Responding to the Tragedy in Orlando: Helpful Responses for LGBTQ People and Allies

What took place in Orlando on the morning of June 12, 2016 was a hate crime and an act of terror. This event, despite its horror, will not stop the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights. Here is what we know can help based on over two decades of research.

7 Ways to Talk to Children and Youth about the Shootings in Orlando

Once again our nation is coping with a violent tragedy. In the aftermath of the Orlando terrorist attack, we find ourselves distressed, grief-stricken, and even angry that such a horrible thing could happen. Children and teens may find the event even more challenging. Here are some suggestions on talking with your children about what happened.

“Don’t Believe the Hype”: 4 Reasons to Doubt That Most Mass Shooters are Mentally Ill

  By Joel Dvoskin, PhD, ABPP (Chair, Nevada Behavioral Health and Wellness Council) Too often, even the most well-intentioned among us believe that most mass shootings are carried out by those with untreated mental illness. As a forensic and clinical psychologist with extensive experience treating individuals with serious mental illness, and as a member of […]

Can a Bystander Make a Difference in Sexual Assault Prevention?

By Amy Zavadil , PhD (Associate Dean for Equity and Title IX Coordinator at Barnard College) Federal law now requires colleges and universities to provide bystander skills training to all new students and employees.  Teaching bystander skills to all students and employees in college or university settings is necessary, but not sufficient to shift culture.  The current […]

Police tape saying "police line do not cross"

The Need for Meaningful Policy Change: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Last year, APA celebrated its Congressional Fellowship Program’s 40 years of success on Capitol Hill. The article below by a former APA Congressional Fellow highlights the contribution of psychologists to public policy and of the Fellowship experience to Fellows’ professional development. Heather E. Bullock, PhD (Professor of Psychology, University of California – Santa Cruz) As we approach […]

Japanese family in the park

ACT in Japan: Bridging Cultures to Help Families Raise Children without Violence

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This is the third in a series of posts about APA’s ACT Raising Safe Kids (ACT-RSK) program. ACT-RSK teaches positive parenting skills to parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 8. Read our first and second posts in the series here and here. By Reiko True, PhD & Nahoko Nishizawa, PsyD (ACT Raising […]

Early Childhood Parent Training: A Vital Tool for Psychologists

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This post is the first in a series about APA’s ACT Raising Safe Kids (ACT-RSK) program. ACT-RSK teaches positive parenting skills to parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 8. The second and third posts in this series are available here and here. By Michele Knox, PhD What do you […]

Baby waving at camera with parents in the background

How Can We Prevent Bullying? Involve Parents and Start Early

By Michele Knox, PhD and Kimberly Burkhart, PhD Did you know that nationwide, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. students say they have been bullied at school? Does it make you wonder what we’re doing wrong? What are we missing? Maybe we’re missing parents. Research has shown that youth violence prevention and intervention are most effective […]