Virtual Advocacy Training

Engaging Effectively with Lawmakers

January 16, 2026
12pm-1pm
Virtual - Zoom

This workshop is free to aPA Members. 
Please log-in to access free registration

Non-Member Rate: $20

Once registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link.

If you are attending the Mid-Winter Conference, you do not need to register here, you will receive the Zoom link separately.

Workshop Description: Learn what advocacy looks like and how to make a persuasive case to lawmakers to benefit your community and profession. Clinicians, educators, researchers and students’ training and experience give them unique insights into key issues facing the nation. They can use those insights to inform the government as it works on solutions for those issues. However, many people do not know where to start. This two-part training will explain what opportunities are available when getting started with advocacy, and then focus on how to make a compelling case to lawmakers and your peers in meetings. There will be opportunities to practice these skills with fellow attendees through exercises during the training.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Describe at least 3 actions one can undertake while engaging in advocacy
• Describe at least 2 best practices in communicating persuasively with policymakers and applying the basics of story-telling in an advocacy context
• Describe at least 2 best practices when participating in meetings with policymakers and/or their staff.

Speaker Bio:   Stefanie Reeves FASAE, CAE is the Deputy Chief of Public Policy and Engagement with the American Psychological Association. In this role, she manages the team that advances psychological science on the federal level to increase access to mental health services, combat discrimination and promote health equity. Stefanie was previously the Executive Director of the Maryland Psychological Association. Stefanie has an MA in Government from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in Psychology from the George Washington University. A member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), she was named a Fellow of the association in 2020, served on their Board from 2018 - 2021 and is a 2008-2009 Diversity Executive Leadership (DELP) Scholar. In 2024, Stefanie received the ASAE Professional Performance Award, the highest honor given to an association staff member who is not the CEO of the organization. A native Washingtonian, Stefanie lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The Alabama Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.    The Alabama Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.