Originally published: . Volume 6, No. 1. Source pages: 3.
Specifics to be set out for victims of sexual assault, “Forensic Medical Exam”
An Executive Order was published in the December issue of Louisiana Register listing the duties of government agencies for assisting victims of sexual assault. In the two- page Order, Governor Jindal instructs the Crime Victims Reparations Board, in consultation with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, to revise its administrative policies and develop a list of eligible medical expenses related to the forensic medical examination for victims of sexual assault.
He also instructs the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) and the Department of Public Safety to jointly convene a group to formulate a definition for “Forensic Medical Exam” as it relates to the crime of sexual assault. One of the goals is to ensure that all charges are included in that definition and are not chargeable to the assault victim.
The Governor also tells the DHH, through the medical directors of each of its nine regional Health Service Districts, to coordinate a sexual assault response plan. The plan must be in by February 1.
The Governor introduces the topic with, “All government, of right, originates with the people, is founded on their will alone, and is instituted to protect the rights of the individual and for the good of the whole. Its only legitimate ends are to secure justice for all, preserve peace, protect the rights, and promote the happiness and general welfare of the people. …”
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. 1. Source pages: 3.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children, Youth and Families awarded grants to Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services, HP Serve and LouisianaChildren.org. The funding will center on improving outcomes for child trafficking victims in Louisiana by analyzing data and implementing best practices for children in the child welfare system. It will also be used to develop infrastructure for coordinating multiple agency efforts to deliver services, as well as expand collaborative efforts to serve victims of child trafficking.
"Protecting children is the most important thing we do at DCFS," said DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier. "Sadly, child trafficking is becoming more prevalent, but this grant will be invaluable in our work to prevent trafficking and serve those children who have already been victims of abuse and neglect."
According to the announcement, research demonstrates a connection between youth involved in child welfare systems and those who have been or become victims of child trafficking. A 2013 study by the Institution of Medicine and National Research Council, found that many times sexual abuse and involvement with child welfare precede trafficking of minors. A report conducted by the California Child Welfare Council found that 50-80 percent of victims of commercial sexual exploitation, including child sex trafficking, are or were formerly involved with child welfare.
"Sex trafficking of minors is one of the most horrific crimes that can be committed against a child," said Claudia Berry, Executive Director of HP Serve. "The trauma of being trafficked has a long term impact on all of its victims. HP Serve is pleased to have received funding from DHHS to expand what we are doing to help youth in the child welfare system who are at risk of or are involved in minor human trafficking in Louisiana."
The grant will allow DCFS and its partners increased resources to identify and combat child trafficking, including the implementation of special assessments to target children entering or returning to child welfare who may be child trafficking victims and to improve services provided.
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. 1. Source pages: 3.
Pew Research is a center for research on a wide range of topics aimed to help key stakeholders in society understand and solve the world’s most challenging problems. Pew listed a number of what researchers considered “striking findings for 2014.” Below is a list of some of the top issues from Pew and links to their reports.
1. “Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines – and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive – than at any point in the last two decades: 92% of Republicans are to the right of the median Democrat; and, conversely, 94% of Democrats are to the left of the median Republican.”
2. The gap between how much young adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher earn, and those with no degree is the largest in the modern era. This is even with huge levels of student debt and also high youth unemployment.
3. The percent of American adults who have never been married is at an all time high. At the same time, marriage rates are continuing to drop. “In 2012, one-in-five adults ages 25 and older had never been married,” noted Pew researchers. And, “Men are more likely than women to have never been married. And this gender gap has widened since 1960.”
4. “Nearly three-quarters (72%) of the public thinks religion is losing influence in American life, up from 52% who said so in 2002;” and most say they believe that the influence of religion is waning, and also see this as unfortunate and a bad situation. A growing number report that “religion should play a role in politics.”
5. While the Great Recession was hard on all US families, and housing and other assets have become to recover some of their value, this recovery is not a uniform effect. “… wealth inequality has widened along racial and ethnic lines. The median wealth of white households was 13 times the wealth of black households and 10 times that of Hispanic households in 2013, compared with eight and nine times the wealth in 2010, respectively,” says Pew.
6. The public is concerned about privacy issues. Public policy debates, especially after major hacking incidents and also high tech products that track citizens and consumer activity have fueled concerns. “ — 91% of Americans agree or strongly agree that consumers have lost control over how their personal information is collected and used by private companies.”
