In 1983, when it began, the American College of Forensic
Psychology was an oasis in the desert known as fledgling "forensic"
psychology. Twenty-three years later, as forensic psychology became
much more, almost its own discipline, the College remains precisely
thatkind of professional resource.
The range of professional subjects presented at the
College's annual symposiums and those published in the College's American
Journal of Forensic Psychology, covers every forensic issue psychologists
are asked to address. The annual symposiums not only provide required
continuing education courses (i.e., law and ethics) and refinement of
every forensic psychological practice skill, but often provide information
you didn't even know you needed until you heard it. Presenters, authors,
and members are virtually always available for discussion and consult.
Attendees leave the symposiums not only much better prepared to do their
work but more eager and interested in it and in their colleagues. The
range of knowledge among the membership is so wide and expert, and so
readily available, that practicing psychologists need never again agonize
very long, or alone, about what to do in a case or with an issue.
Fellows and Members of the College are pleased to
provide, at the drop of a hat, exactly the professional information,
advice or assistance you need and, when they don't have it, will point
you to those who do. Novices and veterans regularly turn to the knowledge
and expertise contained in the College's membership. In addition, by
maintaining an up-do-date, Attorney’s Directory of Forensic Psychologists
Online, the College does its part to make its members and their particular
areas of expertise known to those who seek the help of forensic psychologists.
In a professional world almost chaotically swirling
with changing demands, methods, issues, rewards and threats, in which
staying abreast requires constant keen attention and ongoing consults
with other professionals, the College is a priceless association. In a professional world in which
emotional detachment is increasingly equated with objectivity, the camaraderie
within the College membership is vital for reminding us of our humanness
and our biases, and for renewing our sanity. Friendships formed through
the College have lasted a professional lifetime; some beyond.
The American College of Forensic Psychology has been
a major reason that I have been so extremely successful and gratified
in forensic work and so happy to be a forensic psychologist. I cannot
even imagine practicing in this field without the knowledge and personal
associations developed through our College.
Robert L. Halon, Ph.D.
San Luis Obispo, California
reasons to join the American College
of Forensic Psychology
"I
have been a member and Fellow of the college since 1985. I receive all
my CE credits by attending the annual meetings. I attend only this meeting
yearly since it is more valuable to me than any other, including APA,
since it deals with the very topics I encounter in my practice on a
daily basis. In addition, I have formed friendships and collegial relationships
which have been invaluable to me. I look forward to seeing the various
professionals with whom I share experiences each year, and find their
input in informal settings outside the meeting rooms to enrich the overall
experience."
Allan Gerson, PhD
Encino, California
"In
addition to the excellent presentations at the annual meetings, and
the networking that flows from the meetings, we are able to list ourselves
in the American College of Forensic Psychology's Online Directory of
providers of forensic psychological services."
Thomas A. Caffrey, PhD
New York City, New York
"Presenters,
authors, and members are virtually always available for discussion and
consult. Attendees leave the Symposiums not only much better prepared
to do their work but more eager and interested in it and in their colleagues.
The range of knowledge among the membership is so wide and expert, and
so readily available, that practicing psychologists need never again
agonize very long, or alone, about what to do in a case or with an issue.
In addition, by maintaining an up-to-date, Attorney's Directory of Forensic
Psychologists Online, the College does its part to make its members
and their particular areas of expertise known to those who seek the
help of forensic psychologists. The American College of Forensic Psychology
has been a major reason that I have been so extremely successful and
gratified in forensic work and so happy to be a forensic psychologist.
I cannot even imagine practicing in this field without the knowledge
and personal associations developed through our College."
Robert L. Halon, PhD
San Luis Obispo, California
"Outstanding
presentations by real-world practitioners, opportunities to network
with attorneys in criminal and civil contexts, and first-class venues
and facilities characterize the meetings of the American College of
Forensic Psychology. I have attended fourteen consecutive workshops
and have used workshop presentation material for court appearances."
Albert J. Kastl, PhD
Santa Rosa, California
"Membership
in the American College of Forensic Psychology
has provided invaluable resources in understanding and dealing with
forensic issues. ACFP members regularly refer
cases, ask for help, and exchange ideas and information from other members.
This has made me a better practitioner. Exchanging ideas with other
members of ACFP has helped me gain insight into how to deal with difficult
or complex forensic issues."
Marc Zimmermann, PhD
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
"I am a member of six other professional associations.
In the past few years I have found myself choosing to attend ACFP yearly
meetings (and one other) over any others. The presentations are informative,
the atmosphere collegial, and the staff helpful. Every year I find presentations
or colleagues that I have immediately or later found useful in my own
work in forensics. I strongly recommend joining and attendance."
Ines Monguio, PhD
Ventura, California
"I have attended meetings of all of the various groups
who present conferences on forensic psychology, and in my opinion the
American College of Forensic Psychology is the best, because their conferences
provide the most useful information, and because the people who attend
are practicing forensic psychologists who have the most lively and fulfilling
discussions. The American Journal of Forensic Psychology is also an
excellent publication."
Brett Trowbridge, PhD, JD
Olympia, Washington
"My membership in ACFP is extremely valuable to me because
it provides opportunities for contacts with forensic colleagues. Members
have always been willing to help me with cases I have had concerns about,
and I have been privileged to assist others."
Leon Morris, EdD
Wichita Falls, Texas
"The
reason that I attend the college is that I am rather isolated in my
practice. I believe that this organization is a very practical, applied,
and skills-oriented organization. There are few or no presentations
that are theoretical. The presentations are of good quality and are
presented by experienced forensic psychologists. I attend in order to
keep current in the profession. The college is the most efficient way
for me to do so. I also enjoy the small group in which people who attend
are supportive and friendly rather than competitive with each other.
Forensic psychology is a difficult profession, and it is nice to have
others to share information and experiences with. I find the handouts
provided at the college to be useful; I keep them and do refer to them
as well as the journal articles. I enjoy the panels, particularly the
panel on ethics."
Donna Veraldi, PhD
Billings, Montana
"The
ACFP annual meeting is the only event I can attend where I can hear
and learn from colleagues who, like myself, are seasoned psychologists
who understand life in the forensic trenches and who present relevant
information that I can use."
Michael F. Elterman, PhD, MBA
Vancouver, Canada
"The ACFP offers a forum for scholarly, practitioner exchange
that enables the attendee to learn about critical issues and solutions
affecting forensic psychology today. In addition to receiving feedback
on my annual presentation relevant to my own work and practice, I am
able to keep up with what is going on across a broad range of topics.
This experience has proven extremely valuable for my teaching of large
lecture courses on psychology and the law at UCLA. As for the College's
annual meeting, it is a few days very well spent each year, not to mention
the enjoyment an attendee receives from interactions with persons directly
involved on the front lines of forensic psychology."
R. Edward Geiselman, PhD
Professor of Psychology, University of California,
Los Angeles, California
"In
addition to the invaluable professional contribution the college provides,
I have developed, over the past two decades, friendships and associations
that I will treasure forever. I am very committed to the ACFP."
John
W. Podboy, PhD
Kenwood,
California
"As for
the annual meeting, I want to thank you and all of your speakers--this
was just an excellent experience and the research is so novel and
excellent. Each of the presentations provided me with a lot of excellent
material."
Mark Goral,Sharpsville,
Pennsylvania