The LPC Board recently posted a position statement on its website, adopted in November, titled “Position Statement on Appraisal Activities: Clarification of the Distinction between Appraisals and Psychological Tests.”
The announcement indicated, “The purpose of this position statement is to clarify the distinction between ‘Appraisals,’ which LPC’s Privileged for Appraisals are allowed to perform as within the scope of practice, and ‘Psychological Testing,’ which all LPCs, including Privileged LPCs, are not allowed to perform because these tests are outside LPC scope of practice.”
The paper cited “La. Rev. Stat. Ann.§37:1103(10)(e),” and the definition of ‘appraisal’ as “the use or administration of tests of language, education and achievement tests, adaptive behavioral tests, and symptoms screening checklists or instruments, as well as tests of abilities, interests, and aptitudes for the purpose of counseling persons in coping with or adapting to, changing life situations that are due to problems in living.”
Also included were areas considered psychological testing, and therefore restricted. These were cited as intellectual, personality and Neuropsychology. The statement also listed some psychological tests as examples of instruments not covered under “appraisals.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 7. Source pages: 1.
The Louisiana Boards and Commissions’ office indicated on March 1st that the Governor has yet to make the three appointments to the LSBEP. The election was conducted this past December by LPA and names submitted to the Governor.
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The 2010 Legislative Session will begin on March 29th and is listed to adjourn no later than June 21st. Over seventy bills have been pre-filed and listed on the legislative website. Most of these have to do with civil law and governmental affairs. HB20 has been assigned to Health & Welfare, and concerns mandatory reporting of sexual abuse of adults. Bills can be researched on the Louisiana State Legislative website at http://www.legis.state.la.us/main. asp.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 2.
Several explanations are circulating about why 251 was needed: moral issues, public safety, the problem with “onerous rules” which would have made the 2004 law null and void. And there was the comment that medicine could provide MPs with “opportunities to develop professionally.”
Years ago I worked at Honeywell with a woman manager who knew the ropes. We’d attend high level meetings and I’d come away shaking my head, puzzled as to why the top managers made the decisions they did. She’d laugh and say, “Whatever they say it’s about, it’s about money.” Of course as psychologists we know it’s also about power, sex, mastery, etc. But money is a good facsimile.
Not that there is anything wrong with doing something for money; it’s an honest motive. Supply and demand forces shape the economy and professions restrict supply. MPs could potentially achieve a 40% increase in compensation the closer they come to psychiatry.
But still, why move from under psychology? So I asked Michael Dooley, MBA, and he said, “Why move psychology under medicine? –It was easier. Whatever was easier in dollars or effort.”
Social Workers……………………… 39,530
Marriage & Family Therapists …….. 44,590
Psychology Professors…………… 63,630
Clinical, Counseling, & School Psychologists……………….. 64,100
Neuropsychologists………………… 86,120
Psychiatrists……………………….. 154,200
National median salaries. Source: O*Net
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 2.
Dr. George Hearn, the first I/O psychologist licensed in Louisiana, took a nasty fall down stairs at his home, a few months ago. The Times spoke with George and wife Gloria, and they relayed that he is doing well, and recovering at a steady pace.
George later told Gloria that when he got up from his fall, he wasn’t feeling “all that well.” Since Gloria wasn’t home, he telephoned for some help, and also had to answer the door for a delivery.
George suffered some cuts and a fracture in his neck. But he is now out of his brace and spending his time relaxing, receiving visitors (including and especially his daughter), and doing his required physical therapy. Gloria mentioned to thank everyone for the kind wishes for George’s speedy recovery.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 4.
According to the website’s list of officers, changes have been made to the executive committee in LPA.
Dr. Jessica Brown, Secretary, is now also taking on the duties of the Legislative & Public Policy Committee, previously held by Dr. Jim Quillin. And, Dr. Linda Upton is the APA Council Representative, also previously held by Dr. Quillin.
Other changes include the Medical Psychology Committee, previously held by Dr. Warren Lowe. Currently, Dr. Scott Eckholdt is serving in this capacity.
New executive committee members also include Dr. Gail Gillespie, who is serving as Chair of the Ethics Committee and Dr. Kim VanGeffen who now fills the Chair for Insurance, a position that has been vacant.
Dr. John Simoneaux began serving as Professional Affairs Committee Chair in the fall of last year.
Continuing to serve the association are Dr. Judith Levy (President), Dr. Kelly Ray (President-Elect, Convention), Dr. Cathy Castille (Treasurer-Finance), Dr. Darla Burnett (Past-President, Nominations, Advocacy), Dr. Phillip Griffin (Continuing Education), Dr. Brandon Romano (Membership), and Dr. Tony Young (Scientific Affairs).
