Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 1. Source pages: 8.
The Addictive Disorder Regulatory Authority published a new Rule in the August issue of the Louisiana Register. The rule sets out requirements for the Counselor-in-Training. The most significant change, according to the Authority, is that Counselor-in-Training applicants must now document completion of 180 substance abuse/addiction specific education hours.
The ADRA is working to complete work on the “Competencies Verification Form,” which is to be used by supervisors to document competencies of the CIT. The rule also indicates that the CIT in connection with the supervisor will develop a learning plan that includes acquiring the competencies outlined in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHS) technical assistance publications series for addiction counseling competencies. This process must be documented in the learning plan.
For more information, go to http://www.la-adra.org/.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Governor Jindal announced the appointments to the newly created Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board on July 19. According to the press release, five members from across the state will be serving. All five are appointed to serve as a behavior analyst, and were nominated by the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association.
They are:
Emily Bellaci, M.A., BCBA, of Metairie. Bellaci is the Director of Within Reach Center for Autism in Metairie.
Cassie Bradford, BCBA, of Baton Rouge. Bradford is the owner of the Behavioral Intervention Group in Baton Rouge.
Ellen Brocato, MS, BCBA, of Alexandria. Brocato is an ABA School Consultant in Alexandria.
Kathy Chovanec, MA, LPC, LMFT, BCBA, of Lake Charles. Chovanec owns a private practice for behavior analysis and mental health in Lake Charles.
Jennifer Longwell, BCBA, of New Orleans. Longwell is a behavioral analyst at Tulane Hospital in New Orleans.
Also, Marc Zimmermann, PhD, MP, who currently serves as Vice Chair on the state psychology board, will serve as an Ex Officio member on the Behavior Analyst Board, as directed by the legislation that created the board. He will be a non-voting member and was elected by the psychology board to fill the role.
Ms. Kelly Parker is currently serving as the new board’s Executive Director.
The new board, the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board or LBAB, will hold its first meeting August 6, at the Psychology board’s office in Baton Rouge.
According to the agenda for the first meeting, the board members will nominate the 2013-2014 Chair and Vice Chair, and establish Committees and assignments.
The agenda notes that the members will discuss the Memorandum of Understanding with the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. This is one of the first tasks of the new board will have to do, Ex. Director Parker indicated in a previous interview. The Memorandum, called an MOU, will set out the ways the two boards will follow the law regarding sharing resources. “The execution of the MOU is a priority,” Parker explained.
The document is also helpful because it outlines each party’s responsibilities and expectations regarding sharing of resources, finances and the regulation of dually licensed individuals."
The new board will also adopt a budget for they coming year, and discuss contracts and rules. Among other matters, the agenda notes that the group will discuss a Notice for the Behavior Analyst Practice Act, website, application process, Jurisprudence Exam, and LaBAA Polices and Procedures.
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 14.
The Louisiana Counseling Association held its first meeting for the 2013-2014 year on July 12 and 13, in Baton Rouge, said the association’s Executive Director, Diane Austin. The association elected new officers and they are: Bruce Galbraith, President, John Crawford President-Elect, and Paul Ceasar will take on the position of Past President.
The new President noted on the group’s website, “In 2013, LCA will proudly celebrate 45 years as the state’s professional association for Louisiana’s counselors.”
“The Louisiana Counseling Association is the state’s primary professional counseling association and one of the most highly respected counseling organizations in the United States,” he said. “Those who are involved in the counseling profession encompass a variety of settings including schools, universities, private mental health practice, residential facilities, hospitals, community agencies, businesses, industries and government.”
Ms. Austin told the Times that some of the goals for the coming year will include launching a new website and continuing the group’s on-going legislative advocacy on behalf of licensed professional counselors.
The group will also be developing a public service announcement to help the public better understand the services that professional counselors provide, she explained. The effort will also help people know that there is an organization that can provide more information about the profession.
Along with new directions for the year, the counselors’ association will also be continuing its partnership with the military to help returning service men and women, explained Austin.
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Researchers from around the state are enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds of Honolulu, Hawai’i, while they attend the Annual Convention of the American Psych- ological Association, July 31 to August 4.
