Practitioner of the Year Award
This award recognizes a mental health professional who has provided outstanding clinical service related to men, boys, and masculinities.
Eligibility
Criteria for selection include: membership in SPSMM; at least 51% of work time devoted to providing clinical services to men; clinical activities must clearly foster the positive psychological adjustment of men and boys.
How to Apply
Any member of SPSMM may make a nomination. All nomination materials must be emailed in one single pdf file by the nominator to the Awards Committee Chair. This packet should include four copies of the following:
A cover letter detailing the award and the person being nominated
Two letters of support from individuals other than the nominator
The nominee's vita
A phone number where the nominated person can be reached (can be included in the cover letter)
Past Recipients
Dr. Daniel Ellenberg
Pierre Azzam, M.D.
Bill Johnson, Psy.D.
2025 Winner: Andrew P. Smiler Ph.D
Andrew P. Smiler, PhD, is a clinician and researcher who works exclusively with teen boys and adult men. In his nearly 20 years as a therapist, he has provided family and individual therapy in people's homes, managed a "wraparound" program, and served in a traditional outpatient setting. Over the past 13 years, he has built a small and thriving group practice. Dr. Smiler's work routinely addresses issues that include ADHD, depression, identity concerns, life transitions, sexual performance issues, and relationship issues. Over the last decade, he has worked with more than 200 male clients and his group practice has served more than 500 teen boys and adult men. Dr. Smiler is also known for his writing, including "Clinical Work With Men: Understanding Masculinity in Psychotherapy" which will be published by APA Books in early 2026.
