Melba J. T. Vasquez
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Melba J. T. Vasquez | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1951-02-27) February 27, 1951 (age 75) |
| Occupations | Psychologist, former president of the American Psychological Association |
| Awards | APA Award for Lifetime Contributions to Psychology (2020) |
Melba Jean Trinidad Vasquez (born February 27, 1951) is an American psychologist who served as the 2011 president of the American Psychological Association (APA). Vasquez was the APA's first Latina president. She has authored multiple works on ethics in psychotherapy. She is a first-generation college student who was encouraged to pursue a Doctorate in Counseling. She has been in private Independent Practice in Texas since 1991.
Melba J. T. Vasquez attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University-San Marcos) and majored in English and political science.[1] She was a middle school English and political science teacher before beginning a psychology career. She received a PhD in counseling psychology from The University of Texas in 1978, then worked at the university's counseling center. She taught psychology both at The University of Texas and at Colorado State University before moving into private practice.[2] She has been in practice in Austin, Texas since 1991.[3]
When Vasquez was elected president of the APA in 2011, she became the first Latina elected to the position.[1] She had previously served as president of the Texas Psychological Association, the Society of Counseling Psychology (APA Division 17) and the Society for the Psychology of Women (APA Division 35).[2] She cofounded the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues (APA Division 45). She coauthored Ethics for Psychologists: A Commentary on the APA Ethics Code and four editions of Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling: A Practical Guide.[3] Vazquez is a member of divisions 9 (Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues), 31 (Advocacy for Psychology), 44 (Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity), and 56 (Trauma Psychology).[4] In 2007, Vasquez was recognized with the Alfred M. Wellner Senior Career Psychologist Award from the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.[5] She was also recognized as a Distinguished Practitioner of Psychology in the National Academies of Practice.[6] In 1999, Vasquez co-founded the National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS) along with Gwendolyn P. Keita, Lilian Comas-Diaz, and Derald Wing Sue, which still is conducted-Most recently in Santa Fe, NM, 2024. The purpose of this conference is for various professionals in psychology to come together, and provide insights based on research and real-world experience.[7][8] In 2017, Dr. Vasquez began serving as the Vice President of the American Psychological Foundation, and was appointed as President in 2024.[9]
References
- 1 2 "Texas State Alum Named APA President". San Marcos Mercury. January 7, 2010. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - 1 2 "Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD". American Psychological Association. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- 1 2 "Leadership: Melba J. Vasquez, PhD". American Psychological Association. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "Melba Vasquez - History of Counseling - iResearchNet". Retrieved 2025-09-18.
- ↑ "Texas State-Licensed Psychologist Receives National Award for Excellence". National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
- ↑ "American Psychological Association Profile".
- ↑ "First Latina Leader: Dr. Melba Vasquez". Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ↑ "Home | National Multicultural Conference and Summit". National Multicultur. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ↑ Staff, A. P. F. (2023-11-07). "APF Announces New President and Vice President - American Psychological Foundation". ampsychfdn.org. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
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