However, they are also in the middle of tropical depression, Flossie, which is dumping rain on them as if they were still in our beloved, wet Louisiana.
Interestingly, in August of 2007 another storm, also named Flossie, drenched Honolulu in August of that year.
The Times reported on many of the presenters in our July issue and continue in this issue to report on the Louisiana psychologists, professors, graduate and under- graduate students who are presenting their research and chairing symposiums.
Those presenting at this year’s conference include Tulane’s Dr. Stacy Over- street and Dr. Bonnie Nastasi, University of Louisiana Monroe’s Dr. Karen Kopera-Frye and Dr. Bill McCown, Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, Dr. Lee Matthews, Loyola’s Dr. Janet Matthews, Drs. Greg Gormanous and Warren Lowe, Dr. Kelly Ray, and a number from LaTech including Drs. Guler Boyraz, Mary M. Livingston, Walter Buboltz, Janelle McDaniel, and Steve Jenkins.
Dr. Karen Kopera-Frye from the University of Louisiana Monroe is presenting her research, “Service Learning Involving a CBPE [Community-Based Participatory Evaluation] Needs Assessment in a Rural and Impoverished Community,” with co-author Dr. Pamela Higgins Saulsberry.
“Service Learning (SL) has been defined as structured learning experience that combines community service with preparation and reflection …” Kopera-Frye writes. “A rural, small town in Louisiana afforded a wonderful opportunity for Gerontology and Social Work undergraduates to demonstrate ‘good practice in community service learning pedagogy’ […]
She looked at Lake Providence, in northeast Louisiana and its challenges. “Currently, it is considered the poorest town in the US,” she explained.
Dr. Kopera-Frye and Janease Traylor, also from U. of Louisiana at Monroe, participated in a symposium chaired by Dr. Lee Matthews, “Essential Topics for SPTAs––Ethics, Advocacy, Service, and Education.” Traylor surveyed matters regarding state psychological associations.
Louisiana Tech’s Devin Merritt from the counseling psychology doctoral program will present “Sleep Practices and Behavioral Dimensions that Affect Sleep Quality in College Students.” His co-authors include Rebecca Cox, Victoria Felix, and Drs. Walter Buboltz, Janelle McDaniel, and Steve Jenkins from the LaTech faculty. The researchers demonstrated multiple relationships between behaviors and sleep quality in college students, showing how sleep habits and practices significantly affect overall quality of sleep.
Retired LaTech professor Dr. Alice Carter is co-author with first author Dr. Julie Osland, assistant professor of psychology at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV. In their work, “Factor Structure of the Revised Implicit Theories of Intelligence Scale.”
Dr. Carter and Dr. Mary M. Livingston are also co-authors with first author Osland, presenting “Evaluating Stereotype Threat Manipulations and Math Performance.”
First author Dr. Guler Boyraz from LaTech’s faulty, along with graduate student coauthors John Waits, Victoria Felix, and Danita Wynes, Lisa Battle, and Aisha Armstrong will present “Integration of Stressful Events and Well-Being Among College Students.”
LaTech doctoral student Danita Wynes will present as first author of “Stressful Events and PTSD Symptomatology Among College Students.” Her coauthors are Victoria Felix, Brandon Waits, and Dr. Guler Boyraz.
“Stressful Events and PTSD Symptomatology among College Students Post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been reported to impact approximately 7.8% of the U.S. population, …” the authors noted.
“Approximately 44% of the participants indicated that they had experienced more than one stressful event within the last two years. The most commonly reported stressful events were loss of a loved one (13%) and financial hardship (10%); violent crime (1%) and combat (1%) were among the least commonly reported stressful events. Using the cutoff score of 50 on PTSD Checklist […] 28.1% of the participants were screened positive for PTSD. These results begin to shed light on the overlooked prevalence of PTSD in college students,” noted the authors.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA) will hold its 45th Annual Conference in New Orleans, September 15 –17, at the InterContinential Hotel, 444 St. Charles Avenue.
