John Fanning, PhD Neuropsychologist, New Orleans President Elect, LPA Awakenings by Oliver Sacks
“Awakenings initially published in 1973, is perhaps the strangest nonfiction book I have ever read. I think it is also safe to say that it is probably the only book ever published with praise blurbs from both Alexander Luria and Doris Lessing. The years shortly after the World War I saw an epidemic of a particularly strange neurologic disorder, von Economo's encephalitis. A significant population of survivors of the illness were left in a deeply lethargic state, with very marked parkinsonism. In the 1960s quite a number of such survivors in New York resided in a state institution where a young neurologist named Oliver Sacks worked. When l-dopa was introduced for treatment of Parkinson's disease, he decided to try the drug on these patients. The effects were dramatic, but uncontrollable. Patients were thrust abruptly into the world–and into action–after several decades of immobile neurologic oblivion. This near- miraculous development had a dark side, however. Patients swung wildly between immobility (too little dopminergic activity) and psychosis and ticcing (too much), and it proved virtually impossible to adjust dosages to strike the right balance. As he has in his subsequent books, Sacks focuses on the experiences of the patient themselves and on the quest of people with afflicted with a wide range of disorders to attain and maintain a balance in living in deeply disrupted circumstances. These patients are people, not cases.
“Sacks has since written numerous quite popular books (Hallucinations being the most recent), but Awakenings remains my favorite, and the most challenging for the reader. The breadth of concepts and material is very striking. Awakenings was made into a film some years later, but the film seemed almost conventional in comparison with the book on which it was based.”
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. 4. Source pages: 4.
Four presentations at the December 2, 2012 meeting of the ABA Study Commission included representatives of the parent group, Chair and Vice Chair, Munn and Morrell, the president of the Louisiana of the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association (LABAA) and Nicholls State U. professor Dr. Grant Gautreaux. Also Dr. Lacey Seymour, psychologist and certified BA presented for the Louisiana Psychological Association, and LSBEP Executive Director, Ms. Kelly Parker, presented for the state psychology board.
Munn and Morrell noted advantages of BA being under an established board, such as the “apprenticeship” relationship and the availability of professional staff.
They described what they view as disadvantages of being under the state psychology board, including an “… economic conflict of interest” and “mistrust/antagonistic relationship.” They listed that psychology is not covered in the current statue (Foil’s Bill, [Act 648, 2008]), and noted that this creates an economic incentive for psychologists to be in charge of BAs.
They also noted that the LSBEP “Invited parents to town hall meeting and in the first few minutes, laid out step by step how they would shut down services if their bill didn’t pass.”
Munn and Morrell also noted “psychologists lobbied to be on this commission at the same time asking the Attorney General if they have the authority to write cease and desist orders.”
Munn and Morrell outlined how the LPC board could provide a structure where BAs have a voice, with two BAs added to the eleven-member LPC board.
Dr. Grant Gautreaux presented the option of an independent board, stating that the “… best outcomes for practitioners and consumers will occur when issues related to the practice of ABA are regulated by BAs.”
In the presentation he noted that behavior analysis is a “distinct scientific discipline, separate from psychology and other disciplines. It originated in experimental—not clinical— psychology, but developed its own conceptualizations, principles, research methods, and scientific literature.” He noted that behavior analysis was developed by B.F. Skinner.
And he noted that the national board states that BA certification is not a psychological certification. And, he said that the profession of BA meets and exceeds the criteria for a distinct discipline.
Gautreaux also noted that problems with the state psychology board involved a “hostile environment laden with threats.” He proposed an independent structure with seven members with board certified behavior analysts and assistants and public members.
Ms. Kelly Parker, Executive Director of the LSBEP, presented an “umbrella” structure under the psychology board. She noted that applied behavior analysis is both a method of psychology and included along with other practices, such as behavior modification, and behavior therapy, in the current Louisiana practice act for psychology.
She noted, “… behavior intervention skills of ABA have broad application potential beyond Autism.”
She presented economic information regarding the costs of boards, and also descriptions from other states, noting that the LSBEP has agreed to BA’s requested industry standards and also to the commission’s recommendations. She also indicated that the arrangement would be temporary. She emphasized that the arrangement would not affect services or require a psychologist to be “involved in your child’s treatment.”
