Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 1, 10, 11.

For Dr. Rick Adams, licensed clinical psychologist who practices full-time in Pineville, “Music is still just a hobby, albeit a busy one.” Dr. Adams is the guitarist and lead vocalist in the bluegrass duo named “Tuning South.”

Dr. Adams’ professional activity these days primarily consists of consultation and assessment. He continues with his career-long emphasis in work with children/adolescents who have developmental, behavioral, or learning problems. He also assists with treatment and placement determinations for the Office of Juvenile Justice in the central Louisiana area. His associate in the Pineville office is Dr. John Simoneaux, a forensic psychologist who also is a serious music lover.

“I've been in full-time private practice for about 25 years and still going strong,” Rick said. And his music has helped him maintain a healthy balance.

“Music is a great stress reducer for me––helped a lot when I was feeling some burnout about five years ago.” It was then that Rick found out that he still enjoyed his work, when he wasn’t “working 24-7.”

The other member of Tuning South is Mark Normand, who sings harmony vocals, and plays mandolin and fiddle. Sometimes the duo will add a third member on bass fiddle for certain performances or venues.

Rick met Mark Normand on the “jam scene” and both discovered that they had matching interests in music, artists and genres. They teamed up to take advantage of this symmetry, and decided to “take it on the road…” performing traditional bluegrass, “brother duet type harmonies,” “roots music,” and original tunes composed by Rick.

Tuning South has recently performed at Acadian Village and the Blue Dog Café in Lafayette, NuNu’s in Arnandville, the Joe Dreyfus Restaurant in Livonia, and at Cottonport Wildcat Mega-Reunion in Cottonport.

Rick’s interests also extend to songwriting, and he has composed several original works. “I've long been an amateur songwriter,” he explained. Two of his compositions are: "Blue Just Looks Black in the Dark" and "Some Winds Are Lonesome".

Rick told the Times, “‘Blue Just Looks Black’ was written during Hurricane Gustav when all the electricity was out. Although the song is about romance gone wrong, it was actually inspired by the fact that I was having trouble getting dressed by candlelight––difficulty with sock identification. Hence, ‘Blue Just Looks Black in the Dark.’ That song seems to be the number one request at the jams I frequent in the Lafayette area.”

Tuning South is slated to perform at the “Pro Psych Party,” during the upcoming LPA Convention following the business meeting on Thursday, April 22nd.

“I'm looking forward to playing at the convention,” Rick said. “It will be a little strange to have my worlds collide like that. I usually keep my music alter ego separate from that ‘professional psychologist guy.’ It should be interesting.”

Tuning South’s foot-tapping bluegrass and blues style can be heard at the Reverbnation webpage http://www.reverbnation.com/tuningsouth.

While there is no CD available yet, Rick assured us that, “For a fee, I’ll come and play for you at your house!”

Some of us might just take him up on that.

Dr. Rick Adams (right) with associates of Tuning South, his bluegrass band, will play at the “Pro Psych Party” during the LPA Convention, April 22. He is featured in this month’s Gone Fishing. See page 10 inside.

Mark Normand (L) and Dr. Rick Adams, Tuning South.

“Tuning South” playing at Joe Dreyfus Restaurant.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 13, 15.

LPA’s Convention, April 22-24 at the Baton Rouge Marriot, will provide attendees the option of 36 hours of continuing education credit during the three days of the convention. Members can participate in the association’s business meeting on Thursday at 5:00 pm, to include a vote on the bylaws changes and also election for President-Elect and Treasurer for 2010-2011.

The Thursday program provides two morning workshops. “Evaluation of Civil and Criminal Competencies: Review of the Law, Ethical Issues, and Assessment Techniques,” will be presented by Darla M.R. Burnett, PhD, MP and Robert M. Storer, PhD. (3- Hour CE in Ethics & Forensics).

Also on Thursday, “Signature Wounds: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD among Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom Veterans,’ and will be presented by Leslie R. Drew, PhD, Chair; Gina Beverly, PhD; Dana P. Boose,

PsyD; Tamara Richardson, LCSW; Laura Arrington Roach, MA, CCC, SLP (Alexandria Veterans Affairs Medical Center – Alexandria, LA)

Afternoon sessions are “Prevention of Dementia,” with Judith R. O’Gile, PhD from University of Mississippi Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry – Jackson, MS (3-Hour CE), and “Ethics: Got An App For That?” (3-Hour CE ethics), presented by Joe Comaty, Ph.D., MP (Louisiana State Office of Mental Health) and Claire Advokat, Ph.D. (LSU, Psychology)

At 4:00 on Thursday, attendees can meet with members of the LSBEP and discuss events of 2009.