This year’s theme will be; “This is Our Time: To Review, To Renew, and to Refocus.” The three day conference will offer 81 seminars including a two-part presentation by the state counselors’ board on “Ethical and Legal Issues for LPCs and LMFTs in Louisiana: An LPC Board Overview.”
The conference will provide educational presentations for counselors, marriage & family therapists, school counselors, supervisors, and administrators, and others.
The keynote speakers will include three nationally recognized professionals. Dr. Clifton Mitchell, a licensed psychologist, will present “The Hidden Power of Language for Superior Client Outcomes and Self- Improvement.” He is the author of Effective Techniques for Dealing with Highly Resistant Clients, for managing psychological resistance.
Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji, President-Elect of the American Counseling Association, will provide the welcome address at the Opening Session on the 15th. Dr. West-Olatunji serves as Associate Professor/Coordinator of the Counseling Program and Director of the Center for Traumatic Stress Research at the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Keith Morgen is the national president of the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors and Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey. Dr. Morgen will present “Integrating Addictions Counseling into the Professional Counselor Identity” on Sunday. He is faculty advisor for Psi Chi, the International Honor Society for Psychology and is a past recipient of the Centenary College Distinguished Teaching Award.
The three days are full of a variety of presentations and workshops. These include, “An Overview of the Gottman Methods of Couples Therapy,” by Mark Reynaud, LPC-S, LMFT-S, and “Learning to Connect Emotionally in Relationships the John Gottman Way,” presented by Dr. Ernie Cowger, LPC, LMFT, April MacGinley, MA, LPC, and Mary-Louise McMahon, and John Bundrick, LaTech graduate students.
Family Group Decision Making: Empowering the Family, will be presented by Susan Norwood, LPC, MEd, and Dr. Charles Gagnon, LPC-S, LMFT, will present MFT Ethics, a review of the major points of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics.
Dr. Peter Emerson, LPC, EdD, will present “The Ethical School Counselor,” and Christopher Belser, MEd and Kellie Mitchell-Hargroder, LPC, LAC, MEd, EdS, will present, “Understanding the ASCA Model and How to Implement It In Your School.”
Drs. Christine Anthony, Faye White, and Gwen Duhon, will guide participants in ways to manage stress, evaluate emotions, and incorporate healthy lifestyle changes, in “This is our Time to Renew: Managing Occupational and Lifestyle Stressors.”
Dr. Bill McHenry, PhD, LPC, will present, “This Time for Neurocounseling Has Come,” and Dr. Dudley Chewning, EdD, LPC, LMFC, will present “How to Determine if Clients Are Benefiting from Your Services.”
“Social Media and Suicide Prevention: Time to Consider the Role of Adolescents,” presented by Dr. Latifey LaFleur, PhD, LPC-S, and graduate student Andrea Durousseau.
Dr. Gary Gintner, PhD, LPC, along with LSU graduate students Kevin Credeur, Heather Parker, and Melissa Ray, with present “DSM-5 Has Arrived.”
Dr. Holly Bell, and Deatrice Green, MHS, will present, “Using Children’s Books as a Tool for Coping,” and Janice Tkaczyk, MEd, and Jerry Ellner, with present, “S.T.E.M.: Time to Fuel Our Students’ Futures.”
Drs. Corrie Minges, PhD, LPC, and Roxane Dufrene, PhD, LMFT, LPC-S, and UNO graduate student Emma Eckert, will present “Counseling Service Members and Their Families.”
Dr. Richard Mathis, EdD, LPC, and Dr. Chris Rachal, PhD, MP, and Victoria Verdun, Nicholls State graduate student, will present “Do Counselors Need Psychopharmacology Training.”
“Overmedicated and Undernourished: Understanding the Role of Diet in Child and Adolescent Behavior and School Performance,” will be presented by Drs. Mary Ballard and Hunter Alessie, both LPCs.
“Sex Offenses and Sex Abuse: Systemic Interventions,” will be presented by Dr. Christian Dean, PhD, LPC, LMFT, and Amanda Chapoton, MA, LPC, LMFT.
