NVACP, VACP, VPA and APA
Organizational Structure: The Virginia Psychological Association,
The Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists, and
The Northern Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists
Established May 11, 1956, the Virginia Psychological Association (VPA) is professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting human welfare. Affiliated with the American Psychological Association, the Virginia Psychological Association (VPA) has, among state psychological associations, a unique 3-tier organizational structure of clinical psychologists.
Under the umbrella of VPA, there are several state-wide academies: the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists (VACP), the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists, and the Academy of Academic and Applied Psychologists. The Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists (VACP) has the largest membership of all the academies. VACP, in turn, has several regional societies, which constitute the third tier: the
Northern Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists (NVACP), the Richmond Area Society, the Central Virginia, the Tidewater and the Blue Ridge Society. This structure is designed to combine the advantages of a closer-knit local organization with a larger state-based one with its resources. The Northern Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists is the largest of the regional societies.
Membership in VPA requires membership in at least one of the academies, which is determined by area of interest, training, type of practice or specialty. You are not required to join APA, however. To be a member of VACP, you must be licensed in Virginia as a clinical psychologist. Generally, VACP members are most often engaged in clinical practice, either in private practice rendering patient care, or in settings such as hospitals, providing care in a number of specialty areas. VACP members may, of course, have university faculty positions as well.
The mission of VACP is "the advancement of Clinical Psychology as a science, as a profession, and as a means of promoting human welfare by developing and encouraging high standards of ethics and training; by providing the opportunity for the exchange of experience and research through discussions, presentation and publications; and by educating the public in the purposes and goals of the art and science of the practice of clinical psychology for the promotion of the public welfare."
In addition to elected officers of VACP and chairs of VACP standing committees, the presidents of the regional societies (such as NVACP) constitute the VACP Executive Council. This council meets throughout the year and decides on issues including legislative advocacy, funds projects, and arranges a Fall and Spring convention. In addition, NVACP members serve as representatives on various VACP standing committess and special task forces.
Currently, NVACP members, John Gualtieri, PhD, and Sally Singer Horwatt, PhD, are president of VPA and VACP, respectively. NVACP President Wayne Reznick, PhD, is also VACP Secretary and serves on the VACP Health Care Benefits Committee as the NVACP representative and the Tricare Liaison. NVACP Membership and Directory Chair, Luanne Turrentine, PhD, is NVACP Representative on the VACP Membership & By-laws Committee. NVSCO Member Anita Auerbach, PhD, leads the VACP Prescription Privilege Task Force. NVACP member Roy Wilensky, PhD, and Sally Horwatt, PhD, are also serve on that Task Force.
Bruce B. Keeney, Sr., is the Executive Director of both VPA and VACP. He is also the Legislative Counsel/Advocate for VACP.
Virginia Psychological Association (VPA)
Phone: 804/643-7300
Fax: 804/643-5615
118 North Eighth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Email: VPAoffice@aol.com
Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists (VACP)
Phone: 804/643-5614
Fax: 804/643-5615
118 North Eighth Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Email: VACPoffice@aol.com
Toll Free VACP Membership Services: 1-888-ASK-VACP. The website address for both VPA and VACP is
www.VAPsych.org.
As stated in the NVACP by-laws, the Northern Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists is a “nonprofit organization of licensed clinical psychologists dedicated to the promotion of psychology as a science and as a profession and to promote affiliation among clinical psychologists. The NVACP mission will be to advocate for the well-being of the consumer and to advocate for clinical psychology as an independent profession.” The Website for NVACP is www.NoVaPsychologists.org.