Gail Sheehy accepted a citation from the American Psychological Association at the APA’s 2002 Annual Convention. APA President Philip G. Zimbardo, Ph.D., praised Sheehy for her "unique ability to combine psychological research findings with outstanding journalism and to communicate psychology's message to a wide public audience."

A recent article in “Monitor on Psychology” (www.apa.org/monitor) notes that throughout her career, Sheehy's writing has focused public concern on a range of psychological issues, from drug addiction to crisis leadership, and from life-stage passages in women and men to families torn by terrorism.