7. According to Pew, a majority of Americans are ready to pitch the “war on drugs: 67% say the government should focus more on providing treatment for those who use illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine, while just 26% think the government’s focus should be on prosecuting drug users,” say the Pew researchers.
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. 1. Source pages: 4.
The state Medical Board published “Guidance for Medical Psychologists” in their recent News category on their website. The guidance relates to two measures passed in the spring legislative session. The measures, Act 136 and Act 137, established the “Licensed Specialist in School Psychology” and the “Provisionally Licensed Psychologist.” The bills were amended to include medical psychologists who may supervise these new categories but who are only regulated by the state medical board.
The statement by the medical board, posted on December 17, stated that MPs licensed only under the medical board should comply with the supervisory obligations set out by the state psychology board. Specifically the announcement noted:
“While the LSBEP has no regulatory authority over MPs who do not maintain their license with the LSBEP, the supervisory requirements imposed upon LSSP [Licensed Specialist in School Psychology] and PLP [Provisionally Licensed Psychologist] by the law and any LSBEP regulations must be met in order for these individuals to lawfully practice their profession. With that in mind, the Board would consider it the professional obligation of any MP who undertakes the supervision of an LSSP or PLP to be aware of and comply with the obligations imposed on such supervisors by law and LSBEP rules. Failure to provide such supervision would work to the detriment of the LSSP or PLP (and clients), who could also be found to be engaged in an improper practice for lack of supervision.”
“In short, while there may little occasion for an MP to serve as a supervisor for a LSSP or a PLP, an MP who does so should comply with the supervisory obligations imposed by law and LSBEP regulations. To do otherwise may be viewed by the Board as unprofessional conduct or having a professional association with an improper practitioner, which could give rise to disciplinary investigation and/or action by the Board.”
According to the August minutes of the Medical Board, Dr. C. Mouton, Executive Director of the Medical Board, met with Kelly Parker, Executive Director for the psychology board, and discussed these new Acts and that included medical psychologists as potential supervisors. “… Following review and discussion it was the consensus of the Board to await the input of the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee on this matter,” noted the August minutes.
In the September minutes of the psychology board, minutes noted, “Ms. Parker updated the Board regarding the meeting with LSBME and counsel.”
And in their meeting on October 10, the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee was listed in its agenda to discuss the Rules for Acts 136 and 137. No minutes have been published thus far as to the substance of that discussion.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
In last year's Christmas Bookshelf column, I wrote about my love of reading what are referred to as “Cozy Mysteries.” I especially enjoy reading these types of mysteries when the theme relates to holidays. This year, I have picked out (but not yet started to read) Aunt Dimity's Christmas by Nancy Atherton. This book is one in a series of Aunt Dimity books, she being a ghost who pays regular visits to a young woman who inherited and lives in her English cottage. Aunt Dimity provides assistance to this young woman as she solves various mysteries in her small village in the Cottwolds. They are truly cozy mysteries and I hope for some cold weather so that I can build a fire in the fireplace and imagine that I am in an English cottage as I read this book.
I am also in the process of organizing my children's Christmas books. I am looking forward to spending Christmas with my grand niece, Kaylee, who will be staying at my house for Christmas with her parents, grandfather and uncle. At four years
of age, she is at the perfect age to appreciate the magic of Christmas. Kaylee lost her grandmother, my sister, this past September so I hope to fill in and provide her with some special traditions and memories for Christmas. I am hoping to share with her some of my favorite Christmas stories from my childhood. One of my all time childhood favorites was the Littlest Snowman, a story about a snowman who comes to life to help provide a town with a snowy Christmas. I had saved this book for many years, lost it in Hurricane Katrina, and found another copy at a book fair. So it is a prized possession. I have also replaced my copies of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, The Littlest Angel, A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Miracle on 34th Street, all books which I always loved as a child. I hope that Kaylee will come to love these stories as much as I do.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
At a November 21 planning meeting of the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Psychologists, board members described their intention to add to the list of reasons they can discipline psychologists.
