Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 3.

For the first time in recent years, the names headed to the Governor’s Office for appointment to the state psychology board will not be including a member of the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP). Neither of the two possible appointees, Dr. Leah Crouch nor Dr. Amy Henke, are medical psychologists.

Electronic voting closed on December 31 with 323 psychologists voting, according to Ms. Jaime Monic, Executive Director for the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP). Ms. Monic said that the election results, held by the LSBEP attorney, will be released to both the psychology board and to the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA) at the board meeting on January 22.

Dr. Marc Zimmermann, medical psychologist and current LSBEP chair, will complete his term in June 2016, leaving only two of five members who are affiliated with LAMP, Dr. Darla Burnett, who takes over as Chair, and Dr. Jesse Lambert. Lambert is a new board member and student member of LAMP. Dr. Phillip Griffin and Dr. Koren Boggs are the other two members.

Last month the president of LPA, Dr. Lacey Seymour, asked the two candidates to comment on current events and shared their thoughts with LPA members.

In answering a number of questions, Dr. Crouch said that “There should never be an appearance that the LPA or other psychological associations have undue influence over the decisions made by the LSBEP.” Crouch also said that the “first issue at hand” for regulating bodies such as LSBEP and the state medical board, is “… for ensuring the protection of the public.”

Dr. Crouch said she had many questions about the matters in the community. “Why are MPs not required to hold dual licenses, similar to professionals that have dual degrees that practice both disciplines (e.g., PhD/JD)?” and “Can the LSBME thoroughly oversee and investigate a discipline in which the LSMBE has various levels of training?”

She also wrote, “… this is a very complex and complicated issue that has been affecting our discipline for many years. I can avow to do my due diligence as a board member to educate myself, research, maintain objectivity and neutrality, in all matters to serve and uphold the mission of the LSBEP.”

Dr. Amy Henke also responded to questions about current events. She wrote, “If elected as an LSBEP board member, I would resign my current position as a Director in

LPA to prevent any conflict of interest, but would ideally remain involved in continuing to improve and grow the positive relationship between LSBEP and LPA.”

“I believe strongly that the role of LSBEP is limited to protecting the public and following the law. I do not believe that LSBEP, as a regulatory body, has a role in legislative advocacy. This is where the importance of professional organizations, such as LPA are integral to the protection of our profession. I view these missions as different, yet complimentary.”

Henke noted problems with clarity in terminology in certain areas with the board. And she said, “Regardless of my personal belief, it is important to note the role of LSBEP board members is to follow the law versus engage in legislative advocacy.”

She wrote that she shared the concerns of many colleagues about non- psychologists regulating psychology activities, but said she will “follow the law as written.”

“In an effort to avoid repeating perceived mistakes from past boards regarding this issue, I do not intend to reach beyond the role assigned to the board,” Dr. Henke said.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 3.

The death notice on page 4 in our December 2015 issue referred to Dr. Judy E. Hall, a resident of Maryland who earned her PhD from the University of Alabama.

Dr. Hall was not from Louisiana.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 4.

The prevalence of children diagnosed with ADHD has soared, increasing 43 percent in the last decade, said researchers in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry using data from Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the National Center for Health Statistics, a part of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Statistics from the Center for Disease Control ranked Louisiana first in the percentage of children taking medication for ADHD and third in the percentage of youngsters who have a current ADHD diagnosis.

Data was collected through 2011. According to the CDC, 15.8 percent of children in Louisiana have been told by a health care provided that he or she has ADHD. This compares to 11% nationwide.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 6.

Dr. Tom Stigall, is on the mend after having a stroke in October. He is making steady recovery, said wife Connie Stigall.

Dr. Stigall is a key figure in the psychology community both at the state level and before retirement, at the national level. He has served as President of the Louisiana Psychological Association, as Chair of the state board, as investigator, and in numerous roles in the political scene. More recently he has served as the President of the Louisiana Photographic Society, and is an award-winning photographer, including two first place awards from the Louisiana Press Association for his photos in the Psychology Times.