Dr. Lacey Seymour, psychologist and board certified BA, presented for the Louisiana Psychological Association. She described the definition of psychology, “Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior,” and “The discipline embraces all aspects of human experience …” She noted that Division 25 of the American Psychological Association is Behavior Analysis. And, she noted, that licensed psychologists are exposed to “principles of behaviorism” although not all are qualified to practice all methods.
Seymour noted to the members that there are about 59 nationally certified BAs in Louisiana who are not assistants, 15 of those hold PhDs in psychology. She also noted that there are many psychologists who practice behavior analysis who have chosen not to obtain the national certification, and listed several.
She concluded, “… having a subcommittee under psychology will assist in fostering a collaborative relationship …” and “working together will allow everyone involved to continue to provide valuable services to the populations mentioned above without conflict from another board.”
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. 4. Source pages: 13.
Judith Stewart, PhD Psychologist Past President the Florida Psychological Association Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity by Katherine Boo
“Here is a review of the best book I have read this year. It’s a Christmas book because it’s so thought provoking and puts our Xmas in a very different perspective (at least it did for me).
“The last time I was in India I took a cab to the Mumbai airport. Along the many miles of highway there was a wide littered swale that ended at a tall wall. By stretching a plastic tarp from the top of the wall to the bottom a tent like structure was formed, and families lived within. Every foot of wall space was taken. I wondered what it could be like to live in such incredible poverty.
“Pulitzer prize winning author Katherine Boo gives one answer in her book, Beyond the Beautiful Forevers, Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. For three years she lived in and describes life in Anawada, a ½ acre 338 family community in the shadow of luxury hotels. The rule for survival seemed to be, get what you can for yourself at ANY COST to others. There was simply no other way people could see to survive. I found myself stunned by the way this was lived out. Doctors in the publicly funded hospital charged additional fees for their services or you die. People would watch you die on their doorstep. Neighbors cheated each other. Young people killed themselves rather than go any further with their lives and there was no way out. Hope dies hard and people had dreams, like being the best garbage picker and thus making a little more money. Dreams don’t often come true in such a community.
The book is very well written and the people are real and well portrayed . Their stories are followed for the time the author was there. That makes the book both fascinating and unbearable.
“After I read the book I find myself stumbling through my life with a new understanding of alternatives to what I see every day, a new understanding of how limited and lucky my life is and what human beings are capable of. I also saw the continuity in human behavior of greed , cheating, being indifferent to others. The difference it seemed to me is that in our culture greed is the motive. In Anawada survival is the motive. Painful.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Over 200 school psychologists took on the critical topics of how to help at-risk youngsters build on their strengths and stay connected to their educational settings at the recent Louisiana School Psychological Association (LSPA) meeting in Lafayette.
This year’s annual LSPA conference drew a large group of professionals to examine research and theory about “Resilience and Reconnection.”
The conference, held November 7 through 9, 2012, gave attendees a strong list of experts from around the state and also from across the country to outline state of the art concepts and challenges for school psychologists.
The program also included continuing professional development approved by the National Association of School Psychologists.
LSPA President Dr. Yael Banai told the Times that this year’s theme was chosen because the association wanted to emphasize two important directions.
“By emphasizing Resilience, said Banai, “… the thought was to spotlight the particular strengths that students bring to the table, something that often gets lost in that we tend to look at deficit areas which are in need of intervention.”
She explained that since students are often referred for some problem in performance, either academic or behavioral, “We are obligated to make recommendations for remediating deficits.”
“This year’s theme of Resilience helped conference attendees focus on students’ strengths in reaching performance goals,” she said, “areas which can sometimes be neglected.”
“For some students,” she said, “the ‘solution’ is special education classification.” But, she noted, “… this may well have been used too liberally, as many jurisdictions have been targeted as having over-identified certain groups in particular special education categories.”
“This phenomenon falls within the ‘Response To Intervention’ [RTI] movement,” she explained. The RTI movement promotes focused, research-based interventions “… applied with fidelity prior to triggering the evaluation process.”
“One might easily hypothesize that this has resulted in students being classified as special education students, when, with properly applied interventions, such classifications might not have been warranted,” Dr. Banai said.
