ABCT Fireside Chat | February 25, 2025

Join us at ABCT for our Fireside Chats, member-engagement virtual meetings with the president that will be held throughout this year. Our first Fireside Chat on February 25, 2025 saw ABCT President Steve Safren, Ph.D., respond to questions from our moderator, immediate ABCT Past President Sandra Pimentel, Ph.D. about the Annual Convention and other matters of organizational importance. Watch below.

See the Table of Contents below the video.

This video is sectioned into “chapters” to allow you to skip to specific questions. Find the timestamp in this table, and you’ll see the chapter in the video timeline.

00:00 Introduction by Courtney White, Ph.D., ABCT CEO

01:38 Introduction to Sandra Pimentel, Ph.D., immediate ABCT past president

02:43 Introduction to Steve Safren, Ph.D., current ABCT president

03:04 What are the key highlights or new features attendees can expect at this year’s 2025 Annual Convention in New Orleans?

09:28 How does ABCT select speakers, panelists, or exhibitors for the Convention?

13:14 There is, for some members, a perceived in-group/out group phenomenon within ABCT, do you agree with that assessment and what are your plans to address this?

18:02 What do you see as some of the key challenges for the organization right now?

27:40 Some ABCT members have expressed that it might be difficult or challenging for the organization to focus on both DEI and science at the same time.  How do you feel about this? Will ABCT’s review of submissions be affected by how people might now have to wordsmith their abstracts and proposals, in light of government censorship efforts?

29:18 How does ABCT plan to support psychologists in navigating the current crises in the U.S., particularly as we work with vulnerable and marginalized communities who are increasingly at risk?

35:45 I am concerned about the effects of the changes in the US and the impact upon Canadian members of ABCT. Canadians are being discouraged from travelling to the US. Any thoughts upon the impact of these isolationist politics upon ABCT?

40:27 What are some of the new initiatives being undertaken by ABCT, and how would you characterize the current state of the organization?

45:35 What committees have vacancies?

47:01 What steps will ABCT take to prevent harassment of all types in dedicated ABCT spaces, including at our meetings and Convention?

50:38 What would you say some of the benefits of membership are?

55:05 I find the forum to be less engaging than the old Listserv. Is that going to be brought back?

57:41 Responding to a comment commending the commitment to making the conference a safe space but also being concerned with being reactive vs proactive.

60:01 Responding to a comment about the forum being more like a bulletin board to post things, not a real place for conversation.

60:54 Can you think of examples or share any recent examples where member feedback led to changes or improvements in the association?

64:26 Comment from Brooke Rogers, Ph.D., Program Chair “Thanks to all who have emailed with your thoughts, please continue to reach out if you have comments and suggestions.”

64:48 Any plans to raise funds or find new sources of income for the Association?

68:03 A question from ABCT’s president: Is the program committee “set?”

70:10 Additional clarification about getting involved and creating change in  the Association.

72:30 Are there any upcoming trends or changes in CBT that you anticipate will influence the content, educational offerings, and overall priorities of ABCT programs, including the convention?

77:31 Will attending remotely be possible for people who are not comfortable with the conference location?

82:17 Closing Remarks, ABCT Housekeeping