Presenting - IPA Process & Best Practices

IPA has hosted over 40 Continuing Education events in each of the last three years (2021-2023). With those experiences have come a wealth of tips and ideas for sharing well-received presentations. IPA is committed to supporting presenters with knowledge of APA requirements, multicultural consultation services, and technical expertise. We look forward to working with you!

IPA hosts 60 minute, 12:00-1:00 pm ET monthly webinars (usually the 2nd or 3rd Wed. or Fri. of each month), special events including our annual 6 hour Ethics Spring conference, and the Fall Conference (usually a consecutive Thurs. and Fri. in early November).

We would love to work with you to share your expertise! We are sharing our process for managing proposals and working with presenters along with some presentation tips and best practices we've learned along the way. IPA is approved as a sponsor for Psychology Continuing Education by the American Psychological Association (APA).

*IPA has been approved for 2024. Waiting for APA to finalize 2024 approval certificate.

APA Definition of Continuing Education for Psychologists

Continuing education (CE) in psychology is an ongoing process consisting of formal learning activities that (1) are relevant to psychological practice, education and science; (2) enable psychologists to keep pace with the most current scientific evidence regarding assessment, intervention, and education as well as important legal, statutory, or regulatory issues ; and (3) allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.

Continuing education builds upon a completed doctoral program in psychology. It is not a substitute for the basic academic education and training needed for entry to the field of psychology, nor should it be the primary vehicle for career changes from one APA-recognized specialty area (e.g., clinical, counseling, school psychology) to another.

IPA Continuing Education Proposals Process
1. Potential IPA presenters will submit a completed IPA Speaker Agreement (download, save as and complete in Microsoft Word). Email admin@indianapsychology.org the completed Speaker Agreement, presenters' Curriculum Vitae, and draft presentation outline OR a presentation draft slide set.
2. IPA's Continuing Education Committee and/or Fall Conference Committee will review the submitted materials for compliance with APA requirements.

CV establishes sufficient expertise (licensure status, degrees, certifications, trainings, relevant and established expertise)
Learning Objectives allow for an optimal, articulated, measurable experience for learners.
CE regarding the science and profession of psychology that has been empirically established and supported by relevant, peer-reviewed references.

3. If tentatively approved, IPA's Diversity Committee (DEIJ) will review the proposal and share feedback with the CE Committee. CE then combines and shares the feedback with the presenter(s) and offers a possible face-to-face consult with DEIJ within approximately three weeks of submission.
4. Following any mutually-agreed-upon changes, IPA schedules the event and asks the presenter(s) for materials (headshots, Conflict of Interest statements) to begin marketing the event.
5. IPA and the presenter(s) hold a 30 minute "technical practice" where all make sure the presenter understands how to use the platform technology and plan the flow (who does what when) for the event.
6. IPA sends registrants the link to the webinar as well as the link to the slide set in advance of the event.
7. Post-event, along with IPA "thanks," the presenter will receive a link to the webinar recording and any applicable homestudy program, a Presenter Certificate, and Evaluation Summary, and the webinar Chat log.

Presentation Tips and Best Practices

IPA Diversity Consultations help presenters incorporate multiculturalism
Make sure title and description match presentation and learning objectives
If multiple presenters, one presenter stays in charge of "sharing their screen" and advancing slides for the entire presentation so there is no awkward transition during the presentation
Focus on application of information, spending less time on background or research that attendees can read on their own. Note that IPA always sends the attendees a link to a .pdf version of the presentation in advance. IPA can also send attachments and/or links to additional resources that support the presentation before or after the event.
- Share case studies with application of presentation materials
Interaction with audience - Chat, Q&A, Polls
- Dr. Noelany Pelc has presented at IPA events several times and is extremely effective at sensitively interacting with the audience as seen in this video snippet from one of her presentations, welcoming all and asking questions then reading (out loud) audience responses shared via the Chat feature (knowing the recording does not capture the verbiage written in the Chat).
- Dr. Amanda Zelechoski is a regular and popular IPA presenter. Watch this snippet as she incorporates many interesting visuals into her presentations and also effectively navigates interaction with the audience using Chat and Q&A features.
Slides appear best with a light background, bold lettering, good contrast of multiple colors - see examples:
- Dr. Susan Wilczynski presented at the 2022 IPA Fall Conference - watch this snippet to see her excellent use of background, visuals, and application of strategy to case examples.