Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 5. Source pages: 12.
“The following dates were reserved for Board meetings: January 27th, February 24th, April 27th, May 11th and June 8th. The Long Range Planning meeting was reserved for January 27th & 28th.
Legislative Coordinator:
The Board reviewed the Emergency Rule noticed by the Licensed Professional Counselor Board regarding the Practice of Mental Health Counseling for Serious Mental Illness, in conjunction with Act 320. The Board opined that the language was unclear and needed revision. Dr. Courtney moved to write the LPC Board with suggested revisions. Ms. Parker agreed to draft the letter for Dr. Young’s review and signature. Dr. Courtney also agreed to contact the medical board for other suggestions.
Liaison to Professional Organizations and Boards:
Dr. Matthews presented a comparison about supervision for licensure time requirements in other states.
Continuing Education:
Dr. Young reported that he still has not received information from ASPPB regarding the Guidelines for Continuing Professional Development. Dr. Young made a motion to move forward with changing the requirements and suggested a draft of the changes would be available at the next meeting for approval. The motion passed by majority roll call vote as follows: Young-yea, Matthews-yea, Culross-yea, Courtney-yea and Zimmerman-yea.
Long Range Planning Meeting/Awards Ceremony:
The Board set the Long Range Planning meeting for January 27-28, 2011.
Ad hoc Committee:
Sunset Review: The Board discussed Sunset and agreed all draft changes should be monitored and tracked by Ms. Parker.
2011 Rule Revisions:
The Board reviewed the draft changes of the rules and agreed not to move forward with the changes at this point. The Board also agreed that the changes could be implemented during the Sunset process.”
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. 4. Source pages: 7.
In an announcement to members today, the Louisiana Psychological Association said it is launching an educational program providing internet-based, interactive seminars for psychologists and psychological scientists across the state.
This comes at a time when the psychology board is considering increasing the continuing education requirements from 30 to 40 for those renewing their license.
Dr. John Fanning, Chair of the LPA Committee for Continuing Education noted in the message that, “We intend to provide internet-based programs, ‘Webinars,’ for continuing professional development activities that allow participants to take courses from the comfort of their offices or homes.”
The goal of the program is to “…provide education about professional psychology in a variety of interest areas, in order to advance the science, practice, and reputation of psychology in our state.”
Fanning noted that another goal was “… to build connections between Louisiana psychologists and the state’s scientific psychologists to help us in filling the gap between science and practice, and to reach out and build connections in our state.”
The announcement noted that the presentations available in January and February 2012 will include Drs. Gary Jones and Jean Hollingshead to present on Ethics, Dr. Emily Sandoz’ to teach “Acceptance & Commitment Therapy,” and Dr. Darlyne Nemeth’s to cover “Current issues in Medical Psychology.” Dr. Michele Larzelere’s will help train participants in the “Role of the Primary Care Psychologist,” Dr. Mike Chafetz will talk on “Current Issues in Social Security Disability Evaluations,” and Dr. Carolyn Weyand will provide training on “Working with Dreams in Psychotherapy.
Plans to include all specialties in psychology, such as school, industrial-organizational, forensic, correctional, family, or community, for example, are in progress, explained Dr. Fanning.
The project, called the LPA Online Academy, will also help to gather information about the needs and goals of those in the state psychological community, Dr. Fanning told the Times.
“And to help bring ideas and people together that can ultimately improve the overall quality of life in our state,” he said.
Dr. John Fanning (L), Chair of the LPA Committee on Continuing Education speaks with Dr. Rita Culros and Dr. Marc Zimmermann, members of the state psychology board, while at LSU Cook Center conference in October. Dr. Gary Jones, Chair at LSUS, and Dr. Emily Sandoz, UL Lafayette, will present Webinars for 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. 4. Source pages: 8.
Based on records from the state ethics board website, the lobbying firm of Courson Nickel was likely paid by LPA (Louisiana Psychological Association) rather than LAMP (Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychology) to lobby for the controversial legislation, Act 251.
Records show that the lobbyists worked for both organizations, LPA and LAMP, through the 2009 legislative session. However, the lobbyists were paid by LPA and not LAMP. It was not until October 2009 that LAMP paid a fee of $6,000 to the lobbyists. Then LAMP paid $20,831 in December 2009. This period was during intense controversy in the association.
The 2009 President Darla Barnett posted a letter to LPA members on June 25, 2009 saying that LAMP had been involved, and “…LPA has monitored this bill, as it does all bills potentially affecting psychology, but took no formal position on the bill. The Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychology and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners have negotiated what they both believe to be the best compromise on the legislation,” she told members.
