Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 1, 4.

In a July 29th letter, Alan Levine, outgoing Secretary for LA’s Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), again requested aid from BP for present and expected mental health issues resulting from the oil spill.

Psychologist Dr. Anthony Speier, Deputy Assistant Secretary at DHH, told the Times, “We have had 11,000 contacts and 23,000 crisis counseling interventions.” He said that the kinds of issues seen are the increased frustrations and weariness among people “who have a tradition of living off the land.” And he noted, “There is an increased worry and anxiety among those who can’t find jobs, and concern over the security of their future, and loss of a way of life.” He explained the agency is seeing more stress, anxiety, more drinking, and is concerned about the potential for more domestic violence.

Secretary Levine had also written to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in July to highlight “an unprecedented behavioral health crisis” due to the oil release. He asked for her help because BP had ignored his requests for aid. He cited studies from the Valdez spill that showed “the long-lasting psychological impact of this type of technological disaster, particularly on those who rely on the ecosystem for their livelihoods…” He wrote that mental health impacts could persist 10 years after the spill, based on the Valdez experience.

Dr. Speier told the Times, “People along the coast are feeling that they haven’t fully recovered from Katrina,” and this contributes to difficulties coping.

Secretary Levine had written in one request that Louisiana’s citizens are suffering from “the compounding effects of the disasters they have faced.” And he warned of the “insidious” effect on the mental health of children, from the stress faced by parents.

A July 19 review by Moody’s Analytics estimates that the job loss across the coast will be 17,000 jobs. Louisiana will likely be one of the hardest hit, due to its fishing and aquaculture, as well as offshore drilling that is seeing a decline.

Dr. Speier was a contributing author to Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters, Coping with Katrina, Rita, and Other Storms, edited by Dr. Katie Cherry.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 12.

National Alliance for Professional Psychological Providers issued an 80-page report titled, “Failure to Serve.” The report details the lack of science behind using medications as a first-line treatment and misuse by physicians when treating behavioral disorders. John Caccavale, Ph.D, ABMP is the primary author.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 1, 4.

Thirteen Louisiana psychologists received the post-doctoral masters from California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in clinical psycho- pharmacology, at the graduation ceremony held this year in Baton Rouge. According to program director, Steven Tulkin, Ph.D., 15 other states were represented in this year’s class with a total of 56 graduates nationwide. The celebration was held at Juban’s restaurant on June 19th. Dr. Glenn Jones, psychologist from Baton Rouge, spoke at the event. Glenn is affiliated with Earl K. Long Medical System in Baton Rouge, part of the LSU Health System.

CSPP is a program of Alliant International University. Dr. John Bolter, program director at the Louisiana site, wrote the first prescription ever by a state licensed psychologist. John is with the NeuroMedical Center in Baton Rouge.

CSPP program instructors from Louisiana also include Dr. Claire Advokat, LSU psychology professor and author, and Dr. Joseph Comaty, LA State Office of Mental Health and Chair of the psychology board.

Dr. Pat DeLeon, in his July column for APA Div.18 wrote “The Pelican State & ‘You Are My Sunshine.’ ” He noted, “ During the Summer of 1999, I had the honor of addressing the first Louisiana CSPP graduating class as they received their Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology. At that time, Brenda (Bolter) Dawson was the President of LPA. This Summer, on Brenda’s and John’s anniversary, I was again invited to participate.” … “The graduation was again very special.”

Dr. Tulkin told the Times that CSPP has over 400 graduates from the program and a new class will begin in September. For information go to http://psychopharm.alliant.edu.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 13.

Some of the presenters from Louisiana this year are:

Dr. Janet Matthews will chair the Invited Address, “2010 Distinguished Contributions to Applications of Psychology to Education and Training Award,” and “2010 Distinguished Contributions to Education and Training in Psychology Award.”

Janet will also be a participant in the symposium, “BEA Hot Issues and Ongoing Projects.”

Drs. Claire Advokat and Glen Ally will present in the APA session, “Combined Pharmacological and Psychological Treatment of Adult Anxiety Disorders.” Claire will address Psycho-pharmacology of Antianxiety Medications and Glen will present on Combined Pharmacological and Psychological Treatment of Adult Anxiety Disorders.

Glen is also a presenter in “Hospital Privileges and the Role of Prescribing Psychologists,” where he will focus his comments on “Inpatient Prescribing and Medical Staff Politics.”

Drs. Greg Gormanous and Warren Lowe will co-chair the presentation, “Duty to Protect Versus Confidentiality–Mock Licensing Board Hearing.”

Greg will also present “To Be or Not to Be a Real Psychologist: I/O Issues,” as part of the session, “Licensure and Certification– What Students Need to Know.”

Dr. Paul Frick will present in the symposium, “Diagnostic Consideration from Psychologists Who Work with School-Aged Children–Where Are We Now, and Where Should We Be?” He will be presenting, “Possible Changes to the Criteria for the Disruptive-Behavior Disorders for DSM-V: Rationale and Implications.” [Division(s): 1, 16, 12, 29, 37, 43, 53, 54, 55, 56]

Also, Paul will be in the symposium, “DSM-V–Updates, Issues, Use of Scientific Evidence.” In this symposium, he will present, “DSM-V and Child Disorders: The Case of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders.”