From 3pm to 5pm and after the business meeting on Thursday, “Grassroots and Friends” is sponsoring a “Pro Psych Party,” also at the Marriot. This event includes a variety of interesting themes by those in the psychology community, including an art exhibit by Dr. Phil Griffin, books by psychology colleagues, and cake/coffee from 3:00 to 5:00. Then following the LPA business meeting, the party continues with refreshments, and music by Dr. Rick Adams’ bluegrass band, Tuning South. The event is a production of Dardard Media Services.

On Friday, keynote speaker Shane Lopez, Ph.D., Senior Scientist in Residence at Gallop and director of the Annual Gallup Well-Being Forum, will present “Beyond the DSM,” a workshop that provides the tools needed to diagnose and promote health by including personal strengths and environments. On Friday afternoon, Dr. Lopez continues with a 3-Hour CE

offering, “Hope: It’s More than a Feeling,” describing the science of hope.

“Best Practices and Special Issues in Autism Assessment,” presented by Cheryl Marsiglia, Ph.D. of the Autism Diagnostic Clinic and Psychological Services, in Shreveport, LA is also on Friday morning. (3-Hour CE) This workshop will cover the best practices in autism assessment with specific focus on ages 0-5.

Exhibits are open from 10am to 1:30pm on Friday and lunch is provided with exhibitors. Exhibitors include Disability Determinations Services, Office of Public Health, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, McNeil Pediatrics, Pam Lab, and Merchant Solutions.

Also on Friday afternoon, James A. Van Hook, III, PhD; Capital Area Human Services District – Baton Rouge, LA, will present “Response to Intervention: What It Is and Why It Helps,” and show how to use and implement RTI to be more efficient, more accurate, and produce better outcomes for students shackled with learning obstacles.

The wine & cheese reception and poster session will take place on Friday at 4:30, showcasing the research of Louisiana students and faculty.

On Saturday, Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, Ph.D., MP of the Neuropsychology Center of LA in Baton Rouge, will present “Group Interventions for Disaster/Trauma Anniversary Reactions,” a six hour symposium. She will be assisted by: Traci Olivier, B.S., L. Taighlor Whittington, B.A., Natasha May, B.S, John Hamilton, M.S. and Alex Steger, B.S. In a didactic morning segment and experiential learning afternoon, participants will be introduced to the techniques that worked so well for those who suffered anniversary reactions due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Also Saturday morning will be, “Ethics and Ethical Decision Making for Louisiana Psychologists: A Vignette-Based Approach,” will be presented by Steve Behnke, JD, PhD of the American Psychological Association Ethics Office – Washington, DC. (3-Hour CE – Ethics).

And Friday afternoon, David M. Schwartz, PhD; Clinical Neuropsychologist, Altanta, GA) will present, “The Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB),” for a 3- Hour CE.

For additional information, contact the LPA office at (225) 766-0185. Website: www.louisianapsychologist.org

Dr. Kelly Ray (L), current President-Elect for LPA, and Executive Director, Ms. Gail Lowe, worked hard this year to produce a quality program.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 14.

Southwestern Psychological Associaiton

April 8-10

Dallas Marriott/Addison www.swpsych.org/index.php

Society for Industrial & Organization Psychology (Div 14), April 8-10, Atlanta

www.siop.org/Conferences/default.aspx

A Primer in Forensic Psychiatry/Psychology

April 9-11, New Orleans Tulane Center for Con’t Ed cme@tulane.edu

Division of Psychoanalysis (Div 39)

April 21-25; Chicago www.division39.org

Summer Symposium July 28-30, Lafayette Professional Training Resources (www.professionaltrainingresourcesinc.com)

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 14.

Last month I discussed our urgent need to market ourselves, to remedy widespread ignorance and confusion about psychology, and to distinguish ourselves from others, by reaching across the state through the media.

This month I give you my first concrete suggestion about how we can distribute vital information about our profession to the public. I recommend that we invest in public service announcements, more commonly identified as PSAs.