Taking into account the $18,000 retainer paid to Courson Nickel by LPA for general purposes, the other money needed to pass Act 251 likely came from LPA grant funds, and totaled between $28,000 and $54,000.
Tom Hannie said to the Times in 2009, “In short, APA and LPA funds were used to create a new profession.”
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. 4. Source pages: 8.
Pennington’s Dr. Corby Martin, health and clinical psychologist, puts his thinking cap on about how to use modern technology in novel ways in the battle with weight and obesity.
Dr. Martin is Associate Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Director of the Ingestive Behavior Laboratory. Dr. Martin and his team conduct randomized controlled trials on weight management. They also conduct laboratory-based studies on the effects of different interventions on food intake and energy expenditure/metabolism.
Dr. Martin’s group specializes in the development and delivery of e-Health interventions, which deliver weight management services to patients while they live at home.
“We recently validated a novel method to measure food intake while people live at home and go about their daily lives,” he told the Times. ‘When using this method, called the Remote Food Photography Method, people capture images of their foods with a Smartphone and these images are sent to our server where we accurately estimate food intake.
People can receive valuable information about their food intake habits in the comfort of their own home since we send this feedback directly to their smartphone.”
The group is investigating another novel use of technology. “…we recently developed and successfully tested an e-Health intervention that delivers weight management treatment to patients while they live at home,” Dr. Martin noted. “Patients' body weight, energy intake, and exercise data are automatically collected in the home environment in real- time using e-Health communication technology, and patients receive treatment recommendations based on these data. These recommendations are delivered to the patient via the multimedia capabilities of smartphones.”
Dr. Martin and his colleagues from across several groups at Pennington, recently published “Trends Over 5 Decades in U.S. Occupation- Related Physical Activity and Their Associations with Obesity.”
The study examined the trends in work-related activity and estimated that Americans are burning about 100 calories less per day than they were decades ago.
The Pennington “Trends” study helps to explain that the change in activity levels over decades may relate to America’s increase in body weight.
Health psychology is an expanding area in psychology. Dr. Martin explained to the Times, “Health psychology continues to become more involved in the medical arena. Health psychologists play important roles in bariatric surgery centers, cancer centers, and other settings where chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and hypertension, are treated.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Editors Note: In our October “Close-Up” interview with Dr. Tom Stigall, the Times discovered that Tom is 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 is currently President of the Louisiana Photographic Society. “I have had some modest success,” he said, “in having my work accepted in juried competitions.” Recently one of his photographs was accepted in a national competition hosted by the LSU Union and judged by the curator of the Tucson Museum of Art. He has graciously allowed us to bring you this work, “Orange Display,” his artist statement, and several other photos for this holiday issue of the Times.
“Orange Display” -Artist Statement –
“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.
The photograph, “Orange Display,” was made on the last day of a visit to Venice, Italy in October 2010. It appeals to me because of the dramatic colors and graphic elements created by someone's laundry hung out to dry in a small piazza where schoolchildren were playing. The late afternoon sunlight is soft and slanted across the subject, emphasizing the texture of the fabrics and other surfaces. The overall effect is that of a golden moment, featuring commonplace events in a familiar setting.
I made perhaps a half-dozen exposures of this subject, but the one chosen for this competition seemed to bring together the elements of composition, lighting, color, and texture in the most satisfying way.” – Tom Stigall, 10/4/2011”
“Orange Display,” by Dr. Tom Stigall “Reflections,” by Dr. Tom Stigall “River Arno,” by Dr. Tom Stigall “Portofina Dusk,” by Dr. 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 3, No. 4. Source pages: 16.
The Louisiana Psychological Association is inviting proposals for continuing education workshops and symposia for the LPA 64th Annual Convention to be held April 19-21, 2012 in Baton Rouge. Dr. Bryan Gros, President Elect, is the coordinator for the conference. He is seeking continuing education workshops that teach direct skills and practical applications of theory. Sym- posium and panel discussion formats are also invited. Oral and poster presentations of scientific research proposals are welcomed. Any member, or non-member with a sponsoring member, may submit a proposal. Dr. Gros can help with answers to questions and can be contacted through the LPA office at 225-766-0185.
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. 4. Source pages: 16.
Nominations for the coming election for the state psychology board close on December 4, 2011. Nomination forms will be accepted if postmarked by Dec 3 or emailed to the Louisiana Psychological Association Executive Director, Ms. Gail Lowe, by Sunday, December 4, at lpa@louisianapsychologist.org.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
At its regular meeting on November 12, 2011, the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA) Executive Council passed a motion supporting the “reinstatement of the regulation of the psychological aspects of the medical psychologists’ practice under the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.” They put this item into their legislative agenda, according to sources.
