Terence Keane Elected American Psychological Foundation President

Terence M. Keane, PhD, professor of psychiatry and assistant dean for research, has been elected 2017 president of the American Psychological Foundation (APF). Keane took office on Jan. 1, 2017.

“I am honored to become president of an organization that has such a profound impact on so many lives,” said Keane. “I look forward to beginning my work as president to make a positive difference for people, especially those exposed to traumatic life events and who develop post-traumatic stress disorder.”

Keane is also director of the National Center for PTSD-Behavioral Sciences Division and associate chief of staff for research and development at VA Boston Healthcare System.

Keane’s research on psychological trauma has been recognized with many honors, including the John Blair Barnwell Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Clinical Sciences from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and Outstanding Researcher Award in Cognitive Behavior Therapy from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. His current work focuses on the development of a nationally representative registry of PTSD patients and the construction of an internet-based treatment program for returning war veterans with risky alcohol use and war trauma symptoms.

Since its founding in 1953, APF has supported innovative research, scholarships and projects for students and early career psychologists. APF has partnered with almost 20 other organizations, including APA divisions, to expand psychology’s reach in important areas, such as reducing prejudice, preventing violence and providing aid in disaster recovery.