Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 9. Source pages: 13.
Chair of the LSBEP, Dr. Jillandra Rovaris, and Vice Chair, Dr. Joseph Comaty presented a review of the board’s activities, at the recent LPA convention.
They reported that there are 662 licensees presently in the state, and gave a breakdown of specialties. There are clinical (381), counseling (83), school (66), clinical/neuropsychological (41), developmental (31), and the classification of “none” (20), among the more numerous specialties.
The board received 19 requests for investigations over the year, with 11 being assigned as complaints. There was one disciplinary action in the 2009-10 fiscal year. The board’s long-range planning meeting held on April 16-17, and included discussion about a process for review and pre-approval of continuing education providers and activities, best practices guidelines, and tightening up on the rules for psychologist who own corporations.
Psychologists who are incorporated may need to review guidelines in R.S. 12:1130-114 regarding terms they should use, such as, “A professional psychological corporation.” This regulation has been in place for many years, but is appears not to be known to all licensees.
Another item covered was the board’s cooperation with LPC board. Last year the board had declined to advise the LPC board on some testing issues. Dr. Comaty reported that the LSBEP is now working more closely and cooperatively with LPC board to determine professional boundaries.
The presentation was publicized as an opportunity for attendees to meet with the board and discuss events of the past year. However, Act 251 was not mentioned in the formal presentation.
Following the close of the presentation, the Times asked Dr. Comaty what the board had decided in regard to Act 251. He answered that the majority decision of the board was that Act 251 did not pose a threat to the public safety.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.