The November action followed a similar effort by opponents of Act 251 at an April 2011 Town Hall meeting of LPA. But that effort stalled over the last six months. The November LPA council motion outlined the political objectives for the organization. Included was the LPA goal to defend the psychology licensing law during the current 2012 Sunset threat. The motion also laid out the organization’s goal of protecting psychology’s scope of practice. Sources indicated to the Times that the item to reinstate the psychology practice of medical psychologists to the psychology board was opposed by members sympathetic to the medical psychologists. Also those who wanted an end to controversy within the association opposed the move or abstained. The controversy has been continual since the passage of Act 251 in 2009.
The motion, obtained by the Times from an undisclosed source close to the council, passed with a 6-2 majority, according to one source. “The reinstatement of the regulation of the psychological aspects of medical psychologists’ practice under Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. In pursuit of this goal, LPA will seek to collaborate and find common ground with Louisiana medical psychologists, the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists, and the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.”
The source indicated that the move was “aspirational” only, and that it will likely take several years to achieve. The source also said that LPA has little political clout to go up against the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP) or medicine.
The recent November action follows a similar effort made at a Town Hall meeting in April 2011 when Dr. Tom Hannie proposed that LPA talk with the state medical society, the medical board, and the psychology board, and discuss “…finding a way for psychologists to regulate the psychological practice of all psychologists, while leaving physicians to regulate the prescriptive practice of medical psychologists.” After adding LAMP to those negotiating a solution, the motion passed with an overwhelming majority of those attending, including medical psychologists.
Dr. Hannie explained to the Times, “There are no apparent reasons for any of these groups to oppose this idea. If that is the case, next year legislation for this could go through with little or no opposition. If there is opposition from any of these groups the reasons might be of interest to us all.” LPA President Dr. Phil Griffin, following the directions of the April motion, told the Times of several attempts to open a conversation with LAMP president Dr. John Bolter, but no discussion about Act 251 was agreed to or occurred.
On November 18, Griffin also noted to the Times that he had contacted the state medical board and that they said they would “take up my request at their next meeting.”
Griffin also contacted the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP). He told the Times that he received a November 15, 2011 letter from them saying that they had discussed his request.
“They indicated that the Board could make no such change and that would be a legislative matter,” Griffin told the Times.
“LSBEP Chair Tony Young pointed out that the LSBME and LSBEP entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, that allows both parties to cooperate on matters pertaining to the practice of psychology,” Griffin explained Young’s message to the Times.
Griffin said, “Dr. Young further adds that there ‘have been no problems with this arrangement.’ He [Young] furthermore describes ‘an excellent working relationship’ with LSBME. In closing Dr. Young added ‘…we know of no threat to the public posed by the arrangement,’” Griffin related to the Times.
Griffin said, “My question to them was more about the feasibility of having two boards monitor the two aspects of practice of the Medical Psychologists and their reply was that things are working out fine in their opinion and the current arrangement poses no risk to the public.”
Some in the community have questioned the medical psychology influence on the psychology board and on board appointments.
Dr. Young, the Chair, is in training as a medical psychologist, and two other board members are MPs, licensed under the medical board, and contributors to LAMP-PAC.
The LSBEP view is not shared by several national groups who have criticized the regulatory changes brought by Act 251 that place the practice of psychology by MPs under a different profession.
Some of those noting concerns with Louisiana’s statute include the Interdivisional Healthcare Committee, an independent group composed of seven APA divisions.
The APA Board of Professional Affairs and the APA Board of Educational Affairs have also noted concerns with aspects of 251.
When speaking about supervision issues, the Executive Director of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards noted concerns. The Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice and the American Board of Medical Psychology have also expressed concerns.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The LSU Industrial-Organizational Psychology (IO) Program is one of the oldest, continuously running IO programs in the US, with a long, distinguished legacy. Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the program, which began in 1952 with the late Dr. Bernard Bass, an early expert in IO who gained national acclaim for his work in transformational leadership, who was the Louisiana Psychological Association President in 1957, and who later became Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Organizational Behavior at Binghamton University in New York.
The combination of Dr. Larry Siegel and Dr. Irv Lane, both who served as Chair of the Psychology Department, and who coauthored Industrial Psychology and also Personnel and Organizational Psychology, mark for many a profound influence through the 60s, 70s, and 80s. With Greg Dobbins and Dirk Steiner taking the reins into the next decade, and to a program now led by Dr. Tracey Rizzuto and Dr. Russell Matthews, who carry on the legacy of quality and contribution.