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 5.
Student Bookshelf ###
Davidson, Karen Ann (Clinical) Environmental Effects on Adolescents Exposed to Hurricane Katrina
Esteve, Brian Michael (School) Analysis of Progressive Lag Reinforcement Schedules and Environmental Cues on Verbal Response Variability
Patterson, Scott Michael (Clinical)The Effects of Increasing the Risk Perception of High-Risk Behaviors on Decision Making among College Daily Smokers and Never-Smokers
Brown, Jennifer Silva (Cognitive) Apolipoprotein Status and Cognitive Functioning in Adulthood: Role of Physical Health and Social Network Characteristics
Henderson, Marie Young (School) Predicting Performance on High Stakes Testing: Validity and Accuracy of Curriculum-Based Measurement of Reading and Writing
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Psychology could be considered a challenging career; it takes a lot of training, a lot of dedication, and a creative approach to balancing work and family. So, it might be a little surprising when a son or daughter chooses our field.
Dr. John Fanning told me he “wandered” into psychology, but always knew he wanted a career in human service. He didn’t fully discover which path he would take until a friend made the choice for psychology. The friend later changed his career, but John went on to finish his undergraduate at Texas Tech, then his masters at Stephen F. Austin, and his doctorate at the University of Memphis.
John currently holds Clinical and Clinical Neuropsychology specialties and contributes to the world-class treatment team at Touro Infirmary. There he assists patients in brain injury rehabilitation. For the last decade he has helped patients with dementia assessment, neuropsychological testing, and outpatient therapy. He also provides group therapy in the spinal cord injury program.
His daughter Jennifer has decided on a doctorate in psychology as well, and he makes it clear, “She’s going to out perform her dad. She’s extremely talented.”
About Jennifer’s choice of psychology, he said, “I feel positively about it; I never said ‘you need to go into psychology.’ But she had people telling her all along, ‘you should be a psychologist.’ It just seemed to fit her naturally.” She had even presented a poster at LPA in her senior year of high school.
Jennifer told me that she also wandered around in her interests, after first being in classical studies and archeology, and then even considering political science and law. “It’s interesting,” she said. “I didn’t become a psych major until the last.” But as the decision time in her life came closer, she thought back and knew she enjoyed the field and especially enjoyed her courses in abnormal psychology.
Jennifer is pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Southern Mississippi and “really loves the program.” In her fourth year in clinical, she told me that the depth and intensity of the supervision she receives is extremely valuable to her. She feels that she is learning a great deal, a comment supported by John who insisted, “She knows more than I do.”
While enjoying her training in applications, Jennifer also has a love for research, the technical side, and the university setting. She is appreciative that USM has a very strong and vital research program, and she enjoys the range and opportunities available to her in research, which includes work in aggression, suicide and schizophrenia. Jennifer explained that the research is one of the reasons that she enjoys the field so much.
“Sometimes we talk shop,” she said about her relationship with her dad. “And, that’s fun. But mostly he gives me a lot of good advice like getting into a good program and how to deal with the stress that is normal for graduate school.”
“Sometimes I think it’s funny that we are in the same field. He’s been there.”
For now, Jennifer thinks that she might go into the academic track in her career. “I like research, I like the university setting. But I’d like to practice some as well.” Presently, she is flying around the country for internship interviews.
John and Jennifer share another interest, running. They both ran the Mardi Gras Half-Marathon. And this brings up another family member, Michael, son and brother. Michael recently excelled in a behavioral science project competition at the state level. Jennifer said, “He’d make a really good psychologist.” But both agreed that Michael, age 16, is headed in another direction. When I asked them what that was, they both concurred. “Oh, he’s going to be a professional skateboarder.”
Michael Fanning, doing what he loves most- skateboarding.
Dr. John Fanning and daughter Jennifer out for a run. They both ran the Mardi Gras Half-Marathon.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 7.
Dr. Tom Stigall alerted the Times that The Cancer Prevention & Control Research Training Program at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University is seeking individuals with recent doctorates in psychology.
Individuals desiring to make a career shift to more fully develop their research skills in cancer survivorship are welcomed. Two to three years of funding with salary commensurate with post- doctoral experience are offered along with tuition, health insurance, research support, and travel allowances. An MS degree in Clinical and Population Translational Sciences as part of the training is optional. “Trainees will become independent research investigators in the field of cancer prevention and control, with a particular focus on cancer survivorship,” according to the announcement from Dr. Nancy Avis.
Applications for 2010/11 are being accepted now and go to Dr. Avis, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Winston-Salem, NC 27157.