A well-produced PSA can become the reliable delivery vehicle that we use to carry messages through various print, broadcast, and internet avenues, to connect successfully with the community.

The best PSA campaigns have optimal “frequency and reach,” communicating with enough of the people enough of the time to positively impact attitudes and behaviors. The goal is to guide the maximum number of individuals toward healthy choices through repetition, repetition, repetition.

The problem with most PSAs is the lack of control over when and how often they appear. A brilliant creation easily gets relegated to appearing once a month in the middle of the night, hardly the way to influence anyone about anything.

One way around that dilemma is to develop a relationship with an ongoing show that will take up your cause and include your PSA as part of their program. I would like to be that show for psychology. I have been that show in the past, and am working on a new show for the future. I will tell you more about how we might work together as I get closer to the launch date of my new production.

Meanwhile, please consider what topics you know the most about and have the most passion about that you think can best showcase how psychology can help the citizens of our state. Please email your suggestions to me at mediaservices@drsusandardard.com. I am eager to hear from you!

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 17, 18.

I would first like to thank you for the opportunity to express my thoughts about what I would do as the Louisiana Psychological Association’s council representative to the American Psychological Association. Being a modest person, I think it would be unfair to respond to the question of what "my goals" would be as council delegate. Rather, I believe the position would best be served in keeping with the goals of LPA’s membership and executive committee. Thus, if elected, my priority would be to ethically and honestly represent and advocate the needs and voices of LPA at a local and national level.

In order to do so, I think it would be critical for me to cultivate an open and honest dialogue with the entire LPA membership on key issues such as national legislation, policies and procedures, education, governance, etc. I also believe it would be equally important for our members to be fully aware of various agendas and projects that I (LPA) would bring with me to APA, as well as those with which I would return—whatever they may be. In sum, this position is less about me as a candidate and more about LPA, its entire membership, and the state of psychology and mental health in Louisiana.

Wonderful questions and great timing. It would be naïve of me to believe that Act 251 or at least the process surrounding it has not caused

disagreements, some of which have been passionate. I see this as a good thing, as passion often leads to resolutions and results. From someone who has watched closely from the sidelines in the past and more recently been very active, I see more positive energy now in LPA than I can ever recall. I would advocate for this to continue. While this will sound rather simplistic, it’s okay to disagree and to do it passionately. Silence is akin to denial- it solves very little in terms of relationships. With that being said, as council representative and an executive committee member of LPA, I can say with certainty that I would speak for the membership when given the opportunity, even when this involves ideas and voices that conflict. As stated earlier, cultivation of open and honest dialogue would be a high priority. I am free from hidden agendas. In fact and as alluded to before, if elected, I would represent, the membership of LPA with my voice being only one of many.

Although by years, I am a mid-career psychologist, I still consider myself young and passionate, with much more to learn. First, I view myself as an advocate, especially for those I represent. I currently am President of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health America of Louisiana, and an active one at that. One duty is to oversee and monitor liaisons to our national organization, Mental Health America. This fits quite well with the position of council representative. Mental Health America of Louisiana has been dedicated to promoting mental health wellness, preventing mental and substance use conditions, and overcoming mental illnesses and addictions through advocacy, education, research and service. I have also worked in state government for the last 15 years. At Capital Area Human Services District, a District of the Department of Health and Hospitals, I serve as the Director of the Department of Psychology. Working mostly with an underprivileged population at CAHSD, I have the pleasure of advocating as well. At CAHSD, I have also been able to serve on and chair numerous committees creating

various policies, procedures and by-laws. I also am adjunct instructor at LSU, where I have taught for the last 12 years, which adds much welcomed variety for me.

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about myself. Call me optimistic, but in my experience, I have found that when representing others, working from the heart, with their best interests (not mine) in mind, yields nothing but positive results, which has been quite rewarding, both personally and professionally. I hope to continue serving in this way.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 1, 3.

Dr. Paul Dammers has been “reappointed” to the Psychology Board, after having resigned in September last year, according to a press release from the Office of the Governor. Dr. Dammers resigned September 4th amid controversy concerning Act 251 and medical psychologists’ dual positions in psychology and medicine.

According to the press release dated March 18th, “Dammers was nominated for reappointment by the Louisiana Psychological Association, as required by statute.”