The Psychology Times talked with the program leaders and many in our community who have been influenced by those in the program and the impact on their work and careers.
Dr. Rizzuto, the current head of the IO program, is a Louisiana native. During her undergraduate years at LSU, she got her first taste of IO psychology by working as a research assistant in the program she now leads. When asked how it feels to be a part of the legacy Dr. Rizzuto said, “I feel remarkably blessed to have the opportunity to come ‘home’ to LSU to direct the LSU IO Psychology Doctoral Program.”
Dr. Rizzuto works on a variety of research endeavors, including a project with Dr. Matthews to assess the effects of the aging workforce in the oil and gas industry. Additional efforts include Rizzuto’s investigation into helping Louisiana secondary education teachers to use social networking technology to improve communication, and a project that enters on uncoverig ways to enable more adults in Louisiana to attain a college degree. She explained that her goal is “to apply knowledge and skill to address obstacles and challenges facing Louisiana people and businesses.”
Dr. Matthews is a work- family and occupational health researcher whose primary research includes how adults are best able to manage their work and family domains. He investigates the effects that a lack of management of work and family can have on individuals including stress and decreased well-being. In addition to working on his own research, he currently serves on the editorial boards of J. of Business and Psychology and also Stress & Health. He also directs the Organizational Psychology Research Consultancy, an applied research center available to companies of all sizes. Graduate students Jared LeDoux, Claire Taylor, and Shane Lowery assist with a number of research projects in Dr. Rizzuto’s lab, including the work with Louisiana teachers. Graduate students Suzanne Booth, Rachel Trout, and Tatiana Toumbeva are members of Dr. Matthews’s lab working in areas of work-family issues, generational differences, and family embeddedness. Suzanne Booth and Shane Lowery are interns with the Psychology Times, a community publication. Regular collaboration between everyone and the small program size facilitates a close and supportive relationship between all the students and professors. This culture of collaboration and supportive training relationships seems to have been handed down through the generations of the LSU IO program.
Dr. William Costelloe graduated from the LSU IO program in 1973. “It was called Social-Industrial at that time,” he told the Times. His major professor was Dr. Perry Prestholdt, a social psychologist.
“From the day I graduated, I went out and started my own consulting practice,” he said, “and have been doing that since 1973.” Dr. Costelloe leads the Metairie consulting firm, Costelloe & Associates, offering an array of services such as employee and executive selection, organizational surveys, and management consulting. Drs. David Lange and Brian Bienn, both also graduates from LSU psychology department, are associates at the firm. “David lives in New Braunfels, Texas, and Brian lives in Atlanta, Georgia,” Dr. Costello explained. “We collaborate on projects so that we can draw upon each other’s specialized areas of expertise to benefit clients.”
“The best thing about those days [in graduate school] was that it was a great department,” he explained. “There was Siegel, Lane, Prestholdt, Glad, Timmons… Everyone was pulling together and there was overlap between everyone’s work.”
He noted that the real world experience came through the overlap in the work that professors where doing in social psychology, in the community, and with businesses.
“We did the weekend retreats for Father Phil Cappella at the Catholic Church’s leadership conference for Dr. Glad. We did the behavior laboratories for Dr. Timmons at the Institute of Insurance. We were all doing everything.” “I think it was the dynamics between those professors–the collaboration–that gave me the experience and confidence to go out and start my own practice.”
Dr. Courtland Chaney graduated from the LSU IO program in 1980. He then worked for the University of Maryland European Division teaching psychology and management at US and NATO military installations throughout Western Europe, specifically in Germany, Spain, The Netherlands and Italy.
“I recall the intensity of qualifying exams,” he explained to the Times. “More specifically, I remember the overall planning process, the assembly of the various sources defining the body of knowledge for all ten areas covered by the exams, and the total submersion into the various areas of psychology. Those late nights and the 14 cups of coffee a day were standard.”
“My graduate education at LSU was absolutely outstanding,” Dr. Chaney noted. “The scientist- practitioner model used in the IO program was an ideal fit for me and, I believe, the appropriate model for the field. Each year of graduate school I was required to take a practicum in IO psychology in addition to completing the academic components one expects in a doctoral program.”
“At a personal level,” he said, “the IO education and experience I received affected my career options, thought processes, and philosophical view of the human condition. I am more at peace with the life cycle because of it.” Dr. Chaney went on to accept a faculty position in the LSU Department of Management where he became the J. Trigg and Betty Baskin Wood, Jr. Endowed Professor in the College of Business. He retired in 2010 and now consults, teaches supervisor and management training for LSU Continuing Education and Executive Education, and works with the local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management.
