Arkansas Psychological Association

Founded in 1949, ArPA is a non-for-profit, professional, statewide organization whose purpose is to advance psychology as a science, a profession, and a means of promoting human welfare in a challenging and changing world. Our members represent the most well trained, highly credentialed, and clinically experienced mental health care professionals in Arkansas. Across our state, our members are acti

vely involved in providing psychological services in private practices, hospitals, and community mental health centers. Others teach in undergraduate and graduate academic programs, conduct cutting-edge research, serve in administrative positions for human service programs, and dedicate countless hours as committee members and chairs of various boards on the state, national, and international level.

How are you holding up? Not the polite "fine" we give in passing - the real answer.Join us May 20th for a peer consultat...
05/11/2026

How are you holding up? Not the polite "fine" we give in passing - the real answer.

Join us May 20th for a peer consultation on the emotional labor and vicarious trauma we carry in clinical work, and the practices that help us sustain ourselves.

Dr. Khiela J. Holmes will moderate a space where psychology professionals can talk honestly about the weight of this work - and what actually helps.

We do emotionally demanding work. We hold trauma. We carry stories. We absorb pain. This session creates space to acknowledge that weight and support each other through it.

๐Ÿ“… Wednesday, May 20, 2026
โฐ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CST
๐Ÿ’ป Virtual via Zoom
๐Ÿ†“ FREE for ArPA Members
Member-Exclusive Benefit

This peer consultation is available only to ArPA members. Join today for access to sessions like this, professional networking, and statewide colleague support.

Mental wellness is multidimensional.The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies ei...
05/11/2026

Mental wellness is multidimensional.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies eight interconnected dimensions of wellness that shape how we function and thrive: Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical, Environmental, Financial, Occupational, and Social.

When one dimension is out of balance, it can affect the others. Genuine wellbeing requires attention to all eight. For organizations across Arkansas, thinking holistically about employee wellness means considering the whole person, not just workplace performance.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite leaders and advocates to reflect: which dimensions are you actively supporting? Which ones need more investment?

Learn more at arpapsych.org.

The path to prescriptive authority spans decades, from the first bill introduced in 1985 to seven states today. Momentum...
05/10/2026

The path to prescriptive authority spans decades, from the first bill introduced in 1985 to seven states today. Momentum continues to build nationwide.

Thatโ€™s what prescriptive authority (RxP) makes possible. In our April Lunch and Learn, experts from APA and the Iowa Psychological Association highlighted how this movement has evolved over time.

In 2025 alone, twelve states introduced RxP legislation, reflecting growing recognition of the need to expand access to care.

Watch the full session for key milestones and advocacy insights. ArPA members can access the recording at any time.

To Our Psychology Professionals!!!  Are you ready to share your specialized expertise with other professionals in Arkans...
05/10/2026

To Our Psychology Professionals!!! Are you ready to share your specialized expertise with other professionals in Arkansas?
ArPA invites you to contribute to our theme of Science and Service.

Join us at the Fall 2026 Conference to share your clinical expertise. We want to highlight new innovations in psychological science and clinical application. Each presentation must be one hour and serve as continuing education. This Call for Speakers is specifically for professionals currently in Arkansas.

๐—–๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ: The Integration of Science and Service
๐—–๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ฒ ๐——๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐˜€: October 22nd and October 23rd, 2026
๐—ฆ๐˜‚๐—ฏ๐—บ๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป Deadline June 10th, 2026
๐—ฆ๐˜‚๐—ฏ๐—บ๐—ถ๐˜ through this form link
https://links.arpapsych.org/widget/form/tbZcQKSwLLDmVsAMvb6x

๐Ÿ”ปTitle of Presentation
๐Ÿ”ปAbstract of the presentation
๐Ÿ”ปList of learning objectives for the audience
๐Ÿ”ปCV

Join your colleagues as we share expertise this October.

Email office@arpapsych.org for further inquiries.

Mental wellness is not a destination. It is a journey, and you are already on your way.This May, the Arkansas Psychologi...
05/10/2026

Mental wellness is not a destination. It is a journey, and you are already on your way.

This May, the Arkansas Psychological Association is sharing tools, stories, and reminders to support your wellbeing. Mental wellness belongs to everyone โ€” regardless of background or circumstance.

Save this as your reminder for the week.

If you need support, call or text 988.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Arkansas Psychological Association is here all month with resources, conve...
05/09/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the Arkansas Psychological Association is here all month with resources, conversations, and community for every Arkansan.

