The Addictive Disorders Committee provides members with the opportunity to consult and network with others who work with individuals with addictive disorders and to share treatment strategies and expertise. The Committee also offers members continuing education and resources in the area of addictive disorders.  

The committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM on zoom.

For more information, please contact the

Committee Chair:   

Siri Hadland, Psy.D.

The Aging Issues Committee (AIC) provides members with the opportunity to consult and network with others who work with older adults and to share treatment strategies and expertise.  The Committee provides opportunities for professionals to share with each other their experiences related to aging and retirement.  The Committee offers members and the public education/resources related to aging issues. 

Our monthly meetings are on the second Monday from 5:00 - 6:30 pm on zoom.  

Committee Chairs:   

Kenneth Dellefield, PhD & Cynthia Cotter, PhD

Resources: Age in Action 

The Child, Youth and Family Committee provides members with current, practical, and clinically relevant information and materials on issues pertaining to the treatment of children, youth and families. 

The Committee meets on the second Friday of the month 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM.

For more information, please contact the  

Committee Chair:   

Susan Lagasse, Ph.D.

The Community Mental Health Committee (CMH) monitors developments in the area of community mental health, establishing liaisons with community mental health agencies and organizations, and helping to facilitate the delivery of services by practicing psychologists to the underserved in the public mental health system in San Diego County. 

The Contemplative Practices Committee assists members in integrating contemplative practices into their work with clients and into the various aspects of their personal lives. The Committee offers members and the public education and resources related to contemplative practices, particularly during times of community crisis.  

Committee Chair: 

Joanna Benavidez de Valenzuela, PhD

The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Committee ensures San Diego Psychological Association remains in full compliance with the standards and criteria required of American Psychological Association–approved sponsors of continuing education for psychologists. 

The Committee meets on the second Saturday of March, April, May, September, October, and November from 10:00–11:30 AM  on zoom. 

Committee Chair:   

Bruce Liese, PhD, ABPP

The Cultural Diversity Committee provides members with consultations, continuing education training, professional development, and resources related to serving clients from diverse and underrepresented groups. 

Committee Chair: 

Donielle Cohen, PhD

The Disaster Psychology Committee  provides mental health support to disaster survivors and workers across the disaster continuum of preparedness, mitigation, response/recovery and promotion of resiliency. 

The Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 PM. 

For more information, please contact the  Committee Chair:   

Glenn Lipson, Ph.D. ABPP

The Early Career Professionals (ECP) Committee facilitates the growth and development of early career professionals within SDPA and in the greater San Diego psychological community.   

The Events Committee provides logistical support to producers of SDPA events/activities in developing those events/activities.

The Committee meets on the first Thursday of every month at 8 AM

For more information, please contact the  

Committee Chair:   

Thaddius Camlin, Psy.D.

The Ethics and Standards Committee  provides consultation, education and peer advocacy to the members of SDPA, to protect the interests of the public by enhancing professional knowledge and conduct, to promote public awareness of ethical issues related to psychologists, to provide individuals having a complaint with resources and referrals to appropriate regulatory agencies, and to make recommendations to the Board regarding professional and ethical issues of general relevance.   The Committee's consultation with SDPA members shall be confidential and not disclosed to any third-parties including the Board unless required by law.  

Committee Chair: 

Rochelle Perper, PhD

The Forensic Committee promotes high standards for the delivery of forensic services in San Diego County and throughout the state of California.  The Committee offers educational workshops and consultations to member psychologists who are interested in this challenging and highly specialized field.  

The Committee also addresses the promotion of the profession of psychology in multiple forensic arenas.  

The Committee meets on the third Monday of the month at 7:00 PM on Zoom.

The Forensic Committee is a resource to the association. If an SDPA member is subpoenaed or receives a records request, these events may be brought to the committee for educational and standard-of-practice conversations. We, however, do not take the place of legal counsel in these matters but share our experiences. Further, if forensic areas are included in your practice, this is a support and learning group. We are collegial and respectful of every level of experience and interest. To become a member, all that is required is regular engagement, including attendance at most of our meetings.

For more information, please contact the 

Committee Chairs:   

Glenn Lipson, Ph.D. ABPP

Abraham Loebenstein, Ph.D. 