“Treating Couple Infidelity Utilizing Gottman Methods couples Therapy,” presented by Mark Reynaud, MA, LPC- S, LMFT-S, “Working with the Military and Their Families, “ presented by Drs. Charles Gagnon, EdD, LPC-S, LMFT, and Christina Dean, PhD, LPC, LMFT, and “Crisis Intervention: Understanding the Incident Command System When First Responders React to an Active Shooter on Campus,” presented by Dr. Thomas Fonseca, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT, and OLOHCC graduate student, Kimberly McDuffie.
Dr. Mary Feduccia, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT, will present, “Careerscape: Evolutionary Shifts in the World of Work,” Dr. Meredith Nelson, PhD, LPC, LMFT, and LSU-S graduate student, Christopher Moneaux, will present “Genes, Environment, and the Gene-Environment Interplay: The Future of Mental Health Treatment?”
For a complete list of all events, go to the Louisiana Counseling Association website.
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University of New Orleans (UNO) Psychology Professor, Dr. Laura Scaramella has been named Chairperson of a National Institute of Health (NIH) peer review group. She will oversee the Psychosocial Develop- ment, Risk and Prevention study section of the Center for Scientific Review, according to a July UNO press release.
The news release noted that the group that Scaramella will lead is a type of gateway for NIH grant applications and for the review for their scientific merit. Her appointment begins September 1 and she will serve for approximately two years. The report noted that her group will focus on the identification of risk and protective factions, the development of problem behaviors, and the design and assessment of interventions.
Scaramella told UNO press, "I am honored to be selected as chair. As chair, my goal is to preserve the integrity of the peer review process. The peer review process is one mechanism by which scientifically critical research is advanced."
Scaramella is a professor of psychology and graduate coordinator for the psychology department. At UNO, she is the Graduate Coordinator and leads the Families in Transition Lab, with on-going projects: Bambini Project, Mothers and Preschoolers Study, and the Family Transitions Project.
“Dr. Scaramella's research focuses on social, genetic, and biological mechanisms affecting the parenting quality and the emergence of behavior problems during early childhood. Her works seeks to uncover how social contextual stressors, like economic disadvantage and neighborhood danger, and children’s temperamental characteristics affect parenting quality and children’s behavioral and social adjustment. Towards this end, Dr. Scaramella is actively engaged in several longitudinal research studies.”
Scaramella is also working with the Healthy Gulf Coast/Healthy Communities consortia, a group of researchers from across the gulf coast that are examining the impact of DeepWater Horizon Oil Spill on families and communities. Her focus is to help understand the impact of the oil spill on the quality of family relationships and on children’s social adjustment.
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 15.
The Louisiana Psychological Association is teaming up with Tulane to bring Dr. Irving Kirsh, an internationally known expert in the area of placebo effects, antidepressant medication, hypnosis, and suggestion, to New Orleans for the LPA Fall Conference. The workshop will be on Saturday, October 19.
Dr. Paula Zeanah, Chair of the Continuing Education Committee and a Director for Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA) told the Times, “We are excited about the LPA Fall Workshop. Dr. Kirsch is internationally recognized for his work in hypnosis, placebo responses, and most recently, his research on the impact of placebo response and antidepressant therapy.”
The program is co-sponsored by Tulane Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Dr. Kirsch will also be presenting to the Adult and Child Psychiatry Grand Rounds while he is in New Orleans, said Zeanah.
Kirsh has published 10 books and more than 200 scientific journal articles and book chapters on placebo effects, antidepressant medication, hypnosis, and suggestion. He originated the concept of response expectancy. His meta-analyses on the efficacy of antidepressants were covered extensively in the international media and influenced official guidelines for the treatment of depression in the United Kingdom. His book, The Emperor’s New Drugs: Exploding the Antidepressant Myth, which has been published in English, French, Italian, Japanese, Turkish, and Polish, was shortlisted for the prestigious Mind Book of the Year award. It was the topic of 60 Minutes segment on CBS and a 5- page cover story in Newsweek.
“Because we believe this topic will be of broad interest,” said Zeanah, “we will be offering this LPA workshop to other health and mental health professionals as well.”
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.
