-Chairs:

Dana O'Brien, Lee Schneyer

Jessica Rothstein

Dustin Sentz

Mission or role of Committee: 

To engage and respond to the needs of MPA members, and to attract new members, to promote the health and viability of MPA.

Chair: Steve Sobelman

Kimberly Campbell

James Dasinger

Esther Finglass

Shreya Hessler

Arthur Horton

Saul Lindenbaum

Neal Morris

Dana O'Brien

Rebecca Resnik

R. Patrick Savage

Role of the Committee:

The Past Presidents’ Council primarily exists to offer seasoned, historically informed counsel to current MPA leadership and the Board of Directors, drawing on members’ deep experience and institutional knowledge to advance MPA’s mission and future direction.

Representative responsibilities include:

• Serving in an advisory capacity to the MPA President, Executive Council, Board of Directors, and Executive Director—providing insight on precedent, strategic choices, and overall management.
• Preserving continuity by supporting smooth leadership transitions and ensuring unresolved matters progress.
• Contributing to both short- and long-range strategic planning and execution.
• Supporting nominations and leadership development by aiding board candidate identification and cultivating new volunteer leaders.
• Undertaking targeted initiatives, such as:

                                                              i.      Reviewing bylaws and recommending revisions.

                                                             ii.      Advising on annual conference continuity and resource development.

Acting as ambassadors for MPA—understanding its mission and representing the organization when asked.