In a handout to those attending the meeting, board members suggested wording for a new category of discipline: “Inappropriate behavior. Psychologists shall not behave in such a manner that would be regarded by other psychologists, Board members or Board staff, as unprofessional conduct, disparaging, disrespectful or as a discredit to the profession while practicing the profession of psych- ology or representing themselves as a psychologist.”
The move would be an addition to R.S. 37:2359, section “B” which currently includes 15 disciplinary categories, for the “denial,
revocation, or suspension of license.”
“One of the reasons we’re adding, proposing adding #16,” Chair Dr. Rita Culross told the group, “is because the APA [American Psychological Association] ethics code does not cover psychologist–psychologist interactions. It covers how you relate to clients but it doesn’t cover an interaction between two psychologists and that’s come up as an issue and we want to make it specific that you can’t engage in an unprofes- sional manner towards your colleagues, …” said Culross.
If the board decides to go forward they will introduce a bill at the 2015 legis- lature for change, and follow with writing Rules.
Among the materials provided by the board was
a copy of an anonymous letter (see below), sent to the board, following a November 10 email from Executive Director Kelly Parker. In that email, Parker noted the discussion may include, “profane communication in a professional setting directed at a client, another health care professional, a member of the public, or any profane communication directed at the Board, Board members, or its staff.”
Board members and attendees discussed the proposal for about 45 minutes at the November meeting, including the issue of free speech.
“This is actually not talking about speech, it’s talking about behavior,” Parker said. “It’s not talking about attempting to regulate the speech, it talking about someone’s behavior.”
Board member Dr. Joe Comaty said, “Clearly, the First Amendment does not absolutely protect free speech. There are limits on the rights of free speech, in a number of categories. One of which has to do with what’s considered in the context of federal regulations, ‘fighting words.’ And that’s where an individual uses language to incite another individual and its based on whether the other individual feels threatened.”
The board members indicated that Ms. Parker felt threatened by a licensee on the phone and this was an example of the type of problem the new law would cover.
“So for example,” said Comaty, “if someone calls the staff and threatens them, that could be considered a limit on the right of free speech and an
encroachment on the safety of that individual within the office. I don’t believe that the board or a member of the board’s staff should be subjected to threats from licensees, either implied or direct.”
“I believe that the board has a responsibility to take steps necessary to protect the safety of the staff,” he said. “The issue is whether the board has the authority to regulate the behavior of its licensees, and like I said,
that’s been upheld. And, I believe that it is appropriate for licensees to behave in an professional manner, and what we have not defined yet is what the limits of that are.”
“We have people who will curse on the phone to our staff,” said Dr. Darla Burnett. “That’s inappropriate behavior.”
Parker told the group that Canada has a code of professionalism, and that Oregon is implementing one. Also, she said, Nevada is looking into the topic. “And I can’t tell you what we deal with at the board office,” she said.
“This is a growing thing,” Vice Chair, Dr. Marc Zimmermann, said. “Professionalism is a growing thing separated out from ethics.” He explained that the lawyers have policies for professionalism.
Attendees and board members also discussed whether current law and Rules should be satisfactory in covering behaviors that would be of concern.
Currently the law includes 15 items as grounds for discipline, in R.S. 37:2359. These include endangering the welfare of patients, harassment, sexual conduct, gross malpractice or gross negligence. Also included are certain types of fraud, deception, lying, and exploitation. Also, #12 includes ethics violations and “other immoral, unprofes- sional, or dishonorable
conduct as defined in the rules and regulations of the board.”
Dr. Joe Tramontana, current president of the Louisiana Psychological Association, said, “I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that APA used to have something in the code about character assassination of our colleagues. It might not be there anymore. Am I wrong?”
Dr. Comaty responded, “The problem is that it is in the preamble to the code, which is aspirational and not enforceable. But yes, it does speak to the issue of professional behavior. As do other references. ASBBP is working on a code of conduct.”
“We have looked at this from a federal level, from a constitutional level, from a regulatory level,” said Comaty, “and there’s a concept in constitutional law called the govern- ment’s authority to regulate the Bar. And that speaks specifically to the regulatory authority of, in this case the Bar Association, to regulate the behavior of its individuals who are licensed under the Bar,” he said.
“This, in the broad context, actually extends this authority to all regulatory boards to regulate the behavior of
its licensees, so that the safety of the public is protected. Part of the safety of the public is appropriate professional behavior. So, this clearly is within the scope of the authority of regulatory agencies,” Comaty said.