However, results of the duly conducted election in November produced a list of names that were then submitted to the Governor for his selection. Dr. Dammers’ was not on that list. The results of the election, conducted jointly by LPA and LSBEP, resulted in six individuals being ranked as follows: Dr. John Simoneaux, Dr. Lee Matthews, Dr. Rita Culross, Dr. Tony Young, Dr. Gary Jones, and Dr. Glen Ahava.

Dr. Dammers’ reappointment appears to have come as a surprise to the executive directors of both LPA and LSBEP.

LPA Executive Director, Ms. Gail Lowe, told the Times that she received notice on Friday, March 19th by email and was surprised by the announcement. She said, “Dr. Dammers’ name was not on the list we sent to the governor’s office. The press release must be an error,” she said, “because LPA did not nominate Dr. Dammers for reappointment.”

Responding to questions from the Times, LSBEP Executive Director, Ms. Jamie Monic, noted that, “Dr. Dammers presented his resignation to the LSBEP on September 4, 2009 and agreed to serve until his seat was filled. That resignation, along with Dr. Ally’s, was faxed from this office to the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions on September 14, 2009. Beyond these types of communications, the LSBEP does not have any say or influence regarding board appointments or their authority to hold or continue to hold a seat. This is all handled by the Office of Boards and Commissions.”

She continued, “I was able to confirm with Dr. Dammers, upon his return from vacation yesterday [March 29th], that he did rescind his resignation directly with the Office of Boards and Commissions, but our office does not have details regarding that communication.”

Dr. Dammers’ reappointment falls in the midst of controversy about the passage of Act 251 by the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP) and the Louisiana State Medical Board. At the time Act 251 was passed, without involvement of APA or LPA, the composition of the LSBEP was homogeneous, all MPs or MPs in training. This led some to question the objectivity of the board. Additionally, MPs no longer have to be licensed by the psychology board, and this caused questions about the appropriateness of those same people to sit on the psychology board.

The election in November produced a diverse group of psychologists, and the expectation in some for a more balanced, heterogeneous board once all appointments had been made for 2010. With Dr. Dammers’ reappointment,

the board will continue to have a majority with the MP designation.

It is unclear whether a resignation can be rescinded. According to RS 37:2353, “All appointments shall be from a list provided by the Louisiana Psychological Association.” Additionally, the statute indicates that, “A board member shall not be eligible to succeed himself.” There is no mention in the law about rescinding resignations.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 17, 18, 19.

Thank you for the opportunity to outline my background and qualifications for the position of APA Executive Council Representative. I now offer the following information for your readership’s consideration:

1.The primary responsibility of Louisiana’s Delegate to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Executive Council is to represent the best interest of Louisiana Psychologists, specifically to represent the membership of the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA). Representing the best interests of all Louisiana psychologists is, however, also important.

In order to do this effectively, besides attending APA’s Executive Council meetings, our APA delegate must attend all regularly scheduled meetings of LPA’s Executive Council and must be available/accountable to our membership. Personal professional interests must be set aside. The will of the majority must prevail. The concerns of those who do not adhere to LPA’s majority positions must also be acknowledged and addressed. Our APA Council Representative must first and foremost, however, represent LPA.

2. LPA members need to come together as a group to be heard and to heal. Those who were wounded by the Act 251 process need to express their concerns and have their feelings validated. Some of this directly or indirectly occurred during the Bylaws Revision Meetings. But, more direct efforts

are needed. For many, this was a very traumatic experience. We will soon be approaching the one year anniversary of the passage of Act 251. During LPA’s forthcoming convention, I am presenting an all day workshop on anniversary reactions. The focus will be on the Anniversary Wellness Workshop I presented in Louisiana one year post Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and in China one year post Sichuan Earthquake. Both were experiential learning workshops designed to train/help others to deal with the traumas they experienced.

Traumas come in many forms, some via natural disasters and some via human-induced disasters. Resiliency is the key to recovery. In the afternoon section of the workshop, the techniques that helped so many heal from environmental trauma can be used to help us. Whether via Katrina, China, or Act 251, anniversary reactions must be addressed so that we can move forward. Remember, traumas that happen to a group must be healed within a group. Join us on Saturday, April 24, 2010, to continue the healing journey.

