Members of the Louisiana Psycho- logical Association (LPA) elected five new directors to the Executive Council. Dr. Sherry Desselle, Dr. Gail Gillespie, Dr. Bryan Gros, Dr. Robert Storer, and Dr. Kim VanGeffen will begin serving today, July 1st.
This election is the first of its kind, mark- ing a new organi- zational design that was passed by members at the annual convention, April 22nd. This change is part of a cascade of events set into motion last year, after passage of Act 251. In the new structure those in key decision- making roles will have been elected by the membership rather than appointed by the president.
Dr. Sherry Desselle works as a Trauma Treatment Specialist for Capital Area Human Services District in Baton Rouge. She is transitioning to full-time practice and noted she offers, “…an open mind, clear head, sense of humor, and sense of purpose…” to help the state association.
Dr. Gail Gillespie wrote, “…I am excited and optimistic about the changes in the governance of the board, and wish to continue the influence of positive change and renewed vitality with this organization. My vision for LPA is to promote an air of inclusiveness for all psychologists to not only feel welcome, but to feel needed.”
Dr. Bryon Gros is Director of Psychology at Capital Area Human Services District and President of the Board of Directors of Mental Health America of Louisiana. “As a member of the Executive Council, my overall priority would be to represent the needs and voices of LPA members.”
Dr. Robert Storer, is a member of both Louisiana and Mississippi Psychological Associations. He is currently on the Legislative Affairs committee and editor of the LPA Newsletter, and would continue these contributions. And, “…do my best to represent the interests and wishes of the members of LPA.”
Dr. Kim VanGeffen, is past president of LPA and her goal is “…to represent the diversity of needs of psychologists in Louisiana. There are many psychologists who have not believed that LPA served their interests. It will be important for the LPA leadership to learn how best to meet the needs of its members so that we can continue to grow as an organization.”
Out-going president Dr. Judith Levy congratulated the new directors and asked for others to give them support.
Executive Director Gail Lowe (back left), Dr. Kim VanGeffen (center) and Dr. Sherry Desselle, at a bylaws committee meeting at Dr. Karen Speier’s home. Kim and Sherry have recently been elected directors to the LPA Executive Council.
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In the June edition of PT I reported that Dr. Comaty had written to me with some complaints and concerns, and that I had written back. I found out that PT had been placed on the board’s May 14th agenda, but I hadn’t heard anything myself. So I asked to speak at their next meeting, which was last Friday. I was allowed to make a “comment,” so I dragged Dr. Tom Hannie along for moral support, and made the following remarks.
“I didn’t understand the reason for Dr. Comaty’s letter, or why it was copied to the board members, or the lack of a reply. So, I’ve come to comment today. I’m available at other times for an honest and mutually respectful discussion about a good working relationship between the board and Psychology Times.
For today, I want to say first that the mission of the board and of the Times is not all that different. The board enforces ethical standards and I want to facilitate people protecting their own rights by freedom of information.
The APA code uses words that many journalism codes use:
“…respect and protect civil and human rights and the central importance of freedom of inquiry and expression… …strive to help the public in developing informed judgments and choices… …seek to promote accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness…”
Politics have negatively influenced the ethical climate of our community to an excessive degree. LAMP, and to some extent LPA, are understandably organizations with self-interest goals. But there is a troubling decline in moral reasoning within our community. This is one of the main reasons I created the Times.
This erosion in our ethical climate should also concern the board.
I provide this chart [below] to help see that an organizational climate of self-interest (high egoistic, low benevolent, low principled) relates to unethical behaviors in individuals, and should not be ignored.
In regard to my role as a journalist, I investigated the matter by consulting with two experts in ethics for psychologists. I laid out the issues with the APA ethics investigator. I also consulted Dr. Michael Gottlieb, who is writing the new APA ethics handbook. Both said the ethics code does not bear on my work as a journalist.
There are a number of journalism codes of ethics, all having to do with seeking the truth, reporting it the best you can, and being sensitive to the impacts. My father said it this way, “Tell the truth and don’t libel anybody.”
There’ll be some growing pains for all of us as we get used to having a community newspaper. Thomas Jefferson said that the free press is the only security, and “The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure."
It is not my goal to cause more agitation than is absolutely necessary in my efforts to find and report facts to those who have a right to know. If I’ve reported something incomplete or inaccurate, I’m happy to clarify. Call upon me to do so and you will find that I am willing and cooperative.
