Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 2. Source pages: 6.
Governor Edwards issued Executive Orders in December, published in the January Register. One was JBE 17-33, the “Governor’s Justice Reinvestment Implementation Oversight Council” that creates a Council to track and review the implementation of cost-effective, evidenced-based sentencing and other reforms in corrections.
The Governor also issued Order JBE 17- 30, establishing the “Governor’s Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Policy.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 2. Source pages: 9.
Tulane Psychology will offer a certificate in health psychology to students in the Psychological Science PhD program at the university, beginning in Fall 2019 to be coordinated by Dr. Michael Hoerger.
Health psychology is the scientific discipline that seeks to understand and change the psychosocial factors affecting physical health outcomes.
“The certificate program goes into effect Fall 2019,” current Chair of the Department of Psychology and Professor, Dr. Janet Ruscher said, “and is only available for students enrolled in our psych doctoral programs. It draws upon existing graduate courses in Health Psychology and Behavioral Health Research Methods, as well as faculty expertise in psycho- oncology, stress, and health disparities.”
The certification program will be led by Dr. Michael Hoerger, clinical health psychologist. Dr. Hoerger has focused his career on conducting interdisciplinary research and has served over 30 professional journals. He serves on the editorial board of Health Psychology, manages the charitable foundation web site for the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and reviews grants for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. He was Tulane’s first faculty member to complete the Louisiana Clinical and Translational Science (LA CaTS) Center’s Roadmap Award.
In completing the certificate, students focus 15 of their credits on health psychology foundational courses, advanced courses in methodology and statistics, and clinical or disease-specific courses. The training will empower students to improve public health and well- being through health psychology research careers in academic, medical, and other settings.
Dr. Hoerger’s research draws from the perspective of translational psychological science.
His psycho-oncology studies are informed by basic psychology research and theory related to personality, emotion, and decision- making. This includes Dr. Hoerger’s seminal work on ‘affective forecasting’ and ‘delay of gratification.’ He is known for his methodologic expertise in study design, survey development and measurement, statistics, and web design.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 2. Source pages: 9.
Christopher Garner, PsyD, CGP, MSCP, will speak on “Effective Psychotherapy: The Psychotherapeutic Mentality™, Part I: Basic Assumptions, The Prime Movers, & A Look at Dream Interpretation.” The educational event will be hosted by the Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society at its Winter Workshop on February 10 at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.
Dr. Christopher Garner is a Clinical Psychologist as well as a Certified Group Psychotherapist. He owns Garner Psychological Services, Inc., and is an Associate Clinical Professor at LSU-HSC Psychiatry & HSC-OLOL.
Dr. Garner will explain and discuss a way of thinking, as well as conceptualizing, regarding the issues for therapy patients and the therapeutic encounter.
“The Psychotherapeutic Mentality is pan-theoretical, informed by practice relevant research and age-old lore,” he explained.
Areas of discussion will include: Differentiating psychotherapy from other psychological interventions; Reviewing empirical therapeutic factors that cut through all effective types of therapy; Elucidating the “The Psychotherapy Mentality” with examples and group participation; Applying it to both individual and group therapy; Focus in depth on the essential “lenses” of therapist’s conceptualization; Appreciate the prime emotional drives in patients; Introduce important and additional concepts relevant to group psychotherapy; Use examples of dream interpretation and other clinical encounters for application.
Dr. Garner will use film and audience participation to illustrate clinical concepts. Attendees are encouraged to bring examples of dreams and clinical encounters.
Dr. Chris Garner (Center) speaking at a panel during previous workshop. Dr. Garner will present the training this month at the Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society to be held in Baton Rouge. Above are Dr. Darlyne Nemeth (L) and Bob Waggener, MSW, (R).
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 2. Source pages: 14.
The late Dr. George Hearn was honored by Louisiana College in a tree-planting ceremony in front of Alexandria Hall, on January 26.
“Hearn Twin Oaks Ceremony” was a tribute to the long-time professor at the college and hosted family, friends, and colleagues. Gloria Hearn, Dr. Hearn’s widow noted, “The oak tree represents strength, beauty, grace and on-going life.”
“It is incumbent on us to pause for the cause today as we plant trees in memory of one who listened to the valued teachings of our forebears,” and she explained how Louisiana College and its founding by the Baptists helped to provide more education and preparation for the gospel to citizens and families.
Speaking at the Ceremony and representing the Louisiana Psychological Association was Dr. Darlyne Nemeth. Also speaking was Dr. Rick Brewer, President of Louisiana College, Mayor Clarence Fields, and family members including Ms. Gail Hearn Smith.