3. Professional Involvement – My first and foremost commitment has been to the Louisiana

Psychological Association (LPA), where I have held every office except for Treasurer. (Anyone who knows me well understands that being Treasurer would not have been a good idea.) I recognized, early on, the need for LPA to develop a strong political arm. Therefore, I founded the Century Club. I also served several terms as Legislative and Social Issues Chair, rewrote the LPA Bylaws many years ago, and most recently, served on the LPA Bylaws Revision Committee. I have remained active in LPA throughout the last 35 years. As President, I was fortunate to be included in the APA Leadership Training Conferences where I learned to lobby members of Congress. I also hired Bud Mapes and Associates to represent LPA in the Louisiana Legislature and worked with subsequent lobbyists to pursue and protect the best interests of psychology. Being involved with the legislature was, and continues to be, an amazing process.

At the national level, I served for six years as American Psychological Association (APA) Division 40’s Archivist and set up the Division 40 Archives at the Louisiana State University (LSU) Hill Memorial Library. Clinical Neuropsychology is the only APA Division to house its archives outside of the University of Akron. For my efforts, my colleagues, Drs. Linas Bielauskas, Ken Adams, and Stanley Berent, asked me to place my name in Nomination for Fellow. When chosen, I became one of only nine women Division 40 fellows. Being in the company of Drs. Muriel Lezak, Eileen Fennell and Edith Kaplan was very humbling. My involvement in the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) has been an amazing journey as well. IN 1986, I served as the local arrangements chair for the international meeting in New Orleans. This lead to years of presentations at INS, National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), APA, and the World Council Psychotherapy (WCP)…a tradition I continue to this day.

In some ways, APA’s Executive Council may be likened to Louisiana’s legislature. The best qualifications I can bring to the table are my many Legislative experiences while serving LPA and the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP), interacting with various Louisiana governors in an attempt to represent the best interests of our profession, and serving as an LSPEB delegate to the American Association of State and Provincial Licensing Boards (AASPB). The latter represents a close parallel to APA’s Executive Council. Also, while serving for six years on APA Division 40’s (Clinical Neuropsychology) Executive Committee, I learned a great deal about the inner workings of APA’s Executive Council.

At the international level, as Vice President of the United States Chapter of the World Council for Psychotherapy (WCP), I am one of two US WCP delegates to the United Nations. The other delegate is Dr. Judy Kuriansky from New York City. WCP, as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has many opportunities to remind this international body of the importance of addressing human suffering on all levels. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to understand and respect cultural diversity, political differences, and to overcome existing barriers. Being psychologically astute and open to new ideas has served me well. Thus, I bring this wealth of experience to my candidacy for the position of LPA’s representative to APA’s Executive Council.

4. I bring to the table 35 years of service to our profession. During that time I have served LPA and LSBEP to the best of my ability. I have mentored many along the way. I have been involved in the science and practice of our profession.

I have served my community – locally, nationally, and internationally. And I have good social and political skills. Hopefully, these experiences and traits will allow me to continue to serve LPA and psychology well.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 1, 11, 12.

Editor’s note: The Times interviewed Dr. Marva Lewis from Tulane, Dr. John Robinson, now at Howard University, School of Medicine, and Dr. Linda Brannon, from McNeese, and asked for their ideas about the diversity within the psychological community.

“People perceive diversity and approach it

as a problem,” said Dr. Marva Lewis, Associate Professor at Tulane, School of Social Work, and professor of Sociocultural Psychology.

“When I think of the benefits of diversity, I work with families, individuals, and communities with a whole different approach,” she said. “I’m passionate about what diversity can create.” Her website hosts this theme, named Diversity Creates.com.

The first thing Dr. Lewis does in her work is to take people through a process where they reclaim

their identity, whether it is cultural, ethnic, or in the case of the psychology community, the various sub- disciplines.

“You come from some place,” she said. “You have a heritage, you do things for a reason. We can come up with our solutions to our conflicts, when we preserve our diversity. So, a different way to think about diversity is to preserve who we are, as an ethnic group, as an individual, or, in this case, as a discipline.”

Marva does this in her training and consulting work, called Cultural Competency Workshops, where she uses her model to help individuals and groups. “When we celebrate and preserve our identity, we are in a much better position to create something new with somebody who’s different than we are,” she said. “We are better able to address those really hard issues when we preserve who we are.”

“The other piece with reclaiming who you are, from the model that I’ve developed, has to do with understanding your emotional response to diversity. That’s where we get into trouble.” Marva pointed out, “In the emotional response, you forget who you are. If you reclaim your identity, and are aware of the emotional response, then you can manage the emotions.”

