Awards & Honors

Division 56 gives five awards annually for meritorious contributions to the field of trauma psychology. The Division also awards Fellow status to those members who have made unusual and outstanding contributions to trauma psychology. We encourage you to visit our Fellows' websites listed below to learn more about their work.

To nominate a colleague for one of these awards please submit electronically a copy of the nominee's CV with a nominating letter describing the candidate's suitability to the Awards Chair. Nominations are due by May 15th. Self-nominations are accepted.

Award for Outstanding Contributions to Practice in Trauma Psychology

This award recognizes distinguished contributions to psychological practice. It may be given for the development of a highly effective intervention, for contributions to practice theory, or for a sustained body of work in the field of trauma psychology practice.

  • 2009 Francine Shapiro
  • 2008 Laurie A. Pearlman and Karen W. Saakvitne
  • 2007 Christine Courtois

Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology

This award recognizes distinguished contributions to scientific research. It may be given in recognition of a particular discovery or for a sustained body of research and scholarship.

  • 2009 Jennifer Vasterling
  • 2008 Paula P. Schnurr
  • 2007 Dean Kilpatrick

Award for Outstanding Service to the Field of Trauma Psychology

This award recognizes sustained contributions of leadership in the field of trauma psychology.

  • 2009 Farris K. Tuma
  • 2008 Sandra G. Wartski
  • 2007 Judith Alpert

Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Field of Trauma Psychology

This award recognizes a senior distinguished psychologist who has made outstanding contributions to science, practice, advocacy, and/or education/training over the course of his/her career. These contributions would be at such a level that they have advanced the field of trauma psychology.

  • 2009 Charles Figley

Award for Outstanding Dissertation in the Field of Trauma Psychology

This award recognizes the most outstanding dissertation defending in the prior academic year on a topic in the field of trauma psychology. Quantitative qualitative and theoretical dissertations are all welcome.

To nominate a dissertation please send a copy of the candidate's CV, a copy of the dissertation, and a copy of a publication derived from the dissertation to the Awards Chair. Nominations are due by June 15th.

  • 2009 Michael Baratta
  • 2008 Meredith E. Charney
  • 2008 Carolyn Allard

Fellows

Fellow status in APA is awarded in recognition of unusual and outstanding contributions to the field of psychology. Such contributions may be to science, practice, policy, or leadership. Fellow status in Division 56 is awarded to members of the Division who have made this kind of valuable contribution to the field of trauma psychology.

Persons seeking initial Fellow status in APA through Division 56 should contact the Fellows Chair for detailed instructions as to the process. Members of Division 56 who are already Fellows of APA should contact the Fellows Chair for instructions about becoming a Fellow of the Division.

Current Fellows of the Division who have their own websites are strongly encouraged to send the url to the Web Editor so that we may include that information in the list of Division Fellows below.

Recent Fellows

  • Joseph Boscarino
  • Robert Geffner
  • Laurie Pearlman
  • Karen Saakvitne
  • Paula Schnurr
  • Richard Tedeschi

List of Fellows