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| Issue: February 2011 | Volume 34. No 1 |
| BREAKING NEWS!!! BREAKING NEWS!!! |  MPA's 62nd Annual Convention is almost upon us! Read below to find out more about continuing education workshops, symposia and presentations as well as how to register. Don't delay! Register today! MPA Convention Registration & Program Details |
| CALL FOR HELP ON THE MISSISSIPPI PSYCHOLOGIST | |
 Would you like to serve on the Editorial Board of The Mississippi Psychologist? I'd like to have Editorial Board members from various areas of the profession in our state. If you are interested, contact me, Beverly Smallwood, at 601-264-0890 or BevSmallwd@aol.com.
Whether or not you are interested in serving on the Editorial Board, I'd love to hear your ideas for features, include your articles and announcements, print letters to the Editor, or consider any other suggestions you have for our newsletter. Let me hear from you! |
| ,FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK | |
Lisa Yazdani, Ph.D.
Message from the President
It's that time of year again! It's time for us to all come together at the annual convention. This year, in particular, we will celebrate our legislative accomplishments and we will plan for the year ahead during which we anticipate additional challenges to our licensure law. Our opening plenary session will include an in depth summary of MPA's legislative agenda for the upcoming year and we need your input as we move forward with our advocacy efforts.
We are truly fortunate to have excellent presentations to offer this year. Thanks to all of you who submitted proposals and to those of you who are presenting our CE workshops.
In addition to advancing our knowledge in the field, the convention also offers networking opportunities, potential job contacts, and an opportunity to get involved with advocacy. It is the only time during the year that our entire membership gathers and you won't want to miss it!
I hope you will take full advantage of the Pre-Convention and Convention Workshops, as well as all of the other convention offerings. Please join us for the Presidential Soiree Wednesday evening following the Pre-Convention Workshops. Also, plan to attend Thursday evening's poster session, networking forums, and silent auction.
2011 MPA Convention
Lisa Yazdani, Ph.D.
President & Convention Chair
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| Taking Care of Yourself | |
WEATHER DISASTERS AND LIFE DISASTERS:
IGNORING THE WARNINGS? Beverly Smallwood, Ph.D.
At a recent meeting of National Speakers Association, I connected with renowmed meteorologist Mike Smith, who wrote a book called, "Warnings: The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather". Mike and I are beginning to work together to rebuild lives and communities after weather disasters strike.
I was amazed that it was difficult to put down a book about meteorology! Mike wrote the book in exciting and engaging story style. Warnings certainly told interesting stories about the high action that precedes those weather forecasts. In addition, this book made me think about the ways our reactions to weather warnings mirror our attitudes about other warnings in life. A USEFUL METAPHOR? Given the extreme weather that seems to be the headline of most recent newscasts, it occurred to me that weather warnings could be a useful metaphor when talking with clients about needed changes in their lives. Ignoring the warnings can bring unnecessary "damage" and even, in essence, "death." Would these scenarios describe some of our clients - or, even US? · Your relationship seems more and more distant - but it will surely get better when the rush is over. (When would that be?) After all, doesn't this happen to every couple after a while? · Your drinking has become more frequent, but that's just because of all the work stress you've been under. Or, you don't drink often, but when you do, you overdo. But you can't have a problem because you can go for weeks without drinking. Right? · Your to-do list has grown to the point that you just don't make one anymore because it's too overwhelming. Sure, you procrastinate some, but doesn't everyone? You'll get caught up when.... · You're a giver by nature and a helping person by profession. You take the admonition, "Give 'til it hurts," to the extreme. You've gone beyond the irritability that is uncharacteristic of you to a strange sort of numbness. Somehow, it just doesn't seem worth it anymore. · Three close people in your life have talked to you about it, but you know that they just don't understand. It irritates you that they seem so know-it-all, when you are the person living your life. So you keep going...
