American Psychological Association Internship Practicum

Presenter: Brayden Wallace, Psychology, Global Public Health Scholars

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I worked as an Advocacy Intern with the American Psychological Association (APA), where I supported national and state-level efforts to expand access to behavioral health services. My responsibilities included preparing advocacy materials, tracking federal legislation, and participating in meetings with congressional offices to advocate for funding for the Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) Program and the expansion of Medicaid behavioral health coverage. 

Additionally, I compiled lists of members of Congress who were most likely to cosponsor APA-backed bills based on their voting history, committee assignments, and the needs of their districts. I also researched psychologists who had lost National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding due to budget cuts during the Trump administration, using that data to drive state-level advocacy work.

This experience taught me how to apply data analysis, strategic communication, and public health principles to inform health policy. I developed my policy research and advocacy skills, learning to interpret complex information and present it in accessible and engaging ways for diverse audiences.

There is a strong public health connection to my practicum, as it focused on removing barriers to mental health care, increasing the behavioral health workforce, and advancing equity in health investments. As a Psychology major on the Pre-Med track aspiring to become a psychiatrist, this experience deepened my appreciation for the role of advocacy and legislation in health care delivery. It reaffirmed my commitment to ensuring that underserved populations, particularly those suffering from mental illness, receive the care and services they deserve.