Resilience topics were combined with the theme of “Reconnection” in this year’s conference. Attendees reviewed critical issues of youths staying connected to adults, to the educational setting, and to their life goals.
“There is concern that youths who become disconnected from the school community may also become disconnected from the community at large and engage in delinquent behavior,” Banai explained. “… this phenomenon has often been called the school to prison pipeline.”
The association leaders wanted to provide skills to “… promote student resilience and to interrupt or slow down this dastardly flow in the pipeline and to promote reconnection with both the educational process and ultimately society as a whole.”
The conference themes were woven through the three days of presentations, including the keynote address on Wednesday, November 7, by Dr. Phillip Lazarus, former president of the National Association of School Psychologists. Lazarus is Director of School Psychology Training at Florida International University and founder of National Emergency Assistance Team. He has provided direct crisis assistance in the aftermath of tragic school shootings and national disasters.
Speaking to an overflowing audience, Dr. Lazarus said, “Though so much has improved for our profession during the past three decades, our nation’s children have not fared as well. Since I began my practice, levels of anxiety and depression in children have increased dramatically. Youngsters are cutting themselves in record number to ameliorate the pain and stress they are experiencing. Within every four hours in America a child commits suicide.”
He pointed to the MECA Study (Methodology for Epidemiology of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents) that estimated almost 21 percent of U.S. children ages 9 to 17 had a diagnosable mental or addictive disorder associated with at least minimum impairment.
“… in child samples, anxiety has increased almost a full standard deviation during a 40-year period,” he told the audience.
Adults have similar changes in anxiety levels he said. “This means that we have highly anxious administrators, supervising highly anxious teachers, who are teaching highly anxious students, who come home to highly anxious parents,” he said. “This cannot be conducive to learning.”
Studies show that the “two most important variables are high environmental threat and low degree of social connection.”
“While our students’ cognitive IQs rise each and every year, it appears that their emotional intelligence has fallen and fallen precipitously.”
He explained that social- emotional learning boosts academic learning by 10-11 percentage points, and reduces conduct problems and distress.
“… school connectedness is positively related to healthy self- esteem, self-efficacy, optimism, and positive peer relationships, and is negatively related to the development of conduct problems, antisocial behavior, depression, anxiety, emotional distress, and suicidality,” Lazarus said.
“We need to have a serious discussion in our country not just on high stakes testing and academic achievement,” he said, “but about the best ways to foster the emotional well-being of our nation’s youth.
“As our founding fathers believed, when we teach our children we should value character first, then knowledge and lastly academic facts. The foundation of our educational system must be safe, supportive and nurturing schools that emphasize character and social-emotional learning,” he said.
“As President Teddy Roosevelt once said: To educate a person in mind and not morals is to educate a menace to society.”
This year’s conference showcased an array of experts in school psychology from around the state and also professionals who have connected with the Louisiana people and culture.
Drs. Stacy Overstreet, Michael Cunningham, Conni Patterson, and Bonnie Natasi, all faculty from Tulane, presented topics to the 200 plus attendees.
Dr. Overstreet, Professor and Chair of Psychology at Tulane, presented Wednesday “Building Resilience and Fostering Reconnection Among At-Risk Youth.” Overstreet’s research has focused on the impact of chronic stressors on children and the resulting risk of maladjustment.
She has recently studied trauma-informed school-based mental health services and is working on developing faculty for a doctoral specialty in Trauma-Focused School Psychology.
Dr. Michael Cunningham, Full Professor at Tulane, presented on “Building Resilience Among African American Adolescents,” following his research on racial, ethnic, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors that affect African American adolescents adjustment to chronic stressful events.
Cunningham is Executive Director of the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching where he serves as Associate Provost. He is appointed to both the Tulane Psychology Department and the African & African Diaspora Studies Department.
Dr. Conni Patterson, Professor of Practice at Tulane and school psychologist, has taught in the school psychology program and served as director of the internship program. Patterson’s presentation covered, “Challenges in Working with GLBQ Youth in the School Setting.”