What makes people resistant to the warnings that could save untold heartache? Meteorologist Mike Smith said that a major problem when tornado warnings are issued is that people want to go outside and verify for themselves, looking for funnel clouds. However, tornadoes often hit without the expected appearance. The darkness or the rain may block the view. In any case, precious time is lost and these individuals miss the opportunity to take cover and save lives. Psychologists see this happening every day in their clinical offices.
At times, denial and numbing can serve a helpful role when serious trauma hits. In consulting with helping professionals in Joplin, Missouri, which was devastated by a monstrous tornado, I heard what I've heard from so many before. At first, people just go through the motions, dazed and doing what it takes for survival. Then the emotions take over as the enormity of what has happened is fully felt. In my book, "This Wasn't Supposed to Happen to Me," I call this type of numbing, "the emotional circuit breaker." In order to preserve the psyche, emotions shut down because there is a major overload. So up to a point, some denial can be adaptive. However, the real problem is the type of denial in all of life that blurs vision, prevents understanding, and delays action. Considering the consequences that are possible, why would anyone ignore the warnings? One reason is that people tend to discount the danger. Even when people see and acknowledge facts, they often tell themselves that it's not as bad as people say it is. They reassure themselves that people will never know and that somehow they are immune from the consequences others experience in similar situations. In other words, disaster happens to other people, not to them. A second culprit in weather events and in life events is procrastination. Good intentions for taking action in the future have lulled many a person into false security. "I'll do _____ when...as soon as...later." Later may be too late.
LEAD THEM TO ACTION Whether the challenge in your client's life is a threatening weather report or a potentially frightening life situation, we psychologists can help our clients heed the essential warnings. Extending the extreme weather metaphor a bit further, two key action principles may be helpful. 1. Pay attention to the "watches." A tornado or hurricane watch means that conditions are favorable for the development of a storm or that an existing storm could head in one's direction. Smart people don't ignore "watches," but it's possible for anyone to become desensitized to them such that they "blow them off." Are there areas of life in which the conditions are ripe for trouble? Maybe the "storm" hasn't actually been sighted, but the situation is ominous. There just may be a big problem if the individual is not prepared and vigilant, ready to take preventative and protective action in that situation.
2. Actively seek information. Just as people glue themselves to the weather channel when a hurricane threatens in the Gulf, remind clients that it is important to actively seek information about the challenge. Encourage them to courageously and actively seek out facts about their situations, themselves, and their reactions. For instance, they can bring up that dreaded topic, become more informed by reading, or talk to trusted others who have demonstrated their wisdom in their own lives and who may have been in a similar situation. Just as it would be foolish to lie to oneself in a weather emergency and screen out essential, though unpleasant information, real strength and healthy problem solving come from truth. Though denial may give one false comfort, the facts form the basis of wisdom - knowing what to do and having the courage to do it quickly.
Whether it's an approaching tornado, a growing addiction, a destructive relationship habit, or upwardly-creeping pounds - if our clients or any one of us ignore the whispered warnings, life will finally scream. Why wait?
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| Linking for Legislative Action |
Upcoming Legislative Issues for Mississippi
Psychologists
Penni L. Smith, Ph.D.
Government Relations Officer
As you many of you know, the welfare of Mississippi residents who seek psychological services, which was ensured when the Misssissippi Code of 1972, Title 73, Chapter 31, was extended during the 2011 legislative session. This statute regulates the practice of psychology in Mississippi so that individuals with the necessary education and training can provide psychological services of optimal quality to the public.
I would like to extend deep appreciation to all of the Mississippi psychologists who gave their time and money to help advocate for this important legislation, especially Dr. Natalie Gaughf and Dr. Mardi Allen, who worked tirelessly for licensed psychologists across the state.
Another important issue now awaits Mississippi psychologists and will be determined during the 2012 legislative season. During final negotiations of the bill amending Title 73, Chapter 31, our state legislators were lobbied by an external institution to change state educational and experience requirements for licensure. Specifically, this group challenged the language regarding accreditation of educational programs and internship experiences. Following the lobbying efforts of this external group, the legislators on the Public Health Committee recommended a 1 -year repealer on the two sections of the code that address these requirements (MS Code 73-31-13, sections e and f) so that decisions regarding licensure requirements could be further reviewed and discussed.
