About Us

THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION ALLIANCE

The first formal meeting to explore the possibility of an organized auxiliary to the American Psychiatric Association was held in May of 1973. No formal organization resulted. From 1973-1983 the idea was kept alive in the APA Assembly.

In December of 1983 the APA Board of Trustees approved the formation of an auxiliary of spouses, widows and widowers of APA members. The first organized meeting was held in Los Angeles at the APA annual meeting in June of 1984. Officers were elected and a constitution and bylaws were adopted. Grace Talkington was elected the first president by 47 members attending. Paid membership in the first year exceeded 300.

The first annual meeting was held in May of 1985 with a full schedule of committee meetings, council meeting, annual business meeting, all day legislative seminar and annual luncheon.

The APA Alliance continues to meet annually during the APA annual meeting in May and the Executive Committee meets during the Assembly meetings in November to discuss matters between annual meetings. Besides committee and business meetings, the Alliance holds an annual meeting open to its membership and sponsors a symposium and a workshop for the APA educational program. Recent symposiums have focused on the need for juvenile justice mental health care reform, domestic violence and abuse world wide, disaster, trauma and recovery in children. Workshops have provided education on legislative advocacy and school based suicide prevention.

2007-2008 APA ALLIANCE OFFICERS

President – Kay Brada, Wichita, Kansas
1st Vice President – Christiane Sorel, Potomac, Maryland
Recording Secretary – Terri Mawhinney, San Diego, California
Treasurer – Sally Treanor, Buffalo, New York
Membership Chairman - Mary Shuman
Past President – Mary Thurrell – Madison, Wisconsin

Executive Secretary – Angela Poblocki