Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 2.
Letter to the Editor Psychology Times
I have been a member of the American Psychological Association for many years, long enough, finally, to merit being excused from paying dues. I have had the privilege of serving on the association’s Accreditation Committee, and subsequently on what was then the Education and Training Board. I felt proud when I earned Fellowship status.
When I opened my New York Times a few days ago a headline made me blink: American Psychological Association Bolstered CIA Torture Program
What followed was a report of alleged collusion between APA and elements of our government to provide a rationale for, and to facilitate the implementation of, torture as part of the war on terror. It made me blink and it brought back a memory: Logan Wright’s 1962 Presidential address to the APA Division 12 (Clinical Psychology). Its title: Please Don’t Tell My Mother I’m A Clinical Psychologist—She Still Thinks I Play Piano In A Whorehouse.
Logan was complaining about inadequate standards for the profession and making a case for improvement in an evolving profession. The Times article paints a more sordid story, alleging seduction and betrayal. Seduction by opportunities for financial gain and perhaps by the lure of being “insiders.” And the betrayal of professional standards.
The story mirrors a situation painfully detailed in C. S. Lewis’s book, That Hideous Strength, a fictional account tale of a university and its scholars corrupted by money and the promise of power.
The information in the NYT article seems to be a reprise of claims made last November in a book by James Risen, Pay Any Price: Greed, Power, and Endless War. I haven’t read that book, but I will. In response to the furor raised by those claims, last November Norman Anderson, the Chief Executive of APA, announced that an independent investigation of them will be carried out and published. That publication has yet to appear. One can hope it will bring into question, or at least mitigate, the allegations.
In the meantime, I feel very, very sad.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 15.
June 12 –13 Louisiana Psychological Association Convention Highlights Lifespan Topics
The Louisiana Psychological Association will gather to learn and celebrate, “Psychology Across the Lifespan,” at the Sheraton Hotel in Metairie–New Orleans, June 12-13.
Keynote speaker for the conference is Sister Judith Brun, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph and a long-time educator. She is presently the Executive Director of Community Initiatives Foundation. Sister Brun will present the keynote address, “Post-Katrina Interventions with Children.”
Dr. William McCown, Associate Dean of Colleges of Business and Social Sciences and the Director of Data Analytics Laboratory, clinical psychologist, author, and professor, will speak on the “The Impulsive Client,” and update attendees on the science he first reviewed as co- author of a book on the same topic. He has noted that the issue is also one of the most difficult clinical syndromes to treat, noted the program.
Other highlights include a session on “The Assessment of Autism and Related Disorders,” where psychologists Drs. Lisa Settles, Brian Esteve, and Jane Morton review the assessment and diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Settles is a faculty member at Tulane University School of Medicine. Currently, Dr. Esteve serves as director of an interdisciplinary autism treatment program at Crane Rehab Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr. Morton joined the Emerge Center in January of 2012 and previously was the lead lead psychologist for the Local Autism Team with the Office for Citizens with Development Disabilities which is part of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
Also presenting are Dr. Corwin Boake, “DSM-5 and ICD-10 Coding Update for the Practicing Psychologist,” Dr. Lucinda L. DeGrange, “Navigating Medicaid Managed Care: A Panel Discussion with Bayou Health Plan Representatives,” and Dr. Joe Comaty and Dr. Phillip Griffin on “LSBEP Review of Telepsychology Guidelines.” Dr. Kim VanGeffen, will also present, and speak on the assessment of dementia. Drs. Darllyne Nemeth, Janet Matthews, Susanne Jenson, Ed Shwery, and Kenneth Bouilion will participate in a symposium on Resiliency in the Practice of Psychology. Dr. Gail Gillespie and Sue Josephson, LCSW, will present on Energy Therapy.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
A recent debate on the listserve of the Louisiana Psychological Association about free speech, with some being admonished that their comments were not allowed by rules from the American Psychological Association, points to interesting irony.
Bad stuff happens when we stay silent, no matter if our silence is out of fear or out of complacency. We do have some brave members in LPA; people who don't stay silent, and I have to admire them for that, even if I don't always have the political or intellectual bandwidth to weigh in. We don't all have to agree with one another, all of the time. And we don't have to follow rules like lambs to the slaughter, just because they were issued.