Contacts: navis@wfubmc.edu and http://www.wfubmc.edu/CancerControlTraineeship .
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 7.
Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, as Vice President of the World Council for Psychotherapy (WCP), invites colleagues to participate in an important survey. Questions are aimed at understanding the influence of personality types that “emerge at times of crisis.” The survey, initiated as a response to WCP’s United Nations presentation on climate change, will help understand factors important for future decisions.
Dr. Nemeth noted, “In times of crises people tend to polarize. We are trying to understand this polarization so that the WCP can be helpful from a humanitarian perspective.” In the introduction to the survey she explained that the initiative serves a prosocial function and is an important research project.
She asks colleagues to visit “climatesurvey.blogspot.com” and complete this important questionnaire, named the “Climate Change Survey.” It is anonymous and available in eight languages.
Please Take Survey at climatesurvey.blogspot.com
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 8.
Caitlin Singletary is currently near the end of her work in the APA-accredited Counseling Psychology program at Louisiana Tech. She noted that the positive change in people is the most inspiring part of counseling. She is also invigorated to see clients take back control in their lives. She stated, “It is inspiring to see the journey and the change in people, but seeing an individual learn how to take back the control and live their life is what keeps me in psychology.”
She lists memorable experiences in her program including being presented with an Outstanding Doctoral Achievement Award by the Psychology Department and being informed that her research paper was accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. She stated, “It is an honor to be recognized, whether it is by my faculty or by someone from the outside who sees that my hard work can contribute something to others.”
Her favorite courses are the technique courses. She explained that, "By the end of the class, I have a more thorough understanding of the technique. And, I can modify and mold it to fit my therapeutic orientation."
She stated that the LA Tech program has provided her with great opportunities. She described growing as a therapist through the curriculum and her practicum experiences. The program also offers lectures and weekend workshops where she developed a strong interest in hypnosis. She has since completed hypnosis training through ASCH.
Caitlin has been continually obtaining research experience since 2005, and has taught undergraduate courses in both Introductory and Developmental Psychology. Because of her interest in research, she has had the opportunity to present at LPA's annual convention for the past two years. She has also been appointed the student director of her program’s student-run clinic, which has helped her learn the business- side of psychology.
Her research interests include pain management, chronic illness/disability, and hypnosis. Her current research focuses on the psychological effects of training centers on blind adults and predicting surgical outcome using psychological assessments. She currently works at the office of David Williams, Ph.D., M.P. in Monroe, LA. Under the supervision of Dr. Williams, she has had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of clients, including those with chronic pain.
Caitlin's eventual goal is to work in a private practice setting while having a relationship with a pain clinic. She could then help facilitate recovery in pain patients from the psychological side and help medical doctors determine treatment recommendations based on psychological assessments. She would also like to work as an adjunct professor, teaching future health workers in her specialty.
Her advice for undergraduate students is for them to find their passion. She entered her program knowing her goals and possessing a strong desire for working with chronic pain patients. She stated, "It is this passion that motivates me every day. It is this passion that makes me want to learn beyond my program's curriculum. It is this passion that inspires me to make a difference."
Caitlin presenting her research at LPA's annual convention.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 10.
Mozart composed only one sonata in a minor key, the Piano Sonata in A Minor K.310, in 1778. He had been traveling that year with his adored mother, in Paris. Depression plagued Mozart in bouts all through his life. In 1778, depression had crippled him, leaving him unable to compose. His mother died during that trip. His father, ever harsh and critical, blamed him for her death.
From the ashes of that traumatic year, Mozart wrote the brooding Piano Sonata in A Minor. Marked by its gravity and departure from his usual style, the piece represents Mozart’s turning tragedy into triumph. Composers employ a minor key to embody suffering, leaving the listener with the sound of crying and keening in the ear. The composition expresses Mozart’s emotional pain and brings the pain to its conclusion in the work.
The A Minor Piano Sonata, K. 310 will be performed in New Orleans on Sunday, February 28, 2010, at the Trinity Episcopal Church, by concert pianist, Louis Nagel, DMA, a Steinway Artist and Professor of Piano at University of Michigan’s School of Music. The concert is part of Melodies of the Mind: A Psychoanalytic and Musical Perspective on Mozart in 1778, a lecture-recital program developed by Julie Jaffee Nagel, PhD, a psychologist /psychoanalyst, Dr. Nagel’s wife, and pianist in her own right.
Julie Jaffe Nagel earned her PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan. She holds degrees in music from The Julliard School and degrees in social work, as well. Her credentials also include certification by the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA) in psychoanalysis. She studies the intersection of music and psychoanalysis, exploring music as the language of emotion. She has earned multiple awards and grants for her work.
