Article archive / November 1, 2015

Originally published: November 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 11. Source pages: 3.

The Justice Department announced in an October 22 press release that they would investigate two more psychologists, this time the employees of Nursing Home Psychological Services LLC, (NHPS) and Psychological Care Services, LLC, (PCS). The firms are owned and operated by Dr. Rodney Hesson and Ms. Gertrude Parker. Allegations against Hesson and Parker were published in June. The investigations appear to include eight locations across four states, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, and over six or more years.

Slidell psychologist and well-known community member, Dr. Beverly Stubblefield, is to be investigated, along with another psychologist, Dr. John Teal. Dr. Teal is licensed in Mississippi. Neither are listed as principals in the firms’ business registration. They are believed to have been employees at the companies during some time in the past.

The Justice Department’s news release said that they will be investigating $25 million worth of Medicaid claims. This amount appears to be for all evaluations and other psychological care, delivered by the NHPC and PCS over the six-year period, and for all eight companies/branches.

The original June charges said that Dr. Hesson and others delivered services that were not medically necessary, and in some cases, not delivered. However, the allegations do not make clear the specific violations. They also do not make clear why claims were paid for services over six years, and then considered potentially illegal.

Psychological services, such as evaluations to understand the basis for cognitive or emotional disorders, and develop treatment plans, may be denied if considered “not medically necessary” by Medicare. The June charges seemed to suggest this may be the primary area of investigation, based on the publicized figure of $25 million in the press release.

Currently, nursing homes are under pressure by consumer groups to reduce the high use of anti- psychotic medications used to treat challenging behaviors and dementia in the elderly. Sources indicate that nursing home regulations may also be in place that require a psychological or psychiatric evaluation or re- evaluations for those on psychotropic medications.

None of the defendants were reached for comment. The charges are only allegations and the defendants are innocent until or unless proven guilty, the Justice Department’s press release noted.

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

Article archive / November 1, 2015

Originally published: November 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 11. Source pages: 4.

The Louisiana State University doctoral clinical program coordinators are working with the American Psychological Association (APA) consultant to address issues that led to the program being given an “accredited, on probation” status from APA.

Dr. Jason Hicks, chair of the Psychology Department at Louisiana State University, noted that the department has put out a statement about the issues. In that memo, officials said that the department was asked to address three areas. These are 1) to update training objectives and competencies, as well as the manner in which these are assessed; 2) change the content of particular courses identified by the Commission; and 3) update the manner in which data are collected from current students and alumni regarding the quality of their training.

The statement said that the department is addressing the issues and that, “… as a result of our efforts, we are very confident that our clinical doctoral training program will return to its fully accredited status before the fall of 2016.”

The clinical psychology program is the only accredited clinical program in the state and has been in operation for decades.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 5.

The U.S. News & World Report has ranked three Louisiana Universities in its top tier, released in the biannual review of national universities in September.

Tulane University in New Orleans ranked #41.

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge campus, ranked at #129, and was also #62 in top public schools.

Louisiana Tech University ranked at #199, and #116 in top public schools.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 5.

A new study published in September contradicts a 2001 study that said the widely prescribed antidepressant, Paxil, was safe and effective for treating depression in adolescents. The reversal is based on a reanalysis of research from 2001. According to CBS News, the reanalysis of the drug trail is the first by a group of researchers who work to correct erroneous studies.

The original study was funded by SmithKline Beecham, now called GlaxoSmithKline, and was called Study 329. Study 329 has received criticism over the years said the CBS report. The New York State Attorney General sued the drug company for misrepresenting data on the medication and they agreed to pay $3 billion in fines.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 6.

The Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners intends to publish new rules because the Louisiana Medical Practice Act was amended by Act 441 of the 2015 Legislative session. The new rules will govern the investigation of complaints.

The new proposed rules include Review, Formal Investigation, Informal Settlements and Consent Orders, and Adjudication. “Preliminary review of a complaint shall be completed as promptly as possible within one-hundred and eighty days of receipt.” Formal investigations “shall be completed within thirty-six months after initiated by the board,” according to the proposed rules.

