One of my primary commitments as president of the Texas Psychological Association will be to continue to prepare Psychology for Sunset Review in 2005.   Please be aware that it is always possible that Psychology could lose its licensure, as has happened in other states, and that regardless of the ultimate outcome, we may be assured that we will face a number of substantial challenges to our license. It is imperative that all psychologists unite to protect their licenses, their profession, and their livelihood. Many special interest groups will attack our licensing law, trying to prevent its renewal, or attempting to twist and dilute our law in such a way that will benefit a special interest group, but harm the public’s interest and damage our rights.  This is a sad reality that we will face if we do not vigorously defend our profession and the people that we serve.

Also at stake are our patients who would suffer if we lose our Psychology license.  The TPA Board, and I as President, are dedicated and fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of education and training in order to serve the citizens of Texas, rather than allowing the least trained and least experienced to offer “psychological” services, a situation which would create substantial harm in the long run to the public.  Your profession would no longer be held in the high esteem that it is now and your patients would suffer the ramifications.

The Texas Psychological Association is working diligently to prevent this from happening, by establishing the Sunset Review Task Force, establishing the Sunrise Fund to raise money that will be used to lobby state legislators, and to conduct fundraisers and meetings with legislators.  This will provide psychologists with the opportunity to educate key decisions makers about the benefits of retaining our license to practice psychology.

Two years ago, our 2002 President, Walt Cubberly, created the Sunrise Fund.  This was a 3-year initiative that was set forth to all psychologists in the state.  Every year we have asked every psychologist to contribute to this fund.  This year I am expecting 100% participation for this endeavor, NO LESS.  We are asking for only $100 per year from each psychologist (1/7 of 1% of the average psychologist’s income).  If you make less than the average psychologist, you may give your prorated portion of $100.  Thanks to all the psychologists who have already given their fair share!

C. Alan Hopewell, Ph.D., M.S. PsyPharm, ABPP
President

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