Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 9.
In her role as co-founder of a science-based technology company called Body Evolution Technologies, Dr. Tiffany Stewart is helping to launch a new commercial app that will blend health interventions and scientific research. The app is named The Body Image VoiceTM and will be introduced Wednesday, May 2 at a reception at Pennington Biomedical, from 10:30 to 11:30 am.
Dr. Stewart is Director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory: Eating Disorders & Obesity, at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and is the co-inventor of the new app and the system for translating evidence-based treatments into digital-social technologies.
This novel invention, Body Image Voice, helps people to manage body image and eating patterns through web and mobile programs. Using the new technology, individuals develop awareness to their behaviors, shift beliefs and attitudes, and change behavior patterns. This occurs through evidence-based interactions designed into the app for engaging the individual in new thinking and actions.
After the Wednesday product launch, the app will be available and free to anyone online. However, one of the main target groups for the interventions will be college-age women. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, “One out of every four university-aged women uses unhealthy methods of weight control, such as fasting, skipping meals, excessive exercise, laxative abuse, and self-induced vomiting,” noted the developers.
The developers also stated, “We hope to make the general population more aware of the connections between our regard for our bodies and the choices we make on behalf of our health and well- being.”
Body Evolution Technologies is a Louisiana company co-founded by Dr. Stewart and Tom Fischmann, who have combined their expertise in research, prevention, and health interventions, with eLearning technology, explained Dr. Stewart. They have partnered with Pennington and The New Orleans Bio Innovation Center, a commercial venture associated with Pennington.
Samples of Body Image VoiceTM Dr. Tiffany Stewart’s new brain- child “app” designed to help people manage weight and eating behavior. Dr. Stewart is assistant professor and director of the Behavior Technology Laboratory at Pennington and a co-founder of Body Evolution Technologies, a Louisiana company.
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Dr. Charles Robertson, Assistant Professor of Psychology at McNeese State University, and licensed psychologist practicing clinical and neuropsychology in Lake Charles, passed away on March 9, 2012.
His involvement in all levels of the community characterized his continued willingness to help others, from stroke and head injury patients, to teaching crisis and hostage negotiations for police officers, to developing programs for battered women, to supervising students in their internships.
From the early 80s Dr. Robertson worked in independent practice at Lake Area Neuropsychology Associates in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He conducted psychological and neuropsychological assessments and interventions, helping patients with cognitive rehabilitation and chronic pain. He was qualified in clinical hypnosis and biofeedback.
During this time he served as the Director of the Neuropsychology/Behavioral Medicine Program for the Rehabilitation Center at the Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. He served on the staffs of Lake Charles Memorial, Christus St. Patrick and Charter Hospitals. He was affiliated with the Louisiana Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Louisiana Department of Mental Health.
In 2008 he joined the psychology faculty at McNeese State University where he served as Assistant Professor. Along with his teaching responsibilities he supervised interns in the masters program and also those serving in the McNeese Autism Program.
His research interests include auditory processing impairments following traumatic brain injury as well as the application of Applied Behavioral Analysis measures to restore function in this population.
McNeese Psychology Chair, Dr. Dena Matzenbacher, said to the Times, “We hired Dr. Robertson in 2008 to serve as director of the Kay Dore’ Counseling Clinic and to supervise our graduate practicum and internship students. He embraced these two roles with enthusiasm, and was also excited to get back into the classroom,” she noted. “Our graduate students loved him and regularly told me they valued his experience and his concern for their training and future careers. Faculty and staff in our department enjoyed his sense of humor, his positive-but-realistic attitude, and his willingness to tackle any task or situation we faced.”
Dr. Robertson worked also with the Louisiana State Police in their Crisis Intervention Team, a program to train officers for interactions with the mentally ill. He was a member of the Louisiana Association of Crisis Negotiators (LACN) and a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Department, where he was affectionately known as “Doc.”
Lt. Darek Ardoin of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office noted, “‘Doc’ took an active part in the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's office Negotiations Team. He also played a huge role in teaching and overseeing role play in our Crisis Intervention Team, and 40-hour certification classes.”
Master Trooper Craig Rhodes, President of the LACN commended Dr. Robertson saying, “‘Doc’ was a true dedicated professional in his field. With his work in law enforcement and LACN, he proved his deep commitment to helping others and saving lives.”
