Libby Howell, Ed.D., LMFT is a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist.  She has been practicing therapy, teaching and consulting in Tempe, Arizona since 1986.  Dr. Howell received her masters and doctoral degrees from Columbia University.  She completed post-graduate training at the Milton Erickson Foundation, and the Post-Graduate Institute for Family Therapy.  She enjoys working collaboratively and appreciatively with a diverse group of clients, individually, relationally, and in groups.

Over the past 10 years, Libby has been a participatory member of AZPA.  She has served in the following capacities: Chair of the Convention Committee 3 times, Educational Representative, Governing Council, Legislative District Representative, CE committee, and currently, Membership Chair.  In addition, Libby has spent many years as a Red Cross Disaster mental health volunteer, and serves as secretary for the Marriage and Family Therapy Credentialing Committee.  On a national level, Libby was Gender Chair of APA Division 47/Sport Psychology in 1993-1994,

Given Libby’s active involvement with the many organizational branches of AZPA, and having worked closely with administrative staff and her colleagues, she is highly qualified to continue in a leadership role.  Her past successes in working collaboratively and respectfully with others is valued by herself, and others who have worked with her over the years.

Libby is committed to building a strong and supportive community of psychologists in Arizona.  AZPA is an essential vehicle for communication, education, legislative action, and camaraderie for private practitioners as well as psychologists in schools, agencies and other organizations.  She would like to see psychologists expand their presence in Arizona as well as further their connection with one another.

Y. Evie Garcia (Ph.D. Arizona State University) is a licensed psychologist and Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at Northern Arizona University. She specializes in Latina/o and multicultural counseling issues, group therapy, and counselor training.

Dr. Garcia is a strong advocate for psychology at the state and federal levels. She is an active supporter of student, early career, rural, and academic/research issues across our state.

Dr. Nicholls is a Clinical Psychologist with over 25 years of experience in working with both children and adults. He is currently in private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he focuses upon the evaluation and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders including learning disabilities, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders, autism spectrum disorders, developmental disorders, and other conditions that involve the developing brain.

Dr. Nicholls has served on the clinical faculties of several major university and hospital training programs in psychology, pediatrics, surgery and other health specialties. He has been the chair of the Arizona Psychological Association's Ethics Committee, and was awarded the 2005 Distinguished Service Award by AZPA. He has a long history of community service, and has authored several articles, co-authored a book, and has presented at local, national and international conferences. Dr. Nicholls is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychologists.

For additional information, please visit Dr. Nicholls' web site: drchrisnicholls.com.

To write my candidate statement, I asked a corporate secretary to describe his vision of an effective Secretary, requisite qualifications and the role’s importance:

 “The record the Secretary creates becomes the legal record. If it’s not recorded it didn’t happen - period. Honesty, openness, accuracy and a willingness to challenge the board to work within approved boundaries are paramount…” AzPA’s records will also impact planning, recruitment, fundraising, research, grant documentation, and APA reporting/funding.

If elected, I pledge to deliver accurate, timely, organized, and easily referenced records. I will clarify, question and acquire a working knowledge of AzPA’s governing documents.

Attention to detail, synthesizing information, questioning, leadership and commitment marked my work with AzPA’s Disaster Response Committee (DRC): Co-chair from 2003 to 2005 and member since 2001. I compiled and edited committee contributions to create the DRC Red Book, a quick-reference field-guide for Red Cross-Trained Psychologists and led AzPA’s response to Hurricane Katrina.

A licensed psychologist, my present focus on Writing offers flexibility to meet the demands of General Council work. Traumatic loss, the concept ‘Other’, and ‘Group mythmaking’ and lives lived outside those boundaries center my writing interests. 

I would be honored to receive your vote for Secretary and to again serve AzPA member and psychologist interests in our state.

Born in Arizona, raised in Coolidge and Phoenix. College at the University of Arizona, graduate school at the University of Oregon finishing in 1972 with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology.

Worked at the Department of Labor, Ford Foundation, and Manpower Research Corporation. Ran family business in Tucson for 14 years. Opened practice in 1995, specializing in Vocational Rehabilitation client assessment and Family Business Management.

Andy has been actively involved in the leadership of AzPA for many years. He is a former president of AzPA and has served on the Legislative, Political Action, RxP, Continuing Education, Convention, Student and Academic Affairs, Foundation, and Board Endorsement committees. Andy was the first president of the Arizona Psychology Training Consortium and continues to serve on the Consortium Training committee. Andy supports changing the postdoctoral residency requirements for licensure. We need to find ways to keep our best students here in Arizona.