Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 8. Source pages: 14.
Our own Dr. Tom Stigall recently exhibited some of his work at the gallery of the Coates Guest House in the Baton Rouge area. The exhibition was part of the Louisiana Photography Society and Tom’s work was combined with that of three other photographers.
The report from the Society’s newsletter noted:
“Tom Stigall is a retired psychologist whose approach to photography is guided by a desire to create images that are meaningful, not only for himself, but for others as well. He seeks to preserve images that will be experienced by the viewer as aesthetically pleasing, sympathetic and nurturing, awe-inspiring, or arresting.”
The work of the photographers was well received, said the Society’s review. The Guest House is also the venue for the LPS juried show to be held in April. For information go to laphotosociety.com,
Dr. Tom Stigall took this image on a recent stopover in Paris. He calls it “Homeless in the City of Light,” and considers it an example of “street photography” or photojournalism.
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. 8. Source pages: 7.
Senate Bill 86 by Morrell updates the LPC fees. “Proposed law provides the maximum amount of each fee the board may collect as follows: Fees established and collected by the board pursuant to this Chapter shall be set by rule and shall not exceed the following maximum amounts: (a) Application of privilege, credential, or registration $200 (b) Application of licensure $325 (c) Renewal of privilege, credential, registration, or license $300 (d) Examination or reexamination $250 […]
“Proposed law provides that the board shall not increase any fee by more than a total of 15% over a consecutive three year period.”
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. 8. Source pages: 15.
The Secretary of Health, Bruce Greenstein, has said that he will resign, announced Governor Jindal’s office last week.
Greenstein did not explain his decision in a two-page resignation letter, but rather focused on his affection for the state and its people. “This state’s gracious people and generous culture have left a permanent and meaningful impact on the lives of my family and me,” he wrote.
Greenstein has been involved in controversy surrounding the awarding of a Medicaid contract to a company where he once worked. Governor Jindal’s administration canceled the contract with the Maryland based firm after reports of a federal grand jury subpoena involving the contract was leaked, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate.
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. 8. Source pages: 8.
HB 284 “Transfers governance and control of state hospitals from LSU to human services districts and authorities and provides for delivery and financing of health services by such districts and authorities.
“Proposed law deletes present law which authorizes Louisiana State University (LSU), through its Board of Supervisors, to govern and manage state hospitals. Proposed law revises present law to provide that the LSU Health Sciences Center at New Orleans and the LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport shall be comprised exclusively of medical and related health schools and programs.
“Proposed law provides that the human services districts and authorities of the state shall assume governance and management of all state hospitals heretofore under the control of the LSU Board of Supervisors.
“Proposed law makes technical changes throughout present law to reflect the transfer of governance and management of state hospitals to human services districts and authorities as provided in proposed law.
“Proposed law provides that all employees engaged in the performance of duties relating to the functions of a facility transferred from LSU to a human services district or authority shall be transferred to the respective district or authority to carry out the functions of the district or authority and its facilities.
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. 8. Source pages: 15.
A study from Norway published in the February Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that women who took folic acid supplements prior and during pregnancy were about 40 percent less likely to have their child later diagnosed with autism.
The researchers had physicians ask pregnant women about their supplement use via a questionnaire, and then followed up with the over 85,000 children born from 2002 to 2008.
According to a USA Today report, the critical time period for the women to take the supplement was from four weeks before conception through the eight week of pregnancy.
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. 8. Source pages: 8.
House Bill 540 by Jones “Removes a deadline for school teachers, counselors, and psychologists to receive professional credentials in order to qualify for a stipend.
Present law relative to school teachers, counselors, and psychologists who have appropriate credentials from the state of La. and a national board, provides for an annual salary supplement, […] “Present law provides that all such salary supplements are subject to appropriation of funds for the purpose and provides for reimbursement of the appropriate school board by the Dept. of Education from appropriated funds. Proposed law retains present law. “Present law requires initial receipt of the applicable certificate or credential by July 1, 2013, for any individual to be eligible for the salary supplement. Proposed law repeals present law.”
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. 8. Source pages: 15.
