The Southwestern Psychological Association (SWPA) will hold its 2012 annual conference at the Sheraton Hotel on April 12-14, 2012, in Oklahoma City. In addition to its regular program of posters, symposia, papers, workshops and invited talks, SWPA will offer over 20 hours of continuing education for psychologists.
On April 11, Dr. John Simoneaux, licensed psychologist from Pineville, will present a six-hour preconference workshop on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The fifth edition of the diagnostic manual is scheduled to be published by the American Psychiatric Association in the spring of 2013 and will offer significant changes in nomenclature, diagnostic methodology and interpretation of mental disorders. Dr. Simoneaux’s workshop will inform attendees about the most recently proposed changes, highlight controversial areas, and offer insight for sources
of information available prior to the publication date.
Dr. Simoneaux practices in Pineville Louisiana and is the owner of Professional Training Resources. He is a graduate of Nichols State University and Texas Tech University. He is a well-known workshop presenter and lecturer on ethics and forensic psychology. He frequently serves as a court appointed expert witness and regularly testifies in a number of jurisdictions.
The regular continuing education program will feature a three-hour workshop on ethics, two workshops in psychopharmacology, and a series of two hour workshops on Motivational Interviewing, assessment of sex offenders, Dialectic Behavioral Training, PTSD, Parenting, and Redecision Therapy.
Several general session symposia are being offered for CE credit and include Risk- Taking in Young Adults, by Shelia Kennison, Constructive Memory by Daniel Schacter, and Resilience After Catastrophes by Ann Masten.
APA approval is being finalized. Regular CE registration is $140.00 in addition to SWPA registration. The preconference workshop is $50.00. In order to register a participant must create either a member or nonmember profile. Full details can be found at the SWPA website, www.swpsych.org. Questions about the CE program should be directed to Dr. Larry Dilks, CE chair, at larrydilks@suddenlink.net.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Dr. Lisa Bertman Pate, clinical psychologist and professor, died of melanoma on January 24, 2012, at the age of 44. Dr. Pate was an LSU graduate, an assistant professor at Tulane University School of Medicine, and a faculty member of Harvard University’s OCD Institute.
Her post-graduate emphasis was OCD and she quickly became a top professional in the field, serving on the Board of Directors of the Mid-Atlantic OCD Foundation and the Scientific Advisory Board of the International OCD Foundation. She consulted with people from all over the country and taught alongside international experts at the Cape Cod Institute.
The consensus among friends and colleagues is that Lisa had a remarkable ability to engage people and was an exceptional and gifted therapist. “She really liked the complex, complicated cases,” said Dr. Phillip Brantley, an early supervisor. “She was absolutely challenged by complex cases and severe pathology.”
Lisa’s husband, Dr. Drew Pate, psychiatrist and graduate of LSU Medical school, said, “In this she was similar to her dad,”
remarking on Lisa’s ability to connect with difficult patients. “Something about her was very engaging and exciting. She could get people to do things and get them excited about their treatment. Person after person who could never engage with anyone else – she could get them to do it.”
Friends and colleagues noted to the Times that Lisa’s spirit, dedication, and her positive, contagious enthusiasm, which she freely shared with friends, associates and clients, was ever present in her character.
Dr. Lisa Bertman Pate graduated from Tulane University’s Newcomb College in 1989 and went on to earn her doctorate from LSU in 1999. From 1992 to 1996 she worked as a therapist at the LSU Psychological Services Center at LSU, a Psychology Extern at the Adult Treatment Unit at Greenwell Springs Hospital in Baton Rouge, and as a Medical Psychology Extern in the Behavioral Medicine Practicum at Earl K. Long Hospital, Psychology Consultation Service, in Baton Rouge, with Dr. Phil Brantley.
“I’ve never seen anyone more eager to learn and gain from clinical experience,” said Dr. Brantley. She loved “complex, complicated cases. Just a delightful person.”
Studying with LSU Professor Dr. Claire Advokat, Lisa coauthored a number of studies, including “Intrathecal co-administration of morphine and excitatory amino acid agonists produce differential effects on the tail-flick of intact and spinal rats,” and “Comparison of the antinociceptive and amispastic action of (-)baclofen after systemic and intrathecal administration in intact, acute and chronic spinal rats,” in Brain Research.