Also from Tulane faculty, Dr. Bonnie Nastasi, Full Professor in the school psychology program, spoke on “Child Rights Framework for Promoting Personal, Interpersonal and Collective Well-Being.” Nastasi is an Associate of the International Institute of Child Rights & Development, Centre for Global Studies, University of Victoria, British Columbia. She has served as president of APA Division of School Psychology and is currently a member of the APA committee on International Relations in Psychology.
Dr. Alan Coulter, with colleagues Holly Paczak, Ed.S., and Jennifer Koehler, M.A, from T.I.E.R.S. (Teams Intervening Early to Reach All Students) Group, Human Development Center, LSUHSC New Orleans, presented “Keep Your Principal From Getting Fired,” on Wednesday morning.
“School leadership is second only to classroom teaching as an influence on pupil learning,” Coulter told the audience, noting research that emphasized principals’ needs to be fluent in the use of data as a leadership tool.
He noted, “Principals need to know what data could answer key questions, and how to use and array that data to stimulate conversations and encourage actions.”
Koehler told the Times, “School leaders must not only stress the importance of the quality of the myriad data collected in schools, they must also stress the importance of using that data to improve results for all students.”
Coulter, Paczak, and Koehler outlined a model for school psychologists to help support the larger social system changes in their school, drawing from organizational psychology themes and highlighting factors in the changing conditions for principals and school psychologists who work in a consultative capacity.
Dr. Coulter is Director of the Louisiana School Psychology Internship Consortium (LAS*PIC), an APA-accredited doctoral internship. He has a long-standing involvement and interest in early intervention and nondiscriminatory identification of disabilities, and is Co-Director and Lead for Technical Assistance for the national Data Accountability Center.
In their presentation, Paczak and Koehler asked, “It takes 13 years to take a new healthcare innovation from the point where we’ve demonstrated its benefit to the point where it has been established as the standard of care. How long does it take in public education?”
They pointed out that successful principals establish measures based on data, reporting progress based on data, and provided time for collaborative planning with others.
The three-day conference offered an array of other workshops, roundtables, and presentations.
Dr. Kevin Jones, Director of the School Psychology Program at LSU Shreveport, and past president of LSPA, led a “Roundtable discussion of Value Added in Louisiana,” on Wednesday.
Dr. Rebecca Nolan, also from LSU Shreveport, school psychologist and medical psychologist, presented a talk on Thursday, “Medications Use for Treatment of Anxiety & Depression in School Aged Populations.” Nolan has served on the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Psychologists and also maintains a private practice in the Shreveport area.
Dr. John Murphy, professor of psychology at the University of Central Arkansas, and internationally recognized author (Solution-Focused Counseling in Schools) presented “Creative Techniques for Resolving Persistent School Behavior Problems.” Murphy’s focus lies in “emphasizing strength based counseling as a method to both recognize the strengths the student brings to the table and as an avenue to building resilience,” LSPA president Banai told the Times.
Dr. John Simoneaux is a psychologist and trainer from the Alexandria area, and owner of Professional Training Resources. He presented, “Violence and Aggression in School Aged Children and Interventions,” on Friday.
Other highlights of the conference included Dr. Chavez Phelps, a school psychologist for ReNEW Charter Management Organization in New Orleans. Phelps originally came to Louisiana as an intern in the LAS*PIC from Indiana State University. His background includes helping youth in residential treatment facilities, alternative high schools, juvenile justice centers, and adolescent mental health hospitals. Phelps spoke on “Building Resilience in At Risk Youth Using a Whole Child Approach.”
Dr. Brad Dufrene and Dr. Joe Olmi from the University of Southern Mississippi presented. Legal and ethics topics included a presentations by Jim Comstock- Galagan, Executive Director and Senior Attorney for the Southern Disability Law Center, and graduate of Tulane School of Law, and Dr. Wayne Stewart, school psychologist, attorney, and former president of LSPA.
A popular workshop was “RTI [Response To Intervention] for Students with Behavior Disorders,” presented by Dr. Kristin Johnson. Johnson presented to an overflowing audience and followed with another well-attended workshop, “Writing and Implementing Effective Behavior Plans for Disconnected Adolescent Youth.”
Susan Ratterree, the LSPA national delegate and practicing school psychology serving a Charter School in New Orleans, hosted “Roundtable Discussion: School Reform and the Role of School Psychologists in the Charter Schools.”
