Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 2. Source pages: 6.
Self-nominations are open for a position on the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Dr. Tony Young the current Chair, will be completing his term on June 30, 2012. He filled the remaining term of Dr. Glenn Ally, who resigned in 2009 to serve on the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 3, No. 2. Source pages: 6.
American Psychological Society (APS) Executive Director, Dr. Alan Kraut wrote members on September 28 to introduce the “APS Postdoc Exchange.” The Exchange is a free, searchable database to advertise postdoctoral research and training positions, said Kraut. The aim is to open postdoc opportunities beyond geographic boundaries, he said. He encourages those with positions to submit them to the exchange.
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. 2. Source pages: 6.
According to the New York Times, a judge in New York ruled that New York State cannot be forced to investigate the work of a psychologist at Quantanamo Bay. The judge ruled that there was no standing to bring the claim. The case was similar to the Trudy Bond case here in Louisiana. The Center for Justice and Accountability brought the suit.
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. 2. Source pages: 8.
Dr. Joe Comaty, outgoing Chair of the LSBEP, will run for Member-At-Large for the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). The election will be conducted at the Annual Meeting of ASPPB, to be held October 19- 23 in Chicago.
“I would like to bring that experience to ASPPB and offer to assist other states who may gain prescription privileges for psychologists in the future,” Dr. Comaty noted in his candidate statement to the association. “I am also dedicated to insuring that licensing standards remain high for psychologists to clearly delineate them from other behavioral health practitioners.”
“This was a long struggle in LA during which I learned of the importance of legislative involvement and the importance of building collaborative relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders. Based on that experience and the experience of working through changes required by the passage of ACT 251 (transfer of the regulation of medical psychologists from LSBEP to LSBME), I believe I have an unique experience in legislation, regulation, and how to broker advantageous relationships with other regulatory boards to protect the practice of psychology.”
The ASPPB was formed in 1961 and includes boards from across the US and Canada. They create the licensing exam, offer mobility programs for psychologists already licensed in another state, and publish materials for training programs and for students preparing to enter the profession. (www.asppb.net)
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. 2. Source pages: 8.
Oral Examination Committee: Dr. Young assigned Dr. Culross as Chair and Dr. Zimmermann as Vice Chair of the Oral Examination Committee for 2011-2012. A discussion was held about the jurisprudence exam. Dr. Young suggested updating the case vignettes and adding the item to the Long Range Planning meeting.
Legislative Coordinator: The Board discussed the promulgation of rules regarding SB268.
Continuing Education: Dr. Young assigned Dr. Culross as Chair and Dr. Zimmerman as Vice Chair of the Legislative Coordinator Committee for 2011-2012. Dr. Young reported that the he was awaiting the MOCAL information from ASPPB. The Board discussed the LSBEP 2011 Renewal Survey results and considered facilitating workshops in particular areas.
Supervision Credential Review: Dr. Young assigned Dr. Culross as Chair and Dr. Zimmerman as Vice Chair of the Supervision Credential Review Committee for 2011-2012. Dr. Young reported that the Board staff was working on updating file review forms to make them more efficient yet simpler for the Board members.
Complaints Committee: Ms. Parker addressed the Board regarding information received from the Ohio Board of Psychology and APA regarding Trudy Bond. Based on the information presented, the Board agreed not to pursue further action against Bond.
Sunset Review Committee: Drs. Young and Matthews reported that they will attend the September 10, 2011 LPA meeting for the purpose of gathering information regarding Sunset 2012.
Pre-doctoral Licensure: The Board reviewed a letter received from LPA President, Dr. Philip Griffin. Dr. Matthews agreed to gather and analyze information and report to the Board at its next meeting. Dr. Young agreed to draft a letter to Dr. Griffin.
ASPPB 2011 Annual Meeting: The Board unanimously approved Drs. Young, Culross and Matthews along with Ms. Parker to attend the 2011 Annual Meeting in October.
Renewals: Ms. Parker reported that the 2011 Renewal Season totals had been calculated. The total number of licensed psychologists in the state currently are 637, with 34 having Emeritus status. Ms. Parker also reported that 464 licensees renewed online and 194 renewed via paper renewal. Ms. Parker also reported on the problems experienced during the renewal season, including database issues. The Board agreed that it would be beneficial to incorporate online fillable forms, for the 2012 renewal season.
Audit 2011: Ms. Parker reported that the Board staff would begin the random audit of renewal files. The Board agreed that 10% of the files should be audited and the Supervision Credential Review committee should oversee the audit submissions.