During the 2012 legislative, psychologists must propose language regarding our preferences for educational and experience qualifications for licensure. A committee comprised of members of the Mississippi Board of Psychology and the Mississippi Psychological Association was created to make recommendations and guide the lobbying efforts of psychologists during the next legislative season. The Legislative Steering Committee began meeting in the summer of 2011 to establish a plan for action, which will be presented at the 2011 MPA Annual Convention in Biloxi, MS. As the chair of this committee, I would like to extend a request to all members of MPA for your feedback and suggestions regarding this very important issue. You may submit your feedback directly to me at psmith3@umc.edu.
The Legislative Steering Committee will keep MPA members abreast of plans of action, upcoming needs for lobbying, and status of proposed legislation. Please be sure to attend an update presented by Dr. Natalie Gaughf, Dr. Molly Clark, and me at the annual MPA convention in September.
Again, thank you to all of MPA members who offered their support during the 2011 legislative session and congratulations on your success! We look forward to working with you again and receiving your input as the 2012 legislative season quickly approaches. |
| Press Release on LGBT New Guidelines | |
APA Announces New Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients
The APA Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns office is pleased to announce that at its February 18-20, 2011, meeting, the Council of Representatives adopted Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients as APA Policy.
These new guidelines replace the Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients that were adopted in 2000. The new guidelines have updated literature reviews and resource lists, as well as new guidelines on the following topics: religion and spirituality, the differentiation of gender identity from sexual orientation, socioeconomic and workplace issues, HIV/AIDS, and the use and dissemination of research on lesbian, gay, and bisexual issues. The new guidelines will have a 10 year effective period. The new guidelines will be submitted to the American Psychologist for publication soon. You may review the new guidelines now at http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/guidelines.aspx |
| APAIT Liability Insurance | | .
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| Psychology & Law Update |
Gilbert S. Macvaugh III, Psy.D. 
Clinical & Forensic Psychology Services, Inc.
Chair, MPA Psychology & Law Task Force
Greenville, MS
Colleagues:
As you may recall, in November of 2010, MPA submitted an amicus brief to the Mississippi Supreme Court in Rennie T. Gibbs v. State of Mississippi, a case involving a 16 year-old, female from Lowndes County who was charged with murder under Mississippi's Depraved Heart Murder statute after she had a stillbirth associated with cocaine use during pregnancy. Developments since the last issue of this newsletter have included oral arguments before the MS Supreme Court, which were held in late May of 2011. The Court is expected to issue its decision in this case within three to four months of the date of the oral argument, possibly longer. For those who are interested, oral arguments can be viewed through the MS Supreme Court website, which is maintained by the Mississippi College School of Law and its Judicial Data Project. Podcasts of oral arguments, as well as written and video briefs, are available for viewing at http://judicial.mc.edu/vidbrief.php. I will keep the membership informed as further updates become available in the Gibbs case.
I am pleased to report two upcoming events related to psychology and law in our state.
The Psychology & Law Task Force (TF) will soon convene for its second annual meeting in Greenville. Unfortunately, an electrical outage due to a storm cancelled the scheduled August 19, 2011, but the meeting will soon be rescheduled. At this meeting, the TF will consider several issues affecting the practice of psychology in our state, including mandated reporting of child abuse, legal and ethical implications of patient confidentiality for bar applicants; and state standards/certification for forensic mental health practice in Mississippi.
The TF also is sponsoring a panel discussion on the topic of mandated reporting of child abuse in Mississippi at our upcoming MPA Convention in Biloxi. The panel will consist of three psychologists, an Assistant District Attorney who prosecutes child abuse cases in Mississippi, and a representative from the Department of Human Services. MPA members are encouraged to share with us any case vignettes related to this topic that would be useful in highlighting the relevant issues involved. Examples of challenging cases are of particular interest so as to generate a good discussion for the panel. Ideas regarding case vignettes can be sent to me via email at forensicpsych@suddenlinkmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you at Convention!
