History of SAPA

by Ken Marsh, Ph.D, One of the founding members of SAPA

When I arrived in Tucson in 1970, I looked about for colleagues to connect with personally and professionally. I worked at the University but as a clinician, not an academic, and I really craved contact with other clinicians to discuss clinical issues. I connected with Peter Berwick, a Ph.D. psychologist then working at the Southern Arizona Mental Health Center, just off campus. Pete and I got together for lunch often, and that is where the idea for SAPA began.

Martin Levy came to Tucson in about 1971, and he was also interested. We called a meeting by sending out a letter (no email then!) to all the psychologists at the U of A and to those who were listed in the Yellow Pages. Met at my apartment, and a dozen psychologists showed up. That was in late 1971. After several meetings there, we clearly needed more space, and Martin arranged free use of a small dining room at the Medical School cafeteria. Within a year, we had a membership of 40, and growing.

We began with a shoestring budget, relying on donations at first. SAPA has continued on a shoestring, with minimal dues and relying on volunteer effort to keep ourselves going.

Very early on, we became involved with the State Legislature on licensure issues, and with freedom of choice issues, and SAPA proved to be an active and assertive group in the State. Several Tucson psychologists made numerous trips to the legislature to testify on behalf of such issues, despite the cost in lost days of professional income. The spirit of generosity and connection has remained a core value of SAPA.