February 2025 | Newsletter Updates
Grand Rounds | Culture in Assessment | Convention News | HiTOP Convention | MMPI/MPQ Workshops & Research Symposium | Swag Store | Community Events & News | Job Postings
Grand Rounds - Free Member Benefit
February Grand Round
Assessment and Diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria in Adults: Current Guidelines and Practices in Gender Affirming Care
February 5th | 12:00 pm ET | 1 CE
Presenter: Dr. Katherine Spencer
Dr. Spencer will go over actual diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria and review the current guidelines and best practices for assessing gender dysphoria and will discuss the most recent World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care and explore measures for assessing gender dysphoria.
March Grand Round
Assessing and Understanding Psychosis
March 5th | 12:00 pm ET | 1 CE
Presenter: Dr. Jeremy Ridenour
Dr. Ridenour will explore assessing psychosis using self-report measures, the TAT, and Rorschach, incorporating psychodynamic and phenomenological perspectives. He will discuss identifying subtle thought disorganization, integrating multimethod data, and providing feedback to individuals and families navigating psychosis.
Culture in Assessment Webinar Series
February 14–July 29
This webinar series is presented by SPA and the Society for Clinical Psychology, Division 12 of American Psychological Association. Based on the Wiley publication, Essentials of Culture in Psychological Assessment, this series features editor A. Jordan Wright and chapter authors exploring the role of culture in psychological assessment. Designed to help assessors acknowledge and address cultural influences, these webinars offer up to 9 essential CE opportunities for your practice.
- February 14 | Introduction: Culture, Privilege, and Oppression in Psychological Assessment (Dr. A. Jordan Wright) | 1 CE
- February 18 | History of Cultural Bias in Assessment (Dr. Philip Sayegh) | 1 CE
- March 11 | Social Justice in Psychological Assessment (Dr. Hadas Pade & Dr. A. Jordan Wright ) | 1 CE
- April 8 | Collecting Cultural Information (Dr. A. Jordan Wright) | 1 CE
- April 30 | Ensuring Fairness and Mitigating Boas in Psychological and Educational Testing (Dr. Jessica Jonson & Dr. Janet F. Carlson) | 1 CE
- May 19 | Culture and Cognitive Measures in Psychological Assessment (Dr. Lisa Suzuki, Jen Ang, & Aakriti Prasai) | 1 CE
- June 18 | Assessment of Academic Achievement in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (Dr. Jeffrey P. Braden) | 1 CE
- July 15 | Culture and Tests of Personality and Psychopathology (Taylor Rodriguez & Dr. Joye Anestis) | 1 CE
- July 29 | Assessment of Behavioral and Social-Emotional Functioning Children (Dr. Vincent C. Alfonso, Miriam W. Carlson, & Ridge Joseph Bynum) | 1 CE
You can register for one webinar, a few, or the entire series. Click here for more information.
2025 SPA Convention
March 26–30 | Denver, CO– Register Here
Poster Award Deadline
If you are presenting a poster at our Convention, consider submitting your poster to win an award. All we would need is a PDF or PowerPoint version of your poster by Wednesday, February 19. Your poster does not need to be complete–just send in your most current draft. We'll rank submissions alongside abstract that we submitted in the proposal phase to rate and rank posters prior to the meeting according to the clarity of the presentation and the methods and analyses used.
Hotel Room Block
This year, the Convention will be held at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel off of Court Place. We have worked with the hotel to provide a set number of rooms at a discounted rate of $219 +taxes & fees/night. Staying on site allows attendees to fully immerse themselves in convention activities and other networking opportunities. The hotel will accept reservations under this room block until Friday, February 28! Click the button below to reserve your room before its too late.
Volunteer
Will you have extra down time at the convention? Consider volunteering for a workshop! As a workshop volunteer, you will be there to assist the presenter if needed and ensure things run smoothly throughout the presentation. Plus, you will be able to listen in and partake in the workshop for FREE. Please note, this is on a first come first serve basis and spots are already being taken. Sign up today!