He wrote, “Doc was a wealth of information in helping to defuse crisis situations and people in crisis with his background and knowledge in psychology. Even in those situations which he was not involved with nor were in his agency’s area of responsibility, Doc was there to help. He did this through his passing of skills and knowledge to negotiators around the state in his many informal discussions and during his many conferences he attended. He may have never known it, but those little discussions helped countless others safely deal with crisis situations by providing just a small piece of knowledge that was used when a crisis commenced. Doc was a true professional in every aspect of his life and it shown brightly with his dedication and work in the field of crisis negotiations.”
Dr. Robertson provided training for the Lake Charles Chapter of the Louisiana Head Injury Foundation, the Lake Charles Medical Auxiliary, and the Southwest Louisiana Business and Professional Women’s Association on topics of stress, traumatic stress, emergency events, and burn-out.
He trained members of the Southwest Louisiana Association of Emergency Medical Technicians and he was a staff trainer and founding board member of the Calcasieu Battered Women’s Shelter in Lake Charles.
He was a member of the American Psychological Association, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, and the International Neuropsychological Society. He was a member of the American Academy of Pain Management, American Academy of Pain Educators, and the Association of Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback.
He was also a member of the American Academy of Forensic Examiners and held the Diplomate from The American Board of Forensic Examiners and a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Neuropsychology. He served as Forensic Evaluator for the 14th Judicial District Court.
Born in Knoxville TN, “Chuck” grew up in Alexandria, and earned his bachelors in psychology from Louisiana Tech, masters from McNeese, and his doctorate from Florida Institute of Technology.
He loved music and in his spare time was a drummer for “Pool House Band,” He also produced music for other artists in his own recording studio.
Colleague Dr. Larry Dilks from Lake Charles, told the Times, “An exceedingly talented Renaissance man, scholar, artist, musician, humorist, practitioner, professor. He loved creating and producing music, seeing difficult patients, teaching graduate students, and consuming the world’s best alcoholic beverages. He did however hate writing reports.”
The Louisiana Association of Crisis Negotiators has created a scholarship fund named in “Doc’s” honor, which will help others receive this training, Master Trooper Rhodes, the President of LACN informed the Times.
McNeese Professor Dr. Cam Melville said, “Chuck was a colleague for twenty plus years. The last two years we were both faculty here at McNeese. Chuck was an informed optimist and an excellent problem solver. In his short time on the faculty he made important contributions helping us move our professional degree programs forward always placing the needs of students first. He was instrumental in helping to develop the McNeese Autism Program.”
Dr. Charles Robertson is survived by his beloved wife Sandy Nugent Robertson of Lake Charles, and, Sandy reminded the Times, by his sweet baby dog, Mia.
He is mourned by many friends, colleagues, officers and students.
Dr. Matzenbacker said, “He is dearly missed, and we will remember him always.”
File photo of McNeese faculty from 2009. Dr. Charles Robertson is second row, left. From L to R: Drs. Cam Melville; Charles Robertson; Jan Disney; Carl Bartling; Linda Brannon; Dena Matzenbacher; and (Photo courtesy Dr. Matzenbacher) Denise Arellano.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 12.
–WEBPAGES–
Costelloe & Associates
(Editor’s note: “Webpages” is a feature that highlights the web presence of those in the Louisiana psychology community.)
Costelloe & Associates Inc. webpage is a functional and educational website that clearly lays out the important services of these psychologists and business consultants. The firm is based in Metarie, Louisiana, and led by licensed industrial- organizational psychologist Dr. William Costelloe.
Services and information for the business environment are presented in an easy to understand manner, with a brief synopsis that then links to additional pages expanding information. Costelloe & Associates provides seven main services described on their website: 1) career counseling, 2) employee selection, 3) sales personnel selection, 4) executive selection, 5) executive consulting, 6) employee opinion surveys, and 7) health care industry consulting.
For career counseling, Costelloe & Associates offers a program to help guide college students in choosing a major or career direction, a job choice program for post-degree individuals seeking guidance, and a job reentry program to help those making a shift in the job market.
In employee selection services, C&A stresses the importance of effective decisions when making new hires. Personnel selection is key to productivity, cooperative work behavior, and integrity, the authors note. They draw attention to the cost of making a bad hiring decision and explain how the average company loses 50 percent of its customers in 5 years due to these organizational issues. And they note how an improved work force helps to create customer retention and increased profits.
