A Note from the Executive Director
You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop. -Rumi I found so much inspiration in gathering with our community at Convention a few weeks ago. As I said at the opening, I hope you all take some time to reflect on how vital your work is during difficult times. The practice of psychology is a profound act of healing that strengthens our clients and communities. Whether you are practicing in clinics, supporting organizations, or teaching in our colleges and universities, the work of psychologists matters. One example of how our community comes together was the plane crash in Louisville. On a Saturday, I received an ask to find Spanish speaking clinicians to give as a reference to impacted families the following day. I reached out to our clinical community and by the end of the day had a list- much longer than I thought we could get together- of folks who were willing to help. A few weeks later, the city put together a concert and KPA Board Members Drs. Demi Lincoln and Collin Davidson showed up to talk to folks and help with resources. I’m always impressed at how our KPA members step up in difficult times. One of the brightest points of the past year is our strong and steadily growing membership. We are fortunate to have a community of psychologists across Kentucky that finds the work of KPA meaningful and important. However, these are not easy days to be a membership organization representing psychologists. So much of the work we do, particularly in education and healthcare, remains under threat. We continue navigating rising costs for events, materials, and staffing, all while working to keep membership and participation accessible. This balancing act remains one of our ongoing priorities. Part of that is ensuring we continue to adapt and grow to meet the needs of a changing workforce. Two examples of how we’re doing that: Thanks to the leadership of Demi Lincoln, our revitalized Leadership Program will launch a new cohort in January. Every organization in Kentucky should have a psychologist at the table, and we want our members prepared to take on those roles. In addition to the Academy, Dr. Lincoln will be chairing our new Leadership Committee to encourage psychologists to take on these roles. You also heard at Convention about the First Responders Treatment Network we are launching at the behest of several KPA members to both engage with the daily work our first responders do but also support them after they respond to major disasters. In addition to our member programming, we’re gearing up for another challenging legislative session. The work KPA does in Frankfort is only possible because of your membership. Again in 2026 our advocacy agenda remains ambitious, and we continue to punch well above our weight. You can find elsewhere in this newsletter our 2026 legislative priorities and articles from our Legislative Chair and Federal Advocacy Coordinator. While we appreciate you reading this, the only way others learn about all that KPA does, is if you tell them. You’re reading this (to the end!). If you know psychologists who are not yet members, please be an ambassador for KPA and invite them in. It is an honor to serve this incredible organization. Thank you for your membership and for the work you do every day. As our 2026 Calendar fills with virtual and in person events, I look forward to connecting. If you have feedback or want to connect, please reach out! Thanks, Eric
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