HB 89
“Excepts a student deemed to be gifted or talented from certain provisions relative to the use of seclusion and restraint unless he has been dually identified as also having a disability.” […] “Proposed law provides that present law, relative both to BESE's preparation and adoption of such rules and guidelines and public school governing authorities' provision of such guidelines and procedures to parents, shall not be applicable to a student who has been deemed to be gifted or talented unless he has been identified as also having a disability.
HB 417
“Increases the tax on cigars, cigarettes, smoking tobacco, and smokeless tobacco and dedicates the revenue from the tax increase. […] Proposed law creates a special fund within the state treasury to be called the "Louisiana Healthier Families Fund" … Tax funds are to be distributed to Medicaid, Louisiana State Employee’s and Teachers’ Retirement Systems, to the office of addictive disorders in DHH, Pennington, and other recipients.
HB 642
“Establishes the Special Education Scholarship Program, to provide for regional special education schools, admission of students to such schools, and scholarships for students to attend such schools.”
HB 107
“Proposed law provides for the Improved Outcomes for At-Risk Youth Act and […] creates the Integrated Case Management Planning System as a single, targeted case management system to better track "crossover youths" who are in need of mental health services or have experienced involvement in the child welfare system.
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Round and round she goes LPC Board Rescinds Offer; LPA Nixes LSBEP Plan; Sen. Morrell Moves Forward with BA Bd LPC Board, LaBAA Disagree on One Item Of “Substantially Equivalent” Language
A decision to place behavior analysts (BAs) with the state board for licensed professional counselors, thrashed out over six months of meetings in the BA Study Commission, was abandoned sometime in late February after negotiations reached an impasse. Representatives of the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association held firm on an issue regarding the national certification, and the LPC board held to their need for “equivalent” language to allow them flexibility in certain situations.
This impasse necessitated that a fallback option to be worked out by Senator J. P. Morrell’s office and wife Catherine Morrell, who served as Vice Chair for the Commission. The fallback option was to merge the BAs with the psychology board, an option that had been put forth by the LSBEP (Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists) during rapid and heated negotiations in November 2012.
However this option was nixed when it failed to gain the support of the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA) after President Dr. Bryan Gros and Legislative Chair Dr. Alicia Pellegrin asked members for their opinions. Members expressed concerns about non- psychologists on the psychology board.
This sequence of events led Senator Morrell and Ms. Morrell to shift to the third option, that of an independent BA board. Senator Morrell filed Senate Bill 134 last Thursday, coauthored with Senator Heitmeier, to establish the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board.
The option for an independent BA board had been championed by Dr. Grant Gautreaux, president of the Louisiana Behavior Analysts Association (LaBAA) throughout the discussions of the BA Study Commission. He presented that option in November to Commission members. However in December the members voted 15 to 0 against the independent board option, amid views that the BAs numbers (about 65) could not sustain a board.
The impasse between LaBAA and the LPC board took some by surprise, because of the detailed work of the Study Commission. When asked about this, Commission Vice Chair Catherine Morrell told the Times, “We thought we had it covered in the report. If you defer to the national board and if you put it in the law, it is very difficult to handle.” She explained, “My point of view is that it can be handled in the rules.”
Mary Alice Olsan, Executive Director of the LPC board, noted to the Times, “We regret being unable to come to a solid consensus with the representatives of LaBAA and other stakeholders regarding the need for ‘substantially equivalent’ language to be included in the proposed BA bill to ensure the protection of the public.”
“Unfortunately, the inclusion of this language was the Board’s one non-negotiable issue that arose during the negotiation process,” she said. “We believe that the inclusion of ‘substantially equivalent’ language in the bill is essential, as we feel we cannot adequately protect the public if restricted by a national organization when determining how best to regulate the profession.”
Olsan explained that the LPC board did not want to be in a position of having to revoke someone’s license based on a national BA credential, such as when the national board might cease to exist or make dramatic changes. So at the March 15 meeting of the LPC board they rescinded their motion to approve the merger.
However, the version of SB 134 filed last week includes the language, “ … substantial equivalent (italics added) to credential professional practitioners of behavior analysis related to the principles and practice of the profession of behavior analysis that is approved by the board.”
Dr. Grant Gautreaux, president of LaBAA could not be reached for comment.
