Advocacy

Dr. Talbot is a passionate and effective advocate for mental health care at the state and national level. She has a strong track record of building relationships with state and federal legislators, providing expert testimony before state legislature committees, and organizing her colleagues in support of legislation and initiatives that protect or expand Nebraskans’ access to mental health care. Most of her advocacy work is done in collaboration with colleagues from the Nebraska Psychological Association, with which she has held numerous leadership roles. She is dedicated to increasing access to mental health care for all Nebraskans, particularly rural Nebraskans and other vulnerable populations.

Examples of Dr. Talbot’s advocacy include:

• Persuading Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Neb., to co-sponsor the “Medicare Mental Health Access Act” (H.R. 1173, S. 448), which would allow psychologists in the United States to practice independently without physician supervision in all treatment settings under Medicare

• Campaigning for Nebraska’s 2018 adoption of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), which increases access to care by facilitating telehealth and temporary in-person, face-to-face practice of psychology across jurisdictional boundaries

• Working to obtain prescribing rights for Nebraska psychologists

• Expanding funding for psychology trainee programs in western Nebraska and eastern Colorado