Marva has developed a self-report measure used in her workshops, for participate insight and goal setting. “People want to know where they stand in relation to other people,” she explained. The measure includes racial openness, openness to diversity ethic identity, and emotional response to diversity.

Cultural competence for work with diverse populations is an “on-going process,” she said. “Not something that is resolved in a one or two hour workshop. Diversity is way, way bigger.” And, “The best place to start with is self.”

Dr. John Robinson came to Louisiana in 1982, from his position on the psychiatry faculty of Harvard Medical School. In New Orleans he was one of the administrators who opened the New Orleans Adolescent Hospital. From there he went to the Office of the Dean and psychiatry and pediatrics faculty at LSU Medical Center in New Orleans. Later he moved back to Washington DC, but remains licensed in Louisiana. He is currently professor of psychiatry and surgery at Howard University, College of Medicine, and clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He is also president of

the American Board of Clinical Health Psychology (ABPP) and Vice Chair of the Psychology Board in D.C. He is author of Diversity in Human Interactions, The Tapestry of America.

“What we do naturally is try to stratify people,” Dr. Robinson said. “Based on gender, based on race, profession, even within a profession––we try to build some type of hierarchy.”

“That’s a human characteristic,” he said. “We want someone under us. We always try to do that. A majority population does not always refer to numbers; it’s power. What you see in psychology is that we started off with the clinical psychologist vs. everybody else. If you were not a clinician, you really were not a psychologist. Then we embellished that by getting licensed.”

“Now it seems to be that break between those with prescription privileges and those without. Are you ‘better’ because you have a quasi-medical license? Because in our heads, medicine is superior to psychology.”

“It’s that kind of hierarchical thing,” he continued. John works in a medical setting, and sees the similar dynamic. “So in psychology we’re doing the same thing. We’ve done that all along. Now we’re developing that extra hierarchy by adding medical psychologists. So for the practice people it’s going to be the licensed psychologists left behind because the attention is on the medical psychologists, because they also have support of the medical board. But we also have to understand they’re still subservient.”

“So you’re an independent practitioner but you can’t

practice independently. We fought hard to be independent practitioners, to be autonomous. And to get that extra piece of status, we gave away our independence and our autonomy.”

When asked what might help, John said, “We have to realize that all of us are psychologists, and we’re all there trying to do a job. And not try to find differences with each other, because when we find differences, we tend to have some sort of hierarchy in mind.”

He pointed to a common mistake in thinking, saying, “When we look at diversity, regardless of what areas we are talking about, we think of it as a blending, as a melting.” But, he said, “That’s not diversity. Diversity is like a salad. Different components put together to make something else. You can distinguish each part. It is not a stew.”

“We need to enjoy the diversity,” he continued. “Like my book says, in a tapestry you can see all the different threads and themes and colors. It‘s not all blended in and dyed in as one. And the diversity is the thing that keeps the fabric intact: it keeps it vibrant, it keeps it renewed, and it keeps it interesting.”

Dr. Linda Brannon, Professor of Psychology at McNeese State University, is author of textbooks in introductory, gender, and health psychology. Her writing and teaching leaves little time for research, but when it did, her topics revolved around social cognition and attribution. Her work in gender (Gender: Psychological Perspectives, 5th edition, Allyn & Bacon) brought her to the wider issues of diversity.

When asked about the issues within psychology she said, “I thought of the classic social psychology research on group formation and polarization. When people think about the groups to which they belong, and those to which they do not, thinking tends to fall into in-groups and out- groups and forms the basis for prejudice and discrimination,” she said.

“This is classic social psychology, which psychologists began researching 60 years ago. Louisiana psychologists have formed in-groups and out-groups and are behaving exactly the way that the social psychology research discovered.”

“It's too bad that we've become caught up in things we discovered,” she said. “And additionally too bad that we don't recognize it.”

Dr. Marva Lewis, Tulane, Sociocultural Psychology.

Dr. John Robinson, professor at Howard U., Medical School. Licensed in Louisiana, John authored Diversity in Human Interactions, The Tapestry of America, Oxford Press.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 1, 4.

Writing for the National Psychologist, Dr. Jim Quillin provided a review of Act 251. He included a response to criticisms in his article titled “Louisiana RxP psychologist defends regulatory change,” for the publication’s March/April issue.

