Registrant Spotlight: Elaine L. Ducharme

We are excited to feature Dr. Laney Ducharme, the current president of the American Psychological Association’s Division 42—The Community for Psychologists in Independent Practice, the generous Premier-level sponsor of the recently held National Practice Conference 2021.

Dr. Ducharme commented “Being president of Division 42 during Covid has been an incredible challenge. Finding ways to support our members personally and professionally, feeling responsible for maintaining  the smooth functioning of our division while searching for and replacing our beloved division administrator after 34 years and maintaining a full time private practice, was clearly overwhelming, at times. However, the support I received from my Division 42 family was amazing. Division 42 truly is a home for all psychologists practicing independently. We are a diverse group with many interests. But the ability to practice independently is at our core. During this difficult year, it became clear to me that The National Register understood our needs. I was delighted that our division became a premier sponsor of the National Practice Conference 2021. This practice-oriented conference featuring top clinical and risk management experts was certainly a highlight of my year. Attending excellent presentations, sharing conversation and wonderful meals with colleagues,  meeting psychologists from all over the country  and doing this in person and feeling very safe was liberating!  Division 42 looks forward to ongoing collaboration with The National Register.”

Elaine Ducharme, PhD, is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist  and has been a member of the National Register since 1989. She is the current  president of APA’s Division 42 (Independent Practice) and past co-president of the Connecticut Collaborative Divorce Group. She has specialized in treatment of trauma and abuse for over 30 years Dr. Ducharme has extensive forensic experience in issues related to sexual abuse, domestic violence, custody and  co-parenting. Many years of working with divorcing couples who got caught up in the damaging results of litigation led her to  helping families find a way of divorcing with dignity and developing ways to work together in the best interests of their children. She has found the team approach utilized in Collaborative Divorce, which recognizes the strong emotional issues involved to be extremely powerful and professionally satisfying.  When emotions are recognized and dealt with, clients are better able to move from their strong positions to interest based agendas, settlement and more positive co-parenting.  A former registered nurse, she is  strong believer in mind-body health. She encourages the use of mindfulness techniques to help both clients and professionals remain centered and healthy.

Dr. Ducharme is the author of Must I Turn the Other Cheek, a book about premature forgiveness, Assessment and Treatment of Dissociative Identity Disorder as well as chapters in several other clinical books and journals. As Public Education Coordinator for the Connecticut Psychological Association for over 15 years she has been regular guest on local and national radio and television and quoted in local and national newspapers and magazine. During the last year and a half since Covid first began, she has appeared nearly weekly on WRCH radio and monthly on WWLP television in Massachusetts providing support to  the general public as well as to first responders. Dr. Ducharme has also been actively involved in community presentations and health fairs throughout her career and is a volunteer mental health responder with the American Red Cross. Dr. Ducharme received the 2021 Outstanding Media Award from the Connecticut Psychological Association.

Dr. Ducharme is married to her high school sweetheart, has 4 children and 7 grandchildren whom she adores! She loves to travel, cook, and speak French.