Connie Stigall said Tom is still experiencing some trouble with his right arm and right leg, but is now involved in home health care and, while “not too happy about the whole thing,” he is on the mend.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 9.

We tried hard to decide between these two winners and finally decided to give two Courage Awards for 2015.

For the second year in a row, we recognize Dr. Michael Chafetz for leading the scientific battle to update the science base at the behemoth Social Security Administration. We were worried that the Institute of Medicine was going to fall in line with politics, but science won out, with no small efforts from the neuropsychologists and our own Dr. Chafetz.

We also honor the Marriage & Family Therapists Association who hosted Robert Whitaker, a force in keeping the debate open and vital about the use and overuse of medication in mental health care.

Both our winners have our admiration and thanks, and the Times’ 2015 Courage Award.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 10.

“How are we as psychologists to regard a discipline that succeeds primarily in speaking to itself?” was how Gergen described our problems in 1995. This was not a problem for Dr. Marsha Redden and her colleagues. At times she spoke to a crowd of thousands of people, sharing psychological science, understanding of human behavior, and sometimes, giving some appreciated relief. We reported on Redden’s work with the Brony Fandom, perhaps the largest numbers of any story were reported on for 2015. For helping others in psychology plain talk, we are honored to give Dr. Redden our 2015 Media Award.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 12.

We are very impressed with the Lake Charles Research Group, an open, free-standing group of local psychologists, interns, post-doctoral fellows, practicum students, and “pretty much anybody else who’s just interested in publishing journal articles and doing presentations at conferences,” according to one of the organizers, Dr. Larry Dilks. The group gets people involved in psychological research and provides key support to them. The proof is in the pudding, since the members are very productive, presenting work at regional and national conferences.

Getting people involved in applied research for over 15 years, with very little or no red tape––we were delighted to give them our 2015 Award for Involvement.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 13.

This year our Innovation Award recognizes a creative application of findings that have far-reaching usefulness. Dr. Tiffany Stewart, clinical psychologist, inventor and entrepreneur, and Associate Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, has been spearheading large multisite prevention work in the health behavior change area and finding new ways to help people. Her work was acknowledged by the state legislature and she was named “Woman of Excellence” by the Women’s Caucus. Her use of technology and business approaches to advance the health goals of those she hopes to serve is a example of the how psychologists can make more of less through innovation. She was recently named the Dudley and Beverly Coates Endowed Professorship at Pennington Biomedical. She is also Founder of CSO, Body Evolution Technologies, Inc.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 14.

This year’s Altruism Award goes to those who gave their time and efforts to help Katrina victims still suffering after 10 years, psychologists from the Louisiana Psychological Association and organizer Dr. Darlyne Nemeth. The group included Kerritt Saintal, B.S.,Drs. Gail Gillespie, Beverley Stubblefield, Fernando Pastrana, Kim VanGeffen, Carolyn Weyand, Janet Matthews, Lee Matthews, Lucinda DeGrange, and Joseph Tramontana, and also Kathleen Randall. For their unselfish concern for others, they have our esteem.

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

Article archive / January 1, 2016

Originally published: January 1, 2016. Volume 7, No. 1. Source pages: 16.

We weren’t sure how anyone could get more hands-on community involvement than we saw when we reported on what Dr. Stacy Overstreet had pulled together for the study on “trauma informed schools.” She is working with those from the New Orleans Health Department, from Project Fleur-de-lis, from the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans, from Maternal & Child Health at the Louisiana Health Institute, and Tulane colleague Dr. Courtney Baker. We’re sure there are more, or going to be. This award honors those who recognize the importance of win-win problem-solving in the long-term productivity of a community. Our hats are off to Dr. Overstreet and her team––A true community project deserving of the Community Development Award for 2015 and our thanks.

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

Article archive / December 1, 2015

Originally published: December 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 12. Source pages: 3.