In the article, Dr. Quillin described

components of Act 251 and wrote that it establishes “a new practice of psychology which combines the clinical practice of psychology with medical practice, …” He noted that the transfer of medical psychology from the LSBEP to the LSBME was “in recognition of the implicit medical component of the practice of medical psychology.”

He answered critics, writing that, “The integration of medical procedures into the practice of psychology instead represents a natural evolution of our profession, and fears that doing so will ‘corrupt our values’ may be best viewed as akin to the kind of primitive religious fears sometimes exhibited when faced with the prospects of interfaith marriages.”

Dr. Quillin’s review was in response to an earlier article in NP by Senior Editor J. Bradshaw, referencing The Psychology Times and editor Julie Nelson. Bradshaw’s article, titled “Louisiana RxP psychologists now regulated by Medical Board,” appeared in the Jan/Feb edition of NP and noted concerns of some Louisiana psychologists about the “secrecy surrounding” passage of Act 251 and the dual regulation of psychology created by Act 251.

Nelson had emailed NP in October ‘09 asking if NP intended to cover Act 251 and explained that Louisiana now had dual regulation for psychology. In the January article, Bradshaw indicated that Dr. Jim Quillin had agreed to explain “what has transpired and why” in a future article.

At the time of passage of Act 251, Dr. Quillin was LPA Legislative Chair and APA delegate. He has since resigned. He now serves on the Medical Advisory Committee under the LSBME, as provided for by Act 251.

Dr. Quillin was a key figure in achieving RxP for psychologists in Louisiana, spearheading the landmark legislation for Louisiana psychologists in 2004. Act 251 repealed that legislation.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 3.

Researchers Peter Rentfrow, Samuel Gosling, and Jeff Potter, reporting in Perspectives on Psychological Science, (Vol 3, No 5), used the Five Factor Model to study the personality characteristics in states and regions across the U.S.

Louisiana ranked 8th in neuroticism. So, we might want to move to Utah. It’s 4th in agreeableness, 4th in conscientiousness, and 51st in neuroticism.

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 3.

In a “Policy Notice for States with Secondary Specialty Licenses,” published in their February newsletter, the board of directors of the Academy of Medical Psychology told it’s members that maintaining a license to practice psychology from their state was required for board certification in medical psychology.

The notice read, “In an era where some states may have factions of psychologists who seek a unique specialist license after they are trained as a psychologist, we remind them that maintaining their psychology license is essential to being considered qualified in the Medical Psychology Specialty.”

The announcement also noted, “Because of recent developments in which some psychologists may be considering giving up their psychology license, please remember that being licensed to practice psychology in your state and continuing to maintain that license is a requisite for maintaining specialty board certification in Medical Psychology.”

The notice said that an eLetter went out to all board certified medical psychologists about this policy on February 1st

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 4.

Grassroots LA, LLC, an organization dedicated to revitalizing psychology across the state, is conducting a needs analysis. According to executive member and treasurer, Dr. Bryan Gros, data should help revitalize the community of psychology colleagues.

Dr. Gros said, “We felt that many psychologists in Louisiana have recently become re-energized. What we want to do is create a vehicle for this positive energy.” He continued, “We see the survey as a means for others not only to become more involved, but to voice some of their wants and needs. Also, we hope that this simple survey will spark others to join LPA and become more involved in the psychological community. I hope this is just but one of many steps in a positive direction.”

The first of several samples was gathered from the Grassroots listserv, with a response rate of 29%. According to this preliminary sample, 95% of respondents want communications that keep them informed about what’s going on, and 75% are interested in legislative projects regarding the scope of practice of psychology. Seventy percent are interested in formal education opportunities for professional development, and 65% are interested in activities (media, programs, PSAs) to promote public awareness of the value of psychology.

Some responses that fell at about average included interest in networking activities, legislative projects concerning Act 251, and enjoyable and fun activities with colleagues. Low responses were to opportunities to mentor and help with business development.

The survey will be distributed to a larger sample this month via Dardard Media Services.

Above: sample section from the Grassroots needs survey.

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Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 5.

The Times asked candidates to share their views by answering four questions. 1) What will be your goals? 2) What are you going to do to help us heal from the rifts from Act 251? 3) What are your main qualifications? And, 4) anything else? Four of the

candidates responded to this request, two for President-Elect (Dr. VanGeffen and Dr. Griffin) and two for APA delegate (Dr. Nemeth and Dr. Gros). The Times appreciates their contributions below which is continued to the Special Section, page 16.

