SOPP Dean Larry James honored for military psychology, board certification efforts

At the American Psychological Association convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 5, James was given the Society for Military Psychology’s Robert S. Nichols Psychology Award for outstanding service and commitment to military practice psychology and the extended military community.

National awards for military practice psychology and for leadership in board certification in clinical health psychology have been showered on Larry James, Ph.D., dean of Wright State’s School of Professional Psychology.

At the American Psychological Association convention in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 5, James was given the Society for Military Psychology’s Robert S. Nichols Psychology Award for outstanding service and commitment to military practice psychology and the extended military community.

The late Robert Nichols helped establish the use of clinical psychology in the Defense Department, a practice that grew out of the Korean and Vietnam War eras.

James said he is deeply honored to receive the award.

“Dr. Nichols is one of the founding fathers of what we now call clinical military psychology,” James said. “He dedicated his entire adult working life to providing clinical psychology services to service members and veterans.”

James also received a presidential citation from the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology.

The board cited James’ outstanding leadership and dedication to board certification in clinical health psychology.

Wright State University is now one of the places where exams for national board certification are given. James said that has expedited the number of psychologists who are board-certified and has brought a lot of positive notice to Wright State.

“The significance of this award to me is I am touched by knowing that I have in some small measure helped to shape the future of my profession,” James said.