I know that the board is committed to a principled ethical climate as well as the individual’s right to information. I am devoted to these goals too, and I can see no valid reason why we cannot work together.”
They all listened politely and Dr. Rovaris later thanked me for my presentation. I left a set of questions, a “written inquiry,” about the board and 251.
Adapted from “Bad Apples, Bad Cases, and Bad Barrels: Meta- Analytic Evidence About Sources of Unethical Decisions at Work.” J. Kish-Gephard, D. Harrison, L. Trevino. In J. of Applied Psychology, 95, 1. Copyright 2010 APA. Reproduced with permission.
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 6.
On June 11th, the First Circuit Court of Appeal dismissed a case against the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP). According to the review, Dr. Trudy Bond, an Ohio psychologist, originally brought a case asking the board to investigate retired Army Col. Larry James, Ph.D., a psychologist licensed in Louisiana, regarding his treatment of foreign detainees when he served at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The LSBEP had investigated the complaint, but took no disciplinary action and gave no opinion, as noted in the June 11th ruling. Dr. Bond then filed a petition for the court to order LSBEP to perform a complete investigation and hearing. This was dismissed. Then Dr. Bond appealed.
The judges noted that, “The law sets forth no provision requiring LSBEP to act. Therefore, no right of action exists to make them do so.” Also, the judges explained, “Without some peculiar, special, and individual interest, a citizen has no standing in court to champion a cause or subject matter that pertains to the whole people in common, nor has an individual citizen legal standing in court to enforce the performance of a duty owed to the general public.”
The judges wrote, “An amicus brief in support of Dr. Bond’s position was filled on behalf of five non-profit organizations, by the Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. We recognize their arguments, and their positions are incorporated into our analysis.” Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Loyola University in New Orleans was listed.
This matter has been at the center of a strong controversy in the national psychological community. Dr. Bond remains active in her efforts to bring attention to matters regarding torture. Dr. James is now at Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology. In his 2008 book Fixing Hell: Army Psychologist Confronts Abu Ghraib, he described his efforts to improve conditions regarding interrogations.
For decision go to http://www.la-fcca.org/
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 6.
The psychology board is offering a quick and easy renewal process via the online renewal system that can be accessed at the board’s home page (www.LSBEP.ORG).
Licenses should be renewed this month because they expire on July 31st. Thirty hours of continuing education is due for those with even- numbered licenses.
The new online system reduces paper work for the psychologist, and allows them to track their continuing education credits, as well as print out a record during the year whenever desired.
Executive Director Jaime Monic also noted that licensees “can report CEs at any time throughout the year and the system will total your hours.” The online system is open to renewals beginning as early as May.
Online renewals also make it easier on the board’s staff by reducing paper work and automating the record keeping for continuing education credits.
The publisher of the Times tried out the system this year. It was quick and easy. According to Ms. Jacqueline Lively, administrative assistant at the board, about 50 percent of licensees are still using the paper renewal.
Psychology board staff Ms. Jacqueline Lively (L) and Ex. Director Jaime Monic are pleased with the online renewal system. They encourage psychologists to use this easy and paperless method at www.LSBEP.ORG.
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 7.
From January 8th Minutes:
Ms Monic reported that in 2009 there were 33 requests for investigation, 14 were investigated and 19 dismissed.
Dr. Courtney reported that the Notice of Intent to amend LAC 46, LXIII, Chapters 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 15 and repeal Chapter 4 had been published in the December Louisiana Registry.
LPC Board– The Board revised a draft response to the LPC Board
LSBME Proposed Rules for regulating Medical Psychologists– The Board was provided a copy of the rules proposed by the La. State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) for regulation of Medical Psychologists by the LSBME.
LAC 46, LXIII, Chapter 11: Supervision of Unlicensed Assistants in Providing Psychological Services– The Board reviewed revisions proposed by Dr. Courtney to the LAC 46, LXIII, Chapter 11 as a result of the objections to the current rule by the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists and the Louisiana Psychological Association. After careful review and consideration Dr. Dammers moved that Chapter 11 be amended to replace the term “direction supervision” with the term and definition of “general supervision” yet maintain that the licensed psychologists is directly accountable for the provision of psychological services.
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 7.