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. 2. Source pages: 12.
In an August 18, 2011 press release, Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP) President Dr. John Bolter reported that the LAMP members voted to discontinue membership in the Association of Medical Psychology (AMP).
Dr. Bolter wrote, “Members of the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP), the largest organization of psychologists with prescriptive authority in the world, recently resigned, en masse, from membership in the Academy of Medical Psychologists (AMP) and have decided to forgo the ‘board certification’ offered by AMP.”
According to the news release, Dr. Bolter said that the move was due to “AMP’s endorsement of the
recent NAPPP [National Alliance of Professional Psychology Providers] ad campaign “Truth in Drugs.”
He wrote “That misguided and ill-advised campaign was considered by LAMP members to be a slap in the face to primary care physicians and the work they do as first line responders to those with mental health issues in our country.”
“There have been other positions endorsed by AMP that have been rather distasteful to LAMP (and other psychologists) over the years,” he noted. Bolter noted concerns about the overlap between the NAPPP and AMP organizational boards.
“While LAMP does acknowledge the positive influence that is often gained by a national college or board certification, in this instance, LAMP can no longer lend credence to AMP in its present form,” Bolter wrote.
In 2010 AMP leaders issued a requirement that a license under the state psychology board was required for the national diplomat status in medical psychology.
In Louisiana medical psychologists are not required to retain their license under psychology in order to practice psychology, but are licensed under the state medical board.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
[Editors note: Dr. Larry Dilks and wife Tari Dilks of Lake Charles recently returned from a dive in the amazing waters of Bonaire. ‘Unofficial’ master divers (Larry has over 400 dives and Tari has about 350), they share this narrative about the experience and some of their spectacular underwater photography.]
“Bonaire is just a short four and a half hour, overnight plane ride from Houston’s Intercontinental airport to a small island surrounded by turquoise waters that are wonderfully clear. Since the 1950’s this tiny island has protected the stunning reefs and rich marine life contained in its waters as a marine park to be nurtured by the islanders and their guests. As a result this small Dutch island has some of the best diving the world has to offer.
“Bonaire is a scuba diver’s paradise and consistently rated as one of the top dive sites in the world. The island, a part of the Netherland Antilles, offers year round diving with water temperatures in the low 80s, 100 foot plus underwater visibility, no current and a variety of colorful and interesting aquatic life.
“The island is surrounded by a coral reef but most of the diving takes place on the protected western side. Protected from currents it offers a 45-degree wall down to 130 feet covered with both hard and soft corals. The entire reef is a national park where gloves and spear guns are prohibited. Although resorts offer boat diving many prefer to dive directly from the shore as the dive sites are easily accessible and the reef hugs the coast.
“The geography of the island offers a warm dry climate with a constant breeze. The capital Kralendijk is the only major municipality.
“The Dutch have established an efficient government with low crime, convenient transportation and excellent communication capabilities. A visitor can drink the water, eat the local food and walk the streets at night with little concern.
“The Dutch architecture is colorful and unique. The downtown Kralendijk area offers shopping opportunities for those who wish to peruse the local stores and some world-class restaurants. Bonaire boasts restaurants owned by folks from many areas of the world…Italy, Paris, Argentina and Holland to name a few.
“Diving has become our way of escaping our jobs and finding the utter peace of being in an underwater environment. The regulator provides a sense of rhythmic breathing as the denizens of the reef welcome us back to their home. Being underwater provides us with the ultimate in relaxation. Instead of listening to clients we listen to our own breaths and wonder at the rich sea life this small desert island has to offer. It has become a second home to us in many ways.”
An “Iron Fish.” Photo taken by Tari Dilks during an underwater dive at the island of Bonaire. Dr. Larry Dilks has made over 400 dives and wife Tari over 350.
Underwater shrimp at Bonaire from Dilks’ dive.
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. 1. Source pages: 15.
A Wall Street Journal article by Gautam Naik reported that retractions related to fraud increased “sevenfold between 2004 and 2009.” In data compiled by Thomson Reuters for the WSJ report, the author said that while the number of articles published between 2001 and 2010 has increased by 44 percent, the retraction notices worldwide have increased by 15 times that.
The report pointed to better detection of errors and also the more competitive scientific environment, as the reasons for the dramatic increase in retractions. The article quoted the Lancet’s editor: "The stakes are so high," said the Lancet's editor, Richard Horton. "A single paper in Lancet and you get your chair and you get your money. It's your passport to success."