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| Public Education Campaign | |
Suzanne Jourdan, Ph.D.
Public Education Coordinator
GIVE AN HOUR!
Psychologists Can Help Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families Combat the Psychological and Emotional Effects of War on 9/11
You can most likely pinpoint exactly where you were on 9/11 when you heard the news that we were under attack, as you watched a national tragedy unfold before our eyes on every television station. That day changed so much. Our country went to war 10 years ago, and we remain at war today. Over 2.2 million men and women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Over 6,000 service members have died in these wars, and tens of thousands have come home with visible and invisible injuries resulting from their experience in combat. Many of the men and women who are currently serving were in elementary school 10 years ago and certainly could not have imagined the path their lives would take as a result of that horrific day.
While some Americans decided to serve our country by joining the military effort, others have chosen to focus on caring for those who come home from war. Psychologist BarbaraVan Dahlen founded Give an Hour™ six years ago out of concern for the mental health of those who experience the brutality of war. Further, war comes home to affect the wives, husbands, children, and other loved ones of those who serve. Many serve multiple extensive tours of duty, are injured physically and/or psychologically, and return home to a struggling economy and to an uncertain future.
Give an Hour, a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, has partnered with APA and other mental health associations in recognizing the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Consider making a tribute by joining Give an Hour - a pro bono service offering free mental health counseling to military personnel, veterans and their loved ones.
You can register as a licensed provider at www.giveanhour.org, where you indicate what kinds of services you provide and your contact information. Military individuals or family members in need of services use the list of providers to call and set up an appointment. At the web site you will find a variety of materials to familiarize you with the military culture and experience. Give an Hour is an opportunity to fill gaps in care and service by joining with our colleagues in the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to help those who fight heal from the invisible injuries of war.
9/11 Anniversary
As part of 9/11 Anniversary recognition activities, the APA partnered with Nickelodeon Channel to develop children's curriculum materials to accompany the Nick News TV special, What Happened? The Story of September 11, 2001, scheduled to air on September 1st at 9 p.m. ET on the Nickelodeon channel.The TV special will be available online at the Nick News website following the initial air date, http://news.nick.com/.
The APA/Nick News curriculum materials will give parents, caregivers, and educators tips to understand and support children as they learn about the events surrounding the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It will provide information about common reactions, including worries and anxieties, and ideas for helping children cope and build resilience when confronted with this difficult historical event. You can use these materials in local activities (i.e. civic groups, classrooms, YMCA).The curriculum materials are only available electronically. They will be available on both the APA and Nick News websites prior to September 1st. I should be receiving a few printed news kits and DVDs by Sept. 1; if you are interested in obtaining a copy e-mail me at suzjourdan@gmail.com.
It is still hurricane season and September is National Preparedness Month http://www.ready.gov/, a time designated for people to plan ahead for emergencies at homes, businesses and in communities. Check out the APA helpcenter for tips on preparing mentally for disaster that can be shared with your community, www.apa.org/helpcenter.com.
Interested in sharing psychologists' insights on healthy lifestyles and behaviors? Check out this blog: www.yourmindyourbody.org It will give you some good topic ideas like a few things that are important to consider in order to make the transition back to school a bit easier.
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| Region III Update |  What's Happening in Region III Tony Calabrese, Ph.D. The Clinical Psychology Program at the University of Southern Mississippi has a new Clinical Training Director, Dr. Tammy Barry. The former Director, Dr. David Marcus, and his wife Dr. Michele Larrow, are now living and working in Pullman, Washington. We wish them both well. Michele was the Internship Director at Pine Grove, which is now directed by Dr. Theresa Ratti.
Drs. Lynwood Wheeler and Robert Sevier are pleased to welcome psychologist, Dr. Ryan Denny, into their practice at Hattiesburg Clinic Connections. Ryan completed his BA and MA in Psychology at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX and completed his doctorate at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2009. Dr. Denny provides individual, couples, and family therapy as well as psychological evaluations.
Pine Grove welcomes Neuropsychologist Dr. Robert Adams to our Evaluation Center. He joins Drs. Edward Anderson and Craig Paterson.
