APF Welcomes Two New Members to the Board of Directors
Scott Miranda, Miranda & Company Communications
We are pleased to share that Scott Miranda has joined our Board of Directors and will also serve on our Marketing and Communications Committee. Scott, president of Miranda & Company Communications, brings a wealth of public relations and media expertise to APF. His vast portfolio of clients spans from world-class sports properties to Fortune 500s and national nonprofits.
“Scott’s leadership and impressive experience will help guide us as we strive to increase access to evidence-based treatment, training, and education to diverse communities,” said Board President Alec Miller, PsyD.
“Scott’s background and shared commitment to our mission will help us further rid behavioral health disparities among underrepresented populations. We are thrilled to welcome Scott to our APF family,” said Executive Director Damian Travier.”
Kate Snow, NBC News
We are excited to announce that Kate Snow, esteemed National Correspondent for NBC News, has joined our Board of Directors. With an illustrious career spanning journalism and advocacy, Kate brings a wealth of experience and passion to APF.
Throughout her time as a correspondent, Kate has covered many pressing issues, from political landscapes to humanitarian crises. Her work sparks meaningful change and has garnered her accolades including Emmy Awards for investigative journalism.
Kate’s expertise and advocacy will undoubtedly bolster our mission to increase diversity in the field of psychology, expand access to mental health care for underserved populations, and provide crucial support to emerging clinicians. Her leadership will guide us as we continue to strive towards a future where everyone can access quality mental health resources.
Please join us in welcoming Kate Snow our APF family. Together, we look forward to making meaningful strides in the realm of mental health advocacy and accessibility.
APF Adds Development Director Patricia Byrns, CFRE to the Team
We are thrilled to announce that Patricia Byrns, CFRE, has joined APF as director of development. Patricia comes to us with over 25 years of experience in fundraising in the academic and nonprofit sectors. With her strong background, she will focus on fundraising and stewarding donor relations. Prior to joining APF, Patricia was director of donor relations for Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
We are thrilled to announce that Patricia Byrns, CFRE, has joined APF as director of development. Patricia comes to us with over 25 years of experience in fundraising in the academic and nonprofit sectors. With her strong background, she will focus on fundraising and stewarding donor relations. Prior to coming to APF, Patricia was director of donor relations for Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Making Mental Health Strides in Alaska and Maine
We want to share the latest strides in our mission to foster mental health education and support in underserved communities. At the Access Psychology Foundation (APF), our commitment to empowering educators and organizations remains unwavering. Here’s a glimpse into our upcoming endeavors:
Expanding Horizons in Education
We’re excited to announce our partnership with Hebron Academy in Maine, a beacon of educational excellence serving a diverse student body. Through our collaboration, we’re equipping teachers and faculty with invaluable skills in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). These comprehensive trainings empower educators to guide students through essential DBT skills, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness, and walking the middle path skills. Students at Hebron range from day school, to full-time boarding students, all coming from different corners of the world. International students get to know new friends who grew up in rural Maine, learning from each other and sharing student life on a beautiful campus in the mountains of Maine.
Reaching Across Boarders
Our efforts extend beyond Maine, as we venture westward to Anchorage, Alaska. Here, we stand alongside Jennifer Poon, PhD, a passionate advocate for Alaska Natives’ mental health and a beacon of hope in the academic community. Together with Dr. Poon and the University of Alaska at Anchorage, we’re embarking on a journey to develop trauma-informed, culturally-congruent interventions. Our focus lies on supporting vulnerable youth, including sexual and gender minorities and Alaska Native teens, who are disproportionately affected by mental health challenges. Dr. Poon plans to convene with local native tribal leaders to learn more about their needs for mental health services in their communities and find ways to provide the resources they need.
Meet APF Scholarship Recipient Rebecca Khiralla, PsyD, 2023-24 Postdoctoral Fellow
Rebecca Khiralla, PsyD, graduated from Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology in August 2023 with a doctoral degree in School Psychology. Throughout the past five years of graduate school, Rebecca worked in schools, private practices, hospitals, and community-based mental health clinics providing services to individuals of various ages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and presenting problems.
Raised in an Egyptian American community in New York, she witnessed stigma and a lack of awareness of mental health-related concerns. This ignited her passion to fill the gap and give back to her community by providing psychoeducation and services to those in need.
“As a Middle Eastern individual, I come from an underrepresented community, and after my education and training, I look forward to passionately serving my community’s mental health needs. I will also strive to provide high-quality mental health care to children, adolescents, and their families of other underrepresented communities. Thank you, APF for helping to fuel my passion into reality,” said Rebecca Khiralla, PsyD.
Flashback to November 6, 2023 Wine Tasting Fundraiser
Our Wine Tasting Event was an evening filled with friendship and generosity, and we are incredibly grateful for all the wonderful support! Here’s a snapshot of our successful fundraiser:
- Raised over $45,000 for school consultation programming
- Six tables showcasing wines from a variety of vineyards and wineries who generously donated bottles for the tasting
- Thank you to Brazen Fox in White Plains for donating their beautiful Parlor Room for the festivities
- Thank you to LeVino Wine and Pepe Rodriguez for donating delicious wines for everyone to enjoy
We are Social!
We invite you to “like” us on Facebook, Instagram, and connect with us on LinkedIn (More social media platforms to come!) We’ll keep you posted on our mission-driven efforts, and you’ll learn a variety of helpful information related to mental health. We’ll also share special events and other content for you to enjoy!
Save the Date for “Swing into Spring”
Please join us for an evening of fun and fellowship on April 17, 2024 from 6 – 9 pm at Five Iron Golf, located at 101 Park Avenue, 3rd Floor New York, NY. Whether you’re a scratch golfer, beginner, or somewhere in between, we’re confident you’ll have a ball—plus it’s for a great cause!
Guests can perfect their swing using golf simulation and challenge themselves with the farthest drive, beat the pro, and closest to the pin while enjoying cocktails and delicious hors d’oeuvres. Attendees can also practice their putts on the putting green. Other fun activities include shuffleboard, billiards, and foosball. Sign up for updates on our website for further information.