Article archive / April 1, 2011
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 8. Source pages: 1, 3.
In a March 29th letter addressed to the “Louisiana Psychology Profession,” Senator Willie Mount from Lake Charles wrote that she intends to file a bill for a consolidated board in the upcoming legislative session. This legislation would dissolve both the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) and the Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners (LPCBE).
Senator Mount’s intention to create an omnibus board follows the failure of the “Behavioral Health Professionals Working Group” to provide specific solutions to disputes between the two boards. The “Working Group” was created by the Senator’s Concurrent Resolution and met approximately nine times over the course of several months as reported in the Times. (Vol 1, No 11-12, Vol 2, No 1-2,4,&7).
In SCR 100, the legislature urged the two groups to develop a more collaborative approach and to find ways to meet the state’s mental and behavioral health problems, especially for underserved citizens.
In her March 29th letter (see pages 17-18 this issue) Senator Mount wrote that the design of the new board would include three psychologists, three LPCs, and three consumers.
The Times had previously talked with Mr. Greg Waddell, attorney for the Senator’s office and committee on Health and Welfare, on March 22nd. He said, “The two boards will be consolidated into a single board with nine members.” He said the law will repeal both the LSBEP and the LPCBE and that they would “go away.”
The looming legislation has both psychologists and counselors scrambling to oppose the move. Several sources indicate the Louisiana Psychological Association will oppose the action, although no specific plan has been broadly published to members. Also, members of the Louisiana Association of Counselors have noted to the Times that they will try to block this effort. Grassroots of Psychology has also indicated disfavor with an omnibus board.
Today LSBEP Executive Director, Jaime Monic told the Times that the psychology board “…will meet in April to discuss its position on Senator Mount’s intent to propose legislation to create an omnibus board. At this time, the Board stands behind the recommendations presented by the psychology representatives of the BHPWG [Working Group] which were outlined in their Final Report to the Joint Health & Welfare Committee.”
Also today, Executive Director of the medical board, Dr. Robert Marier said to the Times, “It has only just now come to our attention. We have no position on it as yet but will discuss it on the 18th.”
In her letter, Senator Mount wrote, “I have made it abundantly clear to both boards and the respective professional associations that I am open to any alternative solution which BOTH professions can agree upon. So far, both sides have indicated that they are against the proposed consolidation, but neither side has been able to propose an alternative solution.”
In the March 22nd call, Mr. Waddell said to the Times that the Senator gave both groups the chance to collaborate with each other, and that while they “did some great work,” they did not accomplish one of the primary goals. “It seems that the boards are at each others’ throats,” he said.
“There is a history of the two boards fighting,” he noted. “If she [Senator Mount] had her way, she’d rather not fool with it,” he said. “She’s open to suggestions and has been, if there is something else that is suitable to both groups.”
Mr. Waddell told the Times that, “The new board will come into existence before the consolidation, to give time for transition.”
He said that the bill has not been filed but will likely be pre-filed soon. As of Times publication the bill had not yet been filed.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.