“I recall she was a very personable, intelligent, vibrant young woman,” said Dr. Advokat, explaining that Lisa’s efforts were crucial in their coauthored work, “Clinical outcome to clozapine treatment in chronic psychiatric inpatients,” research published in Progress in Nem- PchooMcologic & Biological Psychiatry.”
In 1994, working with Dr. Don Williamson, Lisa published “Body image, body dysphoria, and dietary restraint: Factor structure in nonclinical subjects,” in Behaviour Research and Therapy.
During ’96-’97, Lisa worked as an associate and extern at the Feliciana Forensic Facility in Jackson and completed efforts that led to her dissertation, “Effect of an Individualized Treatment Protocol on Competency Restoration in Pretrial Forensic Inpatients.” This study later evolved to a publication for The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, with coauthors including with Dr. William Waters and Dr. John Thompson.
She took her internship in clinical psychology at Harvard Medical School, the McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. There she facilitated psycho-educational and process groups for patients with severe illnesses. Rotating to the OCD Institute at Harvard she continued at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Institute in a post-doctoral fellowship, and then as a Behavioral Therapist at the Institute until 2001.
In 2001 she returned to Louisiana and became Assistant Professor at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where she also provided assessment and treatment of forensic patients and also supervised interns.
Julie Graybilll, Senior Program Coordinator in Forensic Psychiatry at the Tulane Medical Center said Lisa was, “An amazing person, the way she touched people. She was so caring with them [clients] and would even go to their homes to help them – as a specialist in OCD. Everyone idolized her. A perfect doctor and a great friend.”
Dr. Daniel Winstead, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Tulane, said, “Lisa was a truly gifted therapist with my OCD patients. She went out of her way to accommodate the patient initially and was then able to get them to make great strides in relatively short time periods.”
In July 2003 Dr. Pate became Clinical Assistant Professor, working with ambulatory patients with anxiety and affective disorders and supervising pre-doctoral psychology interns, and also working in her private practice.
After Katrina Lisa and Drew relocated to Baltimore. “Lisa was pregnant with our littlest, Ezra,” Drew said. The family went back and forth between Baltimore and New Orleans until Drew took a permanent position. Lisa added a Maryland license in 2007 and began a private practice, specializing in OCD. She was sought out as a consultant by people from all across the country, Drew explained, and also was being sought after by the producers of a television show for hoarding. During this time Lisa was also able to be “sort of a stay at home mom,” Drew said.
Dr. Lisa Pate was a member of the American Psychological Association, a member of the Genetic Consortium of the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, a member of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, and of the Society for Neuroscience.
With several colleagues, including close friend Dr. Gina M. Manguno-Mire from Tulane, Dr. Pate published “Are release recommendations for NGRI acquittees informed by relevant data?” in Behavioral Sciences & the Law (2007), and also “PCL-R Scores are Consistent with Release
Decisions in a Secure Forensic Hospital,” in the J. of the Am. Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. She was lead author for “The New Orleans Forensic Aftercare Clinic: A Seven Year Review of Hospital Discharged and Jail Diverted Clients,” in Behavioral Sciences and the Law.
During her career she also served as Research Coordinator at the Feliciana Forensic Facility in Jackson, as Research Assistant at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, as instructor and teaching assistant at LSU, and as quest lecturer at the Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders: New England Educational Institute, Cape Cod Summer Symposia, Obsessive Compulsive Foundation National and Boston Affiliate, Grand Rounds–Lahey Clinic, and at Tulane Medical Center.
Friend and colleague Dr. Gina Gina Manguno-Mire noted that “Lisa was a very dedicated psychologist and accomplished professionally, and yes, LSU and Tulane/New Orleans were very important to her.”
“I can tell you she was one of a kind,” Dr. Gina Manguno-Mire said. Gina met Lisa in graduate school at LSU and quickly became friends. “Lisa made you feel like she had known you and liked you forever,” Gina said. “She developed a legion of friends wherever she went. She was one of the most positive and vibrant people I have ever encountered.”
“She moved back to New Orleans in 2001 and I had the pleasure of reconnecting with her and watching her marry the love of her life, Drew, and have two beautiful sons, Sam and Ezra, to whom she was devoted.”
Gina reflected the sentiments of many when she said, “… a tragic loss for all of us whose lives Lisa touched with her exuberance and passion for her life and her life’s work.”
Her husband Dr. Drew Pate, shared that, “She did everything to the fullest, one of those people that had no regrets. There was nothing she would have changed about her life.”