“It was my great honor to represent the Louisiana Psychological Association and to share with the rather large audience, Dr. Hearn's contributions to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists and the Louisiana Psychological Association,” said Dr. Nemeth. “Dr. Hearn served as Chair of the Board and President of our association. In regard to his service to psychology, Dr. Hearn was given our Distinguished Psychologist Award.”
From 1965 to 2000 George served Louisiana College (Pineville) as Full Professor and Chairman of the Department of Psychology. He also was in independent practice at his firm, Hearn & Hearn, and was known for his skills as mediator in groups and organizations through his work.
His focus in IO Psychology had begun while in graduate school, serving as Assistant to the Head of the Industrial Division, Executive Appraisals and Employee Selection at Baylor University. At Baylor Dr. Hearn also worked in the research projects supporting the NASA Space Program.
He blended his technical knowledge with his enduring respect and faith in people and the course of human events. This early interest was portrayed by his choice of an undergraduate in history, a masters in history, and another masters in theology. Before he returned for his doctorate, Dr. Hearn was an ordained minister, pastor of Laurel Heights and Ford Park Baptist churches in Shreveport from 1948 to 1961.
Dr. Hearn’s willingness to help and give of himself was also apparent in his extensive community service. He was member and president of the Historical Association of Central Louisiana, member and chairman of Rapides Area Planning Commission, and Alderman for Pineville City Council. He served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II. He served on the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists from 1982 to 1988, including as chair.
Gloria Hearn (L) with Dr. Rick Brewer, President of Louisiana College, and Dr. Darlyne Nemeth who spoke at the memorial ceremony in honor of psychologist and professor Dr. George Hearn. (Photo courtesy Dr. Nemeth)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 2. Source pages: 14.
The Louisiana School Psychological Association named it Awards for 2017 at the recent convention in the fall. Awards Chair, Dr. Kim Sherman, noted those honored.
Jeremy Babb, from Iberia Parish, was named School Psychologist of the Year and Gordon Upton was named for Lifetime Achievement. Stacey Johnson was named the EC Member of the Year.
Amber Boykin was honored with the "Got Your Back" – President’s Award. The Will Bergeron Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Haley Walker from Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Katie Simon from Tulane was honored with the Dr. Conni Patterson Scholarship and the Dr. Larry Stout Memorial Scholarship went to Anna Schech from Nicholls. Tulane’s Megan Saybe won Best Poster.
Governor Edwards with members of the Louisiana School Psychological Association at a previous conference. (Courtesy photo.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 2. Source pages: 16.
The Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society will hold it Winter Workshop on February 10 at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. Presenting is Christopher Garner, PsyD, CGP, MSCP, who will speak on “Effective Psychotherapy: The Psychotherapeutic Mentality™, Part I: Basic Assumptions, The Prime Movers, & A Look at Dream Interpretation.”
Dr. Garner is a Clinical Psychologist, Doctor of Psychology, and Certified Group Psychotherapist, and Associate Clinical Professor at LSU-HSC Psychiatry & HSC-OLOL.
Dr. Garner will explain and discuss, “The Psychotherapeutic Mentality is pan- theoretical, informed by practice relevant research and age-old lore,” he explained.
Attendees will see how to appreciate the prime emotional drives in patients. Dr. Garner will use film and audience participation to illustrate clinical concepts. Use examples of dream interpretation and other clinical encounters for application. Attendees are encouraged to bring examples of dreams and clinical encounters.
The workshop is 9:00 am to 12:00. Dr. Garner hopes to cover all the concepts; uncovered areas or those in need of more time will be presented in an addition session or, “Part 2.” Those who want more may bring their lunch for addition discussion. Space is limited and scholarships available. Visit the event page for more information at http://www.lgpsonline.org/winter- workshop.html.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 2. Source pages: 16.
Dr. John Pickering announced the Annual Mindfulness day will be held Saturday, April 7, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Tam Bao Meditation Hall, in Baton Rouge. The theme is “Mindfulness and Resilience: A Day of Mindfulness for Mental Health Professionals.”
Presenters are Thay Dao Quang, PhD, Margo Hasha, PhD, MSW, David Weibel, PhD, and Anne Marie Rossi. Early registration is open until February 28, at $90 for the day, then afterward at $110. The event is approved for 6 hours of CPD for psychologists by the Louisiana Psychological Association, for Licensed Professional Counselors by the Louisiana Counseling Association, and for Social Workers by the Louisiana Chapter of NASW.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 1.
The Times scanned 2017 activities and found shinning examples, some new and some regulars, of community leadership. For our Community Awards we focus on these special contributors, who pushed for excellence, who innovated and persevered, and who made that extra effort to change things for the better. We thank and honor them for their vision and dedication to our community!
