Aaron and Matty Canter Award for Lifetime Achievement in Psychology

The Aaron and Matty Canter award is the highest award given by the Arizona Psychological Association. It is given to recipients who have demonstrated leadership and dedication in psychology. For more than 60 years, Aaron and Matty Canter embodied the best of our profession. The Distinguished Contribution to Professional Psychology award honors those who follow in their spirit of compassion and service. The award is given to those who have shown commitment to AzPA and the broader psychological community throughout their careers. 

2023 Award Recipient

Y. Evie Garcia, Ph.D. 

Distinguished Service to Psychology

Distinguished service as a psychologist is reflected in leadership and support of the psychological community. The Distinguished Service to Psychology award honors those who have served AzPA and other psychological organizations. Recipients may have defended the profession from efforts to restrict the practice of psychology in Arizona. The Distinguished Service to Psychology award is given to our leaders who have dedicated themselves to unselfish service for our profession.

2023 Award Recipient

Melissa Flint, Psy.D., FT, CCTP

Distinguished Contribution to the Professional Practice of Psychology

Those who apply psychology in professional practice are experts in assessing and diagnosing problems, preventing and alleviating suffering, and expanding health and resilience. The Distinguished Contribution to the Professional Practice of Psychology award recognizes those who dedicated their efforts to the prevention, assessment, or treatment of mental health problems. Recipients may have developed a clinical strategy, promoted a theoretical orientation or modality, or brought a psychological intervention to an underserved population. 

2023 Award Recipient

Paula J. McCall, Ph.D.

Distinguished Contribution to Diversity

We live and work in communities that reflect a myriad of identity diversity, including those of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious identity, and disability status.  The professional psychology community reflects these varying identities, and as psychologists we are also obligated to competently serve the diversity in our society. The Distinguished Contribution to Diversity award is given to persons who advocate for diversity in all forms. It recognizes the value of identities that enrich the population of our state.

2023 Award Recipient

Lauren C. Taveras, Psy.D.

Distinguished Contribution to Science

Research and scholarship are the scientific foundations of psychology. It honors those who disseminate their scholarship through undergraduate and graduate teaching. Scholars mentor their students to value intellectual curiosity, scientific methodology, and critical reasoning. The Distinguished Contribution to Science award recognizes Arizona psychologists who conduct research that improves the lives of others.

2023 Award Recipient

Tess M.S Neal, Ph.D.

Distinguished Contribution to Advocacy

The Advocacy award honors those who have used their expertise to assist the psychological community and broader society by building coalitions to achieve social goals. They may work with psychological organizations, community organizations, judicial or legislative bodies, or the public to advance worthwhile causes.

2023 Award Recipient

Evelyn Burrell, Psy.D.

Hal Arkowitz Award for Outstanding Mentor

Mentors play a unique and critical role in supporting the development of future generations in our profession. The Hal Arkowitz Award for Outstanding Mentor honors those who readily share what they know with students, early career psychologists, and established colleagues. Through their work, they help others integrate their personal and professional roles.

Presented by the Arizona Psychological Foundation.

2023 Award Recipient

Michelle Melton, Ph.D.

Outstanding Early Career Psychologist

This award honors psychologists who are in the first ten years of their careers. It recognizes those new psychologists who are already making significant contributions in the areas of professional leadership, service, and research. Recipients of this award are the future of psychology in our state.

Presented by the Arizona Psychological Foundation.

2023 Award Recipient

Shirley Yang, PsyD
 

Outstanding Postdoctoral Resident

This award recognizes postdoctoral residents in Arizona who have demonstrated exceptional potential for leadership roles within psychology.

Presented by the Arizona Psychological Foundation.

2023 Award Recipient

Mercedes Anderson, Ph.D.

Outstanding Psychology Faculty

This award is chosen by the AzPA Graduate Student membership. It recognizes the many and varied roles that psychology faculty perform in the education and mentoring of their students. It honors those faculty members who have inspired students and colleagues, contributed to the advancement of psychological science, and created an atmosphere of joyful learning.

2023 Award Recipient

Frederick Wechsler, Ph.D.