Article archive / September 1, 2011
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 1. Source pages: 1, 7.
Drs. Julie Larrieu, Janet Matthews, and Lee Matthews, presented a symposium at the American Psychological Association Convention in August titled “Professional Connecting in Post-Katrina/Rita/BP New Orleans."
Dr. Larrieu, Training Director in Clinical Psychology at Tulane University School of Medicine, told the Times that Drs. Janet and Lee Matthews asked her to join them in “… submitting a proposal for a symposium to discuss consultation and training in psychology following a series of natural disasters.”
The topic built upon Dr. Janet Matthews’ and Dr. Lee Matthews’ experiences as psychologists involved in local, state, regional, and national endeavors in psychology. Dr. Janet Matthews is a Professor at Loyola and a past member and chair of the state psychology board. Dr. Lee Matthews is in private practice and currently serves on the board.
The presentation topic also built on Dr. Larrieu’s experience re- instituting a clinical psychology training program as well as all three psychologists’ understanding of the issues in rebuilding after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the continuing stress in the area due to the BP oil disaster.
For a number of years, the Drs. Matthews have participated in seminar training of clinical interns from Tulane U. School of Medicine, as well as in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System psychology internship programs, noted Dr. Larrieu. This gave the team a unique perspective on these issues.
The symposium description noted, “Natural disasters disrupt both personal and professional lives. The greater New Orleans professional community became a center of both concern and support in 2005 when the area was devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. National attention was given to the mental health needs of the community. Local psychologists who chose to return to the community were faced with the need to rebuild both training programs and interpersonal connections. In the summer of 2010, the BP oil spill, although not directly impacting the greater New Orleans community, has had both a fiscal and an emotional impact on it. Thus, a community that was still self-described as recovering once again found itself needing to marshal forces to address community stress.”
The group’s presentation included three ways local psychologists can help rebuild after disasters. The presenters provided a model for rebuilding internships and postdoctoral programs. They also addressed the role of service on a state psychology board and how the board can assist the community while also protecting the public. The third segment illustrated community consultation to address training and practice needs.
One key feature of the presentation was to examine ideas that may be helpful as a model for looking at the national issue of internship availability.
Other presenters at this year’s APA conference included Dr. Michael Chafetz. He presented an invited address, ““The Role of the Psychologist in the Psychological Consultative Examination for Social Security Disability.” (See article page 1 this issue.)
Dr. Kelly Ray presented “Developing a part-time practice,” as a member of the panel for “Nuts and Bolts of Practice: Successful Early Career Perspective.”
Dr. Joseph Tramontana presented in the Division 47 (Exercise & Sports Psychology) poster session: "The Mental Side of Sports: How Hypnosis and Self-hypnosis Training can Enhance Peak Performance.” He told the Times that the information was well received.
Old Post Office, Washington, DC. (Photo by Chalukyas)
Dr. Lee Matthews and Dr. Janet Matthews don’t actually move at super speed but it seems that way. They recently returned from APA where, with Dr. Julie Larrieu, they presented a symposium about rebuilding training programs after disasters.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.