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 2.
The Psychology Times just passed our 100th issue at the end of 2017. It has been a real joy and true honor.
When I launched the Times in 2009 it was to help deal with a fragmented community––too secretive and too political, but I didn’t expect the great pleasure of learning more about my community, its people, and myself. I didn’t expect the fascinating social psychology involved for us––free-ranging humans in our natural habitat.
I’ve discovered that I had been more prepared than I realized, by having grown up in a newspaper family of the 1950s and 60s, somehow cultivating the values of the journalists of that time, especially for the First Amendment. Newspaper journalists in those days had an honorable role, but not a lucrative one. They could make a decent living, but for my parents and the other weekly publishers around the state, it was never about the money.
So I’m doubly surprised to see that the on-going arguments being filed in the Hoffman Report lawsuit involve free speech and First Amendment rights, for a report about organizational psychology matters at APA, written by an attorney, for which he was paid $4 million.
The Hoffman Report was commissioned by APA to analyze activities surrounding on-going conflicts about and between military psychologists, APA ethics staff, and human rights advocates.
Hoffman did not use any obvious statistical methods, but concluded in favor of the human rights psychologists––that APA had “colluded” with government. The report was leaked and headlines splashed across the country linking APA with “torture.” Some of those involved sued for defamation.
Currently arguments are going back and forth over what are called the “Anti-SLAPP laws.” These are laws, mostly supported by newspaper organizations and book publishers, which help protect free speech from “SLAPP” lawsuits. SLAPP stands for “strategic lawsuit against public participation,” and are considered meritless, with a goal only to silence people.
The Hoffman defense appears to be calling on these free speech protections, including a motion to have the plaintiffs (the military psychologists and two APA employees) declared to be “public figures.” If the court decides that these individuals are in fact “public figures,” then the standard becomes very high––false statements can be made about public figures but for it to stick “actual malice” must be included. This is a high bar and not often reached.
So in essence the attorneys for Mr. Hoffman and APA are trying to say that a work product falls under the same free speech umbrella as for newspapers and private citizens. Is Mr. Hoffman saying that he is a private citizen or a member of the press? Did he write an opinion piece or editorial? Or did APA hire a legal professional who is accountable for the quality of his work? Is APA accountable for how they used his work? Is everyone in a task team at APA to be considered a public figure?
Perhaps this is all just posturing and legal gamesmanship, but it is a concern, since we have a similar issue in our community. The state psychology board is having to defend the work of their attorneys, work that District Judge Michael Caldwell viewed as having violated the Constitutional rights of at least one psychologist.
In both cases the actual work product, or a large part of it, could have been done better by qualified psychologists, and at a much, much lower fee.
Psychologists can add validity and precision to understanding the human condition. As applied scientists, psychologists not only have an affinity for the truth, they can add validity and precision to understanding human behavior and complex interactions. We require methods that help with the natural human tendency to distort. As Robert Abelson warns us about in all research, in his classic text Statistics as Principled Argument: “… we need principled data- handling procedures to protect us from inventing elaborate overinterpretations for data that could have been dominated by chance processes.”
It is a little annoying that Mr. Hoffman’s attorneys would conjure the First Amendment. But, well, many newspapers are playing loose with it these days.
The level of reality in groups and subgroups seems to be steadily in decline across our country, and we are threatened with a dangerous contamination of roles, responsibilities, processes and values.
Psychology, like the press, can, if we take up the baton, help keep the waters pure. Our goal as scientists and applied scientists is a pure one, of truth.
(* “ … and Still Disappointed,” added upon recommendation of Archimedes.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 5.
In a December 11 letter to members of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) current president Dr. Donald Meck and others wrote that Dr. Stephen DeMers notified the Board of Directors of his wish to retire effective in September 2018.
The letter notes that Dr. DeMers served as the delegate from Kentucky at ASPPB Annual Meetings starting in the mid 1980’s, chaired the first Model Act of Directors in 1992, and was elected President elect of ASPPB in 1995, then serving as President and Past President. In 1997, Dr. DeMers accepted a part–time consulting position with ASPPB as Director of the Certification program and worked to develop, promote and launch ASPPB’s Certificate of Professional Qualification (CPQ).
He was selected as the CEO in August 2005 and has worked to promote professional mobility services such as credentials banking, interjurisdictional practice mechanisms, PSYPACT and many other programs and services like collection of psychology workforce data and development of the new assessment of professional skills portion of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP Part 2), according to the announcement.
