Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 5. Source pages: 16.
What Makes People Happy? 1/14/11 – Shreveport, The Holiday Inn, 1/28/11 – Baton Rouge, The Marriott, 2/11/11 – Lafayette, The Holiday Inn
Professional Training Resources www.professionaltrainingresourcesinc.com
Overcoming Adversity & Creating Value in the Global Economy Mid-Winter Conference, February 4-7, Scottsdate, AZ Society of Consulting Psychology, APA Div 13
Capturing the Wisdom of Practice and the Rigor of Research: Discovering the Best Health Promotion Strategies 21st Annual Art and Science of Health Promotion Conference March 21-22 and 23-25, Colorado Springs, CO American Journal of Health Promotion
63rd Annual Fall Convention Louisiana Psychological Association April 14-16 Baton Rouge
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The proposed administrative laws (called “rules”) for the practice of medical psychology were published in the November issue of the Louisiana Register. The rules set general provisions for the practice of medical psychology including issues of licensure, certification and practice. The full document is available online at http://doa.louisiana.gov/osr/reg/register.htm. (See Part IV, “Notices of Intent,” under Health and Hospitals.)
The listing in the Register notifies the public that the medical board intends to adopt the rules into law, and covers definitions of medical psychologist (MP), medical psychology, authority and limitations of practice, requirements of consultation with physicians, restriction of the title, and other issues.
The notice indicates that the medical board’s revenue from MPs is estimated to be $17,500 per year with $2500 additional each year from new licenses.
The rules, following Act 251, give those medical psychologists licensed under the medical board the authority to “order, administer, and prescribe or distribute without charge drugs recognized as customarily used for the management of mental, nervous, emotional, behavioral, substance abuse and cognitive diseases or disorders; and 2. order and interpret routine laboratory studies and other medical diagnostic procedures, as necessary for adequate pretreatment health screening, …”
The definition of medical psychology includes the practice of psychology as defined by the psychology licensing law: “In addition, the practice of medical psychology shall include the practice of psychology as defined in R. S. 37:2352(5).”
The proposed rules do not address the role of psychological assistants, which Act 251 lists in some detail.
In the notice of proposed rules, wording in the definition of “medical psychologist” appears to be changed to “psychologist practitioner” which is different from the wording in Act 251 of “psychological practitioner.”
The proposed rules, and Act 251, establish the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee, composed of one physician and four MPs. The MPs are to be recommended by Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychology (LAMP), and “serve at the pleasure of the medical board.”
MPs are required to obtain 35 units of continuing education, 20 in medical psychology and 15 in psychology. A minimum of twenty-five percent of the continuing education requirements must come from LAMP.
Medical psychologists without a Certificate of Advanced Practice “…shall prescribe only in consultation and collaboration with the patient's primary or attending physician, and with the concurrence of that physician.”
Regarding medical psychologists with a Certificate of Advanced Practice, the rules note, “Patients receiving care from a medical psychologist who holds a certificate of advanced practice issued under this Part shall have an established primary, attending or referring physician licensed by the board who shall be responsible for the patient's overall medical care.” The MP is to provide the physician with a summary of the treatment plan or copy of initial examination, and follow-up reports.
The document notes, “Interested persons may submit written data, views, arguments, information or comments on the proposed rules to Rita Arceneaux, Confidential Executive Assistant, Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, at Post Office Box 30250, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70190-0250 (1515 Poydras Street, Suite 2700, New Orleans, LA 70112), (504) 568-6820, Ex. 242. She is responsible for responding to inquiries. Written comments will be accepted until 4 p.m., December 20, 2010.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
An LPA member, who agreed to sign a petition for a special meeting, was questioned by a leader in the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP) approximately two hours after the petition was submitted to the LPA Executive Council.
The petitioner had agreed to sign the list, with about fifty other LPA members, to call for a special meeting. The petition was organized by Dr. Susan Dardard after the Council had voted down a resolution for the independent regulation of psychology.
Dardard submitted names to the LPA Executive Council by email at about 4:30 pm on October 29th, according to Dr. Dardard.
By about 6:30 pm that same day the petitioner was contacted by the LAMP official via email and asked if he had in fact signed the petition. Dr. Dardard’s list of names was attached.
The petitioner told the Times that he then requested an explanation from the Council as to how a LAMP leader, and non-LPA member, could come to have knowledge of names on the petition in such a short time.