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. 1. Source pages: 15.
The APA Council of Representatives approved new specialty guidelines for forensic psychology, adopted by the council August 3. The 21-page document outlines the undated recommendations of APA for those psychologists practicing in the forensic area.
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. 1. Source pages: 15.
Nancy Eustis, a colleague in the psychology and LSU community, died August 2. She was retired from East Feliciana State Hospital in Jackson, a resident of Baton Rouge, and a native of New Orleans. Nancy attended graduate school at LSU in the 70s, and had worked at East Feliciana State Hospital. She had been ill for a number of years with Cancer and Alzheimer’s according to the notice from her retirement home. Nancy is survived by daughter Katherine Byrd and family.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
In a phone interview last week with the Times, Dr. Stephen DeMers, Executive Director of the Association for State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), said that there is no other state where individuals practicing psychology are regulated by a medical board. And he said, “Louisiana is playing with fire.”
The Times asked Dr. DeMers about Louisiana’s new regulatory structure in general, and also specifically what ASPPB thought about the recent decision by the state psychology board to allow those not licensed under the psychology board to supervise candidates for a psychology license.
Dr. DeMers noted that he was very familiar with what is happening in Louisiana. “Louisiana is going down a different path than everyone else,” he said. “It [Louisiana] is definitely an outlier.”
“If they [medical psychologists] ditch their psychology license, they shouldn’t be allowed to supervise ….” he said. He pointed out that the ASPPB model licensing act and other fundamentals established by the ASPPB indicate that the supervisor is to be licensed under the psychology board.
ASPPB serves member boards throughout the US and Canada, including all fifty states and provides a source for the regulation of psychologists. Their site notes that ASPPB is the “foremost authority in regulation and credentialing of psychologists.” ASPPB develops and updates the licensing exam for psychologists and focuses on issues of mobility for practitioners.
Act 251 placed medical psychologists and their practice of psychology under the medical board. In June, the psychology board (LSBEP) reversed their decision from October 2010. The reversal allows medical psychologists who do not hold a psychology license under LSBEP to qualify as supervisors. The change in the opinion was prompted by testimony from Dr. Robert Marier, the Executive Director of the state medical board, and Dr. John Bolter, representing an advisory board under medicine.
Speaking about the 65 states and jurisdictions that the ASPPB serves, Dr. DeMers explained, “In most licensing laws and in our model licensing act it is the licensed psychologist who must supervise, and who must be licensed under the psychology board. The board approves, actually ratifies, the supervisor,” he said. “The path that Louisiana is taking “doesn’t fit.”
In regard to the supervisory issues, Dr. DeMers said, “It might satisfy the rules in Louisiana, but not in any other state. The implications for people down the road could be catastrophic.”
Members of the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee, the group that advises the medical board about medical psychology, includes Drs. Jim Quillin, Glenn Ally, Warren Lowe, and John Bolter. All have retained their psychology licenses according to the verification system on the psychology board website.
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. 1. Source pages: 16.
The winner in the “positive comment” category for the birth- day contest was:
“When I read stories about people like Drs. Frick, Nelson, Hannie, Nemeth, Greenleaf, Chafetz, etc., and when I read your fine writing, I am humbled and wonder how is it that I get to call these people ‘colleagues’. I am not writing this to win any prize, I just wanted you to know that I appreciate what you are doing. Thank you.”
First runner up: “I almost feel like a groupie groveling at the feet of a rock star. You are really doing a great job! Remember what Thoreau said "The only reward of virtue is virtue itself."
Honorable mentions go to:
“thanks. keep publishing, I like reading the news.”
“Bravo! Your editorial citing the Board request for your ‘credentials’ relative to news reporting was wonderful!”
“This is just a brief note to again tell you how impressed I am by your newsletter and your willingness to address issues that may be controversial.”
Negative comments: Only one negative entry was received, the reader noting that he might have the best chance to win in this category.
“This newsletter is flawed in that it appeals to those who are not psychologists, but unfortunately it is not so flawed that it does not appeal [to this reader].”
The Times sent a $100 donation to the Cane River Children’s Services, and $20 to the BARK animal rescue as instructed by our winners.
Robert Holeman, the Times newspaper consultant, judged the contest. The publisher sincerely appreciates and thanks everyone for the comments.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Drs. Julie Larrieu, Janet Matthews, and Lee Matthews, presented a symposium at the American Psychological Association Convention in August titled “Professional Connecting in Post-Katrina/Rita/BP New Orleans."
