Article archive / April 1, 2010
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 17, 18.
I would first like to thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts about what I would do as the Louisiana Psychological Association’s council representative to the American Psychological Association. Being a modest person, I think it would be unfair to respond to the question of what "my goals" would be as council delegate. Rather, I believe the position would best be served in keeping with the goals of LPA’s membership and executive committee. Thus, if elected, my priority would be to ethically and honestly represent and advocate the needs and voices of LPA at a local and national level.
In order to do so, I think it would be critical for me to cultivate an open and honest dialogue with the entire LPA membership on key issues such as national legislation, policies and procedures, education, governance, etc. I also believe it would be equally important for our members to be fully aware of various agendas and projects that I (LPA) would bring with me to APA, as well as those with which I would return—whatever they may be. In sum, this position is less about me as a candidate and more about LPA, its entire membership, and the state of psychology and mental health in Louisiana.
Wonderful questions and great timing. It would be naïve of me to believe that Act 251 or at least the process surrounding it has not caused
disagreements, some of which have been passionate. I see this as a good thing, as passion often leads to resolutions and results. From someone who has watched closely from the sidelines in the past and more recently been very active, I see more positive energy now in LPA than I can ever recall. I would advocate for this to continue. While this will sound rather simplistic, it’s okay to disagree and to do it passionately. Silence is akin to denial- it solves very little in terms of relationships. With that being said, as council representative and an executive committee member of LPA, I can say with certainty that I would speak for the membership when given the opportunity, even when this involves ideas and voices that conflict. As stated earlier, cultivation of open and honest dialogue would be a high priority. I am free from hidden agendas. In fact and as alluded to before, if elected, I would represent, the membership of LPA with my voice being only one of many.
Although by years, I am a mid-career psychologist, I still consider myself young and passionate, with much more to learn. First, I view myself as an advocate, especially for those I represent. I currently am President of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health America of Louisiana, and an active one at that. One duty is to oversee and monitor liaisons to our national organization, Mental Health America. This fits quite well with the position of council representative. Mental Health America of Louisiana has been dedicated to promoting mental health wellness, preventing mental and substance use conditions, and overcoming mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education, research and service. I have also worked in state government for the last 15 years. At Capital Area Human Services District, a District of the Department of Health and Hospitals, I serve as the Director of the Department of Psychology. Working mostly with an underprivileged population at CAHSD, I have the pleasure of advocating as well. At CAHSD, I have also been able to serve on and chair numerous committees creating
various policies, procedures and by-laws. I also am adjunct instructor at LSU, where I have taught for the last 12 years, which adds much welcomed variety for me.
I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about myself. Call me optimistic, but in my experience, I have found that when representing others, working from the heart, with their best interests (not mine) in mind, yields nothing but positive results, which has been quite rewarding, both personally and professionally. I hope to continue serving in this way.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.