LAS*PIC pre-doctoral interns presented an array of topics at the conference. Shasta Ihorn spoke on “Multicultural Counseling Perspectives,” David Klingbell spoke on “Selecting and Comparing the Effectiveness of Universal Screening Measures in Reading,” and Erin Leichman, presented “Predictive Validity of the Individual Growth and Development Indicators.”
Also, LAS*PIC intern Tera Bradley, presented on “Using Miscue Analysis within the RtI [Response to Intervention] Framework.” Elizabeth Roberts spoke on “The Relationship between State RtI Practices and National Academic Performance.” And also, Evan Dart presented “Utilizing Students as Behavioral Change Agents: An Example Using CICO [Check In Check Out intervention].”
The annual “Parade of Posters” included presentations from Tulane University students, Amanda Borja, Zainab Siddiqui, Xzania White, Dustin Mars, Heather Henderson, Patrick Bell, Allisyn Swift, and Jorge Verlenden.
Students presenting from LSU Shreveport at the poster session were Amber Easley, Josh McCormack, Allison Fippo, Renee Mobley, and James Terry.
Keynote address at Louisiana School Psychological Association meeting in Lafayette.
Dr. Stacy Overstreet, Chair of Psychology at Tulane, presented to attendees at the Louisiana School Psychological Association in Lafayette, November 7, 2012.
L to R: Dr. Carmen Broussard, Professor, Department of Psychology and Counselor Education at Nicholls U., Dr. Katherine Wickstrom, Professor in Psychology Department at LSUS, and Susan Ratterree, LSPA Representative to National Association School Psychologists, talk with Dr. Kevin Jones, Professor from LSUS. The group worked hard to keep the convention running smoothly for attendees.
Drs. Steven Welsh (L), Phillip Lazarus (C), and George Hebert (R), at the recent gathering in Lafayette for the LA School Psychological Association. Dr. Lazarus, the keynote speaker said, “School psychologists know and understand. We know more about education than anyone in psychology, and more about psychology than anyone in education.”
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. 4. Source pages: 13.
Michele Larzelere, PhD LSUHSC Department of Family Medicine The Emperor of Al Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee.
“In this book, a physician and researcher provides a ‘biography’ of cancer, from the first historical mentions of what we now know as cancer, to the more recent discoveries that are turning some cancers into chronic diseases. Along the way, the author inter- weaves first-person accounts from his own patients with descriptions of the biophysiological challenges cancers present to clinical researchers. He also profiles several early cancer researchers who brought “the C-word” out of the shadows and helped to direct research funding toward cancer cures. The author has a writing style that makes research and treatment concepts easily understood, no matter how long it has been since your last biology class! His explanations should be the model for physicians everywhere. He also demonstrates the type of compassion for his patients and dedication that we would all wish to have in our own oncologist. Given that most of our lives will be touched by cancer in some fashion, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”
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. 4. Source pages: 2.
At Thanksgiving my husband, “Captain Hook,” and I, “The Crocodile,” were incarcerated in The Jail (the back porch of our condo in Navarre) by The Jailors (our 4 year-old granddaughter Samantha and 2 year-old grandson Clark).
Captain Hook proceeded to manipulate his way out of jail, repeatedly lying through his teeth. I accepted my punishment, despite being unfairly held to the human standard of having a superego.
Captain Hook finally signed a document for The Jailors. Even though he refused to sign it in real blood, as I suggested by offering my talents, he still swore to honor it fully. “I agree not to use my hook,” he solemnly pledged and scrawled his signature across the Etch-a-Sketch. Captain Hook, he signed. The impermanence of an Etch-a- Sketch signature notwithstanding, this should have been a clue.
But Sam took him at his word, despite the fact that by this time in the story he had proven himself to be a repeat offender and habitual liar.
Alas, history repeats and destiny dictates. Hook, true to his name, abilities, and job description, escaped again and wreaked more havoc on the countryside, consuming the limited law enforcement resources entirely.
Sam was the optimist who sets out to make a positive change. But like Sam, government’s good intentions don’t always create the results we want.
Watching the ABA Study Commission (and government activity in general now for a while) reminds me that making sausage is troubling to witness.
