Panel Discussions
Professional/ Interprofessional Issues
Christine J. Cho, Psy.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Kurtz Psychology Consulting PC
Metuchen, New Jersey
Andrea B. Temkin, Psy.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry
Weill Cornell Medicine
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Christine J. Cho, Psy.D.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Kurtz Psychology Consulting PC
Metuchen, New Jersey
Andrea B. Temkin, Psy.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry
Weill Cornell Medicine
East Brunswick, New Jersey
Laura D. Seligman, ABPP, Ph.D.
Professor
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
Simon A. Rego, ABPP, Psy.D.
Chief of Psychology
Montefiore Medical Center
Bronx, New York
Brian C. Chu, Ph.D.
Professor
Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey
Linda Oshin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Rutgers University
Edison, New Jersey
Sophie A. Palitz Buinewicz, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Fellow
Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Individuals pursuing advanced degrees in psychology have a long road, beginning with several years of education and training, followed by a race against the tenure/promotion "clock." For those interested in having children, this timeline often results in trainees and early career professionals having to navigate family planning and child-rearing precisely when they hold the least benefits, protections, financial security, and autonomy. Many are also forced to navigate this process with little to no guidance or institutional support. This already problematic dynamic has become exponentially more challenging for parent-trainees and parent-scholars in the context of the COVID-19 and racism pandemics. In addition to the social, childcare, and financial consequences of "pandemic parenting," parent-trainees face disruptions to training opportunities and timeline. Junior faculty struggle with interrupted research, equal but inequitable “stop the clock” policies that can effectively disenfranchise women, and overwhelming clinical demand to meet community mental health needs. BIPOC parent trainees/scholars were further impacted in the wake of the murders of George Floyd and countless other Black lives, and sharp rise in anti-Asian violence. Forced to simultaneously cope with racism and violence, these communities shoulder a disproportionate responsibility to address anti-racism efforts and mentorship of minoritized students within their institutions while navigating family stressors. There are few protections for trainees with families, and little institutional support for trainees and early-career parent-scholars. This panel seeks to raise awareness of some of the personal and systemic struggles working parents face in training and early career stages, and discuss possible mechanisms of support. Panelists will relay their own diverse experiences as parents at various stages, and share insight and strategies for navigating recent crises while continuing to attend to personal and professional goals. Panelists serving in leadership positions within the field will also be represented to discuss active strategies for top-down support for those attempting to balance career and family amidst ongoing health and mental health emergencies.