Dr. Kelly Ray, current President of LPA, responded to the petitioner’s question saying that a Council member had called others to inquire about the names on the petition. Dr. Ray wrote that there were many names on the list that were “unknown to us.” And she noted that the Council member had contacted “others” to inquire about these “unknown” persons.
The petitioner told the Times that the explanation was confusing, since he should be well known to the Council member. And he was also puzzled as to why anyone questioning his signature on the petition would not verify it with him directly.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The APA Board of Educational Affairs has joined the Interdivisional Healthcare Committee, the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Psychology, and the Academy of Medical Psychology, in voicing concerns about Louisiana’s Act 251.
In a November 3rd letter, Dr. Janet Matthews, Chair of APA Board of Educational Affairs (BEA), responded to Dr. Robert Glueckauf regarding concerns over Louisiana’s new law. Dr. Glueckauf Chair, Interdivisional Healthcare Committee (IHC), on April 21st 2010 had issued a report and a call to action for APA’s BEA, as well as the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Psychology (CAPP), and the Board of Psychological Affairs (BPA). (PT, 1, 10).
In the November 3rd letter, Dr. Matthews responded for her board noting, “BEA members unanimously agreed that these matters were of concern to the education and training community and to all of psychology. Very specifically, BEA was of the opinion that the term “medical psychologists” should not be used exclusively by psychologists with prescriptive authority. BEA noted the historical use of the terms ‘medical psychologist’ and ‘medical psychology’ for a broad range of psychologists working in healthcare settings, for names of administrative units, and for describing education and training experiences that are not associated with preparation for practice with prescriptive authority.”
Dr. Matthews continued, “In forming this opinion, BEA believes it is consistent with the opinion offered by the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice in June 2010 on this same matter.”
“BEA also expressed strong concerns about the potential implications of oversight of a psychology licensing board by a nonpsychologist health profession board at the state licensing level. Very specifically, concerns were expressed regarding ultimate oversight by another profession of the evaluation of education and training credentials of psychologists and standards for supervision in clinical training.”
In conclusion, Dr. Matthews wrote that it was important to note that these are the BEA’s opinions and not policy statements of APA. “However,” she wrote, “given the importance of the issues raised to all of psychology, BEA has requested that the APA Board of Directors address these concerns at a policy level and make recommendations to the Council of Representatives as appropriate.”
Dr. Glueckauf is Chair of the IHC, a group of seven APA divisions of Health Psychology, Rehabilitation Psychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, Society of Pediatric Psychology, Society of Clinical Psychology/Clinical Geropsychology, Counseling Psychology, and Family Psychology. The IHC may be best known for its development of the “Health and Behavior Codes,” which allow a traditional health/medical psychologist to be reimbursed for behavioral methods in treating physical disorders.
In the April 21st letter and report, the IHC authors noted concerns that Act 251 could confuse the public, concerns about psychologists falling under other boards, and unfair competition, among other issues. (PT, 1, 10)
In June this year, Chair of CAPP, Dr. Sandford Portnoy, wrote Dr. Glueckauf indicating, “CAPP opposes the use of the term ‘medical psychologist’ exclusively by psychologists with prescriptive authority.” (PT, 1, 11)
Dr. James Childerston, President of the Academy of Medical Psychology (AMP) wrote to Louisiana’s Attorney General objecting to the restriction of the title, “Medical Psychologist,” in July 2009. And in February 2010 the Academy of Medical Psychologists notified its members that maintaining a psychology license was required for the specialty board certification in Medical Psychology. (PT, 1, 8)
(Editor’s note: The copy of the letter authored by BEA Chair Dr. J. Matthews was given to the Times by sources outside of the state, and not by Dr. Matthews.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Psychologists Dr. Denise Sellers and Dr. Alyson McCain are part of an innovative health care approach, an integrated mobile mental health team, called the Baton Rouge Children’s Health Project (BRCHP). The BRCHP is in its fourth year, and works from a design that incorporates medical, behavioral, family and social systems, and an approach that takes services to the doorstep of underserved and disadvantaged children.
BRCHP came into existence after Katrina, explained Linda Lee, LCSW and Program Administrator in Baton Rouge. “The Children’s Health Fund is located in New York City,” Linda explained, “and was founded by Paul Simon and Dr. Irwin Redlener who became concerned about kids…about the devastation in New Orleans and surrounding areas after Katrina, and sent staff and units within days after the storm to provide medical care to children affected…”
This initial response prompted the creation of permanent mobile units in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and in Gulfport, MS.