We have another interesting chapter in the psychology community unfolding, with the behavior analysts, increased prevalence of autism, public awareness and advocacy, and the need for appropriate and cost-effective assistance. Like many other issues in healthcare, there is a challenge for precision, clarity and integrity in leaders. It is very hard and serious work. Commission members must find their way through red tape, human nature, and confusing group process, to something that helps without hurting. Not so easy a task. I admire those with the wisdom and grace to attempt it.
“Quality” outcomes, which include effectiveness, productivity, and cost control, are always harder if the consumer is separated from the vendor. This is a problem with all third party arrangements and so healthcare is vulnerable.
Legislators understandably pass laws to help those in trouble, families and children. Who with any heart at all could vote against the recent bill to remove caps on treatment for autism coverage, including those caps for small businesses? But our troubles are complex. One in 88 or so children will be diagnosed with autism and so one of two or three small businesses will also bear the healthcare cost, or then, the taxpayer. It is not simple.
Heritage tells us that spending on Medicare, Medicaid, the Obamacare subsidies, and Social Security will consume all revenues within the next two generations. In his most recent book, Nicholas Eberstadt, carefully describes the growth of spending. It is a myth that we can “pay-as-we-go” in these healthcare programs, he notes. A political economist and demographer, he writes that the process is unsustainable in any scenario. In reality, he says, these programs are “increasingly financed by the unborn.”
“For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” Kahlil Gibran writes, in his “On Children.”
“You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.”
There was a slew of new babies in our family recently. Our son Jake and daughter-in-law Amber just had their third child, Oliver. Our daughter Kate is expecting. Our niece Jill just gave birth to Alexander and our niece Sarah gave birth to Tristan last month.
Sam – you should have left us in jail.
Captain Hook (aka M. Dooley) grabs The Jailors (Clark and Samantha) trying to fly away. The Crocodile (Photo by A. Dooley) not shown.
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. 4. Source pages: 13.
Kim VanGeffen, PhD Neuropsychologist Past President, Director LPA The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe
“I recently completed this wonderful book which tells the true story of the relationship between a mother and son who spend time together discussing books while she is undergoing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The mother, Mary Ann Schwalbe, is a remarkable woman who spent hours doing international volunteer work helping woman and children who were refugees. She also helped to raise money for a library in Afghanistan. The author and his mother were avid readers and formed their own "book club" after Mary Ann was diagnosed with cancer. Discussing the themes of the books they were reading allowed them to address important issues in their relationship and helped both of them cope with the rigors of Mary Ann's chemotherapy.”
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. 4. Source pages: 6.
Vice Chair of the psychology board, Dr. John Courtney, will be stepping down from his position on the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychology December 31, 2012, according to comments by board members at the LSBEP meeting on November 9, 2012.
Chair Dr. Lee Matthews said that Courtney “will be leaving us.” He indicated that Dr. Rita Culross will likely assume the Vice Chair position.
Dr. Courtney began his five-year term July 1, 2009, appointed by the governor on May 20, 2009. He is a clinical neuropsychologist and medical psychologist.
He is Director of Psychology at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, and is Clinical Assistant Professor at LSU Health Sciences Center, Department of Neurology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics, according to Children’s website staff information.
Also noted is that he attended professional schools of Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Argosy University in Chicago, with special training at the University of Notre Dame, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center/Kingwood Hospital, Indiana.
Dr. Courtney currently serves on the Complaints Committee, the Legislative Oversight Committee, and the Ad hoc Committee: Behavior Analysts.
His resignation is expected to leave an unexpired term opening, which will likely create another election to fill the vacancy, according to several sources.
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. 4. Source pages: 13.
Marva L. Lewis, PhD Sociocultural Psychology Associate Professor Tulane University School of Social Work The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson.
