Originally published: . Volume 9, No. 1. Source pages: 8.
The simple truth is that there is no one close to the determination and self- sacrifice of the Salcedos when it comes to pure altruism, and the effort they pour into saving the most heart-wrenching children of our time, sex- trafficked girls. This year we saw their efforts at consciousness-raising emerge in a variety of efforts around the state, in Dr. Salcedo being named Distinguished Psychologist, and his being named to the Advisory board. Together Beth and Rafael are changing the world. Our hats remain off and over our hearts on this one.
(Below: Dr. Salcedo at Free Indeed Home.)
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: 11.
When a health psychologist puts his mind to inventing an exercise device and does the research to show the cognitive and health benefits, it is called innovation. Dr. Chris Leonhard has worked out numerous bugs in both the design and the production. Not at all typical, but fabulous! Congrats Dr. Leonhard. We’re ordering ours.
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: 14.
Adding to his already impressive list for involving, helping, and providing leadership for others, Tulane Professor and Provost in the African and African Diaspora Studies Program, Dr. Michael Cunningham worked diligently to mentor and inspire young people to move into science careers. His efforts were acknowledged when he was named a national winner and one of the “Inspiring Leaders,” by Insight into Diversity, for his mentoring, teaching, and successful programs and initiatives. He will also help the community as the Diversity Delegate to the American Psychological Association. Thank you Dr. C. for your leadership!
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: 15.
Dr. Harold Dawley’s documentary, The Lost Homecoming–When Our Vietnam Veterans Came Home, aired on the New Orleans PBS channel WYES following the Ken Burns segment on the Vietnam War. The Lost Homecoming tells the story of the Vietnam Veterans returning home to an apathetic or sometimes even hostile nation. Not only was the documentary fascinating, but the message rang home for those still healing from the how the country failed these soldiers. The first documentary we’ve ever covered!
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 4.
New data from the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy show there are fewer opioids being prescribed since Medicaid expansion began in July 2016. Health officials partly attribute these reductions to policy changes made by the Legislature and by the Medicaid program, said a report from the Governor’s Office, November 10.
“Medicaid expansion is not only helping people get the care they need, it is ensuring they get the proper medications when they are ill,” said Gov. Edwards. “When it comes to the prescribing of opioids, it is good news to see those who need the medications are getting them, and that the controls we’ve put in place to limit these medications are working.”
According to the Board of Pharmacy which administers the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, both the total number of opioid prescriptions and the total number of opioid pills have decreased from the year before Medicaid expansion to the year afterwards.
• The number of prescriptions decreased by 109,675, a 2.08 percent reduction.
• The total number of pills prescribed decreased by more than 10 million doses, a three percent reduction. • Preliminary data from the Department of Health that shows first-time opioid users being prescribed short-acting opioids in similar reductions in the State’s Medicaid program over two separate time periods:
• Since July 2016, the first month of Medicaid expansion to August 2017, there has been a 40.1 percent decrease in the amount of opioids dispensed for average claims.
• Since January 2017 – Since Medicaid policy changes were first implemented in January 2017, the number of pills per prescription for Medicaid patients have decreased by more than 25 percent.
Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health said addressing the opioid epidemic and getting people access to care are her goals, and Medicaid expansion is crucial to success. “Medicaid expansion has helped thousands of people get the life- saving care they need. In fact, we’ve seen more than 13,000 more people get substance abuse treatment through the expansion in the first year alone,” Gee said. “Because of new laws and policies, and better access to the right care, physicians are prescribing fewer total opioids and fewer opioids per patient.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 15.
Messages Signs, Visits and Premonitions from Loved Ones Lost on 9/11 by Bonnie McEneaney
Marilyn Mendoza, PhD Psychologist Author of We Do Not Die Alone
This is a most intriguing book written by the wife of a man who died during the 911 attacks. Days after his death, McEneaney began to contact others who had lost loved ones on that day. The book describes in detail the after death communications the families received from their loved ones. These contacts and signs assured the living that they were still with them, loved them and would watch over them. One of the more interesting aspects of this book was that many of those who died had premonitions of their deaths that they had shared with family members. All the families she spoke with were touched by these remarkable spiritual experiences that helped them in their grief. The book is well written and certainly makes one consider that there is a life after this one.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 5.
Psych Board Planning on “Emeritus” Status
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists plans on creating the category of Emeritus Status Psychologists, said Chair Dr. Phillip Griffin at the November 17 Long Range Planning meeting.
The working draft of the new Rule would create the category for the Emeritus and sets out some of the policy.
