Allison Ponce, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, was presented with the 2018 Friend of the Association of Psychology Training Clinics (APTC) award at the American Psychological Association (APA) annual convention in San Francisco in August.
The APTC is the national organization for directors of psychology training clinics. The purpose of this award is to honor an individual who demonstrates an exemplary history of dedication and support for high standards of training and practice in professional psychology doctoral training clinics. It is awarded to individuals who recognize the importance of practicum training and training clinics and have supported APTC.
Ponce recently completed a two-year term as Chair of the Board of the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). She was the APPIC representative to APTC for several years and has also worked in a supportive fashion with APTC leadership on the Counsel of Chairs of Training Councils, most recently with past president Dr. Karen Fondacaro. Fondacaro nominated Ponce for the APTC award.
“Her support and contact have been particularly helpful to our members who have or are considering internships within training clinics,” Fondacaro wrote in her nomination letter. “In all of this, Dr. Ponce demonstrates both leadership and a long-standing commitment to promoting high standards of training and practice in psychology. Her support of APTC and its leaders indicates the regard she holds for the importance of practicum training. Dr. Ponce is clearly an ally for psychologists-in-training and APTC and is a worthy recipient of our APTC Friend Award.”
Ponce is the Director of Education at Connecticut Mental Health Center.