On the webpage the consultant describe aspects of their comprehensive approach to hire and promote the best, noting how they integrate “a series of assessments to evaluate the best job fit and align people with their best business strategy to achieve success.”
They use assessments to help people grow and develop in their roles, thereby helping companies develop overall excellence. And also, they measure the impact. “Our system allows organizations to measure performance progress against personal development targets and business objectives,” the authors explain.
Organizational assessment and employee surveys are included in C&A’s services. The firm has over 30 years of experience in employee opinion surveys, and can provide customized, targeted, and detailed feedback to guide organizational development activities.
Also described is the firm’s extensive experience with the health care industry and its work with large hospitals and hospital systems to enhance culture and improve customer service.
Staff pages are included for IO psychologist William H. Costelloe, Ph.D., President, psychologist David E. Lange, Ph.D., organizational psych- ologist Brian Bienn, Ph.D., Certified Personnel Consultant Jackie Glover, CPC, and Human Resources & Business Consultant, Gary Troyer.
This concise and efficient website lists an impressive set of clients and is packed with helpful information for consumers about the services offered by these business psychologists and consultants. For more information go to www.costelloeandassociates.com and www.careercounselingconcepts.com or www.americanhealthforce.com.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The Association for Psychological Science will host its Annual Convention in Chicago, May 24-27, 2012. A number of Louisiana students, professors, and scientists are presenting their research. Below are some of the local research talent. More information is available at http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.p hp/convention.
In a Symposium, “Dirty, Clean, Balanced, and Bitter: Embodiment Perspectives on Morality,” Kendall J. Eskine, from Loyola University in New Orleans will be presenting, “Exploring Moral Tastes: The Bitter Truth About Morality.” The APS program notes, “Across three studies, we demonstrated that moral and sensory/emotional disgust give bidirectional effects that can be moderated by mindfulness, showing specifically that disgusting tastes elicited harsher moral judgments than did non-disgusting tastes and that processing moral transgressions makes a neutral-tasting beverage seem disgusting, with moral virtue eliciting opposite gustatory perceptions.”
Jennifer L. Thibodeaux from Louisiana Tech University, and Walter Buboltz from Louisiana Tech University, will present a poster, “Auditory Distractors and Sleep Deprivation: Significant Combined Factors in Auditory Inattention?” The program notes, “The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between individuals’ sleep quality and performance on a divided attention task with differing levels of auditory distractors present. No significant differences between sleep quality and divided attention performance were evident, but an interaction between sleep quality and distractors was found.”
“The Impact of Emotion Arousal on Item and Associative Memory,” will be presented by Leslie A. Butler from Louisiana State University, and Sean M. Lane, from Louisiana State University.” We examined the impact of emotional arousal on the memory for pairs of pictures using a task that allowed us to separate the effects of item familiarity and associative strength. Our results revealed that while arousal can enhance item memory, it does not enhance and sometimes impairs associative memory.”
Wade Smith from Louisiana State University Laboratory School, Jason Droddy from Louisiana State University, Rebecca R. Robichaux from Mississippi State University, and Anthony J. Guarino from Massachusetts General Hospital, will present a poster presentation, “Relationship Between High School Experiences and First Year College Persistence.” According to the program, “This study investigated the relationship between, (a) school accountability, (b) Pell Grant (c) GPA, (d) TOPS, and (e) Free/Reduced Lunch on first year college retention. Results indicated that students attending STAR4 schools were more likely to persist compared to STARS1 or 2 with odds ratios of 1.38 and 1.62 respectively.”
“Program Characteristics and Internship Placement,” will be presented by Rose M. Niles from Louisiana Tech University, Deborah P. Simpson from Louisiana Tech University, Donna B. Thomas from Louisiana Tech University, and Walter Buboltz from Louisiana Tech University. “The number of psychology graduate students who fail to match for internship continues to increase. We surveyed graduate training programs to determine whether there are particular characteristics of programs with high match rates. No unique program characteristics were related to internship match rates. Additional research is required.”