Dr. Darla Burnett said, “Rule number 12 actually says, ‘other moral, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct. We don’t have Rules that cover the things such as Joe’s mentioning,” she said.
“For me,” said Dr. Phil Griffin, “there’s no teeth in it. It doesn’t really say anything. It just saying behave like a lady or a gentleman.”
“And the fact that it is happening on a more regular basis, raises the level of concern,” said Dr. Comaty, “to the point where its necessary to consider something that would address issues in a specific manner, by the APA code of ethics. That’s why, the frequency with which this occurs across the country, in other jurisdictions, that ASPPB is drafting a code of conduct.”
“Psychologists calling other psychologists names, as is mentioned, in public. Where it might influence the concern of a client, a patient, the public. The profession has to be respected, and when we have licensees who behave in a manner that does discredit to the profession vis a vis the public. I believe that is the appropriate purview for the regulatory board,” he said.
Discussion included whether it is the board’s responsibility to protect a profession.
“When it has an effect on the clients,” said Dr. Culross, “it certainly does because the board is representing to the public that these are the individuals who are duly licensed and okay to treat you, and if you have the behavior where one psychologist is disparaging another, for no reason at all, then that public is denied access to that second individual,” she said.
“… we just wanted to review the list,” said Parker, current Executive Director, “since we’ve been having so many issues. We’ve actually been very busy in the investigation arena.”
Dr. Culross said the board has not voted on the matter, and “We will take all these comments under consideration and continue to explore this issue.”
Dr. Rita Culross, current Chair of the psychology board, and Dr. Marc Zimmermann, Vice Chair, listen to attendees at the November 21 Long-Range Planning meeting of the LSBEP.
Dr. Joe Tramontana looks on as Dr. Darlyne Nemeth suggests a change in wording about internship experiences for those using the title neuropsychologist.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 16. Source pages: 12.
Permanent Present Tense: The Unforgettable Life of the Amnesic Patient, H.M. is a scientific biography of Henry Molaison, perhaps the most intensively studied patient in the history of neurology, written by Suzanne Corkin, a psychologist who did research with him for forty-six years. In 1953 Molaison underwent brain surgery in an attempt to treat his intractable seizure disorder. The neurosurgeon removed the hippocampi and surrounding tissues from both hemispheres of his brain, despite a lack of clear-cut evidence regarding the point of origin of his seizures. From a present perspective the surgeon was almost literally operating in the dark.
The surgery actually succeeded in its therapeutic goal, but at that time no one was aware that removing these brain structures would almost entirely eliminate his ability to form new memories for facts, events, names, people, or his own personal history after his surgery. As a result he was—as the book’s title implies—adrift in the present moment for the rest of his life. It was as if the narrative thread of his life history were being continuously erased thirty seconds behind the present moment. He had at least some awareness that his memory was not very good, but no grasp of the implications of just how profoundly altered he was, or how limited. An ironic upside to his situation was that with no continuity of personal narrative, he was blithely pleasant and untroubled by the stressors the rest of us experience in life. Scientific study of H.M. produced enormous gains in our understanding of how memory processes operate, including, for instance, the fact that he could improve through practice on motor skills tasks, even though learning for facts or events was almost entirely eliminated.
Corkin gives a sympathetic portrayal of H.M. as an individual, a pleasant, somewhat introverted man with a good sense of humor, who was almost unfailingly cooperative with the scientists who studied him intensively over many years. She also presents a considerable amount of information on learning and memory in an engaging and lucid manner.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
A $171 million mid-year budget shortfall prompted some in higher education to begin to brace for more cuts, following 7 years and a 46 percent reduction in funding to the state’s universities.
After the Revenue Estimating Conference posted a review on November 14, the Jindal Administration said that higher education would be protected. But at the same time, it is unlikely that higher education can remain unscathed from a projected $1.4 billion problem that is forecasted for the following cycle.
Governor Jindal’s administration said on November 21 that the mid-year gap could be closed, in part, with $130.4 million collected through bits and pieces of other programs.
One of these pieces involves eliminating 167 vacant positions and freeze hiring. According to NOLA.com, 47 positions will come from the Department of Health and Hospitals, 40 from the Department of Children and Family Services, and 14 from the Department of Education. Other savings are to come from travel, contracts, supplies, and other sources.
