Douglas C. Haldeman, Ph.D.

I am a psychologist/activist, dedicated to the dissemination of accurate information about sexual orientation, healing the wounds visited on our community by ignorance and prejudice, and working to build a positive future for everyone who identifies with diverse groups in our culture. My particular areas of expertise include sexual orientation and gender identity, men and masculinity, and the intersection of ethics and multiculturalism. I am best known for my critiques of sexual orientation conversion therapy, or so-called “reparative therapy”. You are invited to learn more about my work as a practitioner, consultant, lecturer and scholar. Welcome!

Doug Haldeman

If you came to this site seeking information about my candidacy for APA President please visit my campaign site at President.DrDougHaldeman.com. You may also be interested in my commentary below about the reasons I'm running for this office.

New Training Video

APA has just released my first training video, Working with Gay Male Clients. In this video, I demonstrate an eclectic, relationship-focused approach to therapy with gay men. In working with gay male clients, therapists must be aware of what it means to be part of a stigmatized sexual minority group. In this session, I work with a young man who, although he socializes with other gay men, does not feel entirely comfortable identifying with gay culture. I listen to and discuss the client’s experiences with compassion, and then help him to see that there is no single correct way to express one’s sexual orientation. Keys to this young man’s history of trauma, his beliefs and self-concept as a gay man, and his vision of his future form the basis for developing a treatment strategy.

Upcoming Talks and Workshops

I will be a discussant on panels addressing Sexuality and Disability, and Ethics and Conflicts Between Sexual Orientation and Religious Identity at the APA convention in Washington, DC. August 4-7, 2011. Find my complete Convention schedule on my campaign website.

I will present the keynote address at the National Men and Psychotherapy conference in New York City, June 2012. The topic is Gay Male Therapists and Straight Male Patients: Dynamics of Power and Privilege. Sponsored by APA Division 51.

Commentary: Why I’m Running for APA President

I opened my clinical practice in the fall of 1983; by the following summer, I was completely full. I thought having a busy practice was what I wanted. And yet something seemed to be missing. What was wrong, I wondered? The answer did not come clear to me until I started getting involved in organized psychology: first in my state association, then in APA. Independent practice by itself was simply too isolating; I needed to work with others, to be part of a team – not just for my own sake, but because I could see first hand what psychology can do for people, their communities, and the culture as a whole.

In the years that have passed since, I’ve had the privilege of taking many journeys in our profession. Applying research to practice, guidelines and social policy has been of the utmost importance in my professional life. Almost all of my scholarly writing has been based on the wealth of psychological science. Working as an educator and supervisor, an aviation evaluator and an author of policies and guidelines have all been rooted in my passion for psychology’s role in better understanding the human experience.

One of my greatest joys has been nearly three decades of service to organized psychology. I’ve had the pleasure of serving as a Council Rep from two different Divisions (42 & 44); served a term on the Board of Directors; numerous Committees and currently a Board Chairship (BAPPI). I’ve worked to bring the Military and LGBT psychologists to accord and a functional working relationship, and to facilitate the groups representing Social Justice, Ethics and the Military to craft more explicit and useful policy statements about psychology’s role in interrogations. All of this work, and more, has been a pleasure.

So why run for APA President now? To strengthen our connections: not just within psychology, but with the society as a whole. I can bring our various elements together because I am a bridge-builder; a connector. In my work with different groups in our profession, that has been my primary strength and we need it now more than ever.

And at the same time, our work with our culture continues. As long as childrens’ health and mental health suffers, our citizens suffer from interpersonal violence and other traumas, and our elders from neglect and disrespect, psychology has a leading role to play in ameliorating problems in the human condition.

I bring new ideas to the connection between the profession and the culture, along with the optimism and tenacity of the person that I am. As a marathon runner, I can tell you that you don’t win races any other way – one mile at a time. I invite you to join me with your support for my candidacy at President.DrDougHaldeman.com

You can read more about what I've been thinking recently on the Commentaries page.

Upcoming Publications

Here’s a look at what I am currently writing for publication. Selected articles and book chapters are available for download on my Publications page

“The Evolving Family”, a chapter for the upcoming APA Handbook of Counseling Psychology, edited by Nadya Fouad and Jean Carter. This chapter takes a look at the evolution of the concept of “family” particularly as it changes to include same-sex relationships and parenting, and families of “choice”, and offers suggestions to practitioners working with so-called “non-traditional” families.
“Changing Sexual Orientation: From Fiction to Fact”, a work for the profession and educated lay persons summarizing the scholarly work in the controversial area of sexual orientation conversion, or “reparative” therapies. This volume, co-authored by myself and Dr. Judy Glassgold, Chair of APA’s Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation, will also assess the potentially harmful effects of these efforts, and will offer guidance for practitioners working with individuals questioning their sexual orientation, and/or who have been harmed in such “treatments”.
"Beyond Masculinity", a review of Gary Brooks' latest book on the evolution of traditional masculine identity and its applications for psychotherapy in the Journal of Sex Roles.
“Case Studies in Conversion Therapy”, a chapter for an upcoming book from the American Counseling Association edited by Mark Pope and Sari Dworkin. This chapter examines the variety of cases in which individuals have undergone some effort to change their sexual orientation, and the resulting effects – for both the individual and the therapeutic process.