The head of the American Psychological Association and two other executive-level staffers are stepping down after an independent report concluded the association colluded with U.S. government officials to justify what critics say was torture.

CEO Norman Anderson and deputy CEO Michael Honaker announced Tuesday they would retire later this year. Anderson had originally planned to retire in 2016, but said moving up his retirement date would begin the process of organizational healing.

"We are grateful for Dr. Anderson's distinguished tenure and numerous contributions," APA's board of directors said in a statement. "The association has been very fortunate have Dr. Anderson as CEO for so many years, and we wish him well."

Anderson had led APA since 2003.

Also leaving is Rhea Farberman, APA's executive director for public and member communications. Farberman has worked at APA for 22 years.

The departures come less than a week after a report commissioned by APA concluded the organization played a role in convincing U.S. officials to move ahead with the use of enhanced interrogation techniques on prisoners captured as part of the war on terror. Critics say the prisoners were tortured.

While the report cleared APA of the worst charges, it did uncover enough to prompt several changes at the organization. Among other things, the group pledged to increase collaboration with human rights organizations and to consider adopting a policy forbidding psychologists from participating in the interrogation of people held by military and intelligence agencies. http://bit.ly/1CDNQUj

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