“I feel a sense of pride, gratitude and good fortune,” he said about his training. “I believe the comprehensive education I received was fabulous.” But he also wonders about the trends for IO psychology, being drawn to business schools and the disconnection between the licensing process and the practice of IO.
Dr. Rosemary Hays- Thomas (formerly Lowe), currently professor of psychology and Director of Women’s Studies, at the University of West Florida, crossed paths with Larry Siegel in 1982.
“I visited LSU in the spring of 1982 after the SEPA (Southeastern Psychological Association) meeting in New Orleans and spoke to Larry Siegel about the possibility of doing a post-doc in IO psychology with him.” Hays- Thomas had her doctorate in social and had been an LSU undergraduate in psychology. “I had heard Larry speak at SEPA and thought he had really good ideas.”
Dr. Hays-Thomas was able to join the LSU faculty and also respecialize in IO. “…the environment was friendly and very stimulating intel- lectually,” she said. “During that time I studied with Larry and Irv and also with the late Greg Dobbins and with Dirk Steiner…” she noted. “Their courses were solid learning experiences.”
At the time Siegel was the first Administrative Officer for SEPA. “Another connection,” said Hays-Thomas, “is that I was honored to be chosen as the third Administrative Officer for SEPA.” She has recently stepped down from this after nine years of service.
Through the 70s it was the custom of the psychology department to have graduate students choose a major and a minor. Baton Rouge psychologist Dr. Laura L’Herisson is one of those mixtures, earning a degree in clinical with a minor in IO, in 1978, with Irving Lane as her minor professor.
In her positions at Atari and Crocker Bank she found her training served her well. “I was working from a generalist approach,” she told the Times, “and I’d say it was the only way to be effective. By understanding the individual and the group, and the interaction between the two, I was able to enter industry at a high level of competence.” She told the Times her training helped her, “…to learn how the individual and their personality and idiosyncrasies affected the overall structure and the group in the corporate setting.”
“I did as much clinical as IO,” she said. “I set up Employee Assistance Programs at Atari and Crocker, I handled all the executive problems, I’d do the diagnostics for troubled employees, I established all the training for manufacturing employees on the floor, I was asked to evaluate promotability. …” She said, “If you did not know the corporate setting and the individual components, it was difficult to be effective.”
Dr. Donald Truxillo, now a professor at Portland State University, is the Society of Industrial- Organizational Psychology Chair of International Affairs. From hosting a conference in Italy, he told the Times that he finished his doctorate from LSU in 1987, with Greg Dobbins advisor, and worked with Irv Lane and Dirk Steiner.
“As someone who eventually found my calling and became an academic, I think that what LSU gave me was a good start in understanding research and publishing. Faculty were good at including grad students on publications, and that helped me a lot – not just in terms of my cv – but more important, in terms of understanding the process of research and publication. I think that this sort of mentoring is very important for students and is one I try to take with my students today. “
The Times talked with Dr. Irving Lane, who is doing well and living in a utopia type town somewhere tucked away in California. He enjoys his retirement and said a hello to all his colleagues in Baton Rouge.
One of the main sentiments behind the celebration of the IO program at LSU is a notion that seems to run through the program as a whole, expressed by Dr. Rizzuto. “The field of IO Psychology can do tremendous good for the state,” she said. It is a sentiment that all those affiliated with the current program share, as they strive to grow and continue the legacy. The celebration of the 60th anniversary of the IO psychology program at LSU is not just a remembrance of what has past, but rather is an acknowledgement of what is to come.
Dr. Courtland Chaney, IO psychologist, teaches executives for LSU Continuing Education. (Photo courtesy LSU CE.) LSU IO team collaborates on research: L to center, Claire Taylor, Shane Lowery, and Rachel Trout (reading). Tatiana Toumbeva and Dr. Russell Matthews facing away.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The 31st Annual Louisiana School Psychological Association Conference was held in Lafayette November 2 – 4, 2011.
Dr. Kevin Jones, President of the association, noted to the Times that this year’s turnout for the conference was very strong. “Attendance was very high – 231,” he said. “Among these, 134 were practicing school psychologists and trainers, 57 students, and 40 others. We were especially pleased with the high number of students from various institutions – Tulane University, Nicholls State University, LSU Shreveport, LSU Baton Rouge, and the LAS*PIC internship program in New Orleans.” Dr. Jones explained that highlights of this year’s program included two of the nation’s best speakers on behavioral disorders in childhood and adolescence, Dr. Patrick Friman, ABPP, Director of Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health, and Dr. William Jenson, University of Utah. The Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Kathleen Minke, past president of the National Association of School Psychologists.