Nola.com asked State Senator Jack Donahue, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee if he thought it was possible to make the necessary spending cuts while protecting higher education. He said, "No. I don't."
As reported in The Advertiser, Sandra Woodley, president of the University of Louisiana system said, "The administration has indicated its commitment to protecting the state's investment in higher education. As such, we do not anticipate a mid-year budget reduction for our nine universities.”
But some observers say that higher education is one of the few sources left for cuts, and it will be in the bull’s eye come the issues with the $1.4 billion shortfall.
In a recent editorial on the state’s problems, the American Press (Monroe) author wrote, “Pity the future for higher education in Louisiana. It is now the major target when it comes to cutting the budget.”
The recent passage of Amendments on the November 4 ballot gave nursing homes, pharmacies, some health care providers, and hospitals, protection from cuts. American Press reported that Rep. Jim Fannin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee said about these Admendments, “Now you’re leaving higher education unprotected. It takes another item off the agenda when you have a shortfall.”
The four college systems in Louisiana have loss $700 million in state funding since 2008. This is one of the most severe cuts across the nation for higher education.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 16. Source pages: 12.
The author of FM127, the 93 year old Louis Leon, my uncle, is a most interesting man. A combat engineer for the Army in WWII, he was involved in every campaign from Normandy to the Elb River. He graduated from Texas A&M with a civil engineering degree, and worked for one of the large engineering firms with international reach, Fluor Corporation, rising to become Vice President and Project Manager. At age 70, he entered a 4-year course in novel writing at Rice University. He was married for 68 years to his beloved wife, Fannie. FM127, published by iUniverse in 2012, was his third published novel.
The Farm To Market (FM) roads are a system of connecting routes from rural areas to market towns built and maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation in the 1940s. The FM system is credited with helping Texas rise to mercantile prominence after the War. Using FM127 as the title, Leon evokes a rise to money and power by his heroine, Caroline Morgan, a beautiful and powerful woman accused of murdering her husband. The real problem was caused when a low- level Texas gangster, Gambretti, sets up operations for money laundering, gambling, and prostitution. Morgan strikes back, arranging to use the sheriff’s forces to counter Gambretti.
This is a story about money, power, and corruption, but the people with money and power aren’t necessarily the bad guys. Leon thoroughly understands how money and power work, and how communication and back-dealing on the golf course or while eating steaks are effective means of handling transactions. His clear understanding creates the authenticity in this story.
Readers are treated to real back-roads Texas politics (“all politics is local”), which I found far more interesting than the stereotypic episodes of Dallas. Businessmen and women, judges, lawyers, and reporters populate this novel. There are no psychologists in it, but Louisiana psychologists will appreciate the straightforward analysis of motivation and self-interest, and will certainly understand how money is used to get things done, for good or bad.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
With record attendance, Dr. Debra Duhe presented a daylong workshop developed by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) at the recent annual conference of the Louisiana School Psychological Association, held November 5-7 in Lafayette.
The workshop is one of the steps in a program that NASP has been developing over the last decade, to provide
evidence-based resources and consultation related to school crisis prevention and response.
Dr. Duhe presented the first workshop, on prevention and preparedness, to the packed conference. A second workshop on crisis intervention and recovery is part of the NASP program, that also offers train-the- trainer workshops.
PREPaRE stands for Prevent, Reaffirm, Evaluate, Provide and Respond, and Examine. The training is designed for schools committed to improving and strengthening their school safety and crisis management plans and emergency response, according to NASP. The goal is to help schools improve their safety and crisis management using existing resources.
The November conference had one of the highest attendance records with 225 school psychologists from over the state attending, said Dr. Yael Banai, past President of the association. She also noted that one of the main issues being discussed is the licensure of Specialists in School Psychology, and their potential work in Charter Schools.
(L to R) Dr. Chavez Phelps, President elect of The Louisiana School Psychological Association, Candace Dozier, SSP, President of LSPA, and Francoise Parr, SSP, Past-President of LSPA. The group attended the recent 34th annual conference in Lafayette. The conference was highlighted by two day-long workshops conducted by Dr. Debra Duhe and by Dr. Bonnie Nastasi of Tulane University. The convention had one of the highest records for attendance, more than 225 school psychologists from all over the state attended.