The ASPPB will announce a search process to fill the position, said the authors.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 5.
Dr. Richard Flicker has been key in the Adopt-A-Teacher Project which included efforts by the Baton Rouge Area Society of Psychologists. Dr. Flicker leads the effort at the Baton Rouge Exchange Club. Above, he is seen with a member of Senator Mary Landrieu’s staff at a past ceremony.
The Baton Rouge Area Society of Psychologists (BRASP) recently participated in the project named “Adopt- A-Teacher,” created by the Exchange Club of Baton Rouge, and managed by psychologist Dr. Richard Flicker.
BRASP has been a supporter of the Adopt-A-Teacher program for the past nineteen years, said Dr. Flicker. “BRASP adopts one of the 25 or more teachers, selected to receive a gift card to School Aids of from $300 to $600 dollars,” he said.
“The idea for Adopt-A-Teacher arose when one of the Baton Rouge Exchange Club members casually mentioned at a meeting,” said Flicker, “how much money her daughter had spent preparing her classroom as a new elementary school teacher before the school year had begun. Most of us were surprised to learn that teachers spend money out of their own pockets to equip their classrooms with learning materials.”
“Within minutes we came up with the concept of Adopt-A-Teacher. That first year, we arranged with the East Baton Rouge Parish School Board to invite five teachers to the main office where the Exchange Club gave the teachers a total of $1,900.00 in gift cards to Office Depot, Wal-Mart and School Aids.”
Over the years the program has flourished, said Flicker. “This year, the Adopt-A-Teacher program will have provided grants in the several hundreds of dollars each to an amazing total of 539 new teachers.”
“In addition to the School Aids gift card, each teacher receives a goody bag with pencils, erasers, glue sticks, rulers and other classroom supplies. The value of each goody bag is typically about $40-$50. The most frequently used expression by teachers who have received Adopt-A-Teacher grants is ‘Blessing.’ To these new teachers, a few hundred dollars means the world to them.”
The Baton Rouge Area Society of Psychologists has been contributing to this project since its second year, twenty straight years now, Flicker explained. Also, several individual psychologists have contributed to the project every year. Because of BRASP’s long history of supporting Adopt-A-Teacher and the amount donated by BRASP and several individual psychologists, one new teacher each year is specifically recognized at the School Board meeting as being adopted by BRASP, Dr. Flicker said.
That decision is based on having at least two psychologists among the judges. Most often this is Dr. Flicker and Dr. Christine Angelloz. Whichever teacher ranks highest on the two psychologists’ ballots is the BRASP adoptee, he explained.
Dr. Flicker has been a member of the Exchange Club since 1976. After relocating to Baton Rouge, he formed the Exchange Club of Baton Rouge in 1996. He has served as chair of the Adopt-A-Teacher project since its third year in 1999.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 6.
On December 12 the Governor announced that he appointed Angela S. Breidenstine, Ph.D., of New Orleans, to the Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Board. Breidenstine is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor at Tulane University School of Medicine's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
Dr. Breidenstine will serve as a representative of the Louisiana Psychological Association.
In another press release on December 14, the Governor applauded the Fund recipients and the success of the first grantee meeting of the Trust Fund. Grantees attending the meeting from around the state were awarded a total of $858,960 to be used for child abuse and neglect prevention throughout Louisiana over the next year, said the announcement.
During the 2017 legislative session, administration of the Children’s Trust Fund was transferred to the Governor’s Office through legislation sponsored by Sen. Regina Barrow. Grantees in attendance at the first meeting were awarded money in order to fulfill the mission of the Children’s Trust Fund––to prevent child abuse and neglect among Louisiana’s children and families through building strong cross-sector partnerships and through increased child safety public awareness, said the announcement.
“Protecting our most vulnerable children has been a priority for my wife Donna and I, so we are incredibly grateful for all of the work being done by community organizations around the state through the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund grants,” said Gov. Edwards. “Sen. Regina Barrows’ legislation bringing the fund into my office will allow us to elevate this priority and continue the important work of preventing child abuse and neglect in Louisiana.”
In 1983, following a devastating child abuse fatality, the Louisiana Legislature unanimously passed the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Act to prioritize and separate funds for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Louisiana then became the 5th state in the United States of America to establish the Children’s Trust Fund.
The purpose of the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund are:
1. Support community-based efforts to develop, operate, expand, enhance, and coordinate initiatives, programs, and activities to prevent child abuse and neglect
2. Support the coordination of resources and activities to better strengthen and support families to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect
3. Foster understanding, appreciation and knowledge of diverse populations in order to effectively prevent and treat child abuse and neglect
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 6.