Dr. Jones explained that the Keynote address by Dr. Minke was an important event because the national association’s Professional Practice Model was introduced.
“Certainly, the most important highlight was the Awards Luncheon,” Dr. Jones said, “which gave me the opportunity to present the School Psychologist of the Year award to Mr. Stephen Arnold [Iberia Parish School Board].”
Mr. Arnold also won Member of the Year. “It was the first time anyone could remember two awards going to the same person, but Stephen is made from a different fabric, and is the most tireless and dedicated professional I have ever met,” Dr. Jones remarked.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dr. Thomas Fagan at the University of Memphis. Dr. Fagan “… has provided critical support to Louisiana’s school psychologists and our organization for the past 30 years,” said Jones.
Ms. Shereen Naser, doctoral candidate at Tulane University, received the Will Bergeron Award. Jones noted that her faculty mentor, Dr. Stacy Overstreet, nominated Ms. Naser. “This award is granted to the state’s most outstanding student,” Jones said, “and it was a privilege to honor Ms. Naser’s exceptional accomplishments.”
The theme of this year’s conference was On Higher Ground. Dr. Jones explained that the theme communicates the state’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. “We had several presentations that crossed traditional disciplinary boundaries, both within the school setting and across school-community settings. Several state department initiatives were presented, including the Coordinated Systems of Care [by Jody Levison-Johnson] and Comprehensive Learning Supports [by Tavia Crumpler].” Among the many excellent presentations, this year’s program included topics from presenters across the state.
Dr. Alisa Lowery from LSU Health Sciences Center presented “Evidence Based Practices in the Schools: Treatment of Autism.”
Dr. Alan Coulter, also from LSU Health Sciences Center, presented a “provocative session” titled “Collaboration in Bulletin 1508/RTI: Is It Collegial or Conspiratorial?”
Dr. Debra Duhe from the State Department of Education, Dr. George Hebert from LSU Health Sciences Center, and Drs. Michael Welch and Kevin Jones from Louisiana State University, along with Rachel Magee from the Rapides Parish School Board, presented “Value Added Portfolios (VAP): A Case Study Approach to Documenting Effective School Psychological Services.”
Dr. Rebecca Nolan from LSU Shreveport presented, “Common Medications Prescribed for School-Age youngsters Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Depression.” Janice Crump from LAS*PIC (Louisiana School Psychology Internship Consortium) presented “The Triad of Bully, Victim, and Bystander: Identifying Components that Support Harmful Behaviors.”
Dr. Robert Wright, Louisiana State University at Alexandria presented “Behavior Planning for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Competing Pathways Model for Functional Behavior Assessment and Interventions for a Successful Classroom.”
Dr. Stacy Overstreet, from Tulane University, and Dr. Bonnie Nastasi, also from Tulane, presented, “Childhood Trauma.”
Following the Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Dr. Diana Jones from the Louisiana Department of Education presented “RTI in Louisiana: Concerns and Updates.”
Brittany Bates, LAS*PIC, presented “Alternative Education and Transitioning: How Can They Coincide?” Jeffery Chenier, LAS*PIC, offered “Methods of Evaluating Single-Case Design Research (Graphs).”
Current President of association, Dr. Kevin Jones, told the Times that he is enjoying his role as president. “I very much appreciate the role of this organization and the hard work of our Executive Council,” he noted.
“The term is a three-year commitment, and I actually enjoyed being President a little more than President- Elect, due to the increased opportunity to work on structural changes to the organization, such as our lobbying efforts, financial resources, and elements of the very successful annual convention.”
“As Past-President,” he explained, “I will devote most of my time to advancing a model of professional accountability, value added assessment, that is reasonable, proactive, and permanent.”
He said, “In the future, I would very much like to see greater collaboration and shared decision making between community and school-based mental health agents. Recent changes in state laws and policy initiatives have created the opportunity for a transformation in service delivery. Louisiana is large enough to be a national model of systems reform, and small enough to actually do it.”
“One of my colleagues, in fact, has already proposed the conference theme for next year,” Dr. Jones said.
“’Right place. Right time. Right state.’”
Dr. Alan Coulter (L), LSU Health Sciences Center, talks with Dr. Thomas Fagan, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his support to LA school psychologists. (Photo courtesy LSPA.) Dr. Kevin Jones, President of the Louisiana School Psychological Association speaks to attendees at the recent conference held in Lafayette. Dr. Jones is Director of the School Psychology program at LSUS. _________________________________________________________________ The Louisiana School Psychological Association’s “Parade of Posters.” Researchers from Tulane, LSUS, Nicholls State, LSU Health Sciences Center, and LAS*PIC, presented a host of interesting studies for attendees. (Photo courtesy LSPA.)
