Article archive / January 1, 2016
Originally published: . Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 3.
For the first time in recent years, the names headed to the Governor’s Office for appointment to the state psychology board will not be including a member of the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP). Neither of the two possible appointees, Dr. Leah Crouch nor Dr. Amy Henke, are medical psychologists.
Electronic voting closed on December 31 with 323 psychologists voting, according to Ms. Jaime Monic, Executive Director for the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP). Ms. Monic said that the election results, held by the LSBEP attorney, will be released to both the psychology board and to the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA) at the board meeting on January 22.
Dr. Marc Zimmermann, medical psychologist and current LSBEP chair, will complete his term in June 2016, leaving only two of five members who are affiliated with LAMP, Dr. Darla Burnett, who takes over as Chair, and Dr. Jesse Lambert. Lambert is a new board member and student member of LAMP. Dr. Phillip Griffin and Dr. Koren Boggs are the other two members.
Last month the president of LPA, Dr. Lacey Seymour, asked the two candidates to comment on current events and shared their thoughts with LPA members.
In answering a number of questions, Dr. Crouch said that “There should never be an appearance that the LPA or other psychological associations have undue influence over the decisions made by the LSBEP.” Crouch also said that the “first issue at hand” for regulating bodies such as LSBEP and the state medical board, is “… for ensuring the protection of the public.”
Dr. Crouch said she had many questions about the matters in the community. “Why are MPs not required to hold dual licenses, similar to professionals that have dual degrees that practice both disciplines (e.g., PhD/JD)?” and “Can the LSBME thoroughly oversee and investigate a discipline in which the LSMBE has various levels of training?”
She also wrote, “… this is a very complex and complicated issue that has been affecting our discipline for many years. I can avow to do my due diligence as a board member to educate myself, research, maintain objectivity and neutrality, in all matters to serve and uphold the mission of the LSBEP.”
Dr. Amy Henke also responded to questions about current events. She wrote, “If elected as an LSBEP board member, I would resign my current position as a Director in
LPA to prevent any conflict of interest, but would ideally remain involved in continuing to improve and grow the positive relationship between LSBEP and LPA.”
“I believe strongly that the role of LSBEP is limited to protecting the public and following the law. I do not believe that LSBEP, as a regulatory body, has a role in legislative advocacy. This is where the importance of professional organizations, such as LPA are integral to the protection of our profession. I view these missions as different, yet complimentary.”
Henke noted problems with clarity in terminology in certain areas with the board. And she said, “Regardless of my personal belief, it is important to note the role of LSBEP board members is to follow the law versus engage in legislative advocacy.”
She wrote that she shared the concerns of many colleagues about non- psychologists regulating psychology activities, but said she will “follow the law as written.”
“In an effort to avoid repeating perceived mistakes from past boards regarding this issue, I do not intend to reach beyond the role assigned to the board,” Dr. Henke said.
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