Dr. Jillandra Rovaris completed her five-year term serving on the psychology board. Above, she has just finished her last official duty of signing papers and adjourning the meeting. Dr. Rovaris is director of the Educational Resources & Counseling Center for Tulane University, Student Affairs.
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 7.
Nutritional deficiencies may precede or further complicate cases of anorexia nervosa. Zinc deficiency can cause anorexia, presumably because zinc is important in parts of the brain involved in food seeking, serotonin production, and weight regulation. In one study, zinc supplementation and placebo were given to 35 patients with anorexia nervosa. The group given zinc showed an increase in BMI, twice that of the placebo group. Zinc may be useful in the treatment or prevention of anorexia nervosa.
"Controlled Trial of Zinc Supplementation in Anorexia Nervosa", Birmingham, Carl L., et al, International Journal of Eating Disorders, 1994;15(3):251-255.
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There are as many paths to excellence as there are psychologists, but Dr. Michael Chafetz has moved through a set of fascinating career choices, leading him to contributions worthy of the highest standards of psychology’s scientist-practitioner model.
Dr. Chafetz is a forensic and clinical neuropsychologist, providing assessment and therapy, particularly for disabilities. He provides neuropsychological assessment for defense and plaintiff cases, as well as criminal cases. He has provided analysis and research of testamentary capacity for families needing help for estate planning with a person in cognitive decline, and even neuropsychological “autopsy” to discover evidence when there is a challenge to a will.
Mike has earned the ABPP in clinical neuropsychology, and is a member of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology. He a Fellow in the National Academy of Neuropsychology. He is also a member of APA, Division 40, and the National Association of Disability Examiners. He has served as Expert to Administrative Law Judges for Social Security and consults to the Louisiana State Board of Nursing, and other licensing boards.
Mike has 98 publications and presentations, and two books, Smart for Life (Viking Penguin, 1992) and Nutrient Bases of Behavior (Prentice-Hall, 1990). He is a reviewer for Applied Neuropsychology, and the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology. He has previously reviewed for Physiological Psychology, Brain Research Bulletin, J. of General Psychology, Southern Psychologist, Nutrition and Behavior, and Southwestern Psychological Association.
“I actually started out as a neuroscientist,” he told the Times, “publishing in Brain Research.” He studied recovery processes after brain damage, “using electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and receptor binding, along with conventional staining and light microscopy in animal studies.”
Mike earned his cum laude undergraduate from Tulane in Chemistry and Psychology (honors), and continued for his masters there in physiological psychology. “I learned basic brain science from Arnold Gerall at Tulane,” he explained. He continued on to his doctoral studies in the Chemistry of Behavior program at Texas Christian University. There, Mike studied mostly under Fred Gage, a well-known neuroscientist in the field.
During the 80s he published regularly in Brain Research Bulletin, Physiological Psychology, Journal of General Psychology, and Behavioural Brain Research. Examples include “Biochemical specificity of septal hyperreactivity: A behavioral discrimination,” and “Recovery of function from septal damage and the growth of sympathohippocampal fibers.”
Then his career focus began to change. “I eventually moved into the field of nutrients and neurotransmitters,” he said, “studying under Sarah Leibowitz at Rockefeller University in New York.” His works included “Biological factors in anorexia,” and “Effects of clonidine on self- selection of macro- and micronutrients.” He published in Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiology & Behavior, and Nutrition and Behavior, as examples.
During this same time, he taught courses at Tulane as a visiting professor and assistant professor at U. Southwestern Louisiana. But eventually his work had become, “too molecular,” and he explained. “I wanted patient contact.”
He found that he needed to re-specialize if he was to become a “fully fledged” neuropsychologist. “That’s when I started working with Lee and Janet Matthews, Susan Andrews, and Bill Black in New Orleans, and attending the N.O. Neuropsychology Society meetings.”
Mike re-specialized in clinical psychology at University of South Mississippi, and completed an internship in clinical Neuropsychology at Baylor college of Medicine, and continued his training in a post- internship residency with Drs. Matthews and Andrews. His work with disability cases increased during this time. “…that is what started me thinking about effort problems in these compensation- seeking claimants.”
His most recent publication follows this direction, “Symptom Validity Issues in the Psychological Consultative Examination for Social Security Disability,” The Clinical Neuropsychologist, June 2010. In this article he writes about validity issues from multiple levels of abstraction, from technical to societal, and the psychologist’s role in respect to validity of findings.