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Dr. Susan Tucker, Chief Psychologist and Assistant Warden at the Bossier Sherriff Medium Correctional Facility in Plain Dealing, has been appointed by the governor to Louisiana’s Commis- sion on Addictive Disorders.
The commission is a 13- member board with the goal of helping to promote healthy lifestyles for Louisiana citizens by developing ideas and programs that increase public awareness. The members work to help to prevent the abuse of alcohol, drugs, and compulsive gambling.
“I am honored and grateful to have this opportunity to work in a new way for the state of Louisiana,” Tucker told the Times.
Tucker’s innovative programs at the Correctional Facility at Forcht Wade, now at the Bossier Sherriff’s Correction Facility, have received national recognition. Tucker directs the Steve Hoyle Intensive Substance Abuse Program at the Correctional Facility in Plain Dealing.
What aspects of her background and does Tucker think might have led to the appointment? “Well certainly, 20 years of developing and implementing treatment programs,” she noted, “as well as a lot of research has led me to some clear goals in the provision of services.”
“I look forward to being more involved in the prevention aspect of addictive disorders with different populations other than offenders in the criminal justice system,” she said.
Dr. Susan Tucker serves as the Louisiana state-wide Sex Offender Treatment Program Coordinator and the Louisiana state-wide Substance Abuse Program Coordinator. She also serves on the Interagency Council on the Prevention of Sex Offenses.
Tucker’s programs recognize the underlying issues in effective treatment for offenders and recidivism issues. “In light of research that indicates between 70- 80 percent of offenders have a substance abuse history or problem and only 15 percent actually receive intensive treatment, DOC Secretary LeBlanc saw the need for a specialized program,” Dr. Tucker told the Times in a previous interview. Rather than “warehousing” offenders, Tucker’s programs focus on offering intensive treatment, skill development, and educational opportunities, as well as post release support and care.
The Commission on Addictive Disorders advises the state Office for Addictive Disorders concerning policies with regard to alcohol and drug abuse; recommending an annual state plan or program; serving as liaisons between state and local government groups about the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse. The commission reports to the Governor, the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees on Health & Welfare, and to the Secretary of the Department of Health & Hospitals.
The Commission also works in conjunction with entities such as The Governor’s Drug Policy Board, The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, The Governors Safe & Drug Free School & Communities, The Louisiana Drug Court Association, and The Louisiana Alliance to Prevent Underage Drinking.
Dr. Tucker will attend her first meeting August 13, in Baton Rouge.
Also appointed was Michael Slocum from Pineville, retired former Commander of the Narcotics Division in Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 16.
Last month I wrote about having twins, the business, South River Stories, Inc., and the program, South River Stories® – The TV Show. I have prepared myself to care for both of them and to raise them well.
Recently, however, my South River Stories® "healthcare provider" (i.e., consultant) calmly corrected my clever metaphor, delivering the unexpected news that I also have a third baby, my market!
Of course, South River Stories® – Promotions. She's the one who already is making the most noise, fussing for me to blog and tweet and post and message and link-in and network. She probably will be the first one to walk, and the last one to sleep through the night.
My very playful show baby keeps me engaged for hours, developing ideas, creating stories and writing scripts, and I pay close attention to my more serious business baby, because neglected paper work becomes a very stinky diaper.
I already had an office PC computer for my business baby and a MacBook Pro for my show baby. Now my promotions baby wants an iPad! I can tell having triplets is going to require quite an investment.
So, here I am, seven months after establishing the business, three months away from the premiere of the TV show, and today I have a wonderful opportunity for promotion right here in the Psychology Times.
You've arrived at the last page of this newspaper. Did you find my ad?
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 2.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal teamed up with Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker to author “Unworkable ObamaCare: Opaque rules, big delays and rising costs: The chaos is mounting,” for the Opinion section of the Wall Street Journal’s July 25 online issue.
Pointing out that governors have the experience of having to implement public-assistance programs, Jinal and Walker criticized the new healthcare reform saying it was not thought through and that seven million Americans will lose their employer-based health insurance. “… the guidance that President Obama has offered to date has been inconsistent, arbitrary and frustrating—contributing further to the grave uncertainty that surrounds this law,” they said.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 16.