Rules need to be challenged periodically, if only to see what we have lying around on our dusty books. Self-regulated people don't apparently need many external rules, but everyone needs some. And self-made claims of self-regulation is a devious form of hubris.
Power always needs limits to keep the unfortunate but quite natural propensity for its abuse in check as it grows. (Benjamin Franklin was a psychologist, no doubt). The fact of power means that abuses will come out inevitably when there are conditions of anxious insecurity. As power grows, those that have it become attached to it, and anxious to hold on to what they have acquired. Lo and behold, we have lots of insecurity running amok, even in the always reassuring, uber-reasonable, and cloyingly- rational face of the parent-knows-best, APA.
At this moment in history, if APA had nothing better to do than to read the LPA division postings for compliance to its non-compete rules, I'd actually be reassured. Rebellion against that for LPA would represent the benign adolescent rebellion against its parental authority in APA. Instead, it appears that the APA is now quite busy, alternating between shredding and spraying luminol, after a professionally devastating charge of instrumental involvement in government- sanctioned torture during the Bush Administration, post 9/11. The parental authority of APA does not feel benign at all in this case. It begs all manner of question and challenge.
Parenthetically, other professions in their associations are less concerned about deference to our professional disciplines than APA/LPA members are being admonished to be. Other professions and their press took the story of APA's connection to torture methods and ran with it far before APA had a chance to even respond to their own members (e.g., Medpage's daily digest headline: "APA backed torture" on April 30, 2015). What APA does, for better and for worse, sticks to us all.
As for how LPA members must use the listserv: Should we down-regulate the outrageous or the outraged? I say, probably not. If we are too prudish, we will scare off the novel voices, and those of the next generation. If we assume there is only one way, the right way, we risk the steady down drifting into fascism. It has happened before in history. There is no reason to believe we are somehow too virtuous to be horribly wrong about our righteousness.
In Louisiana-speak, everything needs translation to a cuisine metaphor to make any sense, so here is mine: Sometimes a little hot sauce makes for fire in our belly. Sometimes too much sweet tea is bad for our blood sugar. If we over-regulate our agreeableness, Southern style, I think we will systematically shun the diversity out. We will "if-you-please" the weird, the different, and the interesting stuff right on out of the room. And THAT, in my (rarely) humble opinion, would be strategically and absolutely, tragic.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 15.
Dr. Susan Dardard will premier her latest South RIver Stories® production next month in the West Feliciana Parish Library community meeting room. The program will feature Dr. Dardard's most recent story on bullies and heroes, part of her The Power of T.E.A. series. Her performances appeal to diverse multi-generational audiences and include stories, songs, and lessons of courage, passion, and resilience that tap into psychological principles. The presentation is open to the public.
Mr. Earl Willis, with Checkmate Strategies, holds camera equipment for Dr. Susan Dardard as she prepares to gather material for one of her South River Stories® productions.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
Passes House 91 to 0 Measure to Increase Court- Ordered Outpatient MH Passes
A bill that would increase the maximum period of initial treatment from six months to one year in court-ordered outpatient treatment has passed a House vote, 91 to 0. The current law provides that if a patient has been ordered to receive outpatient treatment for four consecutive 180- day periods, the period of any subsequent order may exceed 180 days but shall not exceed one year. The new law, if approved, would increase the time to two years.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 16.
The 13th Annual Summer Symposium, a conference hosted by Professional Training Resources and Dr. John Simoneaux, will be held July 15 through 17 in Marksville at the Paragon Casino- Resort.
The Summer Symposium fills up every year and is a favorite training event for multiple disciplines in the mental health field across the state. Attendees enjoy a relaxing and supportive environment for learning, say many. CEs are approved for 23 hours for psychologists, social workers, LPCs, Rehabilitation counselors, substance abuse counselors, and school psychologists.
This year the workshops include “The Reliability of Diagnoses,” presented by Dr. Simoneaux on Wednesday, July 15.
Dr. Larry Dilks and Dr. Kimberly Hutchinson will present, “Cognitive Rehabilitation: Diagnosis and Treatment,” also on Wednesday.
Dr. Byron Simoneaux will present on Thursday, “Sleep Disorders.”
Also on Thursday, Dr. John Simoneaux will present a workshop on “Dissociative Disorders in DSM-5.”
The final day will include a workshop by IO psychologist, Dr. Mkay Bonner, on “Community Violence––How to Respond.”
