Originally published: . Volume 5, No. 15. Source pages: 4.
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists will hold its annual Long-Range Planning meeting on Friday, November 21, in Baton Rouge.
The meeting will be held at the Louisiana Municipal Administration Building, at 700 N. 10th Street, downtown Baton Rouge. The meeting will begin at 9 am and is scheduled for Meeting Room 1.
According to board announcement the topics will include telepsychology, cost sharing with the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, and unspecified issues regarding the legislative session. The announcement listed revisions to the current psychology practice Act regarding the election process.
Dr. Steven Welsh speaks at a previous Long-Range Planning meeting of the psychology board about the possibilities of a credential for school psychology specialists. His ideas have come to fruition. Legislative was passed this year and Dr. Welsh is currently serving on the Advisory Committee.
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. 15. Source pages: 15.
November 14, New Orleans Writing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) That Meet Standards
LSUHSC Human Development Center is hosted a training workshop focused on producing effective Individual Education Plans (IEPs) that meet standards and conform to goals of Special Education programs.
The training will focus on “What makes for an effective IEP, especially when LA Act 833 requires IEP Committees to ‘establish minimum performance requirements in the student's Individualized Education Plan relevant to promotion or graduation requirements’?” Also addressed will be “How can IEPs be aligned with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS)? CCSS provides schools yet another opportunity to improve student achievement by attending to research-based practices.”
This presentation will address “establishing minimum performance requirements,” link CCSS to CBM's singe rich task, and support the use of a few, scientifically-sound basic skills indicators as the basis for writing IEP goals and powerful progress monitoring practices.
For more information go to http://www.hdc.lsuhsc.edu/tiers/CommonCoreReg/
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. 15. Source pages: 4.
September minutes for the psychology board indicate that the board will be developing a media workgroup to develop policies and procedures for how to respond to media requests. The minutes noted that the board considered a recent media request and carefully considered the issues. Chair Dr. Rita Culross appointed Dr. Marc Zimmermann and Dr. Joe Comaty to the media workgroup.
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. 15. Source pages: 15.
The Gulf Coast Applied Behavior Analysis Conference will be held November 13 through 15 at the Cook Hotel Conference Center on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge.
One of the keynote speakers for this year’s conference is Emma Hawkins, MSc, BA (Hon), PGCE, BCBA, CABAS, Associate Behavior Analyst and Director of Education at The Jigsaw CABAS School. Hawkins will speak on, “The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts: Creating Synergy by Applying Behavior Analysis to All Levels of the Organization.”
Dr. Rich Mancil and Dr. Grant Gautreaux will present workshops, along with others, and up to 14 units of Continuing Education will be available to conference attendees.
A presentation by the Louisiana Applied Behavior Analyst board is planned to for this year’s event. According the board’s minutes, the members will review a summary of events and updates on rules and the Act 481.
Online registration is now open. Call for Papers deadline has been extended and additional information can be found at the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association website.
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. 15. Source pages: 4.
According to the September minutes of the psychology board, Executive Director Kelly Parker met with the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and counsel. No other information was provided in the minutes or the agenda as to the specific purpose of the 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. 15. Source pages: 16.
N.O.–B. Psychoanalytic Center, Nov 8 Dr. Walt Ehrhardt to Present on Object Relations
Dr. Walt Ehrhardt will present “An Objective Relations Primer on Aggression in Couples, on November 8 from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm at the New Orleans-Birmingham Psychoanalytic Center in New Orleans.
Dr. Ehrhardt will cover types of aggression, how they affect each partner and the therapist's utilization of countertransference in working through with the couple as a unit, utilizing conjoint therapy modality of treatment. Participants will learn about intrapsychic and interpsychic aspects on co-created roles between persons in the therapeutic setting, notes the Center’s review. Also, participants will see how triangulated sequences operate in aggressive shifts.
The presentation is part of the series Psychoanalysis in Action, designed for those curious about what psychoanalysis is and how it works, and also for the seasoned analyst.
In a December presentation, Dr. Scott Griffies, will present, “The Neuroanatomy of Psychoosomatics and some Implications for Psychoanalysis.” The presentation will be held on December 6 at the Center. Patients with psychosomatic disorders are torn between their need for an attachment object to help them regulate stress and their fear that attachment — including attachment to a therapist — is in itself a threat. This makes traditional insight- oriented therapy something of a dilemma.
Dr. Griffies will guide participants to understand how attachment trauma effects brain development in psychosomatic disorders and how neurobiological changes in psychosomatic patients present clinical challenges in psychotherapy.
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. 15. Source pages: 4.
The Licensed Specialist in School Psychology Advisory Committee meet on October 30 to review matters in implementation of the new credential for school psychology specialists.
Members of the Advisory Committee are Dr. Steven Welsh, serving a 3 year term on the Committee, Dr. Lucinda DeGrange, who is serving for a term of 2 years, and Dr. Carmen Broussard, who is currently serving a one year term, according to the minutes.