The key to the programs’ success, Linda noted, are the mobile units and the “integrated delivery of care model. Big blue buses (RVs) are outfitted to address all of a child’s needs at once. “The integration of medical and mental health is really the Midas touch,” Linda explained.
“The team followed children from Katrina into the trailer villages after the storms, creating a continuity of care, and a comprehensiveness of care, that may have been nearly impossible under any other conditions,” Linda said.
Psychologists Denise Sellers and Alyson McCain are Co-Directors for the BRCHP Mental Health Clinic providing assessment and treatment to elementary school age children and their parents. The psychologists conduct individual evaluations (ADHD, learning disorders) and provide treatment for disorders including behavior disorders, anxiety and depression.
Denise told the Times, “We feel that one of the most important aspects of our work is the opportunity to serve an under-served population. We are in a unique position in which we are able to bring our services to the patients–and work with them in the environment where they spend the majority of their time–the school.”
The psychologists provide parent training and work with families on issues of adjustment and coping with daily and major life stressors, and lead group treatment for social skills, ADHD, and self- esteem.
“We also work with teachers to develop classroom behavior management plans,” Denise said, “and participate in meetings with Pupil Appraisal to design Individual Education Plans for students.”
“We find one of the most satisfying aspects of our job to be our participation in a multi-disciplinary team,” Alyson noted. “We feel that it is a privilege to be able to consult with each other and other professionals, including social workers, an art therapist, a health educator, a case manager and medical staff.”
“It is also fulfilling to watch progress, when we can, as a team, treat the ‘whole child,’” Alyson noted.
Medical Director of the BRCHP, Dr. Stewart Gordon told the Times that the program’s unique benefit comes from integrating the traditional medical care with the behavioral health care into one ‘medical home.’ “We look at the total child, their medical, school, home, and overall life situation. The medical is important, but we’re attuned to their behavioral and social needs as well, which are as important, if not more important, than their medical.”
Dr. Stewart Gordon is Chief Pediatrician at LSU Health Services Center, a program at Earl K. Long Medical Center. He has served as Medical Director for the BRCHP for five years.
“In general,” he explained, “children get sick quickly and get well quickly,” he said. “But we get into their behavioral health and their social health, and that’s not something typically ‘fixed’ with a prescription. The units work in unison, one in medical and one in behavioral. We work with the whole child to improve the outcomes.”
The Children’s Health Fund, founded in 1987 by singer/songwriter Paul Simon and pediatrician Dr. Irwin Redlener provides mobile-based health care for homeless and low-income children. The Fund’s mission is to provide innovative health programs directly to those in need, including responding to health care crises like those from the Gulf Coast Hurricanes and the more recent oil spill.
Co-founder Dr. Redlener, notes on the website that CHF currently has 50 mobile medical clinics serving hundreds of locations across the U.S. The organization has supported more than two million health care visits for disadvantaged children over the last 23 years, delivering care to those who are unlikely to receive health services.
Dr. Gordon said he was grateful to CHF. “It is very nice to work with a national partner that practices what they preach–they stay true to their mission and have done a great job in continuing their support for this community program a full five years after Katrina.”
Earlier this year, Administrator Linda Lee was able to attend the Gala fund- raising in New York where Paul Simon and Joan Baez performed. Linda said the experience was “incredible.”
The BRCHP received its initial funding from the Children’s Health Fund and Fund continues to provide significant support. “We are now in the process of securing additional funding locally to insure that the program continues well into the future, said Linda Lee. “The support from our community at large has been very affirming of our work.”
Dr. Denise Sellers and Dr. Alyson McCain both received their Ph.D.s in clinical psychology from LSU. In addition to their work with CHP, they have a private practice (Child and Adolescent Psychological Services) and are Assistant Professors of Pediatrics for LSU, conducting a weekly ADHD Clinic at LSU Mid- City with the Earl K. Long population. (“We spend more time with each other than with our husbands!”)
Members of the BR Children’s Health Project get in the Christmas spirit: L to R; Winnie Harris, Driver/Registrar; Shameka Williams, Social Worker; Jeff Soileau; Health Educator; Tracy Parker, Nurse Practitioner; Jennifer Hackler, Art Therapist; Schaun Morgan, Case Manager; Alyson McCain, Psychologist; Shelly Dubriel, Registered Nurse; Linda Lee, Program Administrator; Denise Sellers, Psychologist; and Jimmie Badon, Driver/Registrar. (Photo courtesy of BRCHP)
Paul Simon, Co-founder of Children’s Health Fund, performs for the Fund with Joan Baez. (Photo courtesy of CHF)
BR Children’s Health Project team having some Christmas fun. Photo courtesy of BRCHP.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The “Behavioral Health Professional Working Group,” a team composed of psychologists, counselors, and advisory members from social work and medicine, met November 17th to continue discussions. The group meets at the request of the legislature (Senate Concurrent Resolution 100) to develop language to help clarify issues for the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) legislation.
