Article archive / November 1, 2013
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 3. Source pages: 2.
[Editor’s Note: In the September Times, we published a story on psychology board member Dr. Jessica Brown and her new credential as medical psychologist. In our October issue, medical psychologist and past chair of the psychology board, Dr. Joe Comaty, expressed criticism of our article on Brown in a Letter to the Editor. Below, Dr. Roy Allen, also past chair of the psychology board, writes regarding Dr. Comaty’s October Letter.]
I think Dr. Comaty is being disingenuous when he questions why anyone should care if Dr. Brown is an MP (October, The Psychology Times). For the benefit of those who may sincerely be confused about the issue, I will break it down.
1) MPs have a history of being dishonest with non-MP psychologists.
I do not say this to be provocative, but merely to state a germane fact. As one example, I am sure Dr. Comaty recalls the LAMP meeting at which he and others agreed among themselves to deceive the non-MPs about the nature of the MP-enabling legislation (i.e., that it would place them under the Medical Board.) I was one of those deceived.
2) The MPs have made an organized effort to gain and maintain control of the LSBEP.
This is obvious from the success they have had at it, but it is not a speculation on my part. I have it from the lips of an MP who claims to have suggested the idea. The reader might ask, do they think non-MPs not as vigilant in their duty to protect the public? But of course that is not the point.
3) The point is, when issues have come before the board in which there might have been a conflict between the interests of the MPs, and the interests of psychologists in general and the Louisiana public, the MPs on the board have used their control to further their own interests.
For example, the bizarre and unique finding that persons who are not licensed by any psychology board should be allowed to supervise candidates for licensure in Louisiana, if they are MPs. (I certainly hope those candidates are honest with the boards of other states where they might try to get licensed!)
I have nothing against Dr. Brown. But I question where her loyalties lie, and how she will make decisions on the board. Dr. Comaty may think her MP status should be irrelevant to the non-MPs, but I assure you it is relevant to most of the MPs who voted for her. I believe the non-MP psychologists should have the same opportunity to protect their interests (and the interests of the Louisiana public) as the MPs.
If there are non-MP psychologists who are suspicious of the motives of the MPs, there are good reasons for it.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.