Dr. Gary Gintner, LSU Associate Professor and Program Leader of the Counseling Program at Louisiana State University, was featured in the lead story for the July/August issue of The National Psychologist, a newspaper for practitioners with national circulation.
In the front page story, titled “Expert sees value in DSM-5,” the reporter noted that Gintner is a nationally recognized exert on the DSM and considers that views of the DSM-5 are more negative than warranted. Gintner said that adjusting to the new manual will likely require additional training for most practitioners, noted the article.
Gintner was the invited speaker to the Ohio Psychological Association training event hosted by the Ohio association and the National Psychologist. He presented “DSM-5: A User’s Guide Workshop.”
Dr. Gintner is currently the DSM-5 Task Force Chair for the American Mental Health Counselors Association and a nationally recognized trainer on the DSM. As Chair, he has provided responses for the DSM-5 development for the American Psychiatric Association.
Dr. Gintner has conducted workshops on the DSM since the early 1990s. He has provided training for the American Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counseling Association, and many state associations, including Marriage and Family Therapy state associations.
The Times reported on Dr. Gintner’s presentation in its July issue.
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 3.
The 26-page revision of regulations governing counselors was published in the July issue of the Louisiana Register. Licensed Professional Counselor Board (LPC Board) Executive Director Mary Alice Olsan previously told the Times, “It was a huge body of changes.”
The LPC Board reworked major sections of the rules because of Act 320 of the 2011 legislative session and Act 636 of 2012, which amended Act 320. The LPC Board had also passed emergency rules in order to deal with some of the problems in the consultation and collaboration requirements in the 2011 law that expanded the scope of practice for counselors.
But, Act 320 prohibited the counselor from working with a person with serious mental illness, “… unless that individual is under the active care of a practitioner who is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and is authorized to prescribe medications in the management of psychiatric illness, and only in the context of an ongoing consultation and collaboration with that practitioner.”
The wording created problems with client rights, confidentiality and healthcare costs.
In 2012, Act 636 amended the earlier law by deleting the requirement that the counselor’s client had to be under the active care of a practitioner who is licensed by the state medical board. The words, “when medication may be indicated” and “in accordance with industry best practices, consults and collaborates with…” were substituted. Also, an advanced practice registered nurse was included as a choice for consultation.
The new rules clarify the consultation/collaboration situation which says that the counselor may not work with a person suffering from a serious mental illness “when medication may be indicated,” and so must consult with a professional who is licensed under the state medical board to prescribe, such as physicians, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or medical psychologists.
The rule provides the following background:
“1. Mental Health Counseling/Psychotherapy Services––rendering or offering prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, which include psychotherapy, of mental, emotional, behavioral, and addiction disorders to individuals, groups, organizations, or the general public by a licensed professional counselor, which is consistent with his professional training as prescribed by R.S. 37:1107(A)(8), and code of ethics/behavior involving the application of principles, methods, or procedures of the mental health counseling profession.
“2. However, a counselor may not assess, diagnose, or provide treatment to any individual suffering from a serious mental illness when medication may be indicated, unless the counselor consults and collaborates with a practitioner who is licensed or holds a permit with the Louisiana state Board of Medical Examiners or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed by the Louisiana state Board of Nursing who is certified as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.”
“The definition of Serious Mental Illness applies to individuals suffering from schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive- compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, moderate to severe, anorexia/bulimia, intermittent explosive disorder, autism, psychosis NOS (not otherwise specified) when diagnosed in a child under 17 years of age, Rett’s disorder, Tourette’s disorder, and dementia.”
The new rule clarifies certain aspects of wording of Medication is Indicated:
“Medication is Indicated— when the client has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and: i. when the client or legal guardian discloses the prescribed use of psychiatric medication; ii. when the counselor, client, or legal guardian believes that the use of prescribed psychiatric medication may facilitate treatment goals and improve client functioning.”
The rule also clarifies that consultation and collaboration, “––may be specific or general in nature.” This distinction allows the counselor to choose a variety of different actions depending on whether the client gives permission for, or agrees to a particular track for consultation and collaboration with someone licensed under the medical board.