Our colleague Dr. Lisa Jo Bertman Pate is survived by her beloved husband Dr. Drew Pate and sons Samuel and Ezra, parents Skip and Sandy Bertman of Baton Rouge, and sisters Jan, Jodi and Lori.
Photo courtesy Dr. Drew Pate
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Dr. Mary Williams-Brewer served the University of New Orleans for 29 years, including as Chair in 1993 to 1995 and Associate Chair from 1990 to 1993. She was professor to a generation of doctoral, masters, and undergraduate students, using her gift at making statistics and research understandable and meaningful. She followed a research program into vision and reading that spanned decades, achieving innovations in our understanding and treatments for dyslexia and ADHD. She was an imaginative, intelligent, and caring person who found time for her beloved husband James, and to assist in her church and community. Dr. Williams-Brewer passed away from lymphoma on May 30, 2011, at the age of 56.
Born in Syracuse, New York, Mary Williams earned her undergraduate at Syracuse University and completed her doctorate from State University of New York at Buffalo, where she worked with Dr. Naomi Weisstein. She went on to work with Dr. Bruno Breitmeyer at the U. of Houston’s visual cognition lab, and these research interests that shaped her career for a lifetime.
Colleague and friend, Dr. James Brown, U. of Georgia, who was an office-mate with Mary in graduate school, wrote in collaboration with Dr. James May, of UNO, and Drs. Breitmeyer and Weisstein, noted “Mary was always interested in high-level vision, which she explored with imagination, verve and originality. Her PhD thesis asked whether some higher-level variables in visual stimuli influenced the timing of metacontrast functions. She found beautifully regular variations of the functions with the degree of apparent depth and amount of connectedness.”
Mary followed this interest for the whole of her career, publishing “Asymmetries in metacontrast and motion in red/green isoluminant stimuli,” and “Effects of contrast and spatial frequency on bistable stroboscopic motion,” both in Psychonomic Society. Her work included book chapters “A wavelength- Specific Intervention for Reading and Disability,” in Vision and Reading, and “The Effects of Wavelength on Visual Processing and Reading Performance in Normal and Disabled Readers,” in Facets of Dyslexia and its Remediation. Her “Temporal processing deficits in specific reading disability,” in Applications of Parallel Processing in Vision, was published in the prestigious Elsevier’s Advances in Psychology Series.
In their article honoring her work, Mary’s colleagues wrote, “Dr. Williams' research focused on developmental disorders, especially developmental
dyslexia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood and adulthood. [Her] Specific topics have included visual processing deficits in dyslexia, the effects of stimulus contrast and wave- length on visual processing in dyslexia, interventions for dyslexia, attention processing deficits in dyslexia and ADHD, auditory processing and affective processing in ADHD, and ADHD symptomology in college students.”
Mary authored or coauthored over 70 articles, presentations, and invited addresses, including “The effects of spatial filtering and contrast reduction on visual search times in good and poor readers,” and “Effect of wavelength on performance of attention-disordered and normal children on the Wisconsin Card Test,” in Neuropsychology, with coauthors including Dr. Kevin Greve.
She presented at state, regional, national and international conferences, including the Michigan Dyslexia Institute Regional Conference, the Society of Research in Child Development, and the National Dyslexia Research Foundation Annual Conference. Traveling to Bern,
Switzerland, she presented, “The effects of wavelength on reading comprehension of dyslexic children, at the Rodin Remediation Committee Annual Conference. And she co- presented “Perceptual Effects of a Transient System Deficit in Disabled Readers,” at the XXIV International Congress of Psychology in Sydney, Australia.
Mary’s colleagues wrote, “The results of her program of research showed that dyslexic and ADHD individuals demonstrate timing deficits in the magnocellular visual system that disrupt basic visual processes such as contrast processing, higher level visual operations such as reading, and basic attentional operations such as selective and divided attention. A series of studies also led to the development of simple interventions, such as altering stimulus spatial frequency, contrast, and wavelength, which effectively compensate for the deficit in the magnocellular system and result in improvements in reading and attentional performance.”
And about her contributions to UNO, colleagues noted, “She was a mainstay of the department, helping to shape its development across the years before most current members of the department arrived.”
