APNA Councils
A Council is a group of APNA members organized to enhance APNA’s mission and purpose through direct input to the Board of Directors on a psychiatric-mental health nursing area of focus defined by the board. Councils study and review issues pertinent to the council's area of interest and expertise and make recommendations to the Board for the following:
- Position or policy statements
- New programs or activities
- Committee or task force membership
Use the links below to learn more about each of the APNA councils. To gain a better understanding of how councils operate in general, please see the APNA Council Toolkit.
Susan E. Caverly, PhD, ARNP - Chair
Laura G. Leahy, DrNP, APRN, PMH-CNS/FNP, CARN-AP, FAANP - Co-Chair
Addictions Council for APNA Members*
Co-Chairs
Kristen Kichefski, MSN, MBA, RN-BC
Suzie Marriott, MS, BSN, RN
Administrative Council for APNA Members*
Co-Chairs
Kathleen C. Gaffney, APN, MSN, PMHCNS
Joy Lauerer, DNP, MSN, APRN, BC
Child & Adolescent Council for APNA Members*
Council for Mental Health Advocacy
Paula M. Bird, DNP, RN-C, NEA-BC - Associate Chair
Click here to see how we are involved in Health Care Reform.

Todd B. Hastings, PhD, MS, RN – Chair
Traci T. Sims, DNS, RN, CNS/PMH-BC – Associate Chair
Education Council for APNA Members*
Forensic Psychiatric Nurses Council
Leslie Miles, APRN, BC - Chair
Forensic Council for APNA Members*
Jessica N. Walker, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC - Chair
Practice Council for APNA Members*
Constance Noll, DNP, MA, PMHNP-BC, CRNP - Chair
Recovery Council for APNA Members*
Chair
Brandy Mechling, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC
Associate Chair
Karen Jennings Mathis, PhD, CNP, PMHNP-BC
Research Council for APNA Members*
Co-Chairs
Linda Beeber, PhD, CNS-BC, FAAN
Jane Mahoney, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC
Have a question or want to contact a council chair?
Email councilsupport@apna.org
*Note: You may need to log in to see this member's only content using the button in the top right corner of the page.