Dr. John Simoneaux will conclude the day with “Ethics: Malpractice in Therapy.”
For more information to professionaltrainingresources.com.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
HB 573 by Representatives Hazel, Hoffmann, and Jackson, put forth 33 pages of changes and additions to the methods for dealing with complaints in the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, but was revamped by substitute, and became HB 843.
The new substitute bill clarifies the causes for restrictions on licenses and discipline, including professional incompetency, medical incompetency, and unprofessional conduct.
The new law authorizes any staff member of the board, except the executive director, to act as the lead investigator for any complaint regarding a physician received by the board or any investigation regarding a physician initiated by the board upon its own motion. It provides that an initial complaint may be made by any person or by the LSBME on its own initiative and requires the initial complaint, except in cases of egregious conduct, to be made in writing and dated and provides for the minimum required content for the complaint.
The proposal prohibits the board, except in cases of egregious conduct, from taking any action upon receipt of an anonymous complaint or a complaint involving conduct that occurred more than three years from the date the complaint is received by the board.
Proposed law requires any final decision of the board to be supported by a preponderance of the evidence presented at the adjudicatory hearing.
Much of the intent of HB 573 now appears to be absent from the new measure.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
House Bill 381 has been signed into law by Gov. Jindal and becomes Act 23. The measure allows an exemption to the behavioral health services provider licensure requirement for providers operating for the sole purpose of furnishing substance abuse or mental health treatment services to specialty courts certified by the La. Supreme Court.
The present law requires behavioral health services providers to be licensed by the Dept. of Health and Hospitals. The new law adds an exemption for providers operating for the sole purpose of furnishing substance abuse or mental health services to courts certified by the La. Supreme Court as specialty courts.
Facilities or services operated for the sole purpose of providing substance abuse or mental health services to courts that are recognized and certified by the Louisiana Supreme Court as specialty courts.
The measure, put forth by Representatives Jackson and Simon, passed the House 97 to 0 and the Senate 38 to 0.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 16.
Department of Psychology, Northwestern State University has an opening for an Assistant/Associate Professor or Full Professor
Position: Assistant/Associate Professor or Full Professor – tenure track: Earned doctorate in Psychology (Preferred Clinical Psychology) Salary: $54,000 to $57,000. Experience the culture and relaxed living in Louisiana’s oldest city.
Responsibilities: Responsibilities include teaching courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, graduate thesis research and paper-in-lieu, advising, university and department service, and research/publication endeavors.
Start Date: Open until filled
Application: Send vita, transcripts, and 3 letters of recommendation: Northwestern State University, Department of Psychology Dr. Susan Thorson-Barnett, Chairperson ATTN: Search Committee 311 Bienvenu Hall Natchitoches, LA 71497. Review of application will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled. Northwestern State.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 6.
HB 194 Becomes HB 835 Passes House 99 to 0 Expands Law for Treatment of Victims
Representative Helena Moreno’s measure creates standards and procedures for the examination and treatment of victims of a sexually-oriented criminal offense and the subsequent billing for the services rendered as a result of the offense.
The newest version of the proposed law Proposed law requires all licensed hospitals and healthcare providers to adhere to the procedures set forth in proposed law in the event that a person presents or is presented for treatment as a victim of a sexually- oriented criminal offense.
Proposed law prohibits a hospital or healthcare provider from directly billing a victim for services rendered in conducting a forensic medical examination or for any healthcare services rendered to a victim as a result of the sexually-oriented criminal offense,
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 6. Source pages: 8.
The psychology board held a special meeting on June 1 to entertain motions about what action they should take, given a conclusion they appeared to have already reached–that all candidate names should be included on the Louisiana Psychological Association’s list to the Governor.
Dr. Culross and Executive Director, Ms. Kelly Parker, said their reasoning was that all names should be listed, because the Memorandum of Understanding, which specified two names, was terminated last year. They said their interpretation of the statute, which is R.S. 37:2353, was that it means “all” names.
The statue notes: “All appointments shall be from a list provided by the Louisiana Psych- ological Association [LPA]. The list shall report the results of an election…”
Dr. Rita Culross said that the meeting had been called, “To discuss the results of the 2014 election that LPA reported to the Governor’s Office. It has been noted,” she said, “that LPA did not report the results of the full election to the Governor’s Office, but only reported the vote tallies for the top two candidates,” she said. She did not specify who noted this.
