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Mission and History

The objectives of the Dallas Psychological Association are to:

  • forward the understanding and acceptance of psychology as a profession devoted to the promotion of human welfare
  • develop and promote ethical standards of psychological practice
  • stimulate the discussion of issues related to the practice of psychology
  • foster responsible community ties
  • encourage constructive relations with allied professionals

History


Joseph Siegel, Ph.D. invited in early 1956, a small group of Dallas psychologists to meet with him to consider the possibility of forming a local professional psychological association. This group acted as a Steering Committee to invite all psychologists in the Dallas area to a meeting in May of 1956 at the Dallas Society for Crippled Children where the organization was formed and its name, Dallas Psychological Association, was adopted.


A Steering Committee chaired by Dr. Siegel met throughout 1956 and early 1957 to plan preliminary by-laws, programs, and other details necessary to the functioning of the Association. The members of the Association have met since October of 1957 at business meetings, networked at socials, and attended workshops. The Association has undergone a number of changes since that time to meet ongoing challenges of the profession and its objectives.


In its current form, Dallas Psychological Association (DPA) is comprised of licensed psychologists, licensed associates, graduate/postgraduate students in psychology-based programs, and affiliates with interests consonant with the purposes of the organization. The objectives of the organization are to forward understanding and acceptance, develop and promote ethical standards, and stimulate discussion of issues relevant to psychology and its practice as well as foster responsible community ties and encourage constructive relations with allied professions. DPA is a source of information for its members and the public within the North Texas area for psychologists and their specialties.


Dallas Psychological Association is a local organization and is not affiliated with any other organizations. However, it recognizes and its members are frequently associated with the state (Texas Psychological Association), regional (Southwestern Psychological Association: Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas), and national (American Psychological Association) psychological associations. Thus, DPA provides a common bond at the local level for qualified psychologists to foster their profession and practice.

Presidents of the Dallas Psychological Association

2025–2026: Rupa Naidu

2024–2025: Josh Becker

2023–2024: Daniel Elledge

2022–2023: Aysha Najjab

2021–2022: Hillary Kimbley

2020–2021: Katie Sardone

2019–2020: Charlotte Haley

2018–2019: Alex Foxwell

2017–2018: Kimberly Roaten

2016–2017: Avery Hoenig

2015–2016: Avery Hoenig

2014–2015: Deanna Liss-Clarke

2013–2014: Neil Ravella

2012–2013: Jamie McNichol

2011–2012: Michael Morris

2010–2011: Kenneth Wise

2009–2010: Greg Simonsen

2008–2009: Jean-Claude Wakim

2007–2008: Paul Chafetz

2006–2007: Tim Branaman

2005–2006: Lane Ogden

2004–2005: James Besyner

2003–2004: Paul Chafetz

2002–2003: Karen Settle

2001–2002: Alan Frol

2000–2001: Barbara Rila

1999–2000: Theresa Vo

1998–1999: Delane Kinney

1997–1998: Norman Bouffard

1996–1997: Mary Turner

1995–1996: Douglas Bellamy

1994–1995: Kay Hale

1993–1994: Diana P. Cunningham

1992–1993: Richard B. Kilgore

1991–1992: William C. Whitehead

1990–1991: Tom Van Hoose

1989–1990: Harvey Oshman

1988–1989: Rob Mehl

1987–1988: Pam Blumenthal

1986–1987: Anna Beth Benningfield

1985–1986: Carlos Davis

1984–1985: Roberta Nutt

1983–1984: Bernie Gotway

1982–1983: Gray Atkins

1981–1982: Myron Lazar

1980–1981: John Deleray

1979–1980: Rycke Marshall

1978–1979: Frank Trimboli

1977–1978: Gustave W. Roberts

1976–1977: Price Pritchett

1975–1976: Michael E. Gottlieb

1974–1975: Paul S. McCollum

1973–1974: Alvin J. North

1972–1973: Mary Alice Gordon

1971–1972: Harry J. Parker

1970–1971: C. J. Gay

1969–1970: Robert H. Smith

1968–1969: Donald Pool

1967–1968: Charles Hughes

1966–1967: Robert A. Brown

1965–1966: Earl Weed

1964–1965: Ralph Robinowitz

1963–1964: Henry L. Sisk

1962–1963: M. Scott Myers

1961–1962: Joseph Siegel

1960–1961: Jack Strange

1959–1960: Jack Jernigan

1958–1959: Harold Crasilneck

1957–1958: John Greers