screencap of APA homepage featuring Dr. Israel

Tania Israel of UC Santa Barbara’s Gevirtz School has been chosen as one of the keynote speakers for the American Psychological Association (APA) 2021 Virtual Convention, to be held August 12-14. Dr. Israel will give the talk “The Power of Psychology to Heal the Political Divide.” Political conflict is at a record high in the U.S., and it’s damaging our relationships, our health, and our democracy. How can we heal? Psychology has answers.

APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States, with more than 122,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students as its members. APA’s annual conventions are the premier psychology event of the year saw more than 12,000 scientists, educators, practitioners, and applied psychologists attend over 1,000 sessions.

Tania Israel holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and is a Professor in UCSB’s Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology. Dr. Israel’s book, Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide, Skills and Strategies for Conversations That Work (APA, 2020) grew out of a skill-building workshop that she developed and delivered to hundreds of participants following the 2016 election. Dr. Israel is an APA Fellow and a past president of the Society of Counseling Psychology (APA Division 17). Her honors include 2019 Congressional Woman of the Year (CA 24th District), Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Award for Excellence in Mental Health from the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, and Emerging Leader Award from the APA Committee on Women in Psychology.