LSBEP Discusses Concerns at Nov Meeting

The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists met on November 19 for their annual Long Range Planning Meeting, held this year at the Louisiana Municipal Association Building on N. 10th Street in Baton Rouge.

Attending the meeting were board members Dr. Koren Boggs, Dr. Phillip Griffin, Dr. Marc Zimmermann, Dr. Darla Burnett, Dr. Jesse Lambert, and Executive Director Ms. Jaime Monic.

Members of the public attending were Dr. Lacy Seymour, Dr. Kim VanGeffen, Dr. Greg Gormanous, and Times publisher Dr. Julie Nelson.

Discussion included general matters such as finances, examinations, elections, and legal matters

Dr. Burnett led a lengthy review of the current rules for “Continuing Professional Development,” pointing out corrections and clarifications that will need to be made in these rules in the next few months.

Self-nominations for the upcoming election were opened and read, and two qualified, Dr. Leah Crouch and Dr. Amy Henke.

Also, applicants for the Complaints Coordinator position were noted: Drs. Erica Meyers, Chris Gardner, and Jill Hayes.

The board also discussed the board’s need for a legislative affairs attorney. Led by Chair Dr. Zimmermann, the members said they needed a legislative consultant to monitor bills. Nelson asked if the board had any plans for submitting legislation for 2016 and the Chair indicated that while there may be a need, there was no specific plan at this time.

Dr. Zimmermann led a discussion about possible changes that would differentiate the health care service psychologists from the non-health care service psychologists. The idea of a task team to look into this was suggested.

The disciplinary process, including the time limit issue that appears to have been being incorrectly applied by the investigations group at the board, was discussed.

Dr. Van Geffen, representative for professional affairs for the Louisiana Psychological Assn, told the Times, “I think that they will probably set up a Task Force to address this issue.”

The board discussed extending the present time frame from one-year to five years. Van Geffen noted that she voiced opposition to a five-year period, which she said seemed excessive. Members also discussed how the time frame is measured, and when the time is viewed to begin.

“Because there appears to be a lot of confusion about the process of what the Board does when it receives a complaint, LSBEP and LPA are looking at holding a workshop at the spring convention on the Complaints process,” VanGeffen said.

Later in the afternoon, the representatives from Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA), President Dr. Lacy Seymour and Director, Dr. VanGeffen, asked if the Board had made a decision regarding LPA's request to have a joint task force to discuss the LSBEP election procedures.

The board members said that no decision had been made and appeared inclined to leave it at that, according to VanGeffen. However, Seymour asked when they would be making the decision and this opened up further discussion. Finally, Dr. Griffin, who is the LSBEP liaison to Professional Organizations agreed to meet with LPA representatives to discuss the issue of elections.

Dr. Jesse Lambert, one of the newest board members on the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP), listens along with Ms. Jaime Monic, Executive Director, at the recent Long Range Planning Meeting held in Baton Rouge.

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

Article archive / December 1, 2015

Originally published: December 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 12. Source pages: 16.

Dr. Overstreet, Colleagues to be Featured Speakers National School Psychological Assn to Meet in New Orleans, Feb 2016

The National Association of School Psychologists will hold it Annual Convention in New Orleans, February 10 -13, 2016.

Dr. Stacy Overstreet and colleagues will be one of the featured sessions, and presenting on “Partnerships to Create Trauma-Informed Schools.” Dr. Overstreet is the Chair of the Tulane Psychology Departments. Co- presenters are Chris Gunther, from the New Orleans Health Department, Laura Danna, for Project Fleur-de-lis, Paulette Carter, from the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans, and Patrick Bell, from KIPP Believe Primary School in New Orleans.

The group will share the “whys and hows of a city-led, multiagency partnership to advance trauma- informed approaches in schools.” They will also examine why a universal approach is needed to help make evidence-based treatments more effective. They will focus also on collaborative methods.