The agenda notes that the group was scheduled to dicuss disciplinary procedures and rules, as well as the final LSSP rules. Also on the agenda was a discussion regarding the Louisiana School Psychological Association Convention and the psychology board Long-Range Planning in November.
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. 15. Source pages: 4.
Oct 15, Information Only Emergency Rule for Specialists in School Psychology
The psychology board published information on October 15 on the Emergency Rules posting list of the Louisiana Register, regarding licensure of specialists in school psychology pursuant to Act 136 of the 2014.
However, according to the Editor, the Emergency Rule was not submitted in accordance with the prescribed uniform system of Louisiana Administrative Code codification guidelines. Therefore, it is being published as an informative measure for public review without regard to validity.
The Rule identifies the constitution, functions and responsibilities of the licensed specialist in School Psychology Advisory Committee. According to the information listed, the Committee is to include two members that are licensed school psychologists licensed under the LSBEP, selected from a list of self- nominations to the board. Also, one member that is either a licensed school psychologist licensed under the LSBEP or a licensed specialist in school psychology licensed under LSBEP will serve. The board’s executive director is to be an ex- officio, non-voting member.
The emergency rule also covers the scope, program requirements and supervised practica, and general program requirements. Also covered are supervision, qualifications of supervisors, and the supervision of graduate students and graduates in specialist-level school psychology. Also reviewed are Ethical Standards, among other topics.
Fees are listed at $200 for applications, $75 for the Jurisprudence Exam, and $100 for annual renewals.
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. 15. Source pages: 4.
Oct 20, Final Final Rules for Behavior Analyst Board
The Behavior Analyst Board has published Rules for Act 351 of the 2013 Legislative Session that created the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board. Act 351 mandates licensure of behavior analysts, state certification of assistant behavior analysts and registration of line technicians performing applied behavior analysis services in Louisiana.
Several Rules have been published. A Chapter 3 Rules addresses application procedures and board fees, for Behavior Analysts, State Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts, and Registration of Line Technicians. Fees are from $400 for the Bheavior Analyst, including renewal, to $50 for Line Technicians. Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts fee is $250.
A second Rule covers Disciplinary Actions, including complaints and investigations and hearings. A Rule for Supervision Requirements is also part of the overall group of new regulations.
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. 14. Source pages: 2.
It was another one of those months where I could find no one in government who was willing to talk to me on the record. Boards & Commissions blew off all my requests for an interview. And, while the public relations person at DHH was one of the nicest I’ve run into, ultimately the questions were ignored. The psychology board first said that a request was denied because it was “excessive” but then when I rewrote it, they said there was nothing to report. To top that off, I’d been asking for an interview for months and they gave me a “regret to inform you” letter. It looks like no way is their final answer.
I’m not surprised. However, I also believe that we are in a critical time in our society where leaders need to be open, honest, and non-defensive. It has been a central tenet in organizational psychology since some of the early writings, such as Rensis Likert and his New Ways of Managing Conflict, where he points to “open, candid, and unguarded” styles in leaders and groups as a predictor of effectiveness.
While ruminating about all the rejections, I began to catalogue reasons why leaders, and especially psychologist-leaders, should discipline themselves to be open.
1. Because APA ethics say so. “Psychologists establish relationships of trust with those with whom they work,” and “Psychologists seek to promote accuracy, honesty and truthfulness … ,” and “Psychologists respect and protect civil and human rights and the central importance of freedom of inquiry … .”
2. Answering questions promotes trust. Trust is the profound glue in social exchanges and human relationships, the proxy for “I will not cheat you.” It has deep psychological and evolutionary foundations. Trust is hard to build and easy to destroy. To refuse to answer a question indicates, even if it is not the case, that there is something to hide. Stephen Covey, in The Speed of Trust, says it is the one thing that changes everything else.
3. Openness and answering questions allows a check on group-think. Groups are vulnerable to confirmation bias and all sorts of other errors in judgment, and outsiders asking pointed questions allows for improved insight. If a group is truly open, they will invite the opportunity to have this double- check on their logic. Yes, it does take more time and some people ask questions just to be nags. But even given the drawbacks, better decisions are worth the trouble.
4. Inviting questions helps reduce self-deception, blind spots, and arrogance for those in power. An open exchange promotes a more egalitarian tone or climate, respect for others, and suggests shared power. When individuals in authority discipline themselves to hear dissent and remain open to criticism, it is an antidote for over- confidence and arrogance, which automatically happens when humans are placed in roles of power.
5. Being open fosters individual maturity. Being open to questions and feedback is also developmentally valuable for the individual. It pushes the person to deal with resulting emotions––the fears, insecurities, and suppressed themes that they typically avoid. This tension is like confession, it is good for the soul.
6. You get to feel good about yourself. Promoting and striving for openness, truth, and accountability allows you to feel morally superior. You can flaunt it to your friends, preach about the value of honesty, openness, and even cite evolutionary psychology.