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. 4. Source pages: 3.
The Southeastern Psychological Association will hold its annual convention in New Orleans, February 15 -18, 2012, at the Sheraton. Highlights include G. Stanley Hall Lecturer, Dr. Roy Baumeister, Social Psychology Area Director and Francis Eppes Eminent Scholar from Florida State University. He will present "The Why, What, and How of Human Consciousness." Other invited speakers include Dr. Randall Engle, "Working Memory/Attention Control as State and Trait Variables,” Dr. Ludy Benjamin will present "Goodbye Dr. Chips: Or When Will College Professors No Longer Teach Any Courses?"
Dr. Susan Thorson-Barnett, Chair of Psychology at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, will present “Microskills: I'm hearing what you are saying, but what are you saying?”
Dr. Rosemary Hays-Thomas, Professor at University of West Florida, with her IO specialization from LSU, will present “Managing Diversity in Organizations.” ____________________________________________________________
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. 4. Source pages: 3.
The President of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) announced today that New Orleans clinical and neuropsychologist, Dr. Michael Chafetz, has been elected to the AACN Board.
AACN President, Dr. Michael McCrea, said to members that the organization was fortunate to have Dr. Chafetz and the other new appointees to “help lead us into the future.” AACN is a national organization for those psychologists who have achieved board certification in the specialty of Clinical Neuropsychology.
Dr. Chafetz is also a Fellow in the National Academy of Neuropsychology. He has earned the ABPP in clinical neuropsychology. He has over 98 publications and presentations, and has served as Expert to Administrative Law Judges for Social Security, and is a reviewer for numerous journals.
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. 4. Source pages: 6.
Legislative Coordinator: The Board discussed the requests made to the Attorney General’s Office regarding LPC Rulemaking and Child Custody Guidelines.
Sunset Review Committee: Dr. Matthews reported that he and Dr. Young attended the September 10, 2011 LPA meeting. The Board discussed taking the lead in the Sunset 2012 process with some assistance from LPA. The Board also discussed making tweaks to the law during Sunset 2012, to possibly include changing the requirements for licensure.
Selected Items From LSBEP Minutes of October 28, 2011
Continuing Education: Dr. Young reported that he has not received any further information on the ASPPB Guidelines for Continuing Professional Development. The Board discussed amending rules and regulations to incorporate the ASPPB guidelines. The guidelines are expected to outline the ASPPB recommendations to require licensees to earn 40 units every two years, with a maximum number of credits allowed for each area. The Board discussed implementation of the new requirements and the need for offering workshops throughout the State.
Complaints Committee: The Board reviewed correspondence received from Michael D. Chafetz, Ph.D., ABPP. Dr. Chafetz requested that the Board consider developing procedures to handle motivated or malicious complaints against psychologists. After careful consideration and discussion, the majority of the Board opined that the current policies and procedures are those that have been recommended by ASPPB and best protect the public. Dr. Zimmerman moved for the Board to do further research on the topic before issuing a response. The motion failed. Dr. Zimmerman moved to add the item to the Long Range Planning Meeting agenda, the motion passed.
Telepsychology: Dr. Young addressed the Board about an earlier request regarding Telesupervision and the use of “Skype”. Dr. Young informed the Board that the matter was discussed at ASPPB and it was learned that Skype is not a confidential source, and that anything conducted on Skype, according to their terms and agreement, belongs to Skype. The Board decided to revisit this issue at the Long Range Planning Meeting but in the meantime would advise licensees to only perform duties within the scope of practice as governed in the rules and regulations.
Behavior Analysts: The Board discussed the regulation of Behavior Analysts and decided to add this topic as an Ad hoc Committee and on the Long Range Planning Agenda.
LPA’s October 17, 2011 request regarding Act 251: The Board reviewed the request of Dr. Griffin, President of LPA, to provide feedback regarding Act 251. The Board agreed to reapply to Dr. Griffin and provide a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding between LSBEP and LSBME. Ms. Parker will also obtain an accurate accounting of the number of MPs licensed through LSBME.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
At their October 28, 2011 meeting, members of the psychology board discussed a letter from Dr. Phillip Griffin, President of the Louisiana Psychological Association. The letter concerned the Louisiana Psychological Association’s (LPA) attempt to “open a dialogue” about the regulation of psychology between psychology and medicine.