Workshops
At this moment, we have 14 full-day and half-day workshops being presented at the Convention. Add-on a workshop to get an in-depth learning experience with experts. Not only will you be able to ask questions and network with presenters and fellow attendees but you will also earn continuing education credits. Click here to learn more about each workshop.
Mind Meld at Meow Wolf: A Networking Adventure
Join us for an immersive, psychedelic, and mind-bending networking adventure at Meow Wolf art exhibition. This off-site event will take place on Wednesday, March 26 between 5:00–9:00 pm MT. You will be able to network with fellow attendees in a more relaxed environment with small bites and drinks provided. Add your ticket by clicking the button below.
Book Signing
Did you publish a book recently? Consider having a table at the convention for book sales and to sign copies. Submit a request for a table by Monday, March 3 for a book signing table.
Sponsorships & Exhibitors
Do you have a business or are you a part of an organization that would benefit from showcasing products, services, or opportunities to our convention attendees? We have several options for advertisements, sponsorships, and/or exhibiting. Click the button below to see our a la carte menu, however, we can also help create a comprehensive package that will work better for your needs.
2025 HiTOP Convention
March 27–29 | Denver, CO
The HiTOP Convention is designed for personality researchers and practitioners alike and is a must-attend event. This event gives you the opportunity to:
- Stay updated with research
- Earn Continuing Education Credits
- Network with experts
- Gain Professional Development
- Learn from Diverse Perspectives
- Showcase Your Research/Studies
- Become a part of an Inspiring Community
MMPI/MPQ Workshops and Research Symposium
June 2–5 | Minneapolis, MN
Join us for two days of workshops then the research symposium and earn continuing education credits! You can register now with an early bird discount until Tuesday, April 1. Click here to learn more about this event.
SPA Swag Store
Deadline to Order is February 10
Show your love for SPA and what SPA stands for with the purchase of some swag! We options such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, polos, jackets & 1/4 zips, dress shirts, and several accessories. Click the button below to view all options and to purchase.
Community Events & News
- Training: Wartegg Level 1 Training: A virtual training sequence for the Crisi Wartegg System (CWS) will begin in April 2025! The CWS is an empirically validated and standardized methodology (administration, scoring, interpretation) for the clinical use of the Wartegg Drawing Completion Test (WDCT)—an easy, efficient, and non-overwhelming performance-based personality measure that can be completed in 5-10 minutes and is appropriate across the lifespan. The CWS is recognized as a valid performance-based personality test that can be used for certification in Therapeutic Assessment. The Level 1 workshop focuses on history and statistical foundations, reviews standardized administration procedures, and builds proficiency in the normative scoring system. Following completion of Level 1, clinicians are able to independently administer the test with clients but require consultation for accurate scoring and interpretation. Levels 2 and 3 of the training sequence are described in the attached flyer. Online registration can be made at: https://sc-cca-com.3dcartstores.com/.
- Call for Symposium: ISSPD is currently accepting proposals through February 28th! Here's your chance to present a thought-provoking session that will explore successes and shortcomings in bridging the research-practice gap, empowering participants to deliver innovative, evidence-based care. You may include up to four speakers in your symposium proposal. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should submit a proposal. Click here for more information. Become an ISSPD Social Media Influence and you could win a complimentary registration to the Congress. Click here for more details.
- Training: The MNCCTA Winter 2025 Introduction to Therapeutic Assessment (TA) will occur February 7th, 14th, and 21st. This three-day, 9-hour virtual workshop is designed for professionals and graduate students interested in learning about the adult TA model. Participants will come to understand the core values and concepts of TA and the interpersonal stance that contribute to successful application of the model. We will walk through the distinct steps of the TA model, and clinical vignettes, including video and test data, will illuminate the application of this approach. Many takeaways will be provided, so assessors can begin applying these ideas in their practice. More information can be found here: https://www.mnccta.com/training-consultation
- Training: Rorschach Supplementary Scales Training with Dr. Jason M. Smith. This four half-day workshops on zoom will take place on Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 27, & Dec. 4, 2025. Click here for more information.
- Training: Complete Crisi Wartegg System (CWS) Online Training Sept.–Nov. 2025 with Drs. Emiliano Muzio and Alessandro Crisi. Click here for more information.