LSBEP Go, LPA Stop
When the LPC board rescinded their offer the LSBEP renewed it’s offer to merge with BAs. This option had been crafted by the psychology board last November following the BA Commission’s Chair Ashley Munn’s and Vice Chair Catherine Morrell’s presentation and proposal for BAs to join the LPC. A hurried and unprecedented offer from the LSBEP for a similar arrangement between the BAs and the LSBEP was put forth to place BAs on the psychology board, including a masters professional. This was the only time such an offer had been made in board’s 49 year history.
However, the offer was voted down by the Commission in a 10 to 5 vote in December 2012, amid what seemed to be negative sentiments toward the LSBEP and psychologists in general.
Unlike the December 2012 negotiations, this time LPA officials asked for LPA members feedback before giving the go ahead.
In a message that followed, LPA President Dr. Bryan Gros posted an explanation to members. “The LSBEP is the regulatory body for those who have obtained the highest level of practice of Psychology (doctoral level Psychologists) and therefore, has only had doctoral level Psychologists serve on the Board. LPA believes that the proposed bill as it now stands would allow non doctoral level professionals to have full voting authority and we do not believe this to be in keeping with the history of LSBEP governance, nor do we believe to be in the best interest of psychology in Louisiana.”
However, he noted, “LPA strongly supports the notion that the Behavior Analysts should have the best chance of becoming self regulating in as expeditious a manner as possible.” He explained that LPA could not agree to a bill that “fundamentally changes the governance of Psychology.”
He said that an Advisory Committee or BA psychologists serving on the board, would also be supported by LPA.
Speaking for the LSBEP, Executive Director Kelly Parker told the Times that the psychology board supported the measure. “We did not think the merged board structure was negotiable, but trusted that the roles of the BA board members would be worked out to everyone’s satisfaction,” Parker noted. “We believe Senator Morrell understood our concerns. It was our impression that the BAs would not being voting on psychology issues nor did they want to vote on psychology issues."
“We were confident that it would be worked out and we understood the concerns of the LPA members regarding opening the board, but we felt we could work it out to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Commission Vice Chair Catherine Morrell told the Times, “The point was to get the BAs up and running and to help them deal with the learning curve. It would be like sister boards, with one member of the psychology board serving ex offico on the BA board. The LSBEP voted to support it and both sides are happy with it.”
According to all sources, the current bill for an independent BA board will be supported by the various groups.
President Gros explained to the Times, “After input from LPA members and a robust discussion with our legislative team, LPA reversed its previous stance and made the decision that it could not support a merged board that would allow non- psychologists to have full seats on LSBEP. This led to a change in the thrust and direction of negotiations with the BA’s and LSBEP. Catherine Morrell, who played an integral role in communications between all the parties, indicated to me a common goal – an agreement that all parties could support. It would only be counter-productive if all weren’t on board,” he said.
“LPA absolutely remained in the negotiations,” Gros said. “Before first meeting with representatives from LSBEP, then separately with representatives from the BA’s, Ms. Morrell was in on-going contact with me for feedback and reactions to a new proposal. We agreed that this negotiation approach would probably lead to more efficient and less defensive postures and hopefully a bill draft that all could initially support. From follow-up communication with Ms. Morrell, the ideas were well received by all parties.”
Catherine Morrell said to the Times, “This is the best compromise and all parties involved are happy.”
“The work of the commission was important because we fleshed out all the details and most of the ideas are still in the bill,” she said. “It was educational, and we got into the meat of it and got much of the work done. Without it we would have never gotten to this point,” she said.
“I think all sides have learned from the experience.”
Gros said, “Our legislative chair and my initial reactions to the bill draft were very positive, as were a number of our EC members’. Based on initial feedback, we believe that while protecting the practice of psychology, which is our primary goal, it also provides the necessary structure to assist the BA’s in gaining an autonomous and self-regulating profession.”
LPC board at March meeting in Baton Rouge. (L to R clockwise) Mark Reynaud, Raelene McCarthy (staff member), Penny Millhollon (partly visible), Mary Alice Olsan, Kathy Lammert, Dr. Ernie Cowger, Dr. Laura Chote, Dr. David Legendre, and Dr. Kathy Steele. The board voted to rescind a previous motion to merge with the Behavior Analysts.