“Embarrassment and Empathy and Their Relations to Models of the Self and Others,” will be presented by Hung-Chu Lin from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lena Marie Bethell from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and Robert McFatter from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. From the APS program: “Internal working models and dispositions for personal distress and perspective taking were examined as underlying processes of embarrassment and empathy. The findings indicated that embarrassment was primarily associated with the model of self and personal distress, whereas empathic concern was primarily associated with models of others and perspective taking.”
“A Psychological Climate for Emotional Labor? A Study Investigating Burnout and Stress,” will be presented by Kevin T. Mahoney Louisiana Tech University, Christopher T. Huynh Louisiana Tech University, John E. Buckner Louisiana Tech University, and Walter C. Buboltz Louisiana Tech University. “Psychological climate, employee perceptions of their work environment, and employee work behavior, such as emotional labor, may impact work stress. In a survey of 324 employees, psychological climate and emotional labor predicted stress and burnout. Emotional labor also explained some of the influence psychological climate had on these outcomes.”
Kendall J. Eskine from Loyola University New Orleans, Samantha Montano from Loyola University New Orleans, and David Garcia from Loyola University New Orleans, will present “Standing Up for What’s Right: Proprioceptive Effects on Social Justice.” From the APS review, the authors address, “While traditional approaches to social justice focus on higher-order cognitive processes like perspective taking and reflection, the present research shows that physical engagement (literally standing up as opposed to sitting down) can help instantiate interest in various social justice issues.”
(Editor’s note: More APS research next issue.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 15.
Dr. Suzanne Chabaud, speaking at the Louisiana Psychological Association Convention in April. Dr. Chabaud is an expert on hoarding disorders and a consultant on the A&E television show Hoarders. She presented fascinating research about the lives of children-of-hoarders. She is the Director of the OCD Institute of Greater New Orleans.
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Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 16.
Luke Simmering, an industrial- organizational psychology graduate student from Louisiana Tech worked with Golf Digest to develop a survey to understand more about which rules golfers considered sacrosanct and which they think could be easily broken.
Luke developed the survey with co- investigator Dr. Dan Sachau, an IO psychologist and director at Minnesota State-Mankao. The questionnaire was completed by 2,015 golfers and readers of Golf Digest.
The results were published in “Where Do You Fall on Golf’s Honesty Meter?” for the March issue. The 15 item survey covered golfing behaviors such as double hitting the ball, playing shots from the deep rough, moving ball positions, changing scores, ect.
An example question is, “Your ball is in the rough. You take a full swing intending to hit the ball but miss it completely. You did not touch any part of the ball, nor did you change the ball's position. Would you pretend the stroke was a practice swing and not count it?” Eighty seven percent said “Never” and 13 percent said “Under some circumstances.”
Most golfers said they were honest. In 10 of 15 of these golfing “fishy” situations, the majority of respondents reported that they stick with the rules.
However, one of the main findings was that 99 percent of those who admitted to breaking the rules believed that most others also break the rules.
Luke thinks the research “… adds to the conversation that a different set of rules or standards may be pragmatic for recreational golfers,” explaining this to LaTec news reporter Dave Guerin.
The article is available online at: http://www.golfdigest.com/magazin e/2012-03/golf-honesty-survey
Dr. Tillman Sheets is Chair of Psychology at LaTech, and an IO psychologist. Above, he presents for the LPA Fall Conference 2010, Scientific Track.
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A third version of a bill to regulate applied behavior analysts by creating a committee structure within the state psychology board, SB 755, is to be heard today. The newest version includes licensure for behavior analysts (BAs), certification for assistant behavior analysts, a committee with members appointed by the governor, and provisions for an independent authority in the future. The earlier versions, SB 185 and SB 191, met with opposition from members of the Louisiana Association for Behavior Analysts, and others.
The original bill, Senate Bill 185, was heard in the Senate Commerce Committee on April 4. Testifying in support and to clarify supposed misunder- standings regarding its impact on the practice of BAs, were psychology board members Dr. John Courtney and Executive Director, Ms. Kelly Parker.
Courtney testified on a number of issues. He said, “The dilemma that we faced was that behavior analysts, specifically those that are practicing behavior analysis, are practicing a specific set of behaviors, or specific set of practices, that are already regulated.”
Ms. Parker spoke on a number of clarifications. Dr. Phil Griffin, current President of the Louisiana Psychological Association, also spoke in support of the bill.
