Article archive / January 2019
Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 1. Source pages: 2.
George Hebert pointed out that we typed "guess" speaker rather than guest, in the story about Dr. Matson. Other than that and some other typos pointed out by Ms. Brown, we did not receive corrections for December. Send your corrections to: psychologytimes@drjulienelson.com
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Article archive / January 2019
Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 1. Source pages: 3.
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists extended the nominations period for this year's election, wrote board Executive Director Jaime Monic to licensees on December 10. Nominations will be accepted through January 22, 2019 and opened at the regularly scheduled meeting of the LSBEP in January.
"Although the LSBEP received the self- nominations of two experienced psychologists, those individuals did not meet the statutory requirement of being licensed, specifically in Louisiana, for 5 years," wrote Monic.
Nominations should be send to the board. Candidate requirements are: (1) Citizen of the United States and resident of the state of Louisiana; (2) Have rendered service, teaching, training, or research in psychology for at least five years; (3) Shall have held a doctoral degree in psychology from a school or college as defined in La R.S. Title 37, Chapter 28 for a period of five years, and shall be licensed with the LSBEP for a period of five years; (4) No person shall be eligible to serve as a board member if he is employed by the board, has a contract with the board for services, or within the preceding twelve months of his nomination was employed by the board or had a contract with the board for services, explained the note by Monic.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Article archive / January 2019
Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 1. Source pages: 4.
MINUTES Thursday, November 29, 2018 and Friday, November 30, 2018 Elections for Board Vacancy occurring June 30, 2019: The Board opened one Self- Nominations from Drs. Tammy Savoie and Thomandra Sam. The Board reviewed their credentials for vetting. Ms. Monic informed the Board that while both applicants had impressive vitas and were licensed for more than 5 years as a psychologist in other jurisdictions, neither candidate had been licensed specifically with the LSBEP for a minimum of 5 years as required under La. R.S. 37:2353. […] The board also agreed to notify the Governor’s office of Boards and Commissions of the delay/reasons for the delay. Dr. Gormanous also recommended that in the future, the heading on the nominations form be changed from “Self-Nomination…” to only “Nominations…”
Licensing and Credentialing: a) Non-applied track toward licensure (i.e. Developmental Psychology; Industrial Organizational; b) Applied Health Care Specialty/Applied General Psychology (previously docketed as: Non-applied Health Care Specialty); c)Tulane School Psychology program serving as a specialty program from school psychology to clinical – The group discussed these items in combination because they were related to the same credentialing and licensing issues that the board is facing. Specifically, whether to move away from specialty designations toward healthcare, (Applied Health Care Provider [HCP]) or non- healthcare (Applied General Psychology [GP]) designations, which discussion ties into defining scope of practice for the developmental psychologist or individuals who graduate from specialized programs such as Tulane University’s school psychology program. Discussion participants favored the development of the HCP/GP designations; however also valued their specialized training programs and the specialty designations. Participants also discussed the problems of trying to set boundaries with specialties when they are so similarly related. Attorney Newton advised that defining the specialty designation as a baseline in the licensing process, as the board does now, is important. Ms. Monic suggested a combined model where the board moves toward an HCP license and a GP license designation and then defines what training models/programs/credentials would be required to be licensed under one or the other. There was also discussion related to respecializing from HCP to GP, or vice versa, and competency development in in practice. With favorable support, Dr. Greg Gormanous moved that the Board begin the process of establishing in principle, and developing a model for the designations of either applied healthcare provider or applied general psychologist. The motion passed by unanimous roll call vote as follows: Lambert – YEA, Boggs- YEA, Henke – YEA, Crouch– YEA, Gormanous – YEA.
MINUTES Friday, October 26, 2018 LSBME Memorandum of Understanding – The Board discussed the previous Memorandum of Understanding with the Board of Medical Examiners and the necessity of being able to communicate with regard to individuals who hold dual licenses with other Boards. Other questions were brought up related to information sharing among other agencies such as the Department of Children and Family Services, that may have an interest (or obligation) to investigate matters that fall under their jurisdiction when the board receives such information in the course of its investigation. Ms. Newton participated in this discussion, advising the Board that it could seek the opinion of the Attorney General.