Photo by M. Dooley BA Study Commission Vice Chair Catherine Morrell (L) and Chair Ashley Munn at the December meeting of the Commission. The members voted to place the Behavior Analysts with the LPC Board, but during final arrangements “equivalent language” for the national credential could not be agreed on with BA leaders.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
SB 88 by Broom: “Present law establishes and provides for the crimes prostitution, prostitution by massage, massage; sexual conduct prohibited, and crime against nature by solicitation. Proposed law retains present law and adds that if it is determined, after a reasonable detention for investigative purposes, that a person suspected of or charged with a violation of any of these offenses is a person under the age of 18, there shall be a presumption that the person is a victim of child sex trafficking and should be treated as a child in need of care pursuant to Ch.C. Art. 606.
“Present law provides for the disposition and allocation of forfeited property related to certain sex crimes, and provides exemptions. Proposed law retains present law and also provides that where the property to be forfeited is related to human trafficking (R.S. 14:46.2) or trafficking of children for sexual purposes (R.S. 14:46.3), the proceeds of the public sale or auction shall be applied first to any restitution granted to the victim, after the costs of the public sale or auction, court costs, or fees related to seizure and storage have been satisfied. Any remaining proceeds shall be distributed in the following manner: (1) 25% to the seizing agency or agencies in an equitable manner. (2) 25% to the prosecuting agency. (3) 50% to the Sexually Exploited Children's Special Fund.”
“Proposed law creates in the state treasury the Sexually Exploited Children's Special Fund. Appropriations by the legislature and all monetary assessments paid and interest accrued on funds collected as provided below shall be deposited into the fund. Monies in the fund shall be used for providing services and treatment administered by the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), such as securing residential housing, health services, and social services, to sexually exploited children. The department may also use the funds for grants or to provide services for sexually exploited children.
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. 8. Source pages: 15.
After a detailed discussion regarding a variety of situations a psychologist might encounter in delivering a service via telepsychology, Chair Dr. Lee Matthews concluded that the board would look into updating the current Opinion Number 13 regarding electronic communications, known as telepsychology or telepractice. This discussion occurred at the recent planning meeting of the board.
“If we can get the Opinion to a place where it reflects what we want it to,” he said, “ that will give us further information, so that down the road we can deal with the rules and regulations. Opinions are there to help.”
Matthews came to this after a lengthy discussion from both board members and attendees regarding a number of complex situations regarding telepsychology were described, which did not easily fit into a simple directive.
Those discussing the issue presented situations where a Louisiana licensed psychology would be required to counsel a patient by phone who resided in another state, such as individuals who had recently moved from the state, or students who were temporarily living away, or if a client who typically travels into Louisiana for treatment requires a telephone conference on a emergency basis.
Dr. Joe Comaty, who authored the 2012 telepsychology opinion, reminded the group that it was issued as a generic opinion “… to make psychologists aware.”
Discussion about general applied psychology services led to Dr. Janet Matthews suggesting that the opinion should include the term ‘health service.” This could exempt those who practice general applied psychology, such as Industrial-Organizational or research psychologists, and others who do not practice healthcare.
The discussion of how to define who is a resident, where services actually happen––at the provider’s location or the client’s location––which state board is responsible for what, and what does “domicile” mean, plus other conundrums, led the board decide to look at making simple changes in the opinion that can help as a general guide only.
Dr. Darlene Nemeth, the Louisiana Psychological Association delegate to the American Psychological Association, provided handouts to the group of the “Guidelines for the Practice of Telepsychology.” This is a draft document that is being worked on at the national level, Nemeth said.
Dr. Joe Comaty, who previously served on the state psychology board and who is currently on a list awaiting the Governor’s choice of appointment to the board, speaks at the recent Long-Range Planning meeting of the psychology board. Dr. Darlyne Nemeth looks on.
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. 8. Source pages: 4.
SB 134 creates the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board. Five behavior analysts, to be appointed by the governor, will serve for 3, 4 or 5 years. The LSBEP shall appoint a member to serve as an ex officio, non-voting member of the board.
The BA board is to regulate behavior analysts, assistant behavior analysts, and to register line-technicians. SB 134 outlines definitions and scope of practice. Other professionals who practice under other boards are exempted, as long as they do not use the title. The board automatically sunsets in July 2018.
