THE HISTORY OF THE
SAINT LOUIS PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

The Saint Louis Psychological Association (SLPA) began in 1974 as the Society of St. Louis Psychologists. The members of the Society originally wanted the name "Saint Louis Psychological Association," but at the time the Society formed that name was already in use by a different group of psychologists in the area, a group eventually dissolved.

The first president of the Society was Samuel A. Oliveri, Ed.D. He served in 1974. The second president, John M. Matheus, Ph.D., held his office from 1974 to 1975. For a number of years Dr. Mattheus hosted the organization's annual holiday party at his home, and those who were privileged to attend these parties remember them fondly.

The third and oldest living president of the organization is Allan Zacher, Ph.D. whose term of service was from 1975 to 1976. Dr. Zacher shares this recollection: “In the beginning the members of the association were close.  We met in members’ homes and came to know each other well. Our group was clinically oriented. The first group that disbanded largely represented academic psychology. After SLPA was established, clinical psychologists began to have more input on the state level and clinical concerns were better represented.”

Another perspective of the Society's/SLPA's early years comes from Deborah S. Onken, Ph.D., SLPA president from 1994 to 1995 and the current treasurer. She remembers, “Certainly it started with mostly male members, so the Women’s Network (Network of Women Psychologists) started a few years later to help us have our own identity.”

In 1984, members of the Society were interested in starting a referral service. Research for this project led to the discovery that the name "Saint Louis Psychological Association" was available because the group that had been using it had disbanded. The Society members were eager to obtain the other group's name because it conformed to the names of other psychological associations. On September 14, 1984, members voted to change the name of the Society to the Saint Louis Psychological Association. The name change became legal in December, and on December 28th members were sent a letter stating that the name change was effective.

Helen Friedman, Ph.D. was president during the 1984-1985 membership year and was instrumental in the efforts to change the name of the Society to the Saint Louis Psychological Association. She recalls, "Those were fun years, the heyday of private practice." She relates that during that period in SLPA's history, members met monthly for dinner and a talk would be given by a member or a guest. Her descriptions suggest that these were lively (and perhaps sometimes raucous?) occasions with lots of humor as well as intellectual stimulation.

As SLPA has grown, the programs and meetings of the organization have changed to accommodate the needs of its members and to address issues of importance to the profession of psychology. In recent years SLPA has sponsored several programs a year on topics such as managed care, diversity, electroconvulsive therapy, environmental disorders, and legislation affecting Missouri psychologists. These programs have helped psychologists stay abreast of developments in the field and have provided opportunities for networking.

In addition to educational programs, SLPA usually sponsors two parties each year, a picnic in the summer and a holiday party in December. These events bring St. Louis psychologists together, help them get to know each other in informal settings, and often result in members forging enduring friendships with one another.

SLPA now has a membership of about 200 psychologists, graduate students, and people in affiliated professions. Members are from diverse backgrounds, reflecting SLPA's efforts to be inclusive. SLPA accepts into membership all qualified persons without regard to gender, race, ethnic background, religion or sexual orientation.

SLPA is committed to growing, not only by increasing its membership but also by promoting the ethical practice of the profession of psychology and by serving the St. Louis community. You are invited to join SLPA and help us make our world a healthier place to live.

Note: The preceding information was compiled from the recollections of various past presidents and members of SLPA. Our history is invaluable, and we realize we need to gather more of it and preserve it in a formal way. If you have documents relating to the history of SLPA or memories about SLPA that you wish to share, please contact the current president.

Linnean House, Missouri Botanical Garden

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