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Christian, a Baton Rouge breast surgeon, a BA, and mother of an autistic child, spoke in opposition. She said she felt that there is a need for regulation, “… but that the financial and professional conflict creates a problem …” with psychology. She sug- gested putting BAs under the medical board.
The bill was deferred, but then Senator Claitor offered a substitute bill, SB 191, heard in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on April 25.
Dr. Courtney, Ms. Parker, and Dr. Griffin spoke to clarify that the legislation would not shut down clinics, restrict services, or require BAs to obtain doctorates, or to be supervised by psychologists.
Dr. Cecilia Mouton, representing the state medical board testified. “It is our position that the behavior analysts are best licensed and regulated by the psychology board,” she said.
Also testifying in support were Dr. Lacey Seymour, Dr. Brian Esteve, both board certified BAs and licensed psychologists, and also Dr. Michael Chafetz and Dr. Robert Storer.
Ms. Melissa Juno, Executive Director of Baton Rouge Speech & Hearing spoke in favor of the bill, describing their work and how it connected with LSU psychology. “I believe that the most logical and best licensing board to work to establish licensure for ABAs is the Louisiana licensing board for psychology,” she said.
Thirty-one people signed cards to express opposition. Dr. Grant Gautreaux, Assistant Professor of Education at Nicholls State University and President of Louisiana Association of Behavior Analysts spoke against the bill stating his concerns about BAs being allowed eventual independence.
Dr. Michael Dorsey, a licensed psychologist from Massachusetts, testified next. “Many psychologists, many of my colleagues, believe that applied behavior analysis is in fact, somehow a subset of the field of psychology.” And, he said, “I will tell you that psychology and applied behavior analysis are two very different fields.”
Senator Heitmeier suggested looking at DHH to regulate the BAs. Dorsey said that the medical board has a track record of overseeing other professions and allowing them to be independent. “Nothing against the board of psychology,” he said, “but they don’t have that track record.”
Dr. Christian said, “I think this bill is essentially a hostile takeover of the behavior analysts by the psychologists.”
Charles Tubre from The Advocacy Center, a statewide organization serving those with disabilities, stated his concern about the bill. “This profession is an important, evidenced- based therapy, and Louisiana residents who desperately need it should not have their already difficult lives complicated by a needless layer of additional oversights …” He suggested taking more time to make sure citizens have no new burdens.
After further discussion, Senator Claitor indicated that the bill would be reported favorably, as amended, by substitute. Sen. Heitmeier said, “And just to make sure, you are going to work with DHH to look for language, to potentially put them under DHH, moving forward.” Sen. Claitor responded, “I’m going to work with DHH with the assistance of the Chairman (Heitmeier) ….” […] “But I don’t want it to be misinterpreted as a promise that I’m going to work to put this group under DHH.”
At the LPA convention on April 19, the psych- ology board held and open meeting. A group of about ten people from the ABA community attended and voiced their concerns about the legislation, recom- mended changes, and some said that they did not trust the board.
The Times contacted Dr. Robert Marier of the state medical board and asked about the matter. He noted an expectation that the BAs will be regulated by the psychology board.
LSBEP Executive Director Kelly Parker (L) and Chair Dr. Tony Young listen to discussion at the LPA meeting about bringing Behavioral Analysts under the state psychology board.
Mr. Kevin Hayes (front), governmental relations consultant to the LPA, reviews his notes before addressing members at the April LPA convention regarding legislative issues. Representative Tom Wilmont (background) also attended.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 16.
Senior psychology major at Centenary, Ms. Caitlin Neese, presented her study on generational difference at the Southeastern Social Science Association in April. The paper, titled “What's the Matter with Kids These Days? Examining Generational Differences in Workplaces," was a project with Dr. Kelly Weeks, Associate Professor of Business at Centenary.
Caitlin explained to the Times that she interviewed subjects from the five main generations in today’s workforce: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials.
“Some topics we focused our interview questions on were work- life balance, gender roles, multitasking and technology, work ethic, and the desire for a meaningful job,” Caitlin noted. “… we found many differences amongst the generations. We looked at how people view their own generation and then how they view the other generations ….”