Dr. Griffin’s letter to the psychology board was one step in carrying out a motion passed in April 2011 by the members of LPA.
Baton Rouge psychologist, Dr. Tom Hannie, made the motion at an LPA Town Hall Meeting this past April. The motion passed overwhelmingly and called for the association to initiate a conversation among members of four groups: the Louisiana State Medical Society, the Louisiana Psychological Association, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, and the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP). Members agreed later to add the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychology to the groups to be involved in the conversation.
At the October 28 LSBEP meeting, the psychology board members reviewed Dr. Griffin’s letter and came to the general conclusion that their role is one of regulation only. One member commented, “If LPA has a position on the matter it is their job to look into that.” Another member said, “We don’t represent, we regulate.”
Several members stated that the job of the board is to follow the law and that currently the LSBEP actions regarding the regulation of medical psychologists is guided by a “Memorandum of Understanding.” One member noted, “This points out the pecking order.”
The bulk of the discussion centered on the role of the LSBEP as a regulatory body and not a group that creates laws or changes laws. But one member said they would be writing the new law for the Sunset process.
The board members considered how to reply and decided to write to Dr. Griffin confirming that the psychology board is just a regulatory body. “If LPA puts force a plan then we’ll be called to testify,” one member said.
The “Memorandum of Understanding” (MOU) is a document developed by both boards during 2010 “in order to facilitate cooperation on all matters pertaining to the shared regulatory role over the practice of psychology,” as noted the psychology board’s minutes from their March 2010 meeting.
The Medical Psychology Advisory Committee, an advisory group under the medical board, wrote in their May 2010 minutes that the MOU was “to establish a cooperative agreement between both Boards regarding the regulation of the practice of psychology as it pertains to medical psychologists who maintain dual licenses with both Boards.”
The motion that prompted Dr. Griffin to address the psychology board was previously explained by Dr. Hannie to the Times. Dr. Hannie noted that the motion directed that a “conversation would be initiated to explore ways to address the dual licensure issues created by 251.” His motion also included that “there would be a particular focus on finding a way for psychologists to regulate the psychological practice of all psychologists, while leaving physicians to regulate the prescriptive practice of medical psychologists,” said Dr. Hannie.
The Psychology Board at their October 28, 2011 meeting.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Louisiana psychologists are forming a Political Action Committee (PAC) to defend the psychology licensing law from a number of political threats that some believe will come as part of the 2012 Sunset process, Dr. Alicia Pellegrin, told the Times last week.
The move comes as a response to the steps already occurring because of the Sunset law (R.S. 49:190) that automatically terminates all boards on a regular basis. The legislature must then “re-create” the board after an
evaluation about its value to the public and if it is really needed.
Dr. Pellegrin, a psychologist from Baton Rouge who currently serves on the Louisiana Psychological Association executive council, volunteered to lead the development of the PAC.
In an interview with the Times, Pellegrin said “…if the community works together then psychology can be rightly seen as a powerful and authoritative voice in matters of general public interest including science, education, and public welfare, and not as just another segment of mental health.”
“For the first time in a long time, we each have an opportunity to play an active role in redefining Psychology in our state,” she said.
During the Sunset process the licensing law becomes vulnerable to special interests efforts. Also during the process the law can be modernized. Since Sunset requires the board be examined for redundancy some in the community report they are wary because of issues regarding the dual regulation of the practice of psychology that occurred with Act 251.
Threats also come from other special interest groups who may use the re-creation phase as an opportunity to make changes in areas of practice, such as psychological testing, said some sources.
LSBEP Chair Dr. Tony Young and board member Dr. Lee Matthews attended the September meeting of the executive council of Louisiana Psychological Association to discuss Sunset issues, and respective roles of the board and the state association, according to sources.
Dr. Darlyne Nemeth who served on the psychology board during the Sunset process in the 80s, recently sent a request to members of the regional group, Baton Rouge Area Society of Psychologists, asking for donations to the PAC.
Dr. Pellegrin said to the Times, “…we must ensure that the legislature establishes public policy that takes advantage of our unique and specialized education, training, and abilities.” And “One of the most important ways that we can do this is by having a strong presence in our state government, particularly in the legislative process.”
Left: Drs. John Fanning and Alicia Pellegrin discuss concerns of the psychological community. Dr. Pellegrin is leading efforts to promote psychology’s positive influence and image in the legislature.
(L) Attorney Kevin Hayes, of the firm Adams and Reese, speaks with current LPA President Dr. Phillip Griffin at a Baton Rouge convention. Psychologists are renewing their efforts in governmental relations with Mr. Hayes’ help.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.