The board’s interpretation and conclusion was not questioned by any of the board members. Also, Dr. Culross instructed the public members not to participate. The board voted on a motion to instruct LPA to submit a new list with the names of all those running for the position.
If the new list is sent, Dr. Jesse Lambert, a member of the Louisiana Academy of Medical Psychologists (LAMP), will be included. Dr. Lambert received 71 votes in the election. Dr. Beverly Stubblefield received 173 votes and Dr. Karen Boggs, 132. Neither of these are in LAMP. LPA submitted the two top vote getters, as has been the typical procedure, to the governor in January or early February. No appointment has been made.
Controversy over control of the psychology board has existed for several years. LAMP members, who are licensed as medical psychologists under the state medical board may also hold a license as a psychologist under the state psychology board. Medical psychologists (MPs) have maintained a 60 percent majority presence on the psychology board due to what many consider political influence. MPs comprise onlly about 5 percent of all licensed psychologists.
The board violated open meetings law by instructing the public attendees not to participate until after the board voted and also by improper notice. (See related story this issue.)
Psychology Board at the emergency meeting, listening to Dr. Joe Comaty (facing away). L to R: Dr. Zimmermann, Ms. Parker, Dr. Culross, Dr. Burnett, and Dr. Griffith. (Photo by Susan Dardard.)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 5. Source pages: 9.
Ms. Kylie Garber, a junior in psychology at the University of Louisiana Lafayette, has been awarded the prestigious American Psychological Association Summer Science Fellowship. Ms. Garber is one of only 12 students nationwide to be named for this honor. She is from Crowley, Louisiana.
Ms. Garber works in the Developmental Science Laboratory at University of Louisiana– Lafayette with Dr. Hung-Chu Lin, Dr. Valanne MacGyvers, and Dr. Yang Yang on projects examining the developmental processes of empathy and the effectiveness of a music- integrated preschool program.
The American Psychological Association (APA) Science Directorate with partner with George Mason University Department of Psychology to host the 2015 Summer Science Fellowship (SSF) program, an expenses-paid, intensive summer training program for talented students for laboratory work with outstanding researchers in the Washington, D.C. area.
According to APA, “The SSF program gives students an opportunity to explore the intellectual, personal and social processes of scientific inquiry and to experience cutting-edge psychological research through hands-on laboratory activities. SSF offers promising students the opportunity to equip themselves with skills essential to succeed in graduate school, and gives students who plan to pursue advanced degrees in psychological science the opportunity to be mentored by nationally known faculty.” Dr. Hung-Chu Lin, Associate Professor of Psychology at UL Lafayette, told the Times that she is very proud of Ms. Garber’s achievements and excited for her in this honor. “Kylie was one of the researchers that contributed to our presentation at this past biennial conference of the Society of Research in Child Development, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” Dr. Lin said.
Ms. Garber will participate in the Summer Science Fellowship program from mid June to the end of July, for a six-week session, with a stipend, and travel and living paid by APA.
Members of the UL Lafayette Developmental Science Laboratory. (L to R) Kylie Garber, Rebecca Tacke, Taylor Schaff, and Michelle Grisham. The research is under direction of psychology faculty Dr. Hung-Chu Lin, Dr. Valanne MacGyvers, and Dr. Yang Yang. The team contributed to the Society of Research in Child Development, held in Philadelphia.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The Association for Psychological Science will hold its 27th Annual Convention May 21–24 in New York City. Researchers from Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech, Tulane, University of Louisiana– Lafayette, and Xavier will be presenting their work.
Jeffrey Brown and Michael Brachfeld from Tulane psychology, and Ashley Galsky from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, will present, “The Effects of Trauma on Social Competence in African American Youth in New Orleans.” Authors will examine the nature of specific traumas experienced by African American youth in New Orleans and the relationship that this experience has to overall psychological functioning.
“Lebanese Youth’s Inclusion Judgments in Intercultural Peer Contexts,” will be presented by researchers: Tina Sahakian from Tulane psychology; Dr. Aline Hitti with American University of Beirut, in Lebanon; Jad Melki, Journalism and Media Studies, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; and Melanie Killen, Human Development and Quantitative Methodology, 'University of Maryland, College Park', in Maryland. Max Seidman from Tulane, will present, “The effect of prosocial behaviors on hypermasculine attitudes in African American Males.” The researchers analysis shows that exposure to community violence, prosocial behavior, and hypermasculine attitudes are significantly correlated.