Nineteenth Judicial District; Parish Of East Baton Rouge, State Of Louisiana, Division D, No.: 643,369: Glenn W. Ahava, Ph.D. v. LSBEP, On Appeal From September 18, 2015, Opinion And Order Of The Louisiana State Board Of Examiners Of Psychologists – Ms. Monic reported that Dr. Ahava had filed a motion to set a date for oral argument related to the Appeal of the September 15, 2015 Opinion and Order of the LSBEP. The board discussed appropriate recusal of current board members related to any discussion pertaining to facts or merits of the case and investigation in order to preserve the integrity of any current board member and preserve their ability to sit on future hearing panels, in the event this matter was remanded back to the board for further consideration. It was determined that Drs. Henke and Crouch who were not on the board for the original proceedings, be recused from all discussions related to the investigation and original hearing; and that Drs. Lambert, Boggs and Gormanous representing a majority of the board and having factual knowledge of this matter, serve as the reviewing committee to provide recommendations on proceeding pending the determination and findings of the 19JDC. No further action or discussion was required with this regard.
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Article archive / January 2019
Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 1. Source pages: 7.
We can't say enough about the innovations in prison reforms sweeping the state, that are part of Dr. Susan Tucker's work. She has been commended by the Legislature and by national groups for her innovative treatment reforms for offenders, and now helped the state rid itself of the label of the highest incarceration rate in the US. It is rare to have one psychologist accomplish so much, saving lives and millions of dollars, and showing others that there is a better way by psychological science.
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Article archive / January 2019
Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 1. Source pages: 8.
Getting the word out about what psychology and psychologists can do for others and the community has never been easy for us, but Dr. Courtland Chaney may be helping change that. Everywhere we looked during 2018, there he was, in front of the public or helping others get there. He led the Louisiana Psychological Association's Speakers Bureau, chaired public education, led numerous community projects, and was appointed to the Governor's task team on workplace harassment, speaking himself on LPB. Dr. Chaney was a great ambassador for psychology in 2018.
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Article archive / January 2019
Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 1. Source pages: 10.
Tulane Professor and Provost, Dr. Michael Cunningham, never quits providing wise, timely, and generous leadership to others, mentoring and engaging his students, colleagues, and the larger community. His 2018 efforts included serving as the the American Psychological Association Diversity delegate, helping promote the social networking for African-American psychologists and professors, and taking part in numerous programs where he led in ideas and by example. It is no wonder he has been named an “Inspiring Leader," and recognized for Psychology in the Public Interest.
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Article archive / January 2019
Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 1. Source pages: 12.
We don't know how a person can have more courage than Dr. Tammy Savoie, psychologist and retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, who went straight up against the well-funded, incumbent U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise in the 1st Congressional District of Louisiana for U.S. Representative. Savoie did not shy away from the challenge at all, but faced into the effort with a positive and upbeat style that made us all proud to be her colleague. It's how you play the game and she did it with good sense, grace and courage.
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Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 14.
Stephen Gallagher's work is delicious. I have always loved it, but the recent work set in the early 1900s in England is particularly engaging. Of course, I'm not that old and I never hung around England's various parts during this period, but Gallagher makes it easy to understand the vernacular of the times, and to see the sights and smell the odors; you feel like you are there.
This novella, Melody James, is about a young woman "of deceptive youth," the daughter of William James (not the psychologist), who took his family out of Liverpool for a life on the road in a theatrical troupe playing one of the Wild West shows that were so popular during the period. The "family's fortune lay in costumes, weapons, wagons, some practised skills, and a book of dates." This was The Authentic William James show, but he "couldn't disguise the fact that the heart had gone out of the act. My father could split a playing card in your hand with a bullwhip, shoot a pipe out of your mouth while looking over his shoulder in a mirror, outline a human target with his giant knives. What could I do?" (from The Authentic William James)
In the novella, we pick up Melody, a card reader at the last afternoon of the fair. Sir Anthony Gair Rathbone, the British government's Assistant Director of Intelligence, wants to see if she can help him. (Rathbone would later be investigated by Sebastian Becker, who was engaged to work off the books to expose the misdeeds of Chancery lunatics.)