“One of the most inspirational books I have recently read is The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration, (2011) by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Isabel Wilkerson. She tells the story of the exodus of almost six million African Americans from the south to northern and western cities from 1915 to 1970. As I read her beautifully written and well-documented narrative I emotionally connected with the human stories she brought to life. I understood for the first time the back- story of my father and mother’s journey from Birmingham, Alabama to Detroit, Michigan in the 1940s. They were eager adolescents in their late teens and early twenties, having left their high school for the ‘warmth of other suns’ of Michigan. Ms. Wilkerson used the stories of several individuals to illustrate the compelling sociological, economic realities that drove people from the south. She helped me understand the untold story of so many of my relatives who journeyed north to the lure of the ‘promise land’ of high paying factory jobs of General Motors. This book described in graphic detail the brutal reality of life the south in the early twenties that propelled the largest urban migration in American history. The life of Blacks in the south included lynching, psychological terrorism, and unremitting racial discrimination. After reading this book I cried. I felt I had heard the poignant stories of my Uncles Charlie, Silas, and Robert, my Aunts Sadie, and Annie Mae; who were the relatives my parents joined as they began their new life filled with the promises of life ‘up north.’”
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. 4. Source pages: 6.
Self-nominations for a coming position on the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychology will close this Monday, December 10.
Those wishing to serve should contact Gail Lowe, LPA Executive Director, at 225 766 0185.
Three people have self-nominated, according to elections chair, Dr. Phil Griffin. An election will be held and the Governor will appoint from the names.
Dr. Matthews began his service on June 29, 2010. He filled a position left vacant following a resignation of Dr. Paul Dammers. The current opening will be for a full five-year appointment, noted Dr. Griffin’s announcement.
If Dr. Courtney does step down, another election will take place to fill his unexpired term, Dr. Griffin explained to the Times.
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. 4. Source pages: 13.
Tracey E. Rizzuto, PhD Industrial/Organizational Psychologist Associate Professor, College of Human Science & Education Louisiana State University
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
“One of my holiday favorites is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. I revisit it every few years and still marvel at the fact the it was written in 6-weeks time. Now that is what Czikszentmihalyi would call FLOW!”
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. 4. Source pages: 7.
The Psychology Times requested information about the candidates volunteering so far to run for the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, from the Louisiana Psychological Association. They receive the applications.
"LPA has received the following self-nominations,” President Dr. Bryan Gros told the Times. “Dr. Lynn Schechter on October 14, 2012, Dr. Phillip Griffin on November 5, 2012, and Dr. Joseph Comaty, November 25, 2012,” Gros indicated those who have put in their names.
“This is an incomplete list.” And, “Nominations are open until December 10, 2012,” he wanted to make clear. “In the interest of fairness,” he said, “LPA's opinion is that formal public commentary about any candidate should be withheld until the list is finalized on December 10, 2012.”
“The nomination and election process are going well,” he said, “and the Executive Council is engaged in several other activities. We recently approved this year's theme of ‘revitalization’ and the EC is being creative in their ideas,” he said. “We have a strategic planning session scheduled for January. I believe our overall approach will be more action-oriented and progressive.”
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. 4. Source pages: 14.
Gone Fishing – The LSU Lakes Dr. Tom Stigall – Photography
Editors Note: Last December the Times presented readers with some of Dr. Tom Stigall’s photography, who is past president of the Louisiana Photographic Society and a photographic artist. “One thing I have been doing since retirement,” he told the Times, “is indulging myself in a lifelong serious interest in photography.” He has had work accepted for a national competition hosted at LSU. “My work is eclectic as to subject matter. It is the product of a desire to preserve images that will be experienced by the viewer as meaningful: esthetically pleasing, sympathetic and nurturing, awe-inspiring or arresting.” I asked him again for some of his work for our holiday issue and he provided these delightful views of the LSU University Lakes and the interesting inhabitants in our state.
Ahh… Louisiana. (All photos by Tom Stigall)
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. 4. Source pages: 7.
Dr. Lynn Schechter, Baton Rouge psychologist and former Oceanside, New York resident, was interviewed for a USA Today article published on November 17, about the psychological effects on victims of superstorm Sandy.
Dr. Schechter grew up in Oceanside, New York, where she attended public school until age 18. Then she moved to Ithaca to attend Cornell as an undergraduate. She went back to New York City to attend graduate school at Columbia.
Schechter “spent many, many fun times at neighboring Long Beach, which was also devastated by Sandy,” she told the Times.
The USA Today article, written by Laura Petrecca, reported on the emotional struggles of some of the residents of Oceanside. Petrecaa asked Schechter about the stress of the environmental events.