You can quote the First Amendment, John Adams, and “Vox popui vox dei,” because sometimes the voice of the people really is the voice of God.
So, it’s comforting to be able to stand on a universal, transcendent value. As the classical scholar Edith Hamilton once wrote, right before the outbreak of WWII:
“When the world is storm-driven and the bad that happens and the worse that threatens are so urgent as to shut out everything else from view, then we need to know all the strong fortresses of the spirit which men have built through the ages.”
Openness, like truth, is one of those fortresses.
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. 14. Source pages: 14.
October 15–18 in Shreveport Louisiana Primary Care Assn to Hold Conference
The Louisiana Primary Care Association (LPCA) will hold its 31st Annual Continuing Education Conference on October 15-18, 2014 at the Shreveport Convention Center in Shreveport, LA. This year's theme is "Transforming Care: Moving from Vision to Reality."
Pre-conference training will be offered on “Louisiana Marketplace Workshop,” “Health Center Controlled Network (HCCN), and a post-conference training event will be offered, “Louisiana Governance Academy Training.”
LPCA provides training to improve health center operations for those in health care and non-profit environments.
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. 14. Source pages: 5.
In March 2014 the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board, Chaired by Emily Bellaci, M.A., wrote to the Louisiana Ethics Administration asking for their opinion about accepting donations and gifts.
Bellaci wrote, “The LBAB is a self-funded Board and receives no money from the general fund. The Board has licensed a very small number of licensees compared to other health occupation regulatory Boards. Therefore the LBAB requests an Ethic’s Opinion seeking ethical clarification on the Board’s ability to accept private and public donations, grants, and gifts of money.”
She wrote that the Applied Behavior Analysis licensing act, Act 351, notes that the board may “Accept grants, donations, or gifts of money or services from public or private individuals or organizations or from any other sources to be utilized for the purposes of the Board.”
She gave examples for consideration, which included a $5,000 donation from the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Association that was made as a “start-up donation.” Bellaci questioned whether this should be considered a donation, gift, or loan, and how should it be reported. She said that future donations may occur, and asked, “Could this present an issue since the advocacy organization and Board may have different legislative agendas or different positions…?”
She also asked about how grants and donations should be reported and whether or not there is a dollar limit. She presented hypothetical situations, such as one where a private donation is received from a family that contracts for services with a Licensed Behavior Analyst, and then six months later files a complaint with the board about the practitioner.
The Ethics Board concluded that since the questions posed do not relate to issues under its jurisdiction, it declined to give an advisory opinion.
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. 14. Source pages: 14.
The Louisiana Group Psychotherapy Society will hold its Fall Institute on
November 1, at the Behavioral Wellness Center on North Boulevard, in Baton Rouge.
The Institute will feature Dr. John Pickering, who will present on Mindfulness.
Dr. John Pickering, clinical psychologist from Baton Rouge, and practitioner of Zen Buddhism and meditation for over 40 years, co-founded a small Zen meditation and study group with Dr. Gary Pettigrew that has now met weekly for nearly 20 years. He also helped create the Friday night (English speaking) meditation group at the Tam Bao Buddhist Temple. Dr. Pickering is in private practice in clinical psychology at Dawson Psychological Associates where he has “always incorporated what is now termed a mindfulness-informed therapeutic approach,” he explained to the Times in a previous interview.
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. 14. Source pages: 5.
The state psychology board sent email notices to licensed psychologists on September 29 that nominations were open for a board position beginning July 2015. The position is a five-year term, to replace the outgoing Chair, Dr. Rita Culross, who will complete her term next June.
Self-nominations forms are available from the board. This is the first time the psychology board will be conducting the election, which have been previously conducted by the Louisiana Psychological Association (LPA). The LPA Council voted to discontinue holding the election after clerical errors escalated to security concerns by one of the candidates, and three ballots had to be sent out to voters.
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. 14. Source pages: 14.
The Gulf Coast Applied Behavior Analysis Conference will be held November 13 through 15 at the Cook Hotel Conference Center on the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge.
One of the keynote speakers for this year’s conference is Emma Hawkins, MSc, BA (Hon), PGCE, BCBA, CABAS, Associate Behavior Analyst and Director of Education at The Jigsaw CABAS School.
Hawkins will address, “The Whole is Greater than the Sum of its Parts: Creating Synergy by Applying Behavior Analysis to All Levels of the Organization.”
Other keynote speakers and symposia will be arranged for Friday, November 14, according to the notices.
Dr. Rich Mancil and Dr. Grant Gautreaux will present workshops, along with others, and up to 14 units of Continuing Education will be available to conference attendees.
A presentation by the Louisiana Applied Behavior Analyst board is planned to for this year as well. According the board’s minutes, the members will review a summary of events and updates on rules and the Act 481.
Online registration is now open. Call for Papers deadline has been extended and additional information can be found at the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association website.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.