Among his many contributions, Mike currently serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the MS Society of Louisiana. He has served on the Regional Advisory Board of the Alzheimer’s Association, and on the Human Rights Committee for the Volunteers of America. He participates in the mentoring program for the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology. He has served as president and spokesperson for Grassroots Initiative, a term that he will be completing soon.
What has he most enjoyed about his career? “When I was doing neuroscience, I especially enjoyed microscopy – electron and fluorescence. I could sit for hours exploring synapses, nerve endings, and dendrites, feeling that the secrets of the brain were unfolding in front of me. In the clinical career, I have especially enjoyed working with colleagues on difficult cases, and I also enjoy clinical research. I have also very much enjoyed working with my colleagues in Louisiana on some difficult psychology issues.”
And the least? “I have least enjoyed working with bureaucracies,” he said.
If Mike could have changed something, “I would have oriented toward getting a clinical degree first, even if I had chosen to work in neuroscience research.”
His advice to younger psychologists is that, “There is always a market for your services, no matter what kind of psychology you want to pursue. If you are ethical, and pursue your work with diligence, you will be able to make a go of it.”
He is very much a family man, with a 21 year old daughter, Hannah, and wife, Elaine. The family is a big pet household, with Squeakie the bird, Goldie, the Golden Lab pound dog, the visiting grandpuppy, and of course Frankie, the now famous three-legged pound dog.
About his future Dr. Chafetz said, “I am very much enjoying my work and clinical research, and don't foresee large changes in the near future.” But he said, “I would like to do more mentoring.”
This is good news, because anyone would be lucky to have Dr. Michael Chafetz as a mentor. Or colleague. Or just as a friend.
Dr. Mike Chafetz, (R), Grassroots out-going president, relaxing and discussing issues at Grassroots meeting. Dr. Tom Hannie looks on.
Mike with Goldie, one of his many family pets.
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Research teams from Louisiana Tech University presented their findings at the American Psychological Society convention in Boston, May 27-30. Drs. Walt Buboltz, Kevin Mahoney, Jeffrey Walczyk, and graduate students in the LaTech program presented papers with topics about eating and sleep patterns of college students, deception cues and lying research, and the factors relating to jobs with “emotional labor.”
Drs. Walter Buboltz and Janelle McDaniel along with graduate student researchers Rebecca Hoffmann, Eric Robbins, and Barbara Calvert, investigated patterns of food choices and sleep in college students. The researchers gathered data through food diaries and sleep scales, finding that college-age students have erratic eating patterns, with higher fat and lower calories consumed than recommended. They also found a mild relationship between sleep patterns and types of food consumed, and concluded that interactions between sleep and eating may be more complex than initially believed. Their research may help to shed light on eating, sleep and obesity.
Drs. Kevin Mahoney and Walter Buboltz and graduate student John Buckner investigated individual differences having to do with emotional labor and its consequences for job satisfaction.
In this study the LaTech researchers measured emotional labor, service motivation, emotional exhaustion, job satisfaction and organizational commitment, in 233 employees holding a variety of jobs in two Southern cities. The investigators found that emotional labor was meaningfully related to job satisfaction, organizational commitment and emotional exhaustion. “Employees are differentially inclined to engage in emotional labor and the individual differences in this study emerge as new possible reasons why.”
Consequences of emotional labor, such as emotional exhaustion, vary by individual. Also those high in proactive personality “were more likely to display genuine positive emotion and suppress negative emotion.” And, “Compassionate individuals were more likely to give genuine positive expressions.” Women expressed genuine positive emotion a few times a day and men a few times a week.
Dr. Jeffery Walczyk and graduate students Rachel Yates and Shelley Visconte presented findings in about “cues of deception” in a mock crime situation.
The researchers tested “Time Restricted Integrity-Confirmation” in the context of a mock crime. They measured response time, wordiness, consistency, eye movement and pupil dilation using an infrared eye scanner. “Compared to truths, lies took longer, were wordier, and entailed more eye movements, but not more pupil dilation,” they found. The results were strong and could classify “liars and truth tellers with up to 84% accuracy and with a 1% false positive rate, [a rate] far below that of the polygraph.”