The new rule notes, “General Consultation and Collaboration. When medication is indicated for clients who have been diagnosed with a serious mental illness and when the client does not assent to a specific consultation, the counselor must attempt to consult with a practitioner within a reasonable time for a general consultation without releasing any identifying information about the client.”
The 26 pages of revisions and additions were also needed to implement Act 276 of 2012, which allows for licensure of individuals in military. And, the changes updated the LPC Code of Conduct with the latest edition of the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics.
The full text is available in the July issue of the Louisiana Register.
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 16.
The Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association will be hosting the inaugural Gulf Coast ABA Conference, October 18 and 19, 2013, in Baton Rouge. The Conference will be held at the Cook Hotel on the Louisiana State University campus, Baton Rouge.
The Keynote speaker will be Dr. R. Douglas Greer from the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Teachers College, according to information on the association’s (LaBAA) website.
Conference events will include workshops, paper sessions, symposia, and opportunities for continuing education.
The call for papers is now open.
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 3.
Comments by August 9
The psychology board has proposed rules for updating contact information, and for temporary registration for out- of-state psychologists, in the July Louisiana Register.
A rule requiring psychologists to update their contact information with the board within 30 days if they change their address or contact, was proposed. The rule states: “A licensed psychologist shall notify the board within 30 days, with documentation, attesting to any change of contact information including mailing address, work address, telephone number and email address. This documentation notice shall include the psychologist's full name, license number, and the old and new contact information.”
Another proposed rule sets out the paperwork that is to be completed for the temporary registration for out- of-state psychologists. The temporarily registered psychologist is to pass the Jurisprudence exam and pay a fee. The proposed new rule also outlines the conditions for emergency temporary registration and also expedited status for licensure for military applicants.
Both Notices of Intent can be read online at the Louisiana Register. Public comments should be given to the Executive Director, Kelly Parker, by 12 pm, August 9.
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 12. Source pages: 4.
The School Specialist Task Force created by the state psychology board met in June to discuss the possibility of regulation under the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) for the school psychology specialist.
Members of the Task Force attending were Chair Dr. Rita Culross, Dr. Steven Welsh, Dr. Carmen Broussard, Dr. Conni Patterson, and E. Francoise Parr. Also attending was the Executive Director, Kelly Parker. Also on the Task Force, but absent from this meeting, were David White, Executive Director of the Louisiana Psychological Association and Susan Ratterree, National School Psychology Representative.
According to the minutes, Dr. Welsh summarized some of the ideas that he expressed at the March Long-Range Planning meeting. He suggested that if the Board decides to license school specialists, he saw this as an “optional” license and thought it may allow practitioners to contract with places like learning centers and charter schools.
Dr. Broussard said that licensing school specialists would make services more available in rural areas, and noted that she was the only school psychologist in her area.
Also according to the minutes, the group reviewed the Texas model for licensed school specialist and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of a license for the specialist. They also reviewed educational requirements for several programs.
The group discussed the possible qualifications, which included a 72- hour degree with internship from an accredited, along with a national exam, a state jurisprudence exam, and criminal background check.
The Task Force also agreed to prepare a survey for the community which sent by email to members of the psychology community and school psychology community.
According to Kelly Parker, about 140 responses have been received so far. The questionnaire asked respondents, “If the LSBEP were to consider licensure of school specialists, what do you believe is appropriate employment possibilities for a licensed school specialist? – Contract with a licensed psychologist; Contract with school system; Private Practice; or other.”
In an item about qualifications, the authors asked which training and credentials the community members considered important: School Specialist Degree, internship, NASP academic program or equivalent, NCSP written exam, Jurisprudence Exam, criminal background check, continuing education.
The survey also asked respondents to list competencies they viewed as important for the school specialist. These included instructional design, organization and operation of schools, psychoeducational assessment, social-emotional assessment, consultation, behavior management, professional and legal issues, counseling, and practicum.
Executive Director Kelly Parker explained to the Times that she will be keeping the survey open for additional responses from community members. The survey can be found on the LSBEP website under the news section.
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