Melba J.T. Vasquez

Melba Jean Trinidad Vasquez (born February 27, 1951) is an American psychologist who served as the 2011 president of the American Psychological Association (APA). Vasquez was the APA's first Latina president. She has authored multiple works on ethics in psychotherapy. She is a first-generation college student who was encouraged to pursue a Doctorate in Counseling. She has been in private Independent Practice in Texas since 1991.

Career Melba J. T. Vasquez attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University-San Marcos) and majored in English and political science. She was a middle school English and political science teacher before beginning a psychology career. She received a PhD in counseling psychology from The University of Texas in 1978, then worked at the university's counseling center. She taught psychology both at The University of Texas and at Colorado State University before moving into private practice. She has been in practice in Austin, Texas since 1991.

When Vasquez was elected president of the APA in 2011, she became the first Latina elected to the position. In 2007, Vasquez was recognized with the Alfred M. Wellner Senior Career Psychologist Award from the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. She was also recognized as a Distinguished Practitioner of Psychology in the National Academies of Practice. In 1999, Vasquez co-founded the National Multicultural Conference and Summit (NMCS) along with Gwendolyn P. Keita, Lilian Comas-Diaz, and Derald Wing Sue, which still is conducted-Most recently in Santa Fe, NM, 2024. The purpose of this conference is for various professionals in psychology to come together, and provide insights based on research and real-world experience. In 2017, Dr. Vasquez began serving as the Vice President of the American Psychological Foundation, and was appointed as President in 2024.