Accuracy in Media Exposes APA Conference Speaker Urging Psychologists to “Stop Centering Whiteness”
August 10, 2026
The American Psychological Association’s annual conference is expected to prepare mental health professionals to better serve patients through research, ethics, and clinical practice.
But undercover video obtained by Accuracy in Media reveals conference sessions centered on race, power, and identity politics instead.
During a presentation at the 2025 APA conference, Dr. Kevin Nadal, a professor at John Jay College, argued that psychology is rooted in “white supremacy” and urged attendees to stop “centering whiteness” in their professional practice.
“We are not to continue to center whiteness in our practice.”
Nadal questioned the traditional role of psychologists, telling attendees:
“In what ways… is that really perpetuating this notion that to be a psychologist is akin to being a person in a position of power and privilege?”
He went on to claim that the profession itself has been shaped by white supremacy.
“We’re basing this off white supremacy, that to be a clinician means that we’re focusing on the definition likely being white.”
Later in the presentation, Nadal argued that discussions about bias often depend on members of historically marginalized groups raising concerns first.
“Much like most problems in society, it takes the person of the historically marginalized group to bring it up… For us to also think about how we are not to continue to center whiteness in our practice… that we don’t just focus on the types of approaches that might be most fitting or appropriate or comfortable for white therapists…”
The video raises serious questions about the direction of one of America’s largest professional organizations for psychologists. Rather than focusing exclusively on evidence-based treatment and patient care, conference attendees were encouraged to examine psychology through the lens of systemic power, privilege, and race.
The conference’s list of sponsors included organizations such as the American Diabetes Association, OpenAI, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Their sponsorship raises an obvious question: Were these organizations aware that conference programming included presentations describing psychology as rooted in white supremacy and encouraging clinicians to stop “centering whiteness”? If so, do they support those views?
Patients deserve confidence that psychological care is grounded in sound science, professional ethics, and individualized treatment–not political ideology.
Accuracy in Media has spent years documenting the spread of diversity, equity, and inclusion ideology throughout American institutions. Our investigations have exposed DEI programs in K–12 schools, colleges, universities, and government agencies that critics argue prioritize identity politics over equal treatment and merit.
Visit NoPoliticsInHealthcare.com now to send a message to the conference sponsors and relevant university leaders demanding accountability.