Introducing Catalyst
Advancing the Behavioral Health Workforce—Together
What's Happening Now
June 20, 2026 | Washington, DC + Livestream
A moderated conversation with APA President Dr. Wendi Williams and civil rights advocate Minnijean Brown‑Trickey exploring leadership, resilience, and responsibility in times of change.
2026 Dr. Jean Lau Chin Memorial Address
Applications Open until 7/13
Professional development, mentorship, and community for psychology master’s students committed to improving the mental health outcomes and overall well-being of transition age youth and their families.
MFP STAY Fellowship
June 2, 2026 | Virtual
Learn how to engage effectively in policy and advocacy efforts impacting behavioral health and psychology. 3 free CE credits will be available for attendees.
Legislative Advocacy Webinar
Formerly the APA Leadership Development Institute (LDI).
Same Commitment. Expanded Mission.
We’re evolving from LDI to Catalyst to better reflect what we already do—comprehensive, cross disciplinary workforce development.
Catalyst is the behavioral health workforce hub supporting students, clinicians, researchers, and system leaders through evidence informed, cross‑career learning and leadership development.
What We Do
From students and early‑career professionals to senior leaders, our pathways meet you where you are, and evolve with you. You’ll gain the tools to lead with intention, navigate complexity, and expand your influence as your career grows.
Support at Every Stage of Your Career
You don’t just complete a program—you join a connected network. Participants become alumni, mentors, and ambassadors, creating pathways that support long‑term growth, expand opportunity, advance equity, and strengthen the behavioral health workforce nationwide.
Connections That Extend Beyond the Program
You gain access to programs grounded in psychological and leadership science, designed to help you build skills, lead effectively, and drive meaningful change in real‑world settings. We continuously assess engagement and outcomes so what you learn translates into impact for your career, your organization, and the communities you serve.
Practical, Evidence‑Informed Learning You Can Use
Whether you’re in psychology, social work, counseling, nursing, psychiatry, medicine, or a related field, Catalyst brings you into interdisciplinary learning environments that reflect how care actually happens. You’ll grow alongside peers from across roles, settings, and systems, strengthening collaboration and broadening your perspective.
Built for the Whole Behavioral Health Workforce
Catalyst builds on decades of APA leadership through nationally recognized programs like the Minority Fellowship Program (50+ years), the Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, and Psychology Summer Institute, while expanding access through new and scaled offerings such as the Professional and Career Excellence Program (PACE) and strategic partnerships like Nonviolence365® training with The Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Trusted Programs, Proven Results
Who is Catalyst for?
Catalyst is for anyone committed to building skills, growing careers, and improving care within the behavioral health workforce
Our Programs
Next Generation: for entry and early career development
MFP
Supporting master’s and doctoral students and postdoctoral trainees committed to enhancing psychological and behavioral outcomes in underserved communities through training, mentoring, and financial support.
Psychology Summer Institute (PSI)
A week-long, intensive program providing educational, professional development, and mentoring experiences to advanced doctoral students and early-career psychologists.
Leadership Education Advancement Program for Early Career Scholars (LEAP)
An evidence-informed mentoring and leadership development program for early-career social and behavioral scientists focused on research related to chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney, liver, urologic diseases and behavioral health implications.
Interdisciplinary Program (IP)
A one-year comprehensive interdisciplinary-focused professional training and mentoring program for master’s and doctoral students in the interdisciplinary behavioral health fields—psychology, counseling, social work, psychiatric nursing, marriage and family therapy, and addictions counseling.
ESTABLISHED & ADVANCED: FOR MID AND ADVANCE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OR CHANGE
Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology (LIWP) Signature Program
A one-year program designed to empower and equip mid-career women and gender diverse individuals in psychology with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in leadership roles.
Professional and Career Excellence program (PACE)
A one-year leadership development program providing comprehensive training and mentoring for early career and emerging leaders to advance their careers and seize opportunities across diverse sectors.
Mentor Training
Dedicated self-guided development and mentor training for professionals interested in enhancing their mentoring skills and supporting the next generation of behavioral health professionals
CROSS-CAREER PATHWAYS: FOR ANY CAREER STAGE OR DEVELOPMENT GOAL
Disability Mentoring Program (DMP)
Providing mentoring and community-building opportunities for behavioral health students and professionals. Promoting inclusivity and aiding in the retention of individuals with disabilities and/or neurodivergence in psychology's academic programs and careers.
Coaching Connections
Move forward with clarity and purpose with in-person coaching sessions exclusively for APA Convention attendees. Catalyst coaches offer individual sessions for one on one guidance on your most pressing career decisions and group sessions focused on hot topics for behavioral health practitioners. Whether just starting out or navigating a major career pivot, there's a coaching connection for you.
ACT Raising Safe Kids (ACT)
The ACT program is an evidence-based early prevention intervention for parents and caregivers of young children. ACT teaches positive parenting skills and practices that help create stable, safe, healthy, nurturing environments and relationships that protect children from adverse experiences like abuse and neglect and their lifelong consequences.
Non-Violence 365 (NV365) Training
A dynamic, self-paced online course offering 16–18 hours of interactive learning based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning philosophy of nonviolence.
Join our Community
Become a catalyst for change by serving as a committee member, task force member, or mentor for one of our transformative programs. By sharing your expertise and experience, you'll contribute to the advancement of psychological and leadership science, facilitate the exchange of knowledge, and expand your professional network.
Empower Leaders
Catalyst depends on the generosity of donors like you to run our transformative programs and offer essential financial assistance to participants. Discover how your contribution can make a lasting impact by nurturing and inspiring the behavioral health professionals of tomorrow.
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Catalyst Updates
Stay connected with Catalyst, and get a heads up on upcoming opportunities and events.
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stay up to date
Catalyst Updates
Stay connected with Catalyst, and get a heads up on upcoming opportunities and events.
Contact Us
Thank you for signing up!
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Please try again later.