Discovery, Prehearing Conference, and Recusal is also covered. In recusal, the new rule will be, “A. Any board member who, because of bias or interest, is unable to assure a fair hearing shall be recused from that particular proceeding. The reasons for the recusal shall made part of the record. Should the majority of the board members be recused for a particular proceeding, the governor shall be requested to appoint a sufficient number of pro tem members to obtain a quorum for the proceeding.”

According to the announcement, the proposed rule will result in an estimated cost of $422,429 in FY 16 and recurring costs of approximately $340,000 beginning in FY 17. The announcement noted that estimated costs are attributable to: the need to hire a physician consultant separate from the physician executive director to conduct investigations ($246,901 – base salary $175,000 per year + $64,750 retirement for state employees + $4,613 group insurance per year + $2,538 Medicare contribution = $246,901 salary package). Also a compliance investigator to monitor investigations is to be hired, to insure compliance with other procedural requirements ($74,240 – base salary $50,000 per year + $18,500 retirement for state employees + $5,015 group insurance per year + $725 Medicare contribution = $74,240 salary package).

The Board will also incur one-time costs to acquire a new software system to properly track and monitor investigations and complaints ($100,000).

The Rules will set out Informal Settlements and Consent Orders. “Informal dispositions may be either non- disciplinary or disciplinary: 1. Non- disciplinary dispositions consist of correspondence, an informal conference and a letter of concern. These dispositions shall not constitute disciplinary action, are not a public record of the board and are not reported and distributed in the same manner as final decisions of the board. 2. Disciplinary dispositions consist of consent orders, and other orders and agreements, and stipulations for voluntary surrender of a license. These dispositions shall constitute disciplinary action, shall be a public record of the board, and are reported and distributed in the same manner as final decisions of the board.”

This comes after changes from the legislative session and Bill 573 proposed by Representatives Hazel, Hoffman and Jackson. HB 573 put forth 33 pages of changes. The bill would have required that a member of the board act as a supervisor for each complaint and that all complaints and investigations be supervised by a board member. It also included language that limited the amount that a person had to pay for his or her own proceeding. HB 573 also would have established expert physician review panels relating to medical specialities.

However, HB 573 was replaced by substitute and much of the original language was changed when it became HB 843 and Act 441.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 6.

Dr. Clinton (Gary) Pettigrew will retire from his position as Complaints Coordinator at the end of October, after more than 10 years with the Louisiana State Board of Examiners (LSBEP), he announced last month at a September 18 meeting in Baton Rouge.

He expressed that the role was not pleasant, and said, “I think it’s somebody else’s turn.” He received thanks and praise from the board members for his service and assistance. Board members agreed that few people know about value of his contributions. Chair Dr. Marc Zimmermann said, “We appreciate your 10 years of service in a thankless,” and difficult job.

Pettigrew commented that it was difficult. “… when I recommend to dismiss cases, usually they have never been investigated, and the psychologist never knows about, and none of my peers know that I have come to dismiss a case against them,” he said. “But they sure know when I don’t dismiss a case against them, and it sure gets to you after a while.”

He indicated that there might be changes and agreed to consider helping with inputs to the process and also to stay on to help train a new person.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 6.

Dr. Greg Gormanous has resigned from his position as the new Executive Director of the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (LSBEP). Gormanous assumed the role only a few months ago.

While no formal announcement appears to have been made, several sources confirm that Ms. Jaime Monic has returned to the Executive Director position. Monic left in 2010 in order to spend additional time with her three sons and to enjoy other family duties, she had told the Times previously.

Dr. Gormanous replaced Ms. Kelly Parker, who left the position in July but who has continued on as Operations Director and as a consultant in disciplinary matters.

Dr. Gormanous is retired Chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at LSU Alexandria. He has served as President of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), and as the President and Vice-President of the Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards, among many other accomplishments.

Sources report that he stepped down due to administrative challenges in the agency, but Dr. Gormanous could not be reached for comment or to confirm or disconfirm this idea.

