STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The Richmond County Psychological Association will hold its annual brunch and awards ceremony on Sunday, April 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the Staaten, West Brighton. Tickets are $40 for members, $50 for non-members and $25 for students. There will be a $5 surcharge for tickets at the door. Reservations must be made no later than April 20. Contact Dr. Vikki Palmer, association president, at vypc11596@aol.com or 917-882-4693. In a one-time offer to new members, brunch admission will be free with paid membership for a year. Contact Dr. Jeanne Ottoway, public relations chair, at 718-370-9068.

The guest speaker will be psychologist Linda Sapadin, author of six self-help books, who specializes in helping people overcome self-defeating patterns of behavior, particularly debilitating fear and chronic procrastination.

Retired clinical psychologist Dr. Sheldon Blackman will receive the Dr. Irene Deitch Humanitarian Public Service Award. With more than 40 years experience, he was the former director of research at the Staten Island Mental Health Society; director of program development at North Richmond Community Mental Health Center, and vice president of program development at Staten Island University Hospital. He currently serves on the board of the Sara Chait Foundation and the executive boards of Community Resources and the John W. Lavelle Preparatory Charter School .

Awards also will be given to students from local colleges and universities who have distinguished themselves in the field of psychology and who plan to pursue a career in the profession.

RCPA is a regional affiliate of the New York State Psychological Association. Its members are licensed psychologists, associates and students who live and/or work on Staten Island. 

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