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Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 5, 16.

1. If I were elected LPA President Elect, my goals for my term as President Elect and then President would first be to capitalize on the positive momentum garnered by the LPA bylaws revisions, which I hope will be ratified at the convention. These changes will bring about better representation of the voices of LPA members to the leadership.

It also would be my goal to make LPA more diverse in terms of its membership and the issues it addresses. I also would seek to make LPA more transparent to its members, particularly with regard to important issues with which the association is dealing, such as our legislative agenda. Another goal would be to serve as a liaison between LPA and APA on national issues related to psychology and mental health. I also would like to see more regional organizations of psychologists, and I would like to be part of forming an association of psychologists in the Greater New Orleans area.

2. I think that I would be able to help heal the rifts that LPA caused in the association because, while I never have been personally interested in obtaining prescription privileges, I never opposed other psychologists who were. I truly respect the hard work and dedication required by psychologists who are involved in obtaining prescription privileges in Louisiana. That said, I would try to promote the perception that LPA is an organization that serves the needs of all of its members. I believe that the Bylaws revisions also will help to heal this rift.

3. I believe that I am qualified to serve as LPA President Elect and President because I have served in these roles in the past. I was LPA President in 2000 so I know what the job entails. I also have served as a leader in other organizations. I was on the Bylaws Revision Committee, so I am fully aware of the new regulations under which our association may operate if the changes are ratified. I am an optimistic person and I believe that I am good at getting people motivated and working together. I have found that I am skilled at conflict resolution and helping people to work toward compromise, something I often am called on to do in working with patients in my practice. I am a good listener and willing to accept input from others when making decisions. I also know that I am good at public speaking, and can represent our organization well with others. In spite of these qualifications and talents, I really don’t take myself too seriously!

4. I am a devotee of Martha Stewart. If elected, I could bring home-made cookies to the Board meetings, as I did when I was president in 2000!

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

Article archive / April 1, 2010

Originally published: April 1, 2010. Volume 1, No. 8. Source pages: 5, 16.

I believe as much today as I did when I began my career that it is still very good to be a psychologist. Doom and gloom verbiage regarding our profession was just as prevalent thirty years ago as today. If being a psychologist were not a good thing, we would not be fighting constant battles to keep lesser trained persons from doing what we do. What we don't do very well is promote our profession. One of my goals is to initiate a far reaching

statewide public relations campaign enlisting the help of a branch of our profession that has gone underutilized, the organizational/industrial psychologist. I feel certain that APA would provide support for such a campaign.

Nothing that has been done since I became an LPA member has altered the percentage of licensed psychologist who are LPA members. During our list-serve debate over the past few months someone said to me that the "membership issue" is an organizational/industrial psychology issue not a clinical psychology issue. I will make a concerted effort to increase membership and that will mean a change in philosophy.

I will do all I can to keep the newspaper that resurfaced under Dr. Levy's presidency flourishing. I will use the newspaper and every other means available to communicate with and be responsive to the membership.

Concerning the Medical Psychologists and Act 251, I will do all I can to demonstrate that being a member of LPA is important to all psychologists. Many of us, including my opponent in this election, Dr. VanGeffen, have put in many hours on proposed byla ws changes that will increase the membership involvement and representation on the executive committee (EC). The recommended changes are designed to create more transparency. If elected, my EC will approve any and all legislative initiatives with the understanding that some details are handled on the fly by the appointed legislative chair.

Medical Psychology is an option for all psychologists in Louisiana and in the opinion of some very astute and talented psychologists that position was made stronger by Act 251. It is time to move on to other issues. Many sates are attempting to eliminate the year of supervision for ne wly graduated PhDs w hich is an onerous burden for the ne wly graduated trying to gain employment. This is a legislative issue we need to assess. I have proposed that we address the issue in the legislature of psychologists becoming coroner’s officers. If elected, these are t wo of many issues I would bring for ward for debate.

Dr. Van Geffen and I share the qualification of experience within LPA. In this time of change, especially on the EC if the bylaws changes are approved, such experience will be valuable. I have retained, even during this period of debate, a very good relationship with the community of psychologists in this state. As president-elect serving on the EC and as president I will remain determined to keep all of us together.

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