Dr. Scott Willoughby, Program Director at the South Mississippi State Hospital in Purvis, appreciates that psychologists in our region and throughout the state have advocated for the continuation of services provided by his facility, services which were threatened by the state budget crisis this past spring. Scott is happy to report that the Governor had signed the budget that will allow DMH to maintain inpatient services, including those of South Mississippi State Hospital. Scott report that the legislature heard from many, but that some of the most powerful letters and contacts came from psychologists.
Finally, the Region III social on April 8th was a great success. Psychologists from our region reminisced, ate good food, and had fun with their peers. We were honored to be joined by psychologists from around the state who were in Hattiesburg that day for a meeting of the MPA Executive Council. Drs Scott Willoughby, Suzanne Jourdan and Greg Futral at the recent Region III Social. MPA Cookie, enjoyed at the Region III Social in Hattiesburg! |
| MPA's Annual Silent Auction | |
!!SILENT AUCTION!!
Highlighted Donations
Vicki Prosser, Ph.D.
MPA's 2011 Silent Auction is shaping up to be another MPA's exciting event. Back by popular demand and his personal generosity,
Dr. Chester Gaston has donated for auction three beautiful Giclee Prints of Dr. Chester Gaston's artwork.
Other donations are still coming in. Below is small sample of what you'll see on the auction tables.:
*Artwork from a patient at Mississippi State Hospital at Whitfield, donated by Dr. Suzanne Jordan..
* A one-night stay for a family of four at Live Oaks Ranch, Bed and Breakfast, plus a horse riding lesson at the adjacent Equestrian Therapy Center of Slidell.
The money raised in the Silent Auction helps MPA to continue to offer services to its members that enhance their knowledge, support their professional development and functioning, and contribute to the growth of our profession. What can you contribute for auction? Don't have an item to contribute? Then BID, BID, BID!
If you have a donation or questions about the auction, contact Dr.Vicki Prosser at
(601) 979-4197.
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Practice for Sale | |
Psychology practice for sale. 2 buildings, 4+ acre campus, furnishings, equipment, 25+ years practice tenure. Hattiesburg, MS area.
Contact Robert T. Jackson, Sr.
Phone: 601-264-3309 or
fax: 601-264-6066
for information and pictorial description.
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| Psychopharmacology Update |  Bob Nevels, Ph.D., FMICPP, ABMP
Chair, Task Force on Psychopharmacology CrazyMeds.com is a neat site for checking out psychotropic meds. Unlike Epocrates which takes a minimalist approach to drug interactions, CrazyMeds goes, well,... crazy, and gives you multiple explanations and many more adverse events for DDIs. On the legislative front, you have to admire the American Medical Association. They're a powerful lobby with tons of money. (Do physicians make more psychologists?) Thus, they are able to "buy" governors' vetoes and have psychologists' RxP privileging bills squashed in legislative committees across the land. All of the current state-introduced RxP psychology bills are dead in the water. In spite of substantial evidence to the contrary, the alarmist argument, "These are dangerous drugs, and you need to go to medical school to prescribe them," continues to be used. When 68% of the people in the U.S. believe the earth is just ten thousand years old, and another 17% are unsure, usually only money will make a difference. Louisiana psychologists understood this long ago and raised close to a million dollars for RxP. New Mexico had great timing and the best lobbyist in the state, Dianna Marquez. (Dianna is the wife of Mario Marquez, a prescribing psychologist with whom Eldridge and I did our first round of RxP training.) New Mexico also had full support from then U.S. Senator Pete Domenici and Dr. Donald Fineberg, a well-known psychiatrist and former president of the NM Psychiatric Association. Other states, even with help from APA, mostly have been unable to raise the money needed for RxP legislative efforts. Dr. Ena Knott-Scott is completing her MSCP, and I have the pleasure of proctoring her exams (which helps me stay current), just as I did with Dr. John Teal. Way to go, Ena! And John, Louisiana is calling you. Being responsible for a patient's psychopharmacy is