Ms. Jaime Monic began working with the LSBEP in 2000 under the directorship of Brenda Ward, who was the Executive Director from 1990 to 2006.

Community members have noted several problems at the board. One of these is that some licensee holders report that they have not received their licenses.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 9.

Clinical & Medical Psychologist, Dr. Joseph Comaty, and Louisiana State University Emerita Professor of Psychology, Dr. Claire Advocat, were featured speakers at the 2015 Fall Conference of the State Psychologist Association of New Mexico, held September 26 & 27, in Albuquerque.

Dr. Comaty spoke on, “Treatment of Special Populations: Focus on Vulnerable Populations,” He provided information on the treatment of children with selected neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD, ADHD, Tourette’s Disorder and the treatment of older adults with behavioral health disorders including those with dementia. Participants learned the most commonly used psychotropic drugs for the treatment of selected disorders of the identified vulnerable populations, and most frequently encountered adverse effects of the currently used psychotropic drugs.

Dr. Advocat presented, “Introduction to Basic Epigenetics.” She described the phenomenon of epigenetics and how it works, and discussed why epigenetic processes are relevant to the practice of prescribing psychologists. Attendees learned to about the physical components that make up the epigenome, and how they act to modulate our DNA, and the significance of epigenetics to psychological and physical health.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 13.

Student Corner Loyola Student Earns LPA Top Research Poster Honor

Ms. Sarah Scalese, a graduate of Loyola University who studied physicians’ perceptions of psychology consultations won the first place under-graduate research poster at the recent Louisiana Psychological Association convention.

Scalese worked with Dr. Amy Henke of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, to capture information about collaboration in health services.

Scalese and Henke surveyed physicians within seven specialties at Children’s Hospital and found the most commonly cited reasons for consultations with psychologists were mental health, building diagnostic evidence, and helping patients cope with illness.

Physicians also reported problems due to long waiting times for psychological services and patients refusals.

Scalese and Henke found that physicians expressed a desire for increased involvement with general outpatient services, including services from medical psychologists, and had generally positive relationships with psychology in medical settings.

The authors said the results suggest an acceptance of pharmacological treatments over non-pharmacological treatments.

The Times asked Scalese what she found to be the most important findings of her work. “What I believe to be the most fascinating, and most relevant finding to us in Louisiana, is that 77% of surveyed physicians requested more services from medical psychologists! I believe this could suggest an acceptance of psychologists as prescribers, but certainly could also highlight physicians’ adherence to the medical model (i.e. more comfort with drugs than behavioral intervention).

“It could also potentially point to a lack of success on psychology's part in helping the general public understand the power of non-pharmacological intervention,” Scalese said, “particularly as research shows that quality therapy is more efficacious for mild/moderate mental illness (i.e. mild/moderate depression) compared to medication (and results in less relapse following discontinuation!)”

Ms. Scalese is originally from the Philadelphia area and moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola.

“At Loyola, I took a field practicum class and was lucky enough to be placed in the Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at Children’s Hospital. There, I shadowed Dr. Amy Henke, a clinical psychologist who serves as a consultant to the medical team,” she said. “It was such an incredible learning experience, I didn’t want to leave at the end of the semester. Eager to get more research experience, when Dr. Henke informed me the Psychology Department could benefit from a quality improvement project to enhance collaboration within treatment teams, I jumped at the opportunity!”

This was Ms. Scalese’s first independent research study. “… there were many small bumps along the way, despite the great support Dr. Henke provided me. I found that I had to work at a snails pace to ensure I got everything right. In particular, I had difficulty translating the data into a clear and concise visual format so that people viewing my poster could quickly understand my findings.”

Ms. Scalese is currently in the process of applying to graduate schools in clinical psychology and she hopes to study childhood trauma. She is currently working full time an Early Childhood Development Center.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 13.

LA Counseling Assn Hosts Record Crowd at September Conference

The Louisiana Counseling Association (LCA) held its convention in Baton Rouge in September. Officials reported a record attendance of almost 1,200 participants.