Rathbone gets a reading. Melody sees duplicity in his trade in some official capacity. This "reading" that was so close to the truth is enough for him to eventually engage her to convince a reporter being held by British intelligence that he should become a spy asset when he goes back to work with the Bolsheviks in Russia.
No real spoiler alert here, but Rathbone did gain a promotion and a knighthood for his intelligence work, much as Melody had predicted. This does occur before his downfall. The real deal is that if you read with any of your Clinical Psychology acumen on alert, you will certainly enjoy how Melody "reads" others so accurately and effectively.
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Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 14.
This Explains Everything: Deep, Beautiful, and Elegant Theories of How the World Works, is an edited volume by John Brockman published by Harper. Other titles in the series include, This Idea is Brilliant, Know This, This Will Change Everything, and Thinking. Brockman asks elite scientists and philosophers to write short essays to answer one question.
For this title it was, "What is your favorite deep, elegant, or beautiful explanation?" The book is packed full of cool ideas, where each essay is by a different scientist with a different perspective, everything from genetics, neuroscience, philosophy, evolution, psychology, sociology, astrophysics and quantum mechanics. The breath and depth that is covered by this approach ––it is absolutely staggering. For theory lovers, it's totally addictive.
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Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 14.
From Amazon to our credit scores, Deep Learning is already influencing our lives. Very soon indeed, its methods will be used to drive our cars, select what we eat, compose what music we listen to, and even make medical decisions for us.
For Psychologists, as for many professionals, Deep Learning may well make much of what we do irrelevant, unless we change our practice model.
A great introduction to the topic is Professor Terrence Sejnowski’s recent semi autobiography and history The Deep Learning Revolution.
Sejnowski, the Francis Crick Professor at The Salk Institute in La Jolla, California, is a pioneer in the field of computational neuroscience. His extraordinary research in computer modeling of the brain has combined the elegance and rigor of cellular level precision with a systemic understanding of global brain functioning.
Reminiscent of Hans Eysenck almost three generations ago, his contributions are astonishing for their variety, breadth, and richness. Equally like Eysenck, his writing style is succinct and highly convincing, though without the polemics. He can almost effortlessly make complex topics understandable and Deep Learning is pretty darn esoteric!
If you are at all interested in what the world will be like in ten years and the person who made it possible, read this book. It will leave you somewhat satisfied but admittedly unsettled.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 14.
At holiday time, I enjoy reading holiday-theme mysteries. I have a fondness for reading what are referred to as “Cozy Mysteries.” There is even a web site devoted to this genre www.cozy- mystery.com. According to this web site, Cozy Mysteries “usually take place in a small picturesque town or village with characters who I could envision having as neighbors or friends.”
These mysteries typically appeal to women and are often published in series. The Cozy Mystery web site allows you to search for books in a variety of ways such as by author, by holidays, by the occupation of the protagonist and by other themes such as hobbies. I highly recommend this site. I am currently finishing A Catered Thanksgiving by Isis Crawford which involves two sisters who are caterers and solve murder mysteries on the side. They end up being snow bound at a gloomy mansion where they are catering a Thanksgiving meal.
Some of my favorite Cozy Mystery authors who have Christmas theme mysteries are Nancy Atherton, Leslie Meier and Joanne Fluke. It will be hard to decide which one to pick for my next book.
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Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 15.
A book I read this year which I found particularly timely and thought-provoking was No Matter How Loud I Shout: A Year in the Life of Juvenile Court (Simon & Schuster), by Edward Humes, written in 1996, with an update in 2015.
The author is a journalist who taught a writing class in the Los Angeles juvenile justice system, which is the subject of the book. In the 1990s juvenile crime had been rising, and all experts were predicting (wrongly) that there would be an explosion of violent juvenile crime in the years to come due to ever-increasing numbers of what were termed "superpredators". There was clearly far too little justice in the juvenile justice system, with a great many cases never being pursued at all, or prosecuted only after lengthy delays and wholesale plead-downs, with inadequate followup by overworked probation officers. The quality of legal defense was remarkably poor for the most part. A critical factor for many juvenile offenders was the calendar. Was the offense committed before the defendant's sixteenth birthday, or after? In the latter case trial as an adult could be expected, with correspondingly more severe penalties.