Mental wellness is not simply the absence of mental illness. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration defines it as the ability to think clearly, build meaningful relationships, and adapt to life's changes. It lives on a continuum, shifting with our experiences and the support we have around us.

If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988.

Mental wellness is for everyone. Follow along this month as we share tools and reminders to help our community thrive. Share this with someone you care about.

Meet Dr. Khiela J. Holmes - your moderator for May 20th's peer consultation on emotional labor and vicarious trauma. ๐ŸŒŸDr...
05/08/2026

Meet Dr. Khiela J. Holmes - your moderator for May 20th's peer consultation on emotional labor and vicarious trauma. ๐ŸŒŸ

Dr. Holmes holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in children. She's recognized for her expertise in creating trauma-informed systems in early childhood education, pediatric healthcare, and faith settings.

Her work focuses on:
โœจ Integrating mental health and faith
โœจ Creating trauma-informed systems across settings
โœจ Supporting leaders and employees managing complex work

Dr. Holmes serves in leadership roles with:
Society for Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology Diversity Committee
Arkansas Psychological Association
Arkansas Association of Black Psychology Professionals

She understands the emotional demands of clinical work and the importance of creating systems - and practices - that sustain us.

On May 20th, she'll facilitate a discussion on carrying the weight of emotional labor, managing vicarious trauma, and building resilience in demanding work.

๐Ÿ“Œ Carrying the Weight: Emotional Labor, Vicarious Trauma, and Sustaining Ourselves
๐Ÿ“… Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 12-1 PM CST
๐Ÿ†“ FREE for Members
Member-Only Session

Practice closure involves complex legal requirements that vary significantly by state.Identifying specific mandates for ...
05/08/2026

Practice closure involves complex legal requirements that vary significantly by state.

Identifying specific mandates for record retention and patient notification is vital for success. Proactive research prevents future legal liabilities for your professional estate. Legal compliance is an essential part of an orderly practice conclusion.

Follow our page for updates, watch the full video on YouTube, and stay tuned to our website for more professional development opportunities.

ARPA Spring Conference.
https://arpapsych.org/arpa-events/
https://www.youtube.com/

Serving as a practice executor is an emotionally taxing and time-consuming responsibility.Grieving colleagues may strugg...
05/08/2026

Serving as a practice executor is an emotionally taxing and time-consuming responsibility.Grieving colleagues may struggle to balance your practice needs with their own clinical work. Selecting the right executor requires consideration of their capacity.Strategic planning protects your colleagues from professional and emotional overwhelm.

Check out the full video on YouTube, and head to our website to keep the learning going.

ARPA Spring Conference.
https://arpapsych.org/arpa-events/
https://www.youtube.com/

Representation in professional history isn't just symbolicโ€”it's foundational.Dr. Patricia L. Griffen shared a profound m...
05/07/2026

Representation in professional history isn't just symbolicโ€”it's foundational.

Dr. Patricia L. Griffen shared a profound moment during the February Lunch and Learn: discovering the contributions of African American psychologists from Arkansas was transformative even for her as an established Black psychologist, because this knowledge had been absent from her own training and early career.

This revelation highlights a critical gap in psychology education. If a leader like Dr. Griffenโ€”ArPA's first African American president, a charter member of the Arkansas Association of Black Psychology Professionals, the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arkansas, and a psychologist with decades of experienceโ€”didn't learn this history in her formal training, how many other professionals are practicing without this essential context?

Understanding the contributions of psychologists who share your identity, background, or community does more than inspireโ€”it:
โœ“ Validates your presence in the profession
โœ“ Provides models for navigating systemic barriers
โœ“ Connects you to a legacy of resilience and excellence
โœ“ Informs more culturally grounded practice
โœ“ Creates pathways for mentoring the next generation

This is why the work to document and share this history matters so deeply. It's not just academicโ€”it's personal, professional, and transformational.

Every psychologist deserves to see themselves reflected in the profession's history. Every client deserves to be served by professionals who understand the full cultural context of psychological practice.

๐ŸŽฅ Watch Dr. Griffen's presentation to understand why this history has been missingโ€”and why recovering it changes everything.

ArPA is committed to creating spaces where all psychologists can learn, grow, and
contribute to a more inclusive profession. Join us in this essential work.

https://arpapsych.org/

Address

PO Box 21220
Little Rock, AR
72221

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