Mary was awarded several grants from the National Institute of Health, she worked with the Louisiana Find Work Program, (Strategies to Empower People Program), the Children’s Unit of the Southeast Louisiana Hospital, and the LSU Medical School, including evaluations for medical students. And she supervised practica for he UNO Psychology Department Clinic, for Oschner Child Development Center, and for LSU Department of Pediatrics. She also supervised students in the UNO Psychology Department Cognitive Development Clinic, and Substance Abuse Practicum, at the Southeast Louisiana Hospital Children’s Unit.
Dr. Williams-Brewer was a dedicated professor who helped guide over thirty thesis and doctoral projects with her students, and as committee chair numerous dissertations, including now Dr. Randal Graf’s “Cognitive belief subscriptions as indicators of health and lifestyle behaviors: Implications for applied psychology in health promotion.”
Mary was also closely connected with her church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help of Kenner, Louisiana, Legion of Mary, Catholic Daughters, and the Alter Society. “She was the kindest, most caring person I’ve ever known,” her husband, James shared with the Times.
“She is remembered by us as a spunky, enthusiastic and fun- filled vision researcher as well as a personal friend,” wrote Drs. Brown, May, Breitmeyer and Weisstein. “She always approached her activities with an infectious sense of adventure and understanding. Mary will be greatly missed.”
Dr. Mary Williams-Brewer. Photo courtesy of Mr. James Brewer.
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. 7. Source pages: 12.
LSU Boyd Professor of Psychology and Professor Emeritus, Dr. Arthur J. Riopelle died in Houston at his daughter’s home, on Saturday, February 11, 2012. He was 91.
Dr. Art Riopelle was internationally known for his work with primates, including his efforts for the Army and Air Force that sent the first monkeys into space.
He gained worldwide notice when he wrote the National Geographic articles on the first albino gorilla ever discovered, and he traveled back and forth to Barclona, Spain, during his career to see to this ape, named “Snowflake.”
He was the head of the first Delta Regional Primate Research Center in Covington. In his position at LSU, beginning in 1972, he was professor, mentor, and gentleman to a generation of doctoral students. The Times will provide a memorial article in the coming issue.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Jean Riopelle Guez
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The 2012 legislative session will convene at noon on Monday, March 12 and pre-filing of many bills was completed yesterday.
In a February 24 email to licensed psychologists, current chair Dr. Tony Young from Louisiana Tech wrote that the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) has not been called for Sunset as yet. He and other sources have explained that if the board is not called, then the current licensing law will stay in effect. LSBEP Executive Director told the Times last month that the board was prepared should they be notified to report regarding Sunset.
Senate Bill 185, by Senator Dan Claitor, was pre-filed on February 28. This legislation would establish the “Board Certified Behavioral Analyst Practice Act.” The proposed law establishes the licensure of behavioral analysts and places the practice under the psychology board.
SB 185 creates a “Licensed Behavior Analyst Committee” that
would review and recommend action on applications for licensure or re-licensure and education, training, professional codes, and other matters. The committee would consist of two certified and licensed behavior analysts and once licensed psychologist. The behavior analyst members of the committee shall be appointed by the Louisiana Association for Behavior Analysis.
Requirements for the license would include a PhD or masters degree and supervisory experience in applied behavior analysis, including a national exam and a jurisprudence exam. The practice of applied behavior analysis will exclude psychological testing, neuropsychology, and diagnosis of mental disorders, among other subjects.
Minutes of the LSBEP indicate that the board has been reviewing national trends and issues regarding
the practice of applied behavior analysis or ABA, and following the issues rose by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards.
In the letter to licensed psychologists, the Chair, Dr. Tony Young, asked licensees to support the legislation stating that it was in the best interests of public and a necessary step in protection of the citizens of Louisiana. He said that this arrangement has been successful in others states and indicated that behavior analysis falls under the practice of psychology.
In a letter to the Louisiana Psychological Association, President Dr. Phil Griffin, told members that the LSBEP was left with a choice to issue cease and desist orders or undertake legislation to bring behavior analysts under the board. He said that LPA was “totally neutral” and would not take a position. However, Griffin indicated that LPA might support the measure if the “eventual language” allows for responsible practice and does not “impinge on the practice of psychology.”
Senate Bill 216, supported by the Licensed Professional Counselors board and the Louisiana Counseling Association, seeks to change parts of the language in the Mental Health Counselors Licensing Act.