The Government Affairs Committee (GAC)  monitors legislation that impacts the practice of psychology and mental health care and to advocate in the interest of members and the public on these relevant issues.  The Committee also informs SDPA members about legislative action and the importance of involvement in legislative affairs.  Where possible, the Committee collaborates with the California Psychological Association (CPA) to accomplish these purposes.  The GAC is a standing committee. 

Committee Chair: 

Robert Teel, III , PhD

The Graduate Students Committee (SDPAGS) stimulates SDPA membership among graduate students in psychology in San Diego and to better meet the needs of the graduate student members within the Association.  

The SDPA Health Psychology Committee brings together San Diego-area psychologists and allied professionals who work at the intersection of psychological science and physical health. Health psychology addresses the complex, multidimensional influences on the human experience in physical health, including chronic illness, pain, behavioral medicine, perinatal health, aging, and the mind-body connection.

Rooted in both the science and practice of health psychology, our work advances psychology's contributions to the understanding of health and illness right here in the San Diego community. 

What We Do

Members meet monthly on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM for case consultation, topical discussion, and peer connection. Whether you're working with patients navigating chronic pain, somatic presentations, medical comorbidities, or behavioral health challenges, this is a space to think clinically alongside colleagues who share your focus.

Who Should Join

This committee is open to SDPA members including psychologists, students and post-docs in the field of psychology, and professionals in affiliated fields who have an interest in health psychology practice. No prior specialization is required; curiosity and interest in the bio-psycho-social approach are enough.

Committee Chair:   

Anna Yam, PhD

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Committee educates the SDPA membership, mental health professionals, and the San Diego public about LGBTQ+ issues.  The Committee continues to increase awareness, and provide counseling and support to the San Diego community.  They serve as a liaison between the SDPA and the LGBTQ+ communities, providing updates and discussion of the issues involved in the treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. The Committee is a resource for those practitioners who work with LGBTQ+ clients and HIV-infected individuals.  

The Committee meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 PM on Zoom.

For more information, please contact the  Committee Chairs:   

Joseph Severino, Ph.D.

Taeko Uchino, Psy.D. 

The Membership Committee manages the recruitment and retention of members. 

The Men's Issues Committee (MIC)  provides members with an opportunity to explore men's issues both personally and academically. This Committee provides a forum for enjoying the company and shared experiences of other MIC members while also working to raise awareness of men’s issues in San Diego County. 

Committee Chair:   

Robert Teel, III, PhD

The Private and Group Practice Administration Committee provides a forum for those in private practice and those contemplating beginning a private practice to exchange information and offer support in dealing with third-party payers and insurance contracts.  The Committee also exchanges information on how regulations affect private practice administration.  Other subjects may include staff and employee management, confronting ethical challenges from an administrator's point of view, trends in practice administration and other topics addressed on an ad hoc basis.   

The Science Fair Committee organizes the judging of psychology and behavioral science projects participating in the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair and to present SDPA awards to deserving students. 

In March each year, the Greater San Diego Science & Engineering Fair is held in Balboa Park.  The event provides an opportunity for high school students to present projects on a variety of scientific topics. The Science Fair Committee organizes the judging of psychology and behavioral science projects participating in the fair.  The Committee presents certificates and cash prizes to deserving students at an annual SDPA Science Fair Honors Assembly event held each April at the SDPA office.  This event is attended by students, parents, teachers, psychologist members, and special guests.  The Committee encourages all participants.  

The Sport Psychology Committee connects sport psychologists, sport psychologists in training, and professionals with an interest in the field of Sport and Exercise Psychology.  The Committee seeks to provide members with education, ethical guidelines, case consultation, professional development, and resources related to the field of Sport Psychology. 

Committee Chair:  

Michael Saleh, PsyD

The Supervision Committee provides an opportunity for psychologists to discuss the practice of supervision and clinical training.  Members of the Committee will present cases to each other as a means of sharing new skills, techniques, and approaches that have proven to be effective.   Other relevant topics include the opportunities and obstacles in conducting student evaluations, as well as methods of orienting students at the beginning of the year.  

Committee Chair: Holly Corrigan, PsyD

The Women's Wellness Committee provides members with an opportunity to explore women's wellness both personally and academically.   The Committee provides a forum for enjoying the company and shared experiences of other Committee members while also working to raise awareness of women's wellness in San Diego County.

Committee Chair:  

Dr. Claire Deierhoi-Clark