“ ‘You're undergoing a dramatic change in your environment, and that is something that is hard to wrap your head around,”’ Schechter was quoted in the report. “ ‘It really pulls the rug out from under you.’
Some residents of Oceanside have been dealing with stressful living conditions that are not under their control, for over three weeks, the report noted. Schechter explained in the article that that situation can “ratchet up anxiety.”
She noted, “ ‘We all have that illusion that we have control over things, but it is an illusion.”
Dr. Schechter is not new to helping those who have suffered loss and trauma. After the 9-11 attack Schechter provided “… group counseling to individuals who had offices near 9/11 site, as well as individual treatment to those affected by 9-11,” she explained.
Schechter “… also provided counseling services to co-workers who had lost loved ones, at Jacobi Medical Center of Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, where I was employed at the time.”
During the aftermath of Katrina, Dr. Schechter “… provided counseling services in emergency shelters as an individual practitioner, and as a volunteer with the Red Cross. I've also provided counseling in shelters to victims of Hurricane Gustav when I worked for the state.”
For the USA Today article, she cautioned, “During a time of such emotional chaos, storm victims may be tempted to isolate themselves, but it's vital to do the opposite,” she was noted to say. And pointed out that high stress levels can be helped by talking, communicating and social connections.
“ ‘Support networks are really important in a time like this,’ ” she told the reporter and also suggested professional assistance for those dealing with extreme emotions.
Dr. Schechter also pointed out that some people might be able to find the positive in their misfortune.
“ ‘There is the potential for them to be transformed in a positive way," she says. ‘It can lead people to appreciate the moment more in life, as well as their family and loved ones. The things that they took for granted before suddenly become much more dear.’ ”
But, the author noted her to also warn that people need to have patience, and most of us are not very patient by nature.
Dr. Lynn Schechter is in private practice in the Baton Rouge area and provides therapeutic services to private clients and recipients of Medicaid.
A view of the damage done by Superstorm Sandy to a beachfront in Long Beach, Long Island, neighboring Oceanside. Dr. Lynn Schechter, a Baton Rouge psychologist, grew up in Ocean- side, NY, and was recently interviewed by USA Today about how people can cope with stress. (Photo courtesy Dr. Schechter.)
Dr. Lynn Schechter with newest addition to her family. (Photo courtesy Dr. Schechter.)
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. 4. Source pages: 15.
The Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society will hold the 2012 Winter Institute On December 7 and 8, at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, 5 featuring Dr. Nancy McWilliams.
The Times asks Past President and Advisor to the Board, Dr. Chris Garner to review Dr. McWilliams book.
“Nancy McWilliams’, Psychoanalytic Diagnosis: Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process, is a well written, clinically useful, and highly accessible book on contemporary psychoanalytic thinking. It is the first of three related books,” Dr. Garner explained.
“This one focuses on personality assessment/ diagnosis – the other two books focus on case conceptualization and psychotherapy. Dr. McWilliams writes about how to pinpoint personality type (e.g., paranoid, obsessive, depressive, etc.) and the level of ego development (e.g. neurotic, borderline, psychotic), and use the intersection of these two facets to understand clients in deeper ways as well as to guide the psychotherapy process.”
“Factors such as defense mechanisms, drives and affects, object relations, sense of self, and transference/counter- transference are discussed. This book is the most accessible book of its type that I have encountered. Moreover, it is written in an empathic and humanistic way. The concepts in this book have enhanced my understanding and empathy and given me a kind beacon in guide my clinical work. Imagine really feeling for your most defended narcissistic patient because you can truly sense the pain what lies at their psychological core. Imagine a diagnosis that actually gives you some parameters for how to navigate the psychotherapy process. That is what Dr. Williams delivers in this masterpiece.”
“I have read it more than once and used it as a reference countless times with therapy and assessment cases. Every pre-doctoral intern I have worked with reads this book. I usually get some version of a “Thank You” from them. I recommend her other two books as well (Psychoanalytic Case Conceptualization and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy).”
The Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society is an affiliate of American Group Psycho-therapy Association.
The society’s website is http://www.lgpsonline.org/i ndex.html
The society is multi- disciplinary with psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, counselors, students, and other mental health professionals.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.