This legislation would amend portions of a law passed last year authored by Senator Willie Mount. Mount’s bill ultimately provided for Licensed Professional Counselors to expand or clarify their scope of practice in treating those with “serious mental illness.” This newest piece of legislation, Senate Bill 216 is authored by Senator Fred Mills and modifies the consultation and collaboration requirement put in place last year.
The proposed law removes the words “under active care of a practitioner” licensed by the medical board, and softens the meaning with “in accordance with industry best practices, consults and collaborates.” In also introduces the term “or a comparable state licensing authority …”
HB 326, authored by Representative Thomas Willmott, and supported by the Louisiana Psychological Association, proposes to amend the Children’s Code Articles regarding emergency certificate admission. The proposed law “adds authorization for a psychiatric mental health nurse
practitioner or psychologist to execute an emergency certificate” after examination and finding that he or she is a danger to self or others. Other changes in specifying the date in the emergency certificate and providing the name of the health professional to the parish coroner are included.
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists had published a public notice in February that they would propose legislation to change licensure requirements. Indications were that the board was investigating making adjustments to psychology licensure law, in concert with the American Psychological Association model act, so that new PhDs could be licensed more quickly. However that effort was tabled because the board discovered that it needed to study issues further before taking action, according to the Executive Director.
Psychology board Chair, Dr. Tony Young, has helped develop the bill to create a regulatory committee under the psychology board for applied behavior analysts.
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. 7. Source pages: 15.
Dr. Mark Muse, Louisiana medical psychologist and author of the upcoming text, Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Psychologists, has launched an online continuing education resource.
The site, MensanaPublications.com, “supports the scientist-practitioner approach for all psychologists,” explained Dr. Muse, and hosts a variety of topics and resources for psychologists in the U.S. and Canada. He noted that the goal is to provide training relevant to movements in psychology including primary care integration, psychopharmacology, ethics, cultural competence, and mental health policy.
“Mensana Publications was born out of the need to publish professional material for psychologists in Europe [Spain] some 20 years ago,” Dr. Muse told the Times. “I was practicing in Barcelona and found that I couldn't get the patient education material I needed in the Catalan language, so I set up a publishing house and collaborated with a 1/2 dozen Catalan physicians and psychologists to create the material. From that beginning, we ended up publishing three books under the Mensana Publications name before I returned to America 13 years ago,” he noted.
Mark recently moved his publishing house to the virtual environment. “We try to get as many primary sources to psychologists as possible so that they can best decide which way to take their professional development and practice,” he noted. “We are not interested in watered- down generic titles meant for the ‘mental health’ field,” he said. “… rather, we cater to the scientist-practitioner, which is by definition psychologists.”
Dr. Muse practiced off and on in a family medical practice in Maurepas, Louisiana, where he was introduced to the role of a psychologist in primary care. “This is an exceptionally challenging and tremendously rewarding venue,” he explained, “and one I believe is
going to expand exponentially in the very near future.”
The integration of psychologists into the primary care role is one of the themes of his new website, drawing on books, journal articles, and even dissertations to build an accessible and affordable array of training tools for modern psychologists.
Some of the offerings from Mensana include a 2 credit course on “CDC Alert: Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Aged < 18,” and an ethics course, “Communicating Research Results to Participants.” Also included are a number of courses on dissertations. “Another reason for starting the mensana website was to encourage publishing outstanding doctoral dissertations,” Dr. Muse noted. “A good deal of this kind of research goes unnoticed. Stellar dissertations are well executed research projects that reap practical or heuristic results. Mensana is actively promoting the publication through our website of select dissertations.”
“I am a recycled psychologist, many times over,” he said. “I originally specialized in clinical research, and then later shifted to applied psychology, which I have practiced for some 30 years now. Recently, I recycled to add psychopharmacology to my practice, which has been enormously rewarding. If I were a soft practitioner before, I became a hardened scientist-practitioner after the RxP coursework and training.”
Mark now spends most of his time in Maryland, but has not ruled out continuing his work in Louisiana as he approaches retirement and has more time.
“I just turned in the final review of the galley proofs for the Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Psychologists, and so it will soon go to press. It is due out in April, but might hit the street before then. It is a 500 page volume with more than a dozen contributors. Coeditor Bret Moore and myself will be presenting on some of the material in the book at the APA convention in Orlando.”
For details see http://www.mensanapublications.com
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Dr. Darla Burnett received the top number of votes in the LSBEP election that closed on February 6. She won the top spot by capturing 77 votes or 43 percent of the total 180 psychologists voting in the election.