Dr. Kelly Ray will be a presenter in the symposium, “Nuts and Bolts of a Successful Practice—Different Practice Options for ECPs.” Her talk is titled “Developing a Part-Time Practice.”

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 1, 5.

“Impact will be enormous” LA Higher Education Faces “Shattering” Budget Cuts

State colleges and universities will be hit with more and deeper budget cuts in 2011-2012 unless conditions change in the state’s financial crisis.

Dr. Charles Zewe, communications VP for Louisiana State University System called the cuts “shattering.” He noted, “Louisiana colleges and universities could face more than $600 million in budget cuts in two years if nothing is done to spare higher education…” The LSU System includes LSU (Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Shreveport, Eunice), UNO, Pennington, and LSU Health Sciences Centers and hospital programs. According to University of Louisiana System President Randy Moffett, campuses are continuing to plan for worst-case scenarios while hoping for revenue relief from the Legislature. The UL website reports UL campuses have laid off almost 500 employees and eliminated hundreds of positions. They have eliminated over 300 courses and terminated 33 degree programs. The University of Louisiana System includes Grambling, LaTech, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern, Southeastern, and University of La at Lafayette and Monroe.

The Southern University System has been dealing with reductions for several years, according to internal sources.

LSU System President, John Lombardi, said the projection “… leaves no doubt that Louisiana’s higher education system will become a fundamentally different enterprise by the end of the three year cycle covered by our revenue model if nothing changes. The new system will be smaller, it will serve fewer students, it will have a much narrower range of opportunities for students…”

Louisiana Tech’s President Dan Reneau led a forum with Chancellor Martin, “Future of Louisiana Research Universities,” in April, as reported by Times-Picayune. Reneau said research universities are failing to make the case for themselves for funding priorities.

Edward Ashworth, director of the Louisiana Budget Project, a watchdog organization for middle income citizens, was critical in his May 13th article of cuts only approach. He wrote, “Louisiana is not alone. Thirty-three other states are facing similar declines, but have responded with revenue increases in combination with spending cuts. Louisiana is distinctive in its decision to respond to the crisis solely with spending cuts.”

LSU Chancellor Michael Martin wrote to Lombardi in July saying, “… we can state unequivocally that the overall impact will be enormous.” And he said, “… LSU and the state it serves will have to live with the consequences of these decisions for decades to come.”

LSU System info: http://www.lsusystem.edu/media/budget/

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 14.

Dr. Joy Osofsky and her work during Hurricane Katrina was the focus of an article in the July/August issue of APA Monitor, titled “Treating Traumatized Children.” The article highlights Joy’s experiences and the trauma she witnessed in children during the hurricane.

Joy is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, and a contributing author to Lifespan Perspectives on Natural Disasters, Coping with Katrina, Rita, and Other Storms.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 1, 3.

The “Behavioral Health Professional Working Group,” a team composed of psychologists and counselors, met on July 28th in Baton Rouge to begin to fulfill goals requested of them by a Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 100) that was passed in June by the Louisiana legislature.

Dr. Darla Burnett, recent past-president of LPA, told the Times, “It was an organizational meeting. We established the co-chairs, Tony Young and Michael Gootee, decided on the next meeting time, and, we discussed what information each group should bring to the next meeting to help educate each other.” She said, “I think a lot of good was accomplished.”

The working group includes Drs. Joe Comaty and Tony Young, chair and vice chair of the Psychology Board, and Drs. Jessica Brown and Darla Burnett who represent the Louisiana Psychological Association.

Representing the Louisiana Professional Counselors Board of Examiners are Drs. Gloria Bockrath and June Williams. Michael Gootee and Cindy Nardini represent the Louisiana Counselors Association.

Also invited were Jacqueline Shellington from the state board for social work and Dr. Robert Marier from the medical board.

SCR 100 asked the groups to work together in a collaborative manner to “Develop language for legislation to clarify the licensed professional counselor scope of practice … ” And to “Identify the common and distinct practice activities of the two professions and develop new collaborative practice methods … ” And also to “Discuss and outline additional recommendations which may expand public access to presently absent behavioral health services … ” The next meeting is scheduled for August 10th in Baton Rouge.

Above: Dr. Tony Young and Dr. Darla Burnett at the LPA Spring meeting. They represent psychology in SCR100 task team.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 14.

I have enjoyed writing my “Media Matters” column in this newspaper for the past year. Today I conclude this series with several key recommendations for your media future.

For those of you who have read my words and realized that you really see no connection between you and anything media-related, I am glad if I have had a chance to help you draw that conclusion.

For those of you who already are active in various media arenas, I hope you continue your endeavors. You are rarities among members of our profession, extroverts in a world majority of introverts.