New baby at the GWC in Folsom. Photo courtesy of the GWC.
A new baby giraffe was born December 14 at the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana. “We are thrilled to announce the birth of a new male Reticulated Giraffe at Global Wildlife Center! Our new precious calf was born on December 14th and first time mother, Kamira, is doing a wonderful job nursing and taking care of her new baby,” the announcement said.
The Center held a vote to name the baby, the choice “Ryder” winning 46 percent of the votes, posted on their Facebook page. “Benji” received 41 percent and “Simba” received 13 percent. The name Ryder was submitted by a little boy of the same name who shares the same birthday as the baby giraffe.
The Global Wildlife Center is the largest totally free-roaming wildlife preserve of its kind in the country home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 6.
Baton Rouge – Gov. John Bel Edwards has issued an executive order creating the Governor’s Justice Implementation Oversight Council as part of the bipartisan and comprehensive sentencing and corrections reforms he signed into law earlier this year.
“Now that Louisiana has started the critical and important process of reforming our criminal justice system to better protect public safety, hold offenders accountable, control costs and reinvest those savings to further improve the system, I want to make certain that the people of our state are served in the best way possible and that they have the utmost confidence in the work taking place,” said Gov. Edwards. “This oversight council will be responsible for reviewing the performance of the cost-effective and evidenced-based reforms, working with the Dept. of Corrections and stakeholders, as well as advising the best use of reinvestment dollars and monitoring the use of those funds. We have an extraordinary opportunity, and this council will help ensure we are on the right path to achieving our goals and the reforms are producing the maximum results.”
The Council will be inter-branch and bipartisan, composed of eleven (11) at-large members, including representatives of criminal justice agencies and legislators, designated by the governor. Their duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Track and advise the Louisiana Dept. Corrections (LDOC) and other relevant state and local agencies on the implementation of policy changes required by the Justice Reinvestment legislation.
• Engage criminal justice stakeholders to promote cross-agency, cross-sector communication and problem-solving.
• Receive and review performance metric data and make recommendations based on that data to further safely reduce the prison population.
• Make recommendations on the best uses for reinvestment dollars and monitor the use of those dollars.
• Publish an annual report on the implementation progress, performance metrics, recommendations and other relevant task force activities.
The Council will also be required to submit an annual report to the governor by December 31, 2018, and each subsequent year, outlining the review of the Justice Reinvestment Implementation plan created by LDOC.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 7.
The Louisiana Chapter of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts will host mediation trainer, James Stovall, at its State Conference on January 26 and 27, to be held at the Paul Hebert Law Center on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge. The theme for the conference will be “Mediation, Money & Mental Health: Issues in Family Court.”
Stovall will conduct a three-hour discussion on reaching mediation clients. Mr. Stovall founded The Mediation Institute, which provides mediation services and training in family, governmental, and corporate arenas. He has conducted training workshops in Egypt, India, Indonesia, and 23 states in the U.S., and taught mediation and negotiation at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City University School of Law, and the University of Central Oklahoma.
The Times asked Mr. Stovall why is mediation such an important and useful service? “Too often children are the unintended victims in divorce and separation,” said Stovall. “Parents anger spills over on to the children and children feel torn between parents. In mediation, we are attempting to provide a safe atmosphere and empower parents by giving them opportunities for decision- making based upon their own values and priorities. In a high percentage of cases parents are able to reach an agreement that is satisfactory to both sides. They are able to put their own anger aside. They become willing to put their swords away for the sake of their children,” he explained.
Why do courts and others turn to mediators? “Many professionals–– including many judges––have seen up close and personal what happens when parents attempt to battle it out in courts,” he said. “Courts are not well equipped to handle the feelings of anger and resentment that often escalate as a case moves through the courts. Quite often the adversarial system takes a bad situation and makes it worse.”
Other presentations for the conference include “Social Security Entitlements, Pension Set-offs, Health Care,” presented by Madison Field, MBA and Robert Woosley, CFP; “Hearing Officers: Use of Mental Health Professionals,” by Brandy Blanchard, JD, Jill deCourt, JD, and Lisa Matthews, JD; and “The Use of MHPs as Custody Case Managers,” will be presented by Hon. Pamela Baker and Cathy Austin, PhD, LPC.
Dr. Catherine Austin, said, “The conference is an excellent source of information for those who work within the legal community, and it presents a unique opportunity for networking with judges, hearing officers, family law practitioners, and mental health professionals.” Dr. Austin is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Registered Play Therapist. She is in private practice in Covington, and a Qualified Domestic and Eldercare Mediator and a Parenting Coordinator.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.