Dr. Gary Jones came in second with 67 votes, for 37 percent of
the total. Dr. Arnold James received 36 votes, or 20 percent.
Dr. Burnett is a clinical and medical psychologist engaged in private practice in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. She earned her PhD from U. of Southern Mississippi and has been licensed in Louisiana since 2001. She has previously served as president of LPA and is serving as Federal Advocacy Coordinator. She holds a certificate for medical psychology from 2010.
Dr. Gary Jones is professor and Chair at LSUS. He served on the Mississippi board of examiners, as Team Chair for APA Accreditation Site Visit Teams for Clinical Psychology, and as president of the Southeastern Association of Directors of Clinical
Psychology. He is a member of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and he earned his PhD from Bowling Green State University.
Dr. Arnold James is Assistant Professor at Tulane University School of Medicine, a consulting psychologist at Southeastern Louisiana Hospital, and psychology representative to the Tulane U. Medical Center Psychiatry Medical Education Committee. Dr. James earned his PhD from U. of South Carolina and was licensed in 1994. He is involved with United Way programs in the N.O. region and also community programs in Houston.
Dr. Burnett’s and Dr. Jones’ names have been submitted to the governor, according to the LPA Executive Director.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society will hold its Spring Institute on March 23 and 24, 2012, in New Orleans at the Sheraton on Canal Street.
Dr. Christopher Garner, licensed psychologist and Certified Group Psychotherapist, is current President of the society. He told the Times that the institute will offer an educational experience that many may find to be a little different because of the focus on experiential training. The institute will include small breakout, facilitated groups, led by senior members who are Certified Group Psychotherapists.
“While there are clinically relevant theoretical and technical matters that will be discussed,” he explained, “there will be an emphasis on experiential learning. Between lectures, there will be demonstration groups with debriefings … participants will not only hear about concepts but see them in action and get group experience themselves,” Dr. Garner said.
The theme for the March institute is “Vulnerable Moments: A Self-Psychological Approach to Working with Groups and Couples.” The guest presenter will be Dr. Marty Livingston, graduate of Columbia University and a private practitioner from New York. He holds certificates in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis,
and group therapy from the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health in New York City. He has authored three books, including Vulnerable Moments: Deepening the Therapeutic Process. Dr. Livingston has taught at the Postgraduate Center, the Training and Research Institute for Self Psychology, Hunter College, and George Washington University, among others.
Dr. Livingston will present the highlight address, “From Freud to Kohut: Background for Some Thoughts on Vulnerability,” on Friday morning at 8:30 am after registration. On Saturday he will present “Sustained Empathic Focus: Bridging Theory and Practice.”
Small breakout groups, with a facilitator and eight participants, will be offered throughout the two-day
event. Leaders, all Certified Group Psychotherapists, will include Dr. Livingston, Dr. Garner, Dr. Douglas Greve, a psychiatrist from New Orleans, who will co-lead a group with Dr. Sue Jensen, psychologist from Baton Rouge, and Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, a psychologist and medical psychologist from Baton Rouge.
In explaining why this training can be so powerful, Dr. Garner said, “One way to put it is that there is an affective hook with this kind of learning, one that allows for a deeper and more personal understanding of the theoretical material.”
“Our conferences are engaging,” he noted, “far from boring, and participants tend to leave with a personal sense of psychological renewal.”
Dr. Carolyn Weyand, explained, “Self Psychology, formulated by Heinz Kohut, holds at its base the conviction that a person's dynamic representation of self and self esteem form the heart of psychological well- being.”
Dr. Garner noted that LGPS is one of only two state organizations that is multidisciplinary and focused on the practice of psychotherapy, in this case group psychotherapy. The other is the psychoanalytic institute in New Orleans, he explained. “Members include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, substance abuse counselor, etc. I have found this diversity to be professionally rewarding,” Dr. Garner said.
LGPS is offering 13 units of APA approved continuing education for psychologists. LGPS is affiliate society of the American Group Psychotherapy Association. For questions or more information contact lgpsnews@gmail.com.
LGPS officers, Chris Garner and Christen Cummins, discuss group psychotherapy with LSU MHS Interns and invite them to attend the organization’s upcoming multi- disciplinary training event in March. From Left: Angela Beard (Psychology Intern), John Hayes (Psychology Intern), Chris Garner (Clinical Psychologist), Christen Cummins (Social Worker), and Josh Pitre (Social Work Intern).
