Judy Garber to Deliver SSCP Distinguished Scientist Award Address at APS Annual Convention

The Society for the Science of a Clinical Psychology has named APS Fellow Judy Garber as the 2019 recipient of the SSCP Distinguished Scientist Award for her important contributions to clinical psychological science.

Garber, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University, will receive the award at the 31st APS Annual Convention, which will be held May 23-26 in Washington, DC. She’ll also give an award address titled “Prevention of Depression in Youth: Some Evidence For, But We Still Need More.” Her 50-minute presentation is scheduled for May 24 at 5:00 p.m.

Garber’s research examines the etiology, maintenance, prevention, and treatment of mood disorders in children and adolescents. Her current research includes a multi-site randomized controlled trial, funded by the US National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), that is:

• testing a family-based cognitive-behavioral/coping intervention for the prevention of depression in offspring of depressed parents;
• examining developmental skills needed for youth to learn the skills taught in cognitive therapy;
• exploring the relations among theory of mind, cognitive inhibition, and depressive symptoms in children; and
• developing measures of parenting behaviors.

In her award address, Garber plans to present the results of her randomized controlled trials. She’ll also discuss remaining questions about durability, generalizability, and dissemination of prevention programs.

Established in 1966, the SSCP promotes the integration of the scientist and the practitioner in training, research, and applied endeavors. Its members represent a diversity of interests and theoretical orientations across clinical psychology. The organization advocates for the inclusion of scientific principles in training, practice, and public policies on health and mental health.