(Photo by Dr. Yael Banai)
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 16. Source pages: 12.
I love books that open the door to understanding how human beings get into and react to situations that are unusual. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is the story of his trip to climb Mount Everest. Turned out to be the deadliest season ever on the mountain. Krakauer went to write an article for Outside magazine.
Climbing takes the climber to a world full of danger and unpredictable events, and requires decisions that are a matter of life and death. By the time you make an attempt at the top (in what is called the death zone) you are usually sick and sleep deprived. On Krakauer’s trip a storm came up long before everyone on line had gone up. The most challenging part of an expedition on Everest is getting down. What a nightmare. Bodies cannot be evacuated from the top of the mountain so part of your experience is passing the dead bodies as you climb.
How do human beings cope with such dangerous and difficult circumstances? No one better to tell you than Krakauer. He is a superb writer and a fine observer.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
The holiday season for most people is a fun time of the year filled with parties, celebrations and social gatherings with family and friends. For some people, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, depression and anxiety.
Whether you call it Holiday Blues, Holiday Depression (sometimes called Winter Blues just to confuse things) or Holiday Grief, these feelings may impact us or our clients at this time of the year. The Blues can result from a mismatch between high expectations for the perfect holiday mixed with memories of holidays past, loved ones no longer present and the reality of the current holiday.
There are several factors responsible for these feelings. Fewer daylight hours and the fact that between 2-5% of the population have some symptoms of seasonal depression (the old term was Seasonal Affective Disorder).
A second factor is extra costs that often strain our weekly, monthly or yearly budgets, whether it is special presents or last minute travel costs. The holidays also mean more activities and less time. We know you will not believe it, but there are only 168 hours in each week. The normal responsibilities and tasks involving family and work get added to by other chores, so many of us and our clients feel a significant time crunch. We all know and tell our clients that when you are stressed, exercise and sleep are good antidotes for those feelings, but they often take a back seat to extra errands and household chores.
Throw in overindulgence in food and drink, and the blues may follow. Relationships can be a trigger point for holiday blues.
Whether it is the cousin Lee whose personality you can’t stand, or the first holiday season without a loved one, you can find yourself feeling sad.
Another factor is non-traditional living. Back around the middle of the last century (You know, 1950-1960), the family was two parents, two children, (and maybe two dogs). Today less than 23 % of all households meet that criteria. We have redefined the family, but separations, divorce, death, adoptions, social change have lead to the creation of alternative family forms that may cause some people to feel some dissonance with the traditional holiday-related behavior and values.
What about intervention for holiday blues. Here is a Baker’s dozen (We are both related to families named Baker) keys to reduce holiday blues.
1) One key to minimizing holiday blues is to know that the holidays can trigger stress and depression.
2) Accept that things aren't always going to go as planned. Something always comes up. Accept those imperfections, both in yourself and in others.
3) Acknowledge and express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season, especially if you have had a recent loss in the family or you can’t be with loved ones.
4) Don't be a martyr. Seek support, be it from family, friends, the community, or religious activities. Helping others can lift your spirits and broaden your friendships.
5) Be realistic. Traditions and rituals change as families change and grow. Hold on to those you can and want to keep, but accept that you may have to let go of others. Find new ways to celebrate.
6) Stick to a budget. You can’t buy happiness with gifts.
7) Set realistic resolutions. Don’t resolve to change your whole life, return to basic healthy routines with small specific goals set in a reasonable time span.
8) Accept family members and friends as they are. Practice forgiveness, or at least set aside grievances for later.
9) Plan ahead, whether it is menus, shopping trips or travel.
10) Learn to say “NO.” If you say yes only when you want to do something, you will avoid feeling overwhelmed, resentful or bitter.
11) Make some time for yourself. Hide in the bathroom, take an evening walk, listen to music, even if only for a few minutes.
12) Don’t abandon health habits. Get some exercise, some sleep, and some indulgence, but not overindulgence.
13) Seek “professional” help. Whether it is your own psychologist, your spouse, significant other, fishing buddy, coffee group, canine, or in our case, feline companions to help you realize you need to do the 12 above keys.
Happy Holidays from the Matthews: Ménage, Janet, Lee, Judy and Lucy
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 16. Source pages: 13.