In another presentation on the cognitive cues of lying, Dr. Walczyk and graduate student Bryon Simoneaux investigated the expanded “Activation-Decision-Construction Model” (Walczyk et al. 2003).
Analyses showed that “unrehearsed liars had longer response times, more contradictions, and less eye movements,” and that “rehearsal lowered cognitive load.”
The researchers concluded, “Response times, answer inconsistencies, and eye movements offer the best cues to deception.”
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On Friday, June 4th, Dr. Darlyne Nemeth and her colleague, Dr. Judy Kuriansky (Columbia University), and student associates Traci Olivier, Taighlor Whittington, Natasha May, John Hamilton and Alex Steger, presented “Group Interventions for Disaster/Trauma Anniversary Reactions” at the Returning to Katrina – Bringing Hurricane Katrina Research Back to the Community – Conference. The conference was sponsored by University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Policy and Resilience.
She told the Times, “Our mentor, Don Glad, would be so proud of the techniques used in these community workshops, which were conducted around the first year anniversaries of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. “The fifth year anniversaries are approaching,” she noted. “We may, therefore, expect to see some symptom re-emergence.”
Methodology for group intervention included initial assessment to uncover worry, irritability, tension, sadness, and other symptoms. In the workshop, participants move through a process of experiential learning to express emotions in a therapeutic manner. One aspect of the process includes “The Container –Contained Model.” This method, adapted from Billows, allows emotional expression in a safe environment, and is associated with reduced anxiety around the traumatic events.
Judy Kuriansky, Ph.D., a professor at Columbia University and a well- known New York psychologist is also a journalist and writes a column in the NY Daily News. She did a feature article on the Anniversary Workshops and helped facilitate one of the sessions.
The workshops were first presented at APA in New Orleans. Eventually the methodology formed the basis of workshops at the 08 World Congress for Psychotherapy in Beijing, China. where mental health professionals were prepared to deal with the one year anniversary reactions that were anticipated from the Sichuan Earthquake.
Above is from Dr. Darlyne Nemeth’s presentation. She reminds psychologists to watch for anniversary symptoms in clients and patients.
A slide from the Wellness Workshop presentation, defining experiential model and process.
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 14.
These are the first words out of the mouths of children visiting Dr. Alicia Pellegrin’s office in Baton Rouge, whose work consists largely of court-ordered child custody evaluations. Zach is a part of Dr. Pellegrin’s therapy team and on a typical day Zack is hugged, pulled, fussed over, dressed up, and given handmade treats, all without once ever showing any signs of impatience or irritation. Zach is a two-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who has become an integral member of Dr. Pellegrin’s approach for helping these youngsters who are dealing with varying degrees of distress.
Alicia first brought puppy Zack to the office two years ago because she couldn’t leave him alone all day. “His first encounter with a child made it clear as to Zach’s true calling,” she said. “On that day, a very apprehensive seven-year-old girl was waiting anxiously with her mother to be seen.” The mother had explained that her daughter had severe separation anxiety and would likely refuse to leave her side to be interviewed.
“When the child saw Zach being brought in from his walk, her face lit up,” Alicia said. “Then, this anxious child bounded from the waiting room right up to the front office window to ask the receptionist about the puppy. I asked her if it she would like to have the puppy present while we talked, and she excitedly agreed. She actually skipped to my office behind Zach. Not only did she gladly leave her mother, but also she was so excited about spending time with the puppy that she forgot her anxiety altogether. At the end of the visit, she asked if she could return the next day.”
Pet-facilitated therapy first emerged over forty years ago when child psychologist Boris Levinson used dogs as co- therapists. Over the years researchers have demonstrated a variety of physical and psychological benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, calming, reducing perceptions of threat, or reducing feelings of loneliness. “Of course, not every child is right for therapy with Zach,” she noted. “I always make sure to ask about a child’s comfort with animals, as well as about any possible pet allergies before considering Zach as part of the child’s experience. (See Handbook on Animal-assisted Therapy: Theoretical Foundations and Guidelines for Practice. A. H. Fine, ed. 2006)
“This special dog,” said Alicia, “seems to intuitively know what a particular child’s needs are on a given day. He can in turn, be silly and playful or quiet and somber, as the occasion calls for.”
She added, “One particularly moving session ended with a distressed little boy crying into Zach’s fur as he relayed the difficulty he had experienced as a direct result of his parent’s contentious divorce.”
