Article archive / September 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 1. Source pages: 16.
October 19 “Kirsh is Psychologist–Scholar” Says Zeanah As Tulane and LPA Co-Sponsor Conference
This October Tulane and the Louisiana Psychological Association have invited Dr. Irving Kirsh, an internationally known expert in the area of placebo effects, medication, hypnosis, and suggestion, for the LPA Fall Conference. The workshop will be on Saturday, October 19.
Planning the conference, Dr. Paula Zeanah noted how important Kirsh had been in her education. She said to the Times, “He was a professor of mine, and several other LPA members, including Drs. Caroline Weyand and Margaret Hauck, at University of Connecticut, and his class on response expectancy was one that has influenced my thinking for well over 20 years. Over his career, he has been exploring the connections between mind and body: how what we expect impacts how we respond to treatments. This is truly a core concept for health and mental health clinicians alike.”
“Dr. Kirsch is a psychologist- scholar,” she said. “While his work on placebo and antidepressant therapy has been controversial, as scientist-practitioners, I believe psychologists are well-poised to appreciate the importance of asking challenging questions and good research in understanding the what and how of the interventions we use. His work on antidepressants, and his work on the neurobiology of placebo provide new ideas about placebo as an active ingredient in responses to treatment.”
“I believe that anyone who is involved in treatment or research on depression or use of psychopharmacology will find his work important, fascinating, and perhaps, provocative!”
Dr. Zeanah is a clinical psychologist and works with medically ill children on the Tulane Pediatric Psychiatry Consultation- Liaison service at Tulane Hospital. She is the supervisor for the pediatric psychology track of the internship program.
Dr. Paula Zeanah
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