Funding for Melodies of the Mind: A Psychoanalytic and Musical Perspective on Mozart in 1778 comes from a grant from the APsaA and from the New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center’s Ernest O. Svenson, MD, Fund for Psychoanalysis and the Arts. The sponsors, Trinity Artist Series and the New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center, invite all to attend. The recital and lecture take place from 5:00pm to 6:30pm, followed by a complimentary wine and cheese reception. The program is free and open to the public.
Again, it will be Sunday, February 28, 5:00pm to 6:30pm, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans. Free.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Psychologists know that decompressing is an important task in modern life, and usually try and make time to follow their own advice. Dr. Kim VanGeffen’s hobby not only provides her an outlet for creativity and a little precious solitude, but works well for putting the concerns of a busy, dedicated psychologist away for some well-deserved leisure time.
“I remember that the first time I actually felt relaxed after Hurricane Katrina,” she said. “It was when I did this particular counted cross-stitch project while riding on a train in upstate New York. Because counted cross-stitch requires working from a graph, you have to really concentrate and block out all other thoughts. Plus, it's a great activity for people with an obsessive- compulsive bent because you get to do all of this repeated counting!”
She has enjoyed craft activities since a young girl, starting in Brownies and Girl Scouts. She said she always looked forward to those meetings when the group would be involved in working on and learning new crafts. “ When I was in high school,” she said, “my mother and several of her friends opened a needlework shop in New Orleans. They featured crafts such as needlepoint, counted cross-stitch, knitting and quilting. I began to take classes and fell in love with all of these creative activities.”
In recent years, Kim has done mostly counted cross-stitch and quilting. “I find these activities to be very relaxing because they absorb your full attention.”
Unfortunately, she lost almost all of her hand knitted sweaters and cross-stitch and needlework projects in Hurricane Katrina. “The floodwaters were so caustic that when I tried to rescue my all time favorite cross-stitch project which was, ironically, a Hurricane Tracking Chart, it disintegrated into pieces when I put it in water. It was heartbreaking but, luckily, I was able to find the exact same graph of this project. I recently completed it and it now sits on the mantle of my new home. It can actually be used to track hurricanes.”
Kim has greatly enjoyed making quilts and has followed the time honored tradition of quilters world wide; creating works of folk art that embrace meaning, memories and the traditions of one’s family or group, and that last through generations. The first quilt Kim ever made was a lap quilt in various shades of blue that she gave to her mother at Christmas, 1981. After her mother died, the quilt came back to Kim. She said, “I am thrilled to have it.”
“Another quilt which came back to me was one I made for a dear friend who died of breast cancer in 2006. When she was going through chemotherapy, some other friends and I took turns staying with her. I spent that difficult time making quilts which I gave to friends at Christmas.”
Several of Kim’s quilts are owned by LPA members.
“When I was involved with LPA's previous political action committee, LaPLAN, we would have raffles at the conventions in order to raise funds. For several years, I made and raffled quilts. So my quilts are all over Louisiana and I hope owned proudly.”
In regard to future creative efforts, Dr. VanGeffen said, “They say you are a true crafter if you have in your closets more projects than you could ever complete in a lifetime. Since Hurricane Katrina, I've been slowly but surely working toward this goal!”
Dr. VanGeffen with quilt she made for her mother.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 1.
Who Dat Nation. Dr. Lana Whitlow, V.P., Morris & McDaniel (New Orleans) loves the Saints. She snapped this picture from her and her husband’s seats on the 40th yard-line at the NFC championship game. “The winning field goal had just gone through the uprights, and the team was pouring out onto the field,’ she said. “There was not a dry eye in section 267. There were no boundaries, everyone was hugging everyone else. It was an oddly touching experience, a beautiful time to be there.”
Dr. Whitlow works with Dr. David Morris, serving business and industry, and manages the New Orleans office for the firm. Dr. Morris contracts with the U.S. Army to help select individuals in Iraq for police and military, and has been featured in the APA Monitor for his work overseas.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 1, No. 6. Source pages: 13.
Society of Consulting Psychology (Div 13) February 4-7, Scottsdale, AZ (www.div13.org/conference/2010/index.html
Cluster C Personality Disorders February 19 Baton Rouge, The Marriott; and March 5, Lafayette, Holiday Inn Professional Training Resources (www.professionaltrainingresourcesinc.com)
Society for the Psychology of Women (Div 35) and Trauma Psychology (Div 56) February 24-26, Sheraton Dallas, Dallas TX www.apaviolencesummit.org
American Association for the Advancement of Science February 18-22, San Diego, CA www.aaas.org/meetings
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.