President Tim Fields said to members that the record crowd caused some inconveniences– “tightly packed” sessions and creative parking – but “our counseling compassion and energy to learn, share and celebrate pulled us through…”. He also noted in his message to members that the organization’s membership has grown to 2,236. Fields thanked his conference team, Executive Director Diane Austin, Business Manager Austin White, President-Elect Dr. Iman Hawash, Dr. Matt Lyons, and Strategic Planning Chair, Joyce Fields. Ms. Fields is Academic Counselor at LSU and also the Archive Chair for LCA.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 15.

Saturday, November 7 Louisiana Psychological Association to Host Conference at Ralph & Kacoo’s in Baton Rouge

The Louisiana Psychological Association will host its Fall Conference on Saturday, November 7 at Ralph & Kacoo’s Restaurant in Baton Rouge.

The full day continuing education program offers morning breakout sessions on clinical and practice topics, and an afternoon general session on ethics and community psychology. Continental breakfast and lunch at Ralph & Kacoo’s Seafood Restaurant, and a talk on advocacy skills, is included.

The morning sessions offer a choice for participants to learn about, “Biopolar Disorder in the Age of Over- Diagnosis and Treatment.” Psychologist Dr. Am Henke will co-present with Psych- iatrist Dr. Arwen Podesta.

Drs. Henke and Podesta will focus on the increasing rate of diagnosis in Bipolar Disorder in both children and adults and look at the research that suggests that actual rates have not changed. The workshop will address accurate assessment and differential diagnoses. The ethical role of diagnostician as gatekeeper to protect against over diagnosis and use non- pharmacological treatments will be presented.

Dr. Henke is a clinical psychologists and assistant professor with the LSUHSC and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans and consults regarding medically compromised children. Dr. Arwen Podesta is a board certified psychiatrist with subspecialties in addiction, forensic psychiatry, and integrative and holistic medicine. She is on the Tulane clinical faculty.

Also in morning session is “Private Practice: Essentials and Updates,” presented by Drs. Lacey Seymour and Gail Gillespie. This workshop will cover requirements and information for managing a successful private practice, including state and government laws and regulations, business planning, marketing, and HIPAA compliance.

Dr. Seymour is current president of LPA and owner of Live Oak Children’s Center, a licensed psychologist and license behavior analyst, and focuses on children’s issues and children with special needs. Dr. Gillespie is a licensed psychologist in private practice, specializing in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents, LPA secretary and Chair of continuing education.

A thirty-minute presentation by LPA Executive Director, Ms. Cindy Bishop, “Advocacy 101: The Basics of Communicating Effectively with Public Policy Makers,” will be included. Ms. Bishop is owner of Checkmate Strategies and has worked on high profile legislative campaigns including the Smoke Free Air Act, the Primary Seat Belt Act, and the Child Passenger Safety Act.

The afternoon session is “Ethics, Politics, and Psychology: Where Are We and Where Do We Go from Here?” The presenters are Drs. William “Gig” Costelloe and Julie Nelson. Presenters will provide an integrative look as the underlying social and organizational character- istics that impact the psychology community and psychologists’ contributions, with special emphasis on ethical concerns. Presenters will facilitate a group activity to identify needs, create innovations, and envision solutions for psychology’s role in the state, and fold into a strategic planning process for the association.

Dr. Costelloe is president of Costelloe & Associates in New Orleans and a licensed Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. He has consulted for 35 years to public corporations and businesses across the country, providing pre- employment assessment, team-building, employee surveys and other services.

Dr. Nelson is licensed psychologist with emphasis clinical and organizational psychology, and has consulted to the petrochemical industry for over 30 years in organizational development. She is the publisher of the Psychology Times.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 15.

Behavior Analysis Assn Conference Oct 9-10

The Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association will host the 2015 Gulf Coast ABA Conference October 9-10, 2015, in New Orleans. Keynote speaker is Dorothea Lerman, PhD, BCBA-D, Professor of Psychology, Coordinator of the M.A. Behavior Analysis Program, and Director of the Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities at the University of Houston. Lerman was previously at LSU.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 16.