Photo courtesy of Dr. Garner.
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. 7. Source pages: 1.
The newly forming Monroe area regional group will gather on March 14, 2012, at 6:00 pm, in the Community Meeting room of the Lincoln Parish Library in Ruston. Co-organizer, Dr. Lou’uan Gollop-Brown, told the Times, “We are excited about this new venture and expect that coming together as an organized unit will benefit our field in the years to come.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The Louisiana School Psychology Internship Consortium (LAS*PIC), a program of the Human Development Center of the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, is celebrating 20 years of excellence in 2012. The APA-approved internship draws candidates from all over the nation and is one of the leading psychology training programs in the state.
The LAS*PIC works in conjunction with the Louisiana State Department of Education along with other local educational leaders to facilitate and promote the training of school psychologists. The trainees have the opportunity to work in local schools around the state. Additionally, the trainees are able to interact with professional school psychologists, and some of these professionals serve as mentors who assist and guide the trainees in enhancing their knowledge and skill sets.
Over the years LAS*PIC has played a key role in the educational system in Louisiana. Dr. George Hebert, current program training coordinator, explained that the program “was created as a way to combat the critical shortages of school psychological services in the schools.”
The LAS*PIC began in 1991 under the direction of Dr. Alan Coulter. It is a yearlong, APA approved training program in which graduate students in school psychology participate to gain practical and applied experiences. The program is designed to help interns master the skills needed to best serve the children, parents, schools, and communities.
Dr. Coulter is a licensed psychologist in Louisiana and a former president of the National Association of
School Psychologists. Reflective of his contributions and efforts regarding the development of the field and schools around the country, Dr. Coulter previously received the Child Advocacy Award from the National Association of School Psychologists.
Dr. George Hebert, an alum of the school psychology doctoral program at LSU, and a previous president of the Louisiana School Psychologist Association, has served as the LAS*PIC training coordinator since August 1, 2005. He “saw it through Katrina.” He manages the day-to-day operations of the internship program and plans the training experiences for the interns. Dr. Hebert is a licensed school psychologist with 10 years of experience in the mental health profession and another six years of experience in school systems.
Through the intensive instruction and hands- on training experiences offered to the students, the LAS*PIC has been a leading entity in the state for training new school psychologists. The interns benefit from the direction of experienced mentors
who teach state-of-the art methods, guide trainees to the highest levels of performance, and help arrange skill development opportunities. Trainees are assigned work within “Local Educational Agencies,” geographical groupings that have the legal responsibility of identifying and locating youngsters suffering with learning problems or disabilities.
Along with meeting training needs of its interns LAS*PIC has the mission of serving the local Louisiana community, including an attempt to overcome the shortage of school psychologists in certain areas of the state, explained Dr. Hebert.
“It has given a place for Louisiana residents to engage with an APA internship in Louisiana,” explained Dr. Hebert, by “providing Louisiana School systems with highly qualified service providers.”
“Additionally,” he said, “some of these people with advanced degrees from other states have chosen to make Louisiana their home.”
The program currently enrolls interns from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and New York, and these individuals are only a sampling of the diverse alumni who have participated in
the program over the years.
So another important characteristic of the LAS*PIC program is its natural diversity. With interns from all over the United States, the program seeks to benefit from and also enrich the perspectives of both the interns and the local communities in which they work, by exploring and expanding on differences and individual contributions.
Finally, the program has another triumph in its efforts to advance evidenced based training of school psychology on the whole. “Our program follows a scientist- practitioner model,” said Dr. Hebert, “and requires all of our interns to present at the annual state conference. All presentations must be data based and relevant to the practice of psychology.”
The presentations of the interns at the Louisiana School Psychology Association (LSPA) annual conference have facilitated a strong working relationship between the LAS*PIC and the LSPA, he explained to the Times. The LAS*PIC “interns
continue to provide pilot data for LSPA’s value added initiatives.” These initiatives are the state goals for increasing productivity and effectiveness.
This expansion and connectedness of the program to other influential and valued institutions adds support for the indispensible quality of the program, explained Dr. Hebert, and another example of the commitment to excellence and community as it celebrates its 20th year.
