June 30, 2023

MPA Stands with APA to Denounce Recent Supreme Court Decisions

The Minnesota Psychological Association stands in solidarity with the American Psychological Association in denouncing two recent Supreme Court rulings. 

• Right to consider race in college admissions: "...(we) deeply regret that the court discounted the substantial body of research demonstrating that exposure to diversity can reduce bias and improve educational outcomes for all students,” said APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD.  APA argued that improving racial-ethnic diversity in higher education remains a compelling need as prejudice and underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority groups are still present on college campuses today. 
• Discrimination of same sex couples:  “We are disappointed that the court granted permission to individuals to discriminate in providing their services in a way that is contrary to the goals of Colorado’s anti-discrimination law,” said APA Chief Executive Officer Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD. “Research has shown that laws like Colorado’s can decrease stigma and associated adverse health consequences. By allowing discrimination in public accommodations, the court is preventing Colorado from curtailing the discrimination experienced by LGBTQ people and members of other disfavored groups, and the harmful stress that ensues.” 

Meet MPA Member Dr. Marina Bluvshtein.  Marina Bluvshtein, Ph.D., L.P., M.A., LMFT, is an Adlerian therapist, supervisor, educator, and researcher with Adler Academy.  She presents nationally and internationally on a wide range of topics related to Adlerian history, theory, education, and clinical practice. In addition to her practice in Minnesota, Dr. Bluvshtein is professor at Adler University in Chicago, IL, and Vancouver, BC. 

Click the video link above to learn more about Dr. Bluvshtein including her latest favorite book (The Courage to Be Disliked) and her mentors in the field of psychology. 

MPA Awards State Sen. Kelly Morrison With 2022 Legislator Of The Year Award

This past Monday, MPA awarded Minnesota state senator Kelly Morrison, MD with its Legislator of the Year award for her work as a representative during last year’s legislative session.  
 
At a small gathering with her on February 27th, MPA leadership and MPA Legislative Committee members presented the plaque honoring her with the award. MPA honored now-Senator Morrison for her outstanding work as the author on MPA’s provider tax bill, Medical Assistance Rates Adjustment bill, and other bills important to MPA in recent years. 
 
Of particular note, then-Representative Morrison was the chief author of the interstate psychology compact, known as PSYPACT, through the mostly virtual legislative process of the pandemic.  Due to her incredibly hard work, PSYPACT was only one of 12 bills that were signed into law during the entire 2021 session of the Legislature.  Additionally, she was also the chief author of the Telehelath law expansion, and worked with the health plans and DHS to provide for telephone only patient care as part of the Telehealth expansion.  

Legislative Grant from APA

MPA has received a legislative grant in the amount of $7,500 from APA Services, Inc. for expenses related to legislative efforts to address the Medicaid Rate Study and Provider Tax in MN. Thank you APA Services, Inc., including the APA Practice Directorate and the Committee for State Leaders (CSL) for administering this grant.

Thank you to Legislative Committee Co-Chairs Steve Girardeau and Dennis Hannon for facilitating the application of this grant. Their hard work and time spent on the application has helped MPA tremendously.

If you are interested in working on legislative issues that affect psychologists in Minnesota, this committee may be for you. Contact [email protected] to learn how to join the Legislative Committee.