Dr. Larrieu, Training Director in Clinical Psychology at Tulane University School of Medicine, told the Times that Drs. Janet and Lee Matthews asked her to join them in “… submitting a proposal for a symposium to discuss consultation and training in psychology following a series of natural disasters.”
The topic built upon Dr. Janet Matthews’ and Dr. Lee Matthews’ experiences as psychologists involved in local, state, regional, and national endeavors in psychology. Dr. Janet Matthews is a Professor at Loyola and a past member and chair of the state psychology board. Dr. Lee Matthews is in private practice and currently serves on the board.
The presentation topic also built on Dr. Larrieu’s experience re- instituting a clinical psychology training program as well as all three psychologists’ understanding of the issues in rebuilding after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the continuing stress in the area due to the BP oil disaster.
For a number of years, the Drs. Matthews have participated in seminar training of clinical interns from Tulane U. School of Medicine, as well as in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System psychology internship programs, noted Dr. Larrieu. This gave the team a unique perspective on these issues.
The symposium description noted, “Natural disasters disrupt both personal and professional lives. The greater New Orleans professional community became a center of both concern and support in 2005 when the area was devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. National attention was given to the mental health needs of the community. Local psychologists who chose to return to the community were faced with the need to rebuild both training programs and interpersonal connections. In the summer of 2010, the BP oil spill, although not directly impacting the greater New Orleans community, has had both a fiscal and an emotional impact on it. Thus, a community that was still self-described as recovering once again found itself needing to marshal forces to address community stress.”
The group’s presentation included three ways local psychologists can help rebuild after disasters. The presenters provided a model for rebuilding internships and postdoctoral programs. They also addressed the role of service on a state psychology board and how the board can assist the community while also protecting the public. The third segment illustrated community consultation to address training and practice needs.
One key feature of the presentation was to examine ideas that may be helpful as a model for looking at the national issue of internship availability.
Other presenters at this year’s APA conference included Dr. Michael Chafetz. He presented an invited address, ““The Role of the Psychologist in the Psychological Consultative Examination for Social Security Disability.” (See article page 1 this issue.)
Dr. Kelly Ray presented “Developing a part-time practice,” as a member of the panel for “Nuts and Bolts of Practice: Successful Early Career Perspective.”
Dr. Joseph Tramontana presented in the Division 47 (Exercise & Sports Psychology) poster session: "The Mental Side of Sports: How Hypnosis and Self-hypnosis Training can Enhance Peak Performance.” He told the Times that the information was well received.
Old Post Office, Washington, DC. (Photo by Chalukyas)
Dr. Lee Matthews and Dr. Janet Matthews don’t actually move at super speed but it seems that way. They recently returned from APA where, with Dr. Julie Larrieu, they presented a symposium about rebuilding training programs after disasters.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The Psychology Board is preparing to go through the “Sunset Review” process, which requires an evaluation of their powers, duties, performance, and problems, along with other data, to be presented to legislative committees for the 2012 session. The Sunset law automatically terminates the board on July 1, 2012. Then, if the legislature views the board as needed and worthwhile, the board is “re-created.”
The Sunset law (Louisiana Revised Statutes or RS 49: 190, Part XII – Termination and Re-Creation of Statutory Entities) automatically terminates all boards on a regular basis, which then must then be “re-created” or if deemed to be obsolete, phased-out.
The psychology board falls under the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH). LSBEP (Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists) is scheduled to be evaluated along with other DHH boards in 2012.
The purpose of the sunset review is to eliminate inactive entities, and “The elimination or consolidation of entities, programs, or activities which duplicate other governmental entities, programs, or activities.”
According to sources the review for the psychology board should be fairly routine, with data firmly supporting the existence of the board. However, some in the community are wary due to the issues regarding the dual regulation of psychology that occurred with Act 251.
At their July meeting, the psychology board discussed Sunset, including asking for assistance from the Board’s attorneys, including the newer Opinions, and talking with LPA president, Dr. Phillip Griffin.
The Times asked Dr. Griffin about Sunset and he said that Sunset will be discussed at the upcoming Executive Council meeting on September 10. “Tony Young and probably one or more Board members are meeting with us at our September EC meeting,” Dr. Griffin noted. “We are fortunate to have Darlyne Nemeth with us; she was a Board member during the last sunset hearing … I will know a great deal more after that meeting.”
Past LSBEP Chairs Drs. Rovaris and Comaty.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.