Caitlin plans to work on developing a survey for a wide range of employees. “Every generation says they want a meaningful job, but the younger generations define this as having good coworkers and working with good people, while the older two generations equate having success and reaching goals to having a meaningful job,” she explained. “We also found many differences with multitasking and technology. Every generation claimed they use multitasking and technology at work, but the Baby Boomers and Traditionalists are not as comfortable with it as the younger two generations.”
Caitlin is Dr. Amy Hammond’s advisee.
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Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 1.
A bill that re-creates the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), and along with it, the state psychology board, Senate Bill 87, passed the full Senate on April 26. SB 87 re-creates DHH “and its statutory entities” for a four year period. The legislation “Supersedes the provisions of the ‘Sunset’ law,” and makes July 1, 2017 the new Sunset date.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 17.
Monroe-Ruston Region – TBA
The Monroe Area Society of Psychologists will hold a meeting in late May, according to organizer, Dr. Lou'uan Gollop-Brown. She told the Times she is working on the date now, and can be contacted through her office at LaTech for specific information.
Lafayette Region – TBA
For information contact Dr. Gail Gaillespie at gailgill@msn.com.
New Orleans Region – May 18
The Crescent City Area Psychological Society (CCAPS) will be meeting Friday, May 18, at Restaurante Filippo in Metaire. “We gather at 6pm for happy hour. Dinner will begin at 7pm. Our speaker will be Cheryl Knight, a psychologist and certified behavioral analyst. She will talk about behavioral analysis in Louisiana,” said Dr. Carolyn Weyand. All psychologists who work or live in the greater New Orleans area are welcome. To reserve a place at the table, telephone Elaine Salzer at 504-837-6018. For more information on CCAPS, email Carolyn Weyand at carolynweyand@gmail.com
Baton Rouge Area – TBA
For information contact Dr. John Pickering (jpickering7@cox.net).
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
A proposed law would transfer Louisiana State University at Shreveport from the LSU System to the University of Louisiana System.
“LSU-S will cease to exist as a separately accredited institution and will be merged, along with its assets, funds, obligations, liabilities, programs, and functions, into La. Tech,” according to the proposed legislation. The bill has been submitted in both houses, as HB 964 and SB 527.
Students who graduate from the Shreveport campus after the merger will receive their degrees from LaTech. Some estimate the transition will take up to five years, if the law is passed. The merger has been endorsed by the Ruston Chamber of Commerce, based on to a story in the News-Star. The LSUS Faculty Senate has stated they oppose the merger, according to a resolution published online. They said that the merger is not in the best interest of the Shreveport area.
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Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 17.
Dr. Alice Carter, LaTech Professor, chats with Margaret Hindman, LSU APSSC representative, at the recent SEPA Conference in New Orleans. Ms. Hindman is the daughter of Dr. Mary Livingston, also a Professor at LaTech. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Hindman)
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Zero-To-Three, a national organization for the well- being of infants and toddlers has named Dr. Sherryl S. Heller, to its 2012 Class of Leaders for the 21st Century.
Dr. Heller is an applied developmental psychologist and Associate Professor at Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Tulane U. School of Medicine. She is currently a senior mental health consultant on a statewide program aimed at improving the quality of childcare centers across the state.
Dr. Heller provides early childhood mental health consultation to the kindergarten programs at Langston Hughes Elementary School through a partnership with Seamless Transitions and NOLA Outreach. This is a pilot program that is based on Tulane’s Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) program, Dr. Heller explained. Tulane’s ECMHC is a state-funded program that has provided mental health consultation to childcare centers throughout Louisiana for almost 5 years. The hope is to expand this model into other kindergarten programs as well, Dr. Heller noted.
Zero-To-Three is a national, nonprofit organization that informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.
Since 1981, Zero-To-Three has named those to the Fellowship Class of Leaders in order to encourage emerging and current leaders across disciplines in their efforts to improve the lives of youngsters and expand the knowledge base needed to do so. Only ten Fellows each year are selected by an intensive review process to have the opportunity to engage with Zero-To-Three in projects overlapping their professional interests.
Dr. Heller earned her doctorate from the U. of New Orleans and currently serves as a Senior Mental Health Consultant and Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Tulane U. and at the Tulane Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Dr. Heller has a variety of research in infant mental health topics such as reflective supervision, the Crowell parent child interaction procedure, effects of maltreatment on child development, the development of attachment and attachment disturbances in very young children, mental health consultation to child care settings, the effects of violence on child development, and perinatal loss. She has been a faculty member in Tulane University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences for almost 15 years.