The board can, “Accept grants, donations, or gifts of money or services from public or private individuals or organizations or from any other sources to be utilized for the purposes of the board.”
“Proof that the applicant passed a nationally recognized examination administered by a nonprofit organization accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, the National Standards Institute, or a substantial equivalent to credential professional practitioners of behavior analysis related to the principles and practice of the profession of behavior analysis that is approved by the board.”
The bill also notes, “The standards and requirements in this Chapter shall be separate and unique from the standards and requirements for practicing psychology and pertain to the practice of applied behavior analysis.”
And, “There shall be no requirement for individuals practicing under this Chapter to be supervised by members of other professions.”
Exemptions include, “Other human service professionals who are licensed, certified, or registered by the state of Louisiana, provided such individuals are working within the scope of practice of their profession and the scope of their training and competence.”
And, “An individual who provides general applied behavior analysis services to an organization, so long as those services are for the benefit of such organization and does not involve direct services to an individual.”
The bill exempts “An individual licensed to practice psychology within the state, so long as the applied behavior analysis services provided by the licensed psychologist are within the licensed psychologist's education, training, and expertise and provided he does not represent himself as behavior analysts, assistant behavior analysts, licensed behavior analysts, or state certified assistant behavior analysts without being duly licensed or state certified.”
The act will make it a misdemeanor for those not licensed or certified to represent themselves as a behavior analyst, assistant or line technician, and this includes, “To employ as a line technician, a line technician who is not registered pursuant to this Chapter.”
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. 8. Source pages: 8.
Dr. Robert Marier, current Executive Director, announced that he intends to retire at the end of June, according to a memo on the board’s website. Marier has served as executive director since 2006. The board expressed appreciation and listed many of Dr. Marier’s contributions.
The announcement noted that Dr. C. Mouton would succeed Marier and she was appointed in order to make for a smooth transition. The notice said that Dr. Mouton has served the Board as Director of Investigations for many years. She has served as interim Executive Director. “The Board noted that she was well qualified for the increase in responsibilities and enjoys the trust of the Board, according to the posted memo.
Dr. Robert Marier, current Ex. Director of the state Medical Board at 2012 meeting of the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee.
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. 8. Source pages: 15.
The National Psychologist reported in their March/April issue that two more states will consider banning the controversial approach for changing sexual orientation, called conversion therapy. New Jersey and Massachusetts have put forth bills to prohibit psychologists and mental health professionals from the approach, while California’s law to block the use of the therapy is being reviewed in the Ninth District Federal Court.
The NP report notes that the New Jersey bill is supported by the New Jersey Psychological Association. The New Jersey association’s president describes the therapy as “… very harmful,” noted the report.
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Originally published: . Volume 4, No. 8. Source pages: 1.
The legislative session begins next Monday and according to the Louisiana News Bureau state lawmakers filed 901 bills by Friday’s deadline. Bills of interest to the community include Senate Bill 134 to establish a new board for behavior analysts (see story this page).
Proposed for this session is a bill for mental health courts, a bill to create a license for all behavioral health providers under the Department of Health and Hospitals, a bill to criminalize sex with clients for all psychotherapists, and a bill to allow the LPC board to change their fees. Here we highlight some bills with excerpts from legislative digests.
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. 8. Source pages: 8.
Three candidates ran to serve on the psychology board to fill an unexpired term caused by Dr. John Courtney’s resignation in December 2012.
Ballots were counted last month and according to Dr. Bryan Gros, President of the Louisiana Psychological Association, Dr. Beverly Stubblefield received 59 votes, Dr. Jessica Brown received 54 votes, and Dr. Thomas Fain received 31 votes.
Dr. Stubblefield is a clinical psychologist from Slidell, Louisiana, who been licensed in Louisiana since 1987 and Mississippi since 1989. She has served previously on the LSBEP, as investigator and supervisor of impaired psychologists for the board.
Brown has worked for the Department of Health and Hospitals in Behavioral Health, and is in transition to the Neuromedical Center, in Baton Rouge, as a staff psychologist.
Dr. Fain is a clinical and medical psychologist, who is in private practice in Baton Rouge. He is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Texas. He has served twice as president of the Louisiana Psychological Association.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.