For those of you who remain curious and even tempted to venture into your own media projects, but feel intimidated by your lack of training, I suggest you align with a media psychology peer group.

An excellent first step would be to sign up for membership in APA Division 46, Media Psychology, where you can get to know many high caliber like-minded psychologists from all over the country.

A worthy second step would be to put together a series of meetings to network with colleagues in our own state who are interested in the interface between psychology and the media.

A prudent third step would be to invest in further development of your skills by finding a consultant who can mentor you through to your highest level of performance in the media.

Take your talent seriously and gather your resources. By the time the revitalization of our profession is complete you will be ready to let the public know what psychology is all about.

Please email your comments to Dr. Dardard at mediaservices@drsusandardard.com.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 2.

I’m all for recessions in human systems, as a way of forcing realignments. Living systems realign by creating and destroying. We usually try and avoid the destroying part, even though it’s necessary. But what I’m not for is cutting through to the bone marrow.

Inside unemployment figures is “churn,” the movement of people from obsolete jobs to new ones. In 2008-09, 57 million people quit or were fired and 51 million were hired. That is 108 million people churning. Multiple variables fuel churn but it is an indicator of a society trying to right itself, to adjust, a living system creating and destroying in order to realign.

Jobs are mostly created by small businesses and especially new ones. While new businesses mostly fail, those that succeed enter a life cycle and go on to grow and provide new goods and services and jobs. Our universities facilitate this churn by developing people and creating new technologies. It is the last place we should be cutting to the bone. Looks like we’re heading toward the stem cells.

Scientists and practitioners should hold hands when going out into traffic. I hope the state association for psychology will take a stand on these cuts, not just for our colleagues in the universities, but for Louisiana.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 2.

Naturalistic observations indicate that some Psychology Times readers are still not using the thumbnails in Adobe PDF to navigate. There appears to be a strong correlation to age. Below is a visual of what thumbnails should look like. Finding them might require your grandchild.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 3.

The Medical Psychology Advisory Committee (MPAC) is scheduled to meet on September 13th in Baton Rouge, according to officials at the Medical Board. The exact location has yet to be determined. The MPAC falls under the open meetings law and is open to the public, except for certain executive sessions that may be needed.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 3.

In January the Psychology Board approved a change proposed by Dr. Courtney to the rules governing psychologists and assistants. The word “direct” supervision was changed to “general” supervision. According to the board’s minutes, this was a result of objections to the current rule by the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists and the Louisiana Psychological Association.

The previous wording was “Unlicensed assistants providing psychological services must be under the direct and continuing professional supervision of a licensed psychologist.”

The change was published in the June 20th edition of the Louisiana Register and further definition was given. “General supervision means the procedure is furnished under the psychologist’s overall direction and control, but the psychologist’s presence is not required during the performance of the procedure.”

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 4.

Dr. Darlyne Nemeth has submitted the Neuropsychology Center’s Wellness Workshops to the Pepsi Refresh Project. Pepsi gives away $1.3 million each month to projects that improve communities and environments. Pepsi’s website indicates that they are funding an additional $1.3 million of grant money for projects to help the Gulf communities, called “Do Good For the Gulf.”

The Neuropsychology Center’s Wellness Workshops are listed as “Refresh Community Spirit.” Grants are awarded based on voting. To help fund these workshops please vote at: http://www.refresheverything.com/refre shcommunityspirit?utm_source=email& utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=G oodLuck_Gulf

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 5.

The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) published its 19th edition of “Psychology Licensing Exam Scores by Doctoral Program.” The report lists doctoral programs in the U.S. and Canada, and the average pass rate of candidates for licensure taking the exam, Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). The data has been collected over a five-year period. The report also provides a breakdown of scores from those individuals, by their graduate program, for each of the eight content areas of the test.

The overall passing rate was 76.6% for accredited programs.

The ASPPB recently updated the exam through a practice analysis, similar to a job analysis. Dr. Greg Gormanous, a Louisiana psychologist and past president of ASPPB, assisted in this study.

For a copy of this report go to the ASPPB website at: http://www.asppb.net/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

LSU professors Dr. Mary Lou Kelly, (Child- Clinical), Dr. Frank Gresham (center) (School Area Head), and Dr. Jeffrey Tiger (School) watch as graduate student Mindy Scheithauer presents her thesis. Students from LSU’s doctoral programs attained a 96.8% (clinical) and 100% (school) pass rate on the national licensing exam. Photos by Hazel Augustin

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.

Article archive / August 1, 2010

Originally published: August 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 12. Source pages: 6.

From the Minut es: A potpourri of things from LSBEP Feb 12, 2010 Medical Psychology Practice Act R.S.27:1360.61–

The Board reviewed the information regarding proposed revisions to the Medical Psychology Practice Act, Dr. Comaty moved to respond to Dr. Robert Marier, Executive Director of LSBME, to thank him for the opportunity to review the revisions and to let him know that the LSBEP would have no objections to the proposed revisions. The motion passed unanimously.

This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.