Dr. Sherryl Heller (Photo courtesy Dr. Heller)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Dr. Gilda Werner Reed of the U. of New Orleans psychology department has been named in the nation’s top-rated profess- sors, according to Princeton Review’s The Best 300 Professors, published in April by Random House/Princeton Review.
The top list was developed by Princeton Review in collaboration with RateMyProfessor.com, from over 42,000 faculty members nationwide. From this group, 1000 professors were selected and then authors obtained further input from school administrators and students. The top 300 professors were selected and viewed as those who were most able to teach, motivate, inspire, and help make the coursework interesting to their students, as well as responsive and accessible.
The new guidebook is a companion to The Best 376 Colleges, also by Princeton Review.
Three Louisiana professors were included in the top 300. Along with the Dr. Reed, the only psychology instructor, the list included Dr. Peter Burns (political science) from Loyola, and Dr. Chris Suprenant (philosophy) from Tulane.
Dr. Reed is a popular instructor in the U. of New Orleans psychology undergraduate program, teaching eight different courses on campus and online. The Times asked her how she was able to motivate so many students. “I have excellent, inspiring students!” she said. Dr. Reed also explained that she is a strong advocate of public education and that her students truly want to learn. “Mom and dad aren’t paying the bills,” she said. “My students really want to be there. They are a joy to teach!”
Dr. Reed’s involvement in the larger community and her enthusiasm for public life includes a bid for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 when she won her primary but lost in the general election. She was named Louisiana Woman of the Year in 2008 by BayouBuzz and was named an honorary member of the Jefferson Firefighters Association for her support. She has been honored with a Trailblazer Banquet Award, served on the Jefferson Parish and the Louisiana Democratic committees, and in 2008-2009, Dr. Reed was rated 21st by RateMyProfessors.
She is a “staunch public school advocate” and has interests in the rights of children with disabilities. Among her seven children are two youngsters adopted with disabilities, she explained. And, among her 15 grandchildren are “two multi-ethnic treasures from Belize.” Gilda is herself a survivor of polio.
Dr. Gilda Werner Reed attended University of Southwestern Louisiana, Tulane-Newcomb, and earned her doctorate in applied biological psychology from UNO.
The Huffington Post published the announcement also and chose Dr. Reed as one of 13 professors highlighted. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/06/princeton- review-ratemyprofessor-profs_n_1408972.html)
Dr. Gilda Werner Reed (Photo courtesy Dr. Reed)
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Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 9. Source pages: 4.
A bill supported by the Louisiana Counselors Association designed to correct problems from last year’s legislation by Senator Mount, was passed favorably out of Senate Health & Welfare Committee. The author, Senator Mills, said the legislation was for “tweaking of what we said last year …”
Cindy Nardini, Licensed Professional Counselor from Alexandria and Government Relations Chair for the Louisiana Counselors Association, testified that some problems had been identified with last years Act 320, legislation that clarified and expanded counselors’ practice.
Nardini explained the new legislation would remove the component of “active care” which she said, “violates the rights of patients with serious mental illness by mandating that they have to be under the active care to be able to be seen and receive services from a licensed professional counselor …”
The new legislation would also extend the collaboration and consultation requirement to all practitioners authorized to prescribe for psychiatric conditions and to physicians from other states.
Nardini noted that Louisiana Counselors Association had contacted all the other mental health professions in the state; the “Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the Louisiana Psychological Association, The Louisiana Medical Psychologists, and the Louisiana Association of Marriage & Family. All have indicated no opposition to the bill.”
The Louisiana Association of Nurse Practitioners submitted cards in support of the legislation.
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, represented at the meeting by Executive Director Kelly Parker, and the Louisiana Academy of Family Physicians, represented by Dr. James Taylor, Jr., spoke in opposition.
Also speaking in opposition was Dr. C. Mouton, investigator for the state medical board. Those in opposition noted that amendments were being negotiated with Dr. Robert Marier of the medical board, but did not clarify the nature of those amendments.
The bill passed favorably out of the committee following Senator Mills’ agreement that he would not “move the bill forward” until the negotiations regarding amendments were completed with all parties.
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