According to sources, the group worked in a cordial and productive manner, discussing the issue of LPC statue regarding diagnosing. They discussed a plan for LPCs to establish a two-tier level of licensure with the second level being for “Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors.” This level may require additional education, training, and/or supervision.
The discussion at the meeting also included ideas regarding the appropriate examination. The National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination, which includes questions on clinical diagnosis, was discussed.
At a previous meeting, October 29th, the LPCs and psychologists proposed ideas to help develop solutions regarding the language of the LPC statue, according to the minutes of that meeting.
At that meeting, the LPCs offered to increase credentialing requirements, set forth a new position statement, and make changes to better document certain aspects of supervision.
The psychologists also proposed changes. The minutes noted that they described requiring additional formal academic training specific to diagnostic skills for LPCs, requiring specific supervision, and “establishment of an advanced level counselor who meets criteria based on the required training and supervision and on rules to be developed who would then be regulated by the LSBEP [Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists] for this advanced skill/practice.”
At the conclusion of the October 29th meeting, both groups “agreed to take the proposals back to their respective constituencies for comment before the next meeting,” according to the minutes.
The group has been meeting at least once a month since July and will report their findings and conclusions to the Senate and House committees on Health and Welfare by February 1, 2011.
Of concern to many psychologists is the issue of psychological testing. According to two undisclosed sources, this topic appears to be “off the table” at the present time.
The next BHPWG meeting is scheduled for December 8th at 1 pm the Bienville Building near the Capital. The meeting is open to the public.
At their November 17th meeting, members of the BHPWG (L to R) Dr. Tony Young, Ms. Jacqueline Shellington, Dr. Robert Maria, and Mr. Michael Gootee review ideas for language for LPC legislation. Sources indicate that testing is “off the table” at this time. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Susan Dardard)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 2.
In a November 4th email, LPA Executive Director Gail Lowe wrote to LPA platinum member and publisher of the Times, Dr. Julie Nelson, indicating that Nelson was being warned of a violation of LPA listserv rules and further violations would result in her suspension.
Ms. Lowe noted that a quote from a listserv post by Executive Council member Dr. Robert Storer had been printed in the Times without his permission. And, that this had been brought to Lowe’s attention and was a violation of listserv rules.
The Times quoted Dr. Storer in a front-page story in the November issue, “LPA Council Rejects Resolution.” He had commented on listserv about the reasons for his no vote on a resolution asking LPA to support the autonomous regulation of psychology. The Times publisher quoted him, “…the prescribing psychologists that I know have stated that they see this statement as a ‘slap’ against them.”
The Times article also published LPA President Kelly Ray’s explanation regarding her vote about the resolution. She wrote, “…the proposed resolution was not presented to make a public statement that LPA supports psychology, but rather, to build the foundation to take an offensive position against 251, against the medical psychologists, and against the medical board. This is what your EC voted down.”
Nelson wrote back to Ms. Lowe saying that the rule prohibiting forwarding of listserv posts was “easy to get around” simply by having someone else forward it to her, which is what she had done. And, that the rule should be rewritten considering that posting to over 200 people could be considered “publishing” one’s viewpoints.
Writing on behalf of the Council, Ms. Lowe wrote back to Nelson noting, “Rule #7 states, ‘sharing personal content from the listserv posts without prior permission from the original poster will be grounds for dismissal from the listserv.” She said that Nelson’s response regarding a simple way to get around the rule indicated that Nelson was “not willing to abide by the standards set forth by your Executive Council.” And that, “Violation of the rules poses a threat to all users,” and informed Nelson that she was suspended from the list for six months.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 4.
Following a no vote on October 22nd by the Executive Council of the Louisiana Psychological Association on a resolution asking the association to support the independent regulation of psychology, some disgruntled LPA members submitted a petition for a special meeting.
Dr. Susan Dardard organized the petition and submitted a list of 55 names to LPA council members on Friday October 29, 2010. She told the Times that only 55 names would fit on one page.
