ArPA Lunch and Learn Series
The Arkansas Psychological Association (ArPA) is excited to introduce its Monthly Lunch and Learn Series—an exclusive benefit designed to bring value to our members and foster a thriving psychological community across Arkansas. ArPA’s Lunch & Learn Series, designed to create connection among members, foster professional growth, and provide real-world strategies for today’s most pressing challenges in mental health practice.
Maternal and Infant Mental Health: Why It’s Important and How We Can Help
Learning objectives:
- Recognize symptoms of clinical concern versus normative post-partum reactions.
- Identify 3 ways maternal depression might negatively impact a child’s development.
- List 2 ways that psychologists and mental health professionals can helpfully intervene through prevention and treatment.
Even Months: Professional Development
Understanding Prescriptive Authority and the Evolving Role of Prescribing Psychologists
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM CST
Join us for an informative session on prescribing psychology (RxP) as a specialty area of practice and advocacy initiative.
This workshop provides an overview of the development of prescribing psychology (RxP) as a specialty area of practice and advocacy initiative. Presenters will review the historical foundations of the RxP movement, current national status, and existing state and federal credentialing pathways. The session will describe education and training requirements, supervision standards, scope of practice parameters, and formulary considerations for prescribing psychologists. Presenters will also discuss key components of an effective RxP advocacy strategy, including legislative processes, regulatory requirements, and marketplace implications for professional practice.
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:
- Summarize the historical development and current status of prescriptive authority for psychologists.
- Describe the education, training, supervision, and scope of practice requirements for prescribing psychologists.
- Identify critical elements of an RxP advocacy strategy, including legislative, regulatory, and marketplace considerations.
Presenters:
Deborah C. Baker, JD is the Head of the Professional Legal & Regulatory Affairs Office for the American Psychological Association/APA Services Inc. She leads the legal team in their work with APA leadership and members, state psychological associations, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders on a variety of legal, regulatory, and advocacy issues. Much of her work focuses on telehealth and digital therapeutics, HIPAA compliance and patient data security, and scope of practice/licensure, including prescriptive authority and interjurisdictional practice. Ms. Baker has provided support to several APA task forces in developing association policies, including the current revision to the APA Model Licensure Act for Psychologists, the 2024 APA Guidelines on the Practice of Telepsychology, APA Guidelines for the Use of Social Media, and APA policies on prescriptive authority for psychologists and designation of psychopharmacology training programs.
Elizabeth Lonning, PsyD is the Director of Professional Affairs for the Iowa Psychological Association. Dr. Lonning received her doctor of psychology degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 1993 and has practiced in Davenport, Iowa since that time. She completed her post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2010 and serves as chair of the Psychopharmacology Education Committee for IPA. In this role, she led the effort to pass legislation in 2016 allowing advanced-trained psychologists prescriptive authority in Iowa, making it the fourth state to grant this privilege. She serves on the Board of Directors for Division 55 (the psychopharmacology division of APA), the Training Director Council for Division 55, and APA’s RxP Designation Committee as Vice Chair.
Maternal and Infant Mental Health: Why It’s Important and How We Can Help
What to Expect:
Join us for a timely and informative session exploring the impact of the 2025 Arkansas Legislative Session on the field of psychology. Led by Dr. Tisha Deen, a respected psychologist and seasoned policy advocate, this session will unpack critical legislative changes and their implications for psychological practice, ethics, and advocacy in Arkansas.
Even Months: Professional Development CEs
Reserve Your Spot!
Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to empower psychologists across Arkansas. Together, let’s build connections, share knowledge, and advance the field of psychology.
Why Attend?
- Engage: Connect with peers in a meaningful and interactive format.
- Grow: Gain professional insights and enhance your skills.
- Belong: Strengthen your ties to the vibrant ArPA community.
Event Details:
- Time: 12:00 PM CST
- Platform: Zoom
- Registration: Advance registration is required. Upon registration, you’ll receive a calendar invite and secure access to the session.
*Mark your calendars for the third Wednesday of each month and experience the benefits of belonging to a connected and dynamic professional community.