This is just one of the many reasons why Dr. Alicia Pellegrin doesn’t feel in the least bit slighted when the children who come to see her start by asking, “Where’s Zach?!
Dr. Alicia Pellegrin with her therapy dog, Zach. She have found that pets in therapy may hold important benefits for anxious youngsters.
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 14.
At their convention in New Orleans, June 11, the American Psychiatric Association declined to adopt recommendations to control and curtail their relationships with the pharmaceutical industry. The author of the report and head of the task group, Dr. Paul Appelbaum, said, “Ironically, it appears to be very difficult for many psychiatrists to accept the notion that there may be influences on their behavior that are outside of their conscious perception.” (Medscape Medical News, June)
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Dr. John Simoneaux’s appoint- ment to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP) was not confirmed, surprising and disappointing many in the community. A June 29th press release announced the appointment of Dr. Lee Matthews. This memo noted that all nominees come from a list of names submitted by the Louisiana Psychological Asso- ciation and are subject to Senate approval.
Drs. Simoneaux and Matthews were the top vote getters in a statewide election conducted in November, with 141 and 103 votes respectively.
According to available information, the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee considered Dr. Simoneaux’s appointment on May 26th. Ms. Yolanda Dixon, 1st Assistant to the Secretary of the Senate, told the Times that the committee reviewed his appointment in private.
Dr. Simoneaux had been appointed by Governor Jindal in April and had already begun to serve on the LSBEP. According to Ms. Lowe, a nominee not being confirmed has occurred only one other time during her service. Mrs. Connie Stigall, who was the LPA Executive Director from 1986 to 2001, noted that this may happen if “… it’s a clerical error, or some date is missed.” But that “It doesn’t happen very often.”
An undisclosed source told the Times, “John is a man of utmost integrity… he is particularly well- informed about the ethical parameters of our profession, and speaks openly and candidly about our shortcomings. I wonder if he is experiencing backlash for his candor.”
Dr. Simoneaux had written openly on the LPA listserv during 2009 regarding the long-term consequences to the profession of Act 251. Sources indicated that he confronted what he viewed as financial irregularities while on the LPA executive committee. Later in the town-hall meeting held by the association, December 13th, 2009, he spoke up in opposition to the arrangement between LPA and Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists, where LPA subcontracted with LAMP for lobbyists. He also had objected to the lack of a written contract.
Dr. Simoneaux reluctantly spoke with the Times saying, “I received a letter from the President of the Senate, informing me that the appointment had not been confirmed. The letter directed me to call the office of the President of the Senate, if I had any questions. I was told that I needed to speak with either the Chairman of that committee, or my home senator, Joe McPherson.” Dr. Simoneaux indicated he would not pursue this any further.
Dr. Matthews is from Kenner, owner of Psychological Resources, a clinical and clinical neuropsychologist, with ABPP. He is married to Dr. Janet Matthews. His background, including some of his military and professional accomplishments, were reviewed in Dr. Janet Matthews’ Close-Up, Psychology Times (PT) No 3.
Dr. Simoneaux was interviewed for Close- Up in PT No. 2.
Dr. John Simoneaux encouraged a more ethical approach at LPA’s town hall meeting in Dec. 09
Dr. Lee Matthews (R) was recently appointed to the board. Here he speaks with Dr. Susan Dardard and Dr. Mike Chafetz at the Bylaws vote in April.
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Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 11. Source pages: 16.
Do you really think that those of us in psychology in our state are ready for the public to know about us? If you have been reading the headlines in this paper over these last many months, you may agree with me that the answer is “No.”
Psychology in Louisiana has been out of order for decades, during which time short-sighted, narrow-agenda professional activities and simplistic public outreach efforts have prevailed over the long-term, broadly-inclusive professional activities and well-coordinated media pursuits that we need.
We have begun to benefit from more open communications through the Psychology Times and the LPA Newsletter, and we have made progress toward improving our organizational health through the recent LPA bylaws overhaul and election of new LPA directors.
Now that we have internal media resources, structural changes, and new leaders in place we need to have extensive, pervasive, accelerated conversations across specialties, campuses, and regions, to truly know who we are and what we have to offer the public.
We need to adopt an attitude of mutual respect and get to know each other as colleagues, then find out what the public knows about us, and needs that we best can provide, before we can demonstrate how media matters to psychology.
Retreat, anyone?
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