Dr. Jessica Alexander and Dr. Dennis Poepsel have joined the Centenary College Psychology Department, located in Shreveport.
Dr. Alexander is an Assistant Professor who comes from Concord University in Athens, West Virginia where she was Asst Professor of Psychology. At Concord she taught psychology, linguistics, and neuroscience and also served as research mentor. She is a graduate of Hendrix College and completed her graduate studies at Emory University’s Cognition and Development Psychology program. She has published in the Journal of Acoustical Society of America, J. of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, and Personality and Individual Differences.
Alexander told the Centenary news service, "I am excited to join the fantastic faculty and staff at Centenary, and I'm looking forward to meeting the excellent students that I've heard so much about," said Alexander.
Dr. Dennis Lawrence Poepsel has joined as Visiting Professor and comes to Centenary from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. There he was Asst Professor of Psychology. He earned his doctorate in Experimental Psychology with a Social Emphasis from the University of Arkansas. In his dissertation, Are All Voices Created Equal?: Conditional Indirect Effects of Directness of One’s Voice on Perceived Uncertainty and Performance, he looked at voice and decision making in groups. His research interests include intergroup cooperation, social dilemmas, and procedural justice.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 16. Source pages: 4.
The psychology board plans to remove the Emeritus designation from the Psychology Practice Act in the upcoming 2015 legislative session, said board representatives at a November planning meeting.
The move would delete the sentence, ‘The status of psychologist emeritus is hereby created.” Those over age 65 who wish to retain a license will pay ½ of the regular renewal fee.
“Basically what we’re proposing here is that once a psychologist is over the age of 65 and has held continuous licensure as a psychologist for at least 20 years and is retired from full time practice of psychology, they’ll only pay half of whatever the fees are …” said Chair, Dr. Rita Culross. “But what we’re doing is removing the emeritus title because it is confusing to the public.”
“Emeritus is typically associated with a individual who is retired and many of our emeritus people continue to practice,” she said. “So what we’re maintaining here, is the ability, once you turn 65, of significantly less fees. But, you would still be called a psychologist at that point in time.”
“And if this goes into effect we’ll make allowances for anybody who is emeritus to assume this new position without any kind of penalty in the current process,” she said.
The Times asked if the emeritus title would remain for those who no longer practice at all. Culross said, “I don’t think so. Because if the individual is still licensed, then they’ll still be a psychologist.”
Culross said that Louisiana is the only state with the emeritus status, and while most states give
psychologists over age 65 or 70 a fee reduction, there is no separate category.
“… you’re either licensed or not, you’re either a psychologist or not,” Culross said.
Dr. Darla Burnett said, “We debated amongst ourselves, keeping it, not keeping it, calling it …, making it a new category if you’re retired. But if you’re licensed you can still practice psychology. So, It becomes tricky, because, does the board want to maintain a list of people that aren’t licensed but they can still say they psychologists?” she said.
“We went back and forth on the best way to do it. And decided that as long your licensed and you can still practice, you have to stay licensed.”
Dr. Marc Zimmermann said, “I think previous boards have been remiss. I hope I’m not insulting anyone, in the fact that what we’re saying is, ‘if you’re, old, you don’t have to learn anything new.’ Or ‘you only have to learn half of the new stuff,’” he said.
“And, how do you justify if you’re treating one patient or a thousand patients? If CE or CPD is what’s important and valid, then how do you defend that, just because you’re old, you don’t need it?”
Culross said that the board had surveyed their complaints, and looked at national data, and found that the majority of complaints come for older psychologists.
Kelly Parker, Executive Director, said that complaints are higher for those with 20 years of practice and more.
Currently there are 49 or 50 emeritus psychologists, Parker said.
Ms. Kelly Parker, Executive Director of the psychology board and Dr. Joe Comaty, recently appointed member, listen to the discussion from the other board members at a November planning meeting.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.
Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 16. Source pages: 13.
Dr. Julie Alvarex has rejoined the Tulane psychology department as Senior Professor of Practice in Psychology. She will be teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses said the Tulane announcement. Her graduate courses will include Health Psychology I and II.
Alvarez obtained her doctorate in clinical from Emory University. She is returning to Tulane after a year as staff psychologist at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans. The announcement notes that she is enthusiastic to return “home.”
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.