The book looks at the issues through the eyes of police, probation officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims, and defendants. Regardless of whatever mostly-ineffectual measures were implemented to get juvenile offenders back on the right path, about 16% would go on to commit serious, repeat offenses. Should the system focus on early- intervention measures to help prevent this escalation, or concentrate on identifying and removing from society the sixteen percent who would become major offenders? The afterword provides some basis for very cautious optimism, with lower-than-expected crime rates, and with some young offenders making good in spite of their circumstances, and of themselves. But there is no mistaking how big a problem juvenile justice is in the United States. A disturbing and thought-provoking book.
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Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 15.
“A Simple Act of Gratitude,” emphasized that when one focuses on giving thanks, even for the ‘smallest’ things, over time positive changes will occur internally, which then makes for external transformation of how you see your life, and the world around you.
Another one I had forgotten is “Acts of Faith,” by Eboo Patel. It’s the story of an American Muslim, his struggles to integrate both his home culture and beliefs, with being raised in the U.S. There’s a lot on tolerance, faith, and trying to live one’s truth in a pluralistic society.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 15.
Drs. Siegel and Bryson have done it again! The Yes Brain is their latest illustration of the exciting applications of the science of “interpersonal neurobiology” to parenting.
And it is another rallying call for a paradigm shift in how parents discipline their children. Siegel’s “interpersonal neurobiology” posits that the human brain is a highly social organ that is neurologically “wired” through everyday parent-child interactions from infancy to react/respond either positively (Yes!) or negatively (No!) in social situations. Unfortunately, traditional parenting practices have placed a heavy emphasis on No! Brain approaches, such as threats and/or external punishments and focusing mainly on extinguishing misbehavior. No! Brain approaches often stimulate anxiety, anger, resistance or passive submission rather than teaching the child self-discipline, which, after all, is the goal of discipline. In contrast, the Yes! Brain approach, based on our growing understanding of how core brain circuits (e.g., limbic system and prefrontal cortex) develop and integrate with repeated parent-child experiences, emphasizes “parenting from the inside out,” and views each disciplinary event is a “teachable moment” for “skill building” that promotes insight, self-regulation, empathy and resilience (the four chapters of the book). A core feature of the positive, Yes! Brain approach is to teach and empower children to operate from their internal zones of emotional regulation (aka underlying autonomic fight-flight-freeze system and pre-frontal executive system). Children are taught strategies that help them to expand and to remain in their green zone (flexible, adaptive), and how to pause, self-calm, and to choose behaviors when they get into their red zone (angry, rigid) using instructional parent-child dialogues rather than “carrots and sticks." This new book will surely be inspiring reading for both parents and professionals working with parents/children. Do I highly recommend it for holiday reading? Well, that’s a No! brainer. Yes!
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Article archive / December 2018
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 12. Source pages: 15.
Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, by Robert Sapolsky, now in its third edition, is an excellent book for those interested in learning more about the field of health psychology and how the biopsychosocial model explains the relationship between the mind and body.
Although most people believe stress is unhealthy for the body, stress isn’t necessarily harmful for us. The human brain is actually well- developed for coping with and responding to acute, short-term stressors that have a clear beginning and end, such as situations that are threatening or dangerous. However, the nature of today’s stressors in the modern world is such that there often is no clear beginning, or at least there is no clear end, such as stressors that are more chronic. Dealing with on-going financial issues, relationship problems, conflicts at work, unemployment, illness, and poverty are examples of chronic stress that the brain is not well developed to respond to, and prolonged stress is what is harmful to most of the organ systems in the body. Even childhood traumatic experiences put individuals at risk for health problems in adulthood.
This book offers a concise and practical illustration of how, really, there is no separating the mind from the body. Enjoy!
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