According to Dr. Dardard, LPA President Kelly Ray wrote back indicating that any petition for a special meeting must state the exact nature of the business to be conducted. Also, each of the 55 people who agreed to sign for a special meeting will be required to send a separate memo or verification with his or her signature.
Dr. Dardard indicted to the Times that some of those signing the petition are presently involved in discussions as to the best and most useful resolutions, including discussion about a proposal for an open forum. She said, this would be facilitated by an IO psychologist and address conflicts regarding Act 251, to help bring the community together.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 5.
The Medical Board is proposing to keep phrasing in their rules for physicians interacting with MPs, which could be misinterpreted as a prohibition against physicians consulting with psychologists who are not MPs.
The phrase currently states, “General Prohibitions,” number “A. 3. A physician shall not consult and collaborate: […] 3. With a psychologist who is not an MP; […]”
The phrase and its multiple interpretations were brought to the attention of the psychology board by the Times publisher who asked the board to explain its meaning.
At the board’s September 2010 meeting, members discussed that this phrasing could conflict with their past opinions. Past opinions allow psychologists to discuss matters with their patient’s physician, if the psychologist has training in this area and needs to support continuity of care.
Also, psychology board members discussed that the phrasing may be confusing to some, and possibly interpreted as a prohibition against consulting with a psychologist who does not prescribe.
The psychology board suggested to the medical board that the wording be deleted.
However, the medical board declined this suggestion. Their proposed correction is to add the words, “… as defined in §7203 of these rules…” This addition refers back to a specific definition of consult or collaborate, earlier in the document, and to a definition that has to do with MPs only.
The proposed change is published in the November issue of the Louisiana Register. The proposed phrasing is “A physician shall not consult and collaborate, as defined in §7203 of these rules: […] 3. with a psychologist who is not an MP: …”
The original wording had been reviewed by Dr. Glenn Ally in 2008, who was then on the LSBEP.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The Department of Psychology at Southern University & A&M College hosted their Twelfth Annual Social and Behavioral Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference, on Friday November 19th, 2010. The event was held at the Royal Cotillion Ballroom at the Smith-Brown Memorial Union at Southern U.
Dr. Murelle G. Harrison, chair of the Psychology Department and licensed I/O psychologist, presented the welcoming address. Dr. Kofi Lomotey, Chancellor of the Baton Rouge Campus, Dr. Michael Stubblefield, Vice Chancellor for Research & Strategic Initiatives, and Dr. Robert H. Miller, Jr., Dean of the College of Sciences, each gave addresses and greeted attendees.
Students presented 17 research projects covering topics including alcohol use, domestic violence, risky behaviors in African American college males, ADHD medication.
Judges for the event were Dr. Doreen Miller, Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies, Dr. Richard Flicker, Department of Psychology at Southern and consulting I/O psychologist, and Dr. Susan Dardard, Dardard Media.
Shana Clay and Rayona Sylvan awarded certificates and Josette Williams gave the closing remarks.
Judges for Southern University’s Twelfth Annual Social and Behavioral Sciences Undergraduate Research Conference are pictured above. Front, L to R: Dr. Richard Flicker, Dr. Doreen Miller and Dr. Susan Dardard. Back: Dr Reginal Rackley and Dr. Murelle Harrision, licensed IO psychologist and Chair of the Psychology Department. (Photo courtesy Dr. Susan Dardard)
Those in the psychology community gathered to enjoy student research at Southern’s 12th Annual Conference. Above Dr. Catrice Tolbert-Hill (standing) assists conference planners and attendees (front, L to R) Chiza Onyenekwu, Ana Toma Harrison, and (back, L to R) Lakeith Lewis and Shawn Allemond. (Photo courtesy Dr. Susan Dardard)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 6.
The 2010 “Stress in America” report is now available on the APA website at www.apa.org. Go to the Press Room/Press Releases.
The report is an annual, nationwide survey and is part of the APA “Mind/Body Health Campaign.” The study measures “attitudes and perceptions of stress among the general public, identifies leading sources of stress, common behaviors used to manage stress and the impact of stress on our lives. The results of the survey draw attention to the serious physical and emotional implications of stress and the inextricable link between the mind and body.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 6.
Two hundred people were turned away from the first “National Integrative Mental Health Conference” held recently in Phoenix, due to unexpectedly high interest.
In a page one story reported in the National Psychologist (Nov/Dec), the conference was said to cover the newest “mind- body approaches to treat mood disorders, such as exercise, nutritional strategies, meditation, breathing instruction, hypnosis, resilience training, acupuncture, laughter therapy, and spiritual practices,” according to Andrew Weil, M.D., chair and co- director of the conference.