Dr. Griffin said that if an individual is retired and not practicing psychology, the title of Emeritus Psychologist may be used by that individual, as a designation of a retired psychologist. Dr. Griffin indicated that the fee may be $100 and that if the Emeritus Psychologist wanted to reinstate his or her active license, they could do so under certain conditions.
Currently, those retired from the practice of psychology are considered to have a license that is “lapsed.” Griffin said he considered this to be an unnecessary and an unfortunate way to handle the status of retired psychologists.
The new Rules also may include matters for Inactive Status Psychologists. The inactive fee will be set by the board and the psychologist may apply for inactive status, and then be allowed to reinstate their active status when that is feasible. The board members discussed the various reasons for inactive status, such as illness, family leave, military or other responsibilities.
The suggested new Rules may also indicate exemptions from continuing professional development requirements for those who are inactive or Emeritus.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 16.
LA Chapter of AFCC Holds Conference Jan 26 and 27 Louisiana State U. Law Center, Baton Rouge Campus
The Louisiana Chapter of the Association of Family & Conciliation Courts will hold its State Conference on January 26 and 27 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.”
Educational sessions will include “Mediation Marketing,” presented by Dr. James Stovall.
“Social Security Entitlements, Pension Set-offs, Health Care,” will be presented by Madison Field, MBA, and Robert Woosley, CFP.
Brandy Blanchard, JD, Jill deCourt, JD, and Lisa Matthews, JD, will present, “Hearing Officers: Use of Mental Health Professionals.”
“The Use of MHPs as Custody Case Managers,” will be presented by Hon. Pamela Baker and Cathy Austin, PhD, LPC.
Saturday’s presentations include “Money and Divorce Client Behavior” presented by Helen Graf, CFP.
“Role of Child Therapists in Custody Disputes,” presented by Rhonda Norwood, PhD, LCSW. “Sexual Abuse: From Allegations to Visitation,” will be presented by Karen Arias and LaDonna Ward.
“Substance Abuse Issues in Family Court Cases,” will be presented by Tanya Stuart, LCSW-BACS.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 5.
Behavior Analyst Board updated it Rules for Continuing Education, writing “This Rule establishes the requirements for each licensed behavior analyst and state-certified assistant behavior analyst to complete continuing education hours within biennial reporting periods beginning in December 2016. Continuing education is an ongoing process consisting of learning activities that increase professional development.” The complete Rule is published in the November 2017 issue of the Louisiana Register, available online.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 16.
Div. of Psychoanalysis Meets in New Orleans April 18–22, 2018
The Division of Psychoanalysis, Division 39 of the American Psychological Association, will hold its spring meeting April 18–22, 2018, in New Orleans at the Intercontinental Hotel. The theme is Generations: Ghosts & Guardians. Louisiana clinical psychologist, Dr. Stephen Anen is this year’s conference co-chair.
“We have tried to create a meeting that recognizes its location, something not always pursued with Spring Meetings in the past,” Dr. Anen previously told the Times. The theme, Generations: Ghosts & Guardians, calls on the quote from William Faulkner, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” The convention flyer showcases the Louisiana setting as meaningful avenue to history, human experience, and imagination.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 5.
The Governor’s Office issued a memo, attributed to Press Secretary Tucker Barry, lashing back at Senator Kennedy for his criticism of the prison reforms. “Is anyone really surprised anymore that Sen. Kennedy would create an opportunity to score cheap political points by spouting wildly inaccurate and unrelated nonsense at the expense of the most promising bipartisan efforts to improve Louisiana’s criminal justice system and improve public safety in a decade all in the hopes that it would benefit him personally?”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 16.
Tulane Brain & Behavior Conference Dec 8 –9
Tulane University School of Medicine, the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and the Tulane Center for Continuing Education will present the 2017 Brain & Behavior conference on December 8 and 9 at the JW Marriott Hotel in New Orleans. The conference is titled “Exploring the Complexities of Child Psychopathology: Striving for More Effective Treatments.” Greg Fritz, MD, will present the 22nd Robert G. Heath, MD Lecture, “The Future of Child Psychiatry and Psychology.” Barbara Walsh, PhD will present “A Revolutionary Approach to Treating Psychosis: Indentify Youth at Risk.” “Brain Drain in Pediatric Biopolar Disorder, DMDD, and Irritability in Children,” will be presented by Daniel Dickerstein, MD. Other presenters include F. Xavier Castellanos, MD, Daniel Nelson, MD, Charles Zeanah, MD, and Stacy Drury, MD, PhD.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 6.
From the Minutes Selected Items from October Discussions at the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Executive Director Report – Ms. Monic reported on the current status of LSBEP Investigations and Complaint matters for 2016- 17 as follows: Total investigations 23 (13 Against Psychologists, 10 Against Non- Psychologists); Disciplinary Actions 3 (3 Against Psychologists, 0 Against Non- Psychologists). Ms. Monic reported that Nominations for the 2018-2023 Board Seat opened on October 1st. No Nominations had been received to date and the nominations period may need to be extended.