This year LAS*PIC shares the credit for 2 interns and a post-doc all from the University of Memphis. Here they are with their professor, Dr. Tom Fagan at the LSPA conference. (L to R) Jennifer Maynard, Katherine Price, Dr. Thomas Fagan, and Dr. Nicole Begg, all from U. of Memphis.
Photo courtesy of Dr. George Hebert
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. 7. Source pages: 17.
Louisiana medical psychologist and psychologist, Dr. Glenn Ally, will present “Basics in Psycho- pharmacology” in a live webcast on March 30, 2012, from 1 pm (Eastern Time). Clinician’s Corner is produced by the American Psychological Association.
Dr. Glenn Ally (R) meeting with the MPAC. He will present for APA Clinician’s Corner the topic “Basics in Psychopharmacology” in a live webcast on March 30, at 1 pm Eastern.
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. 7. Source pages: 2.
Congratulations to Dr. Darla Burnett who won the board election fair and square. While I disagree with a majority of medical psychologists on our board, and view that many of our problems could have been diverted if the board and LPA leaders would have done their duty in regarding 251, I am still a believer in democracy. Like Winston Churchill said, “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”
But to function well in a democracy, people have to have certain things. And to get these things leaders have to arrange it so that they do.
It is no small matter for Dr. Burnett, Dr. Jones and Dr. James to hold up their hands and volunteer to be leaders. Thanks go to all three for their offer to serve. As a board member the duty to be a good leader becomes multiplied. Board members have power to
make decisions or not to make them. They shape and mold psychology in the public interest. Their decisions impact on multiple levels both overt and nonconscious.
We seem to be in a crisis of leadership throughout all levels of our society. And leadership is a causal variable, relating to many behaviors, such as participation. The election was close, a ten vote difference between the top two. Only 180 of about 650 psychologists voted. I hope it’s not like the soccer coach who thinks his player has squandered his talent and asked, “Are you ignorant or apathetic?” The player answered, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
In March Dr. Burnett and others in LPA go to APA for the state leadership conference. I wonder what APA means when they say “leadership?”
Here are a few things I’d add: Good leaders share information frankly, openly, and regularly. Effective leaders seek innovative solutions to complex problems. They engage all those who have an interest in the outcome and help everyone to be heard and their ideas recognized. They encourage others to work through disagreements rather than suppress them. They avoid imposing decisions on people especially when those people have not had input. And they do everything they can to avoid win- lose problem solving.
Win-lose problem solving severely damages the quality of decisions, participation, and creativity in a group, but it is the prevailing approach in our society. Win-lose includes methods we often think of as acceptable such as bargaining, compromising, and negotiating. Parliamentary procedure is win- lose. Probably the only thing worse than win-lose is to avoid conflicts altogether.
As a leader in both LPA and LAMP, I hope that Dr. Burnett will be willing to speak out, open up communication, listen to all views, and help bring our community together to create the best, most innovative approaches to our issues, so that we can give our most meaningful contributions as real psychologists.
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. 7. Source pages: 17.
The LPA On-Line Academy is scheduling two programs for late March. Dr. Julie Nelson will present, “Basics of Conflict Management & Creative Problem Solving,” a two-hour presentation on Saturday, March 24, 11 am. The academy will also host a round- table format for “How to Start and Build Your Professional Psychology Practice.” Contact the LPA Continuing Education Committee for more details at LPA.
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. 7. Source pages: 4.
Pursuant to LSA R.S.42: 6.1(4), Dr. Young moved to enter Executive Session to meet with Rick McGimsey, Assistant Attorney General, to review legal matters, conduct oral exams and file reviews.
Attorney General -The Board met with Rick McGimsey, Assistant Attorney General, to discuss legal assistance to the Board.
Legislative Coordinator: The Board carefully reviewed the Louisiana Licensed
Professional Counselor’s Emergency Rule and recent request for Attorney General Opinion.
Continuing Education: Dr. Young presented suggested revisions to Chapter 8 Continuing Education. The Board carefully reviewed and discussed the changes. Dr. Young agreed to revise Chapter 8 as discussed with the Board and consult with legal counsel before submission.
Continuing Education: Dr. Young presented suggested revisions to Chapter 8 Continuing Education. The Board carefully reviewed and discussed the changes. Dr. Young agreed to revise Chapter 8 as discussed with the Board and consult with legal counsel before submission.
Analysts: Dr. Courtney reported that he is gathering information from sources pertaining to the regulation of BCBAs in other states and information from the local BA organization.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.