Other featured speakers include Marc Brackett, speaking on Emotional Intelligence, and Susan Swearer speaking on Bullying.

Certified School Psychologists from Morgan City, Robin Cohenour, Pamela Smith, Rayne Adams, and Carey Day, attending the Louisiana School Psychological Association last month. The National School Psychology Association will hold its convention in New Orleans in 2016.

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

Article archive / December 1, 2015

Originally published: December 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 12. Source pages: 4.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Washington brought a lawsuit against the two Air Force psychologists, James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen, who helped design “enhanced interrogation techniques” for the CIA during the aftermath of 9/11. The suit was filed October 13.

The suit was filed by the ACLU on behalf of three individuals where were interrogated by the CIA in Afghanistan, and one who died by in custody, reportedly of hypothermia.

The ACLU complaint states that the two psychologists, “… conspired with the CIA in violating these international law norms, or committed those violations as part of a joint criminal enterprise with the Agency, and aided and abetted the CIA in their commission.”

The ACLU authors claim that Mitchell and Jessen were “experimenting” on prisoners because the interrogation methods were not proven to be effective. Mitchell and Jessen designed methods based on their survival training for U.S. military personnel who might themselves be interrogated.

Aggressive interrogation techniques such as sleep deprivation were added and justified by “The Torture Memos” that said that terrorists were not protected under the Geneva Convention because they hid among and targeted civilians.

The two Air Force members and military psychologists have been at the center of a storm of issues for the American Psychological Association that prompted a study to be commissioned called the Hoffman Report. Chicago attorney David Hoffman found what he believed to be “collusion” between APA staff and the Department of Defense.

On August 14, 2015, the APA Council of Representatives voted to ban psychologists from participating in national security interrogations. Votes were reported in the APA Monitor. Several Louisiana psychologists participated in that vote.

Dr. Darlyne Nemeth, APA Council Representative and member of the Louisiana Psychological Association, voted yes to the ban.

Dr. Charles Figley, representing Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) voted yes.

And Dr. Corwin Boake, representing Division 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) voted yes.

Dr. Larry James, who is a military psychologist and who remains licensed in Louisiana, and who represented Division 19 (Military Psychology) for this matter, voted No. He was the only no vote.

Specifically the resolution directed: “psychologists shall not conduct, supervise, be in the presence of, or otherwise assist any national security interrogations for any military or intelligence entities, including private contractors working on their behalf, nor advise on conditions of confinement insofar as these might facilitate such an interrogation.”

The primary finding of Hoffman Report centered around a 2005 task force that Hoffman and others felt was top-heavy with military psychologists and biased. The report led to the ethics director, Stephen Behnke, being fired.

A report by James Bradshaw in The National Psychologist said that the report may trigger lawsuits. Bradshaw sited a comment by Louis Freeh, in The Guardian, that Freeh, an associate of Behnke, has threatened some type of legal response on Behnke’s behalf.

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

Article archive / December 1, 2015

Originally published: December 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 12. Source pages: 4.

Currently, just 19% say they can trust the government always or most of the time, said the Pew Research Center for U.S. Politics & Policy. This is one of the lowest levels in the last 50 years. “Only 20% would describe government programs as being well-run. And elected officials are held in such low regard that 55% of the public says ‘ordinary Americans’ would do a better job of solving national problems.” The report, published November 23, noted that the public finds the government frustrating and badly managed, with only 20% saying that the federal government runs its programs well.

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

Article archive / December 1, 2015

Originally published: December 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 12. Source pages: 4.

Dr. Judy Hall, a key member of the national psychology community who had long involvement in the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, passed away November 24. Hall served as president of ASPPB, among other duties. Dr. Stephen DeMers of ASPPB said that her contributions will be long remembered. Dr. Greg Gormanous, who also served as ASPPB president, said, “Judy was a good friend and powerful voice for public protection. The greater world-wide psychology community has lost a forceful advocate.” Dr. Gormanous is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at LSU Alexandria.

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