Continuing Professional Development Committee – Ms. Monic reported that the annual audit of continuing education reported for the July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017 had not yet been facilitated. The Board discussed the audit and procedures. The Board also discussed how CPD reporting was going. Dr. Griffin requested that the matter be added to the LRP Agenda for further discussion regarding the requirements.
2. Contract with the Office of the Attorney General for Administrative Law Judge – The Board discussed the need for a contract with the Office of the Attorney General to provide services to the LSBEP in the role of administrative law judge or hearing officer to assist the LSBEP in adjudicating matters requiring a formal administrative hearing and in order to ensure the proper conduct of the proceedings in accordance with the law. Dr. Lambert moved that the Board authorize Ms. Monic to request and negotiate the terms of a contract with the AG’s office in accordance with the policies, procedures, regulatory and statutory contracting requirements of the state, including the rates approved by the AG’s office, the total of all sums payable including fees and reimbursement of expenses not to exceed Five thousand dollars ($5,000). 4. Policy and Procedures – Budgeting, Contracting, Ethics – The Board reviewed and discussed potential revisions to its policies and procedures related to budgeting, contracting and ethics training as proposed by Ms. Monic. Dr. Henke moved to accept the revised policies as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Psychologist Emergency Commitment: Title 28, Chapter 1 (Behavioral Health Laws) and LSBEP Opinion #002 – The Board reviewed the current statutory and regulatory requirements of psychologists that apply to individuals who have been registered and trained as developmental psychologists. It was determined that specialization and training of a developmental psychologist does not currently fall within the requirements of the LAC Ch. 3 Section 305 to engage in applied health care (or clinical practice) areas and therefore are not qualified to issue a Psychologist Emergency Commitment as defined in Title 28, Chapter 1 of the Behavioral Health Laws. Those specialties recognized by the Board as applied health care (or clinical practice) include “…counseling, clinical, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology”. Dr. Griffin requested the matter be placed on the Long Range Planning meeting agenda for further review and discussion.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 6.
LA’s Unemployment Drops to 4.8 Percent
Regarding the drop in unemployment to 4.8, Governor said, “The best social program out there is a good job, and more and more people in Louisiana are finding work. […] Just look at the historic economic development project we announced in New Orleans this week. Two thousand good-paying jobs are on the horizon. We are not out of the woods yet, and we have a lot of work left to do, but for the sixth consecutive month, we are seeing strong signs of improvement for Louisiana’s economy. I have said before that Louisiana’s brightest days are ahead of us, and these unemployment figures are further evidence of that."
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 8, No. 12. Source pages: 9.
CBT Researchers Present Cutting Edge Studies at National Conference LSU Anxiety & Addictive Behaviors Research Lab
Researchers from the Anxiety & Addictive Behaviors Research Laboratory at Louisiana State University Psychology Department presented work at the 51st Annual Convention of the Association of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies, held in San Diego, November 16–19. The theme for the conference was “Applying CBT in Diverse Contexts.”
Dr. Julia Buckner, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training for the Department, is also the Director of the LSU laboratory. Buckner and her students presented several studies in their research program of work.
At the November conference Dr. Buckner participated in the Symposium “Underlying Risk Factors of Addictions and Their Implication for Treatment,” discussing the “Association Between Anxiety Symptoms and Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Adolescents.”
Dr. Buckner and her doctoral student, Ms. Kimberlye E. Dean, along with Alfiee Breland- Noble, PhD from Georgetown University Medical Center, presented results from their study, “Social Anxiety Among Black Students: The Synergistic Role of Perceived Discrimination and Ethnic Identity.”
Another of Buckner’s students, Ms. Katherine Walukevich presented results from her and Buckner’s study, “Event-Specific Personalized Normative Feedback Intervention for a High- Risk Drinking Holiday.”
Dean, Walukevich, and Buckner presented work earlier this year at the conference of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, held in San Francisco, with the theme, “On the Cutting Edge of Wellness: Behavioral Medicine and Its Application to Anxiety and Depressive Disorders.”
Ms. Dean presented “The Impact of a Transdiagnostic Risk Factor on Willingness to Seek Treatment among Black Students.” The work was co-authored with Dr. Buckner.
Ms. Walukevich presented “The Impact of Difficulties of Emotion Regulation and Coping Motivated Cannabis Use on Cessation Problems Among Dually Diagnosed Outpatients: Serial Mediator Analyses.” Co-authors included Michael Zvolesky from the University of Houston and Dr. Buckner.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.