In the NP article, Dr. Weil said that the unexpected attendance was “–indicative of growing dissatisfaction with solely biochemical approaches to mental health treatment.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
A task force studying the activities of psychologists across the U.S. and Canada completed its work and published results in September and October 2010. The content-oriented, validity study was sponsored by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) and conducted by the Professional Examination Service (PES).
Dr. Greg Gormanous, formerly Chair at LSU-A, participated in the Practice Analysis Advisory Committee, which worked with the Practice Analysis Task Force and PES.
The team studied the activities of licensed psychologists in order to update the licensing exam and to establish competencies and how these competencies can be assessed.
The authors confirmed the eight knowledge domains of the licensing exam and suggested some small changes. “Biological Bases of Behavior” should increase from 11 percent of the test to 12 percent. “Growth and Lifespan Development” should increase from 12 to 13 percent and “Treatment, Intervention, Prevention, and Supervision” should increase from 14 to 15 percent. Three knowledge areas remain the same, “Cognitive- Affective Bases of Behavior” at 13 percent, “Social and Cultural Bases of Behavior” at 12 percent, “Assessment and Diagnosis ” at 14 percent, and “Ethical/Legal/Professional Issues” at 15 percent.
The study suggests that “Research Methods and Statistics” will decrease from 8 percent to 7 percent.
The research team surveyed 5,000 licensed psychologists across the U.S. and Canada. The return rate was 26 percent. Findings included:
“ • Regardless of country, respondents were more likely to have been trained in the major areas of clinical, counseling, and educational psychology than they were to be currently practicing in those major areas; and were more likely to be currently practicing in the major areas of clinical neuropsychology, forensic psychology, geropsychology, health psychology, and rehabilitation psychology than to have initially been trained in those major areas.”
“• In the U.S., more than one-half of the respondents indicated cognitive/behavioral psychology (58%), and 9% and 11% indicated interpersonal psychology and psychodynamic psychology as their primary orientation, respectively. No more than 6% of the U.S. respondents indicated any of the other four specifically-delineated theoretical orientations as primary. …”
“• Nearly one-third of the U.S. respondents have participated in formal post-doctoral specialization and/or respecialization and 17% of Canadian respondents have done so as well. Recently licensed respondents are more likely to have trained in clinical, clinical child, and school psychology, and less likely to have trained in community, counseling, developmental, educational, experimental, industrial- organizational, and social psychology than less recently licensed/registered respondents.”
One goal of the study was to confirm knowledge areas of the licensing exam. A second goal of the study was to identify “underlying professional competencies (including but not limited to those related to professional knowledge).”
The researchers noted six competency clusters: 1) Scientific Knowledge (covered in the licensing exam), 2) Evidence-Based Decision Making/Critical Reasoning, 3) Cultural and Interpersonal Competence, 4) Professionalism/Ethics, 5) Assessment, 6) Intervention/Supervision/Cons ultation.
(Editor’s note: The Times will cover findings regarding competency clusters in future editions.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 7.
Tulane University Center for Continuing Ed will present a conference, “Brain & Behavior 2010, 15th Robert G. Heath MD Lecture” on December 3-4 at the Westin Canal Place Hotel in New Orleans. The conference addresses the “importance of interdisciplinary interfacing” and treating patients as the “population and technology advances.”
For more information contact the Center for Continuing Education at 504.988.5466 or cme@tulane.edu.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 4. Source pages: 9.
Among items on their October 20th agenda, the members of the psychology board discussed changes needed to adapt administrative law rules for psychologists to the new APA ethics code.
In changes effective June 1, 2010, APA added the language:
“Under no circumstances may this standard be used to justify or defend violating human rights.” They made specific changes to certain sections of the code (1.02, Conflicts between Ethics and Law, Regulations, or Other Governing Legal Authority; 1.03, Conflicts Between Ethics and Organizational Demands).
The following sentence was deleted: “If a conflict is unresolvable via such means, psychologists may adhere to the requirements of the law, regulations, or other governing authority.”
The change was in part prompted by the recent controversy surrounding military psychologists and methods of interrogation.
The APA amended the code in an attempt to address potential conflicts that psychologists could encounter when caught between professional ethics, organizational demands or legal authority.
The LSBEP discussed amending the rules to reference the current APA code, thereby making future adjustments unnecessary.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.