Maxwell Anderson and Dr. Edward Golob from Tulane will present “Numbers retained in short-term memory bias auditory spatial attention.” This study examined whether long-term knowledge of numeric information in STM can bias auditory spatial attention.
Tulane’s Lisa Chinn, Carolyn Pauker, and Dr. Edward Golob, will present, “The impact of musical experience on cognitive control during an auditory Simon task.”
For “Effects of music listening on creativity and semantic memory retrieval,” authors Ashanti Anderson and Dr. Katherine Eskine from Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, and Dr. Edward Golob from Tulane University, review two experiments: examining relationships between music and creativity and if music's effect on semantic memory/mood was the mechanism for creativity. Subjects displayed more creativity and memory retrieval after music listening, but neither significantly correlated with mood, according to program materials.
University of Louisiana at Lafayette researchers, Michelle Grisham, Philip Richard, Rebecca Tacke, Jacob Amrose, Kylie Garber, Taylor Schaff, Dr. Valanne MacGyvers, and Dr. Hung-Chu Lin, will present “Dispositional Empathy and Social Inhibition Correlate with Preschoolers’ Responses towards Social Others’ Distress.” Parent-reported trait empathy and sociability were related to preschoolers’ responses to distress of the parent, a stranger, and an infant manikin.
Christopher Castille and Marangelie Vega from Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, and Ann-Marie Rabalais Castille from Human Resources Development, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania, will present, “Effect of Leader Presentation Style and Gender on Follower Perceptions.” Results suggest that a communal, not agentic, self- presentation style results in more favorable outcomes for leaders of both genders.
Yong Dai from Louisiana State University, Shreveport, and Qing Zeng from University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth Minnesota, will present “Self- esteem of Adolescents: A National Survey of High School Seniors.” Results revealed a relation between self-esteem and religious involvement when control-ling for race, noted the program.
Louisiana Tech University researchers Camille Baker, Esther Grabow, Victoria Felix, Rebecca Granda, and Dr. Walter Buboltz will present, “Sleep Quality Does Not Mediate the Relationship Between PTSD and Aggression.”
Researchers looked at whether sleep quality is a mediator in the relationship between PTSD and aggression. “Based on the results, sleep quality is not a significant mediator in the PTSD and aggression relationship.”
Sarah McConnell, Victoria Felix, and Dr. Buboltz from Louisiana Tech will present, “Authenticity and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity: A Preliminary Analysis.” Researchers examined the relationship between lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals’ self-reported identity as an LGB person and their level of authenticity. A significant positive correlation was found between the authentic living and identify affirmation subscales. “In other words, there existed a relationship between authentic living and positive feelings about one’s LGB identity. Although this is a preliminary analysis, this provides important information regarding the positive aspects of identifying as LGB. Future directions of this study include examining the relationship between authenticity and LGB identity and coping style, perceptions of social support, and openness to new experiences.”
For, “Eat Well, Sleep Well? The Link Between Nutrition and Sleep Quality,” Louisiana Tech authors Danielle Newman, Victoria Felix, Mercedes Gremellion, and Dr. Buboltz looked at six dietary intake factors and quality of sleep. The results indicated no significant relationships between the dietary variables and sleep quality. “However, as previously stated, this research stream is plagued by mixed results, thus, further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the relationship between nutrition and sleep quality.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 5. Source pages: 11.
Dr. Laura Scaramella has been named as Chair of the psychology department at the University of New Orleans. She will officially take over on May 18.
Dr. Scaramella is a professor of psychology, has served as Graduate Coordinator and leads the Families in Transition Lab, with on-going projects: Bambini Project, Mothers and Preschoolers Study, and the Family Transitions Project. In 2013 Scaramella was selected as Chairperson of a National Institute of Health (NIH) peer review group. She oversees the Psychosocial Development, Risk and Prevention study section of the Center for Scientific Review.
Scaramella's research focuses on social, genetic, and biological mechanisms affecting the parenting quality as well as the emergence of childhood behavior problems. She has also worked closely with Healthy Gulf Coast/Healthy Communities consortia, a group of researchers from across the gulf coast that are examining the impact of DeepWater Horizon Oil Spill on families and communities.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.