APA Conference Announcement + Free Membership
July 03, 2023 |
| APA 2023 Promo Poster (Image from APA FB page) |
Hi beautiful people,
Now that you are a member, you can start enjoying the perks on various things including APA events. The next big one is their Annual Convention happening on August 3-5th, 2023 in Washington D.C. (See convention details here and schedule outline here)
I hate to admit but at some point in my life, I was one of those people who never knew what Psychologists do...then add Counsellors and Psychiatrists to that mix and you lose me completely...but I have changed my ways.
Psychology is the study of mind and behavior...though it 'starts' with the biological focus on the mind, its structure, pathology (disease/injury), it also involves how what is happening in the mind relates to or is expressed through the rest of the body through how we understand (cognition) and project/express things, the extent to which that projection defines us (personality) and the extent external factors influence that projection. It is about how all these affect/influence our relationships, likes, dislikes, output or lack of (organization psychology), who we identify as and with, who we reject and rejects us...and it goes on and on.
Since the field of psychology is so broad and deep, there is need for a body to help glue things together. In the U.S, the American Psychological Association, or APA as it is known, is that body.
As a Psychology student, I subscribe to their newsletters and the latest one mentioned that they are offering free membership, and will be hosting their annual convention this August, which I thought are amazing opportunities to share with all of you (if you are outside the U.S, keep reading).
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| Image from APA website |
According to APA's website, they are 'the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 146,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as its members'. One of the ways APA brings all these people together is through its 54 specialty groups called divisions. These divisions range from people interested in general psychology to those interested in psychology of addiction, international psychology, psychology of religion and so many more things that relate to the mind and behavior. Each division has its own guidelines for membership and operation. Some are free to join, others have a membership fee and others have periodic journals which you can access as an APA member.
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| APA Summer Flash Sale Poster (Image from APA site) |
Membership is the best way to access all the wonderful things they offer (read about member benefits here and here) and it comes in various levels depending on one's level of study. (PS: In the U.S, and according to APA, the title Psychologist is for people with doctorates).
- Full Member is a (proper) Psychologist with a doctoral degree in Psychology,
- Associate Member is someone with a Masters,
- International Affiliates are people outside the U.S who are members of a Psychological Association in their country of residence.
- Student Affiliate membership is open to current Psychology students and range from High school to Graduate
- Teacher Affiliate membership is open to currently High School and Community College Psychology teachers.
The membership rates depend on the level one is eligible for. APA does not want you to think about those rates today (3rd July) because they are offering free membership to new applicants (not for people with lapsed membership).
I joined as a student affiliate this morning. The application process is pretty straight forward and takes 2 or so minutes to complete. APA will then send an email with a downloadable membership card (with your name and membership number), a membership certificate and a link to the member website connect guide. The membership will also give you access to some print and online publications (not sure if they deliver the print versions outside U.S).
Please note that APA Membership usually requires annual renewal and runs until December 31st. This will apply for those who join through today's flash sale (you will have to renew your membership at the end of the year).
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| APA 2023 Promo Poster (Image from APA site) |
They no longer have early bird and advanced ticket options but you can take advantage of their virtual option if you want to save.
For my international people, please take advantage of the free membership and the virtual options. If you want to attend the convention in-person, in D.C, this dedicated page by APA Convention has all the info you need including an invitation letter for your visa processing.
Even though D.C is just a train ride away for me, I am leaning towards registering for the virtual sessions this year, and maybe catching the Early Bird rates for the 2024 Convention which will be in Seattle next Summer (spent my 2020 Summer in Seattle and it is definitely worth the trip).
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| Marina Park, Kirkland - Seattle, WA (July 2020) |
I look forward to sharing insights from the convention and other offers + membership perks from APA as I see + take advantage of them.
Sending love and light,
Sitawa
Update: Read my highlights from APA Convention 2023 here
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| Update: Got my September 2023 monitor on psychology (APA's magazine) in the mail |
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