Article archive / October 1, 2016
Originally published: . Volume 7, No. 10. Source pages: 4.
Dr. Chris Garner has indicated to the Times he will be stepping down as Complaints Coordinator at the state psychology board.
He also said that he may run for a position on the board after the waiting period is up, which may be in the 2017 cycle.
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) selected Dr. Garner as the new Coordinator at their January 22, 2016 meeting.
According to the board’s minutes, Dr. Marc Zimmermann and Dr. Jesse Lambert reviewed three “very well qualified applicants,” Dr. Erica Meyers, Dr. Chris Garner and Dr. Jill Hayes, and offered the position to Garner.
Garner took over from retiring Coordinator Dr. Clinton (Gary) Pettigrew. Pettigrew retired from his position as Complaints Coordinator at the end of October 2015, after more than 10 years of service.
On September 7 the board members passed a motion to create a second position, the Complaints Coordinator II. Based on the minutes, there is a backlog of complaints and “the role of the Complaints Coordinator is more involved than in previous years as it is required to utilize a licensed private investigator to investigate complaints and who does not have the clinical knowledge of a licensed psychologist, …”
According to the minutes, the board agreed to offer the additional position to Dr. Sasha Lambert for the remainder of 2016–2017, a contract not to exceed $12,000. Dr. Lambert received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi.
When he announced his retirement last year, Dr. Pettigrew expressed that the role was not pleasant. He said, “I think it’s somebody else’s turn.” He received thanks and praise from the board members for his service and assistance. Board members agreed that few people know about value of his contributions. Dr. Zimmermann said, “We appreciate your 10 years of service in a thankless,” and difficult job.
The Complaints Investigations subcommittee came under scrutiny last year when it appeared that officials ignored a one-year time limit known by the legal term, “prescription.”
The time limit is set in the psychology practice law and states that disciplinary proceedings are to be “commenced” within one year. The investigations subcommittee appeared to have proceeded on several complaints cases as if the time limit was three or more years. The board’s discussion of the possible error was held in executive session and not disclosed to the public. (See “Board May Have Botched Time Limits on Complaints,” in October 2015 Times.)
At the September meeting of the LSBEP, Dr. Mark Vigen made a public comment, and asked the board to make sure that those who investigate child custody complaints are “well versed in how complicated these evaluations can be if they are done well.” Dr. Vigen explained to the Times that there are many different methodologies to do these evaluations and that they are often very contentious, with parents and stepparents seeing themselves as good and the others as bad. Vigen said that he asked the board to be aware of in-group virtue and out-group vice, negative attribution theory, defensiveness, and other psychological science, and to make sure those in decision roles have the necessary training and experience.
He also indicated that he and the board members discussed the difference between mistakes versus ethical violations.
Dr. Vigen said that the board indicated they would be adding a new psychologist who has forensic experience to the review process. They also asked him if he would consult on problematic child custody cases and he said he would help.
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