Outstanding Advocate for Boys Award
This award recognizes exceptional contributions that enhance the well-being of boys or adolescent males.
Eligability
The award will consider research, service, or therapeutic contributions that have improved the lives of boys. Nominee does not need to be a member of SPSMM.
How to Apply
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
Chris Reigluth, Ph.D.
Hector Torres, Psy.D.
Ramel Smith, Ph.D.
William Seymour, Ph.D.
Warren Spielberg, Ph.D.
2025 Winner: Dr. Erlanger (Earl) Turner
Erlanger “Earl” Turner, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist, tenured associate professor of psychology at Pepperdine University, and owner of Turner Psychological & Consulting Services. As a longstanding advocate for boys’ and men’s mental health, Dr. Turner provides direct clinical care to diverse boys and men through The Weight Room, a virtual therapy practice. His therapeutic work focuses on emotional resilience, identity-affirming care, and addressing the unique pressures boys face around masculinity. For example, he developed and facilitated a 5-week CBT-based support group for teen boys, targeting emotional regulation and stress management.
Nationally recognized as a thought leader, Dr. Turner serves as a consultant on issues impacting boys’ mental health and racial equity. His expertise has led him to collaborate with organizations like the NFL, Sesame Street, and Instagram, and his insights are regularly featured in outlets such as CNN, NPR, The New York Times, and Essence.
Dr. Turner has over 15 years of leadership experience serving on several APA boards including being elected as the first Black male President of APA’s Division 37 (Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice). During his term, he launched a groundbreaking presidential task force focused on advancing the social and emotional development of Black boys. This initiative brought together clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to create national resources and webinars aimed at affirming the strengths of Black boys and expanding community-based support.
In addition to his clinical work, scholarship, and public advocacy, he created and hosted The Breakdown with Dr. Earl podcast which helped to shape the national dialogue on boys’ mental health, challenging stigma, and promoting culturally responsive, strength-based care for boys and young men.
He is the author of Raising Resilient Black Kids and currently an Associate Editor for Psychology of Men and Masculinities.
2025 Winner: Matt Englar-Carlson,
Ph.D.
Matt Englar-Carlson, PhD, is a professor and department chair in counseling at California State University, Fullerton, where he also directs the Center for Boys and Men. A core author of the APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Boys and Men, he co-created the Positive Psychology Positive Masculinities model to foster strength-based, healthy masculinities in school and community settings. He works with numerous schools to operationalize healthy masculinities across the K-12 settings. He is the author of multiple books, including In the Room with Men: A Casebook of Therapeutic Change, Counseling Troubled Boys: A Guidebook for Professionals, Beyond the 50-Minute Hour: Therapists Involved in Meaningful Social Action, and A Counselor’s Guide to Working with Men. He is a member of the APA Task Force for Boys in School, the clinical advisor for the men’s mental health app, Mental, and serves on Movember’s Global Men’s Health Advisory Committee, and the advisory board for the Positive Masculinity Foundation. He has worked children, adults, and families in school, community, and university mental health settings.