Accessible, Sustainable School Mental Health La School Psychological Association to Gather November 11- 13 in Lafayette, La

The Louisiana School Psychological Association will hold its 35th Annual Conference, on November 11-13, at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, in Lafayette. This year’s theme is “Promoting Accessible and Sustainable School Mental Health Services.”

Invited speakers include Dr. Debra Duhe who will present on “Autism Diagnostic Observation Sechdule- 2, Toddler Module , Video Training Program Upgrade.”

Also Dr. Krisin Johnson will speak on “Using Technology to Enhance you Mental Health Services.”

Dr. Howie Knoff, will present, “Interventions for Students with Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Challenges.” And Dr. Jerome Sattler, will present on “Recent Developments in Assessment of Children.”

Other presenters include Dr. John Simoneaux who will present on “Considering Cultural Issues,” and Dr. Kevin Jones, presenting a Professional Development Forum.

Dr. Constance Patterson, will offer a School Psychology Trainers Forum. And, Dr. Stacy Overstreet will present Prepared II, Day 1.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 16.

March/April 2016 in New Orleans SEPA Submissions Due October 13

Submissions to the 2016 Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) conference are due by October 13. SEPA will hold its 2016 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, March 30 through April 2, at the Sheraton New Orleans.

SEPA is the largest psychological organization in the Southeast, and its mission is to stimulate the exchange of scientific and professional ideas across the diverse areas of psychological inquiry and application. SEPA consists of both professional and student members.

Invited talks for the 2016 session include Dr. Oscar Barbarin, previously the Lila L. and Douglas Hertz Endowed Chair in Psychology at Tulane University, and who began a new appointment as Chair of the African American Studies Department at the University of Maryland in August 2015.

Dr. Barbarin has published widely on the socio- emotional development of children, particularly boys of color.

Other invited speakers include Dr. Pam Imm, community psychologist and Dr. Paschal Sheeran, who will speak on the psychology of health behavior change.

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

Article archive / October 1, 2015

Originally published: October 1, 2015. Volume 6, No. 10. Source pages: 2.

Why Not Use Psychological Science Instead? by J. Nelson

From a group dynamics viewpoint, the continuing problems at the LSBEP show that somewhere over the last years, the group problem-solving functioning began to falter, and we see the results across several performance indicators. People are even complaining that they didn’t receive their licenses. I got two instead of one.

I’m a little sad that Greg Gormanous won’t be taking a crack at helping us, but I view his decision to pass on this challenge as a wise move for him. Disappointment about Greg leaving is replaced by my optimism about Ms. Jaime Monic returning, proof positive that there is a god.

Watching “hide the thimble” at the last board meeting was fascinating. I had gone there to cover what I thought was going to be a hearing, or part of one. Instead I got lots of group dynamics, including multiple executive sessions (secret talks), the atypical appearance of senior council, a Complaints Coordinator who did not appear altogether pleased, and a surprised defense team.

I’ve reported what happened the best I can, given the difficulty in describing a shell game. But the bottom line appears to be full of irony. In prosecuting others for their mistakes, the board may have made a mistake of its own. And, they seem to be trying to hide it. What are we to think?

The system problems are also clear in the overzealous investigations group, which looks like it exhibited motivated reasoning in regard to time limits and other things. While I went looking for the bad stuff (one will always find it in that condition) I was a little chilled to hear about intimidation, secrecy, isolation, and what seemed a little more similar to Zimbardo’s prison guard experiment, than a thoughtful, respectfully applied evaluation process with checks and balances.

Apparently the investigations process is having trouble in more places than just the psychology board. The medical board is in an overhaul mode. The issue may be symptomatic and more widespread. If so, applied psychology can help find the real problems and craft real solutions. I’m deeply concerned about what I see and hear that seems to be a lack of psychological insight and skills in the processes at the board.

We need to start fresh designing our own problem-solving processes with psychological science and its values. At a minimum, for complaints, we need more psychologists, not more criminal prosecutors. We need to separate the goals and methods of law enforcement, from those of remedial education, from those of customer service, and then match people by their temperament to the task. Validity evidence would be nice––some even believe it is essential.

Why not use psychological science to solve our problems?

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