Speaker Bios

Keynote

The Ethic of Self-Care:
Enhancing Personal and Professional Lives

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Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP

Dr. Melba Vasquez is in independent practice in Austin, Texas. The most exciting, humbling and intimidating period in her career was when she served as President of the American Psychological Association (APA, 2011) She is the first Latina and woman of color of 120 presidencies of APA to serve as in that role. Her theme for the 2011 APA convention was social justice. Her special presidential initiatives included examination of  psychology’s contributions to the grand challenges in society, including immigration, discrimination, and educational disparities; three very hard working task forces produced the reports:

  • Crossroads: The Psychology of Immigration in the New Century (APA, 2012a);
  • Pathways to a Better America: Preventing Discrimination and Promoting Diversity, (APA, 2012b);
  • Ethnic and Racial Disparities in Education: Psychology’s Contributions to Understanding and Reducing Disparities (APA, 2012c).

Dr. Vasquez also served a term on the APA Board of Directors.  She is a former president of the Texas Psychological Association (TPA) and of Divisions 35 (Society of Psychology of Women) and 17 (Society of Counseling Psychology) of the APA. She is a co-founder of APA Division 45, Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues, and of the National Multicultural Conference and Summit. She is a Fellow of twelve Divisions of the APA and holds the Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). She obtained her doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978. Before becoming a psychologist, she taught middle school.

She is a coauthor of five editions of Ethics in Psychotherapy & Counseling: A Practical Guide (with Ken Pope). She is also co-author of How to Survive and Thrive as a Therapist: Information, Ideas and Resources for Psychologists in Practice;  and of the APA Ethics Code Commentary and Case Illustrations. Dr. Vasquez has also published over 50 book chapters and 35 journal articles in the areas of professional ethics, ethnic minority psychology, psychology of women, counseling and psychotherapy, and supervision and training.

She has been honored with over 45 awards for distinguished professional contributions, career service, leadership, advocacy, and mentorship, some of the most recent include:

  • The Leona Tyler Award, APA Division 17, 2015;
  • Distinguished Elder, National Multicultural Conference and Summit, 2015;
  • Distinguished Alumni, Texas State University, 2014;
  • Raymond D. Fowler Award for Outstanding Contributions to APA, 2014.
  • Asuncion Miteria Austria and John Robinson Distinguished Mentoring Award, APA Division 45, 2013;
  • Distinguished Professional Career Award from the National Latina/o Psychological Association, 2012;
  • Carolyn Wood Sheriff Award, APA Division 35, 2010.

She is married to Jim H. Miller, a big supporter of her career; she very much values the full support of her friends and extended family, including her stepdaughter, mother, 6 siblings and their families. She is grateful that despite having only elementary educations, both her parents were politically involved at the grassroots level, engaged in civil rights activities, and articulated a strong belief in and support for education. She appreciates that they guided her into productive, social justice advocacy all her life. 

 

Diversity Scholars

 

 

Marshall Bewley, PhD

Marshall Bewley is a Licensed Psychologist and the Cultural Diversity Liaison at Texas Woman’s University Counseling Center. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas Tech University and his dissertation focused on LGBTQ issues as they relate to psychotherapy.  Dr. Bewley's professional interests include advocacy and outreach, LGBTQ issues and wellness, group therapy, training and supervision, and multicultural awareness. As his center’s Cultural Diversity Liaison, interns work closely with him in organizing and implementing diversity outreach and training. Dr. Bewley strives to develop a training environment where interns can examine how their cultural background impacts their process of developing and integrating multicultural competence. Dr. Bewley would like to thank Dr. Carmen Cruz for nominating him for the Diversity Scholarship and is thankful for their ongoing mentorship and connection as colleagues and friends.

 

Carlton E. Green, PhD

For more than 20 years, Dr. Carlton E. Green has held various roles in higher education settings, including student activities, multicultural services, residence life, academic affairs, athletics, and counseling services. While building collaborative and empowering relationships with students, faculty, and staff, he has always sought to advocate for institutional policies and programs that promote access and equity for underserved populations.

Dr. Green earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, as well as dual Masters degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Pastoral Ministry, from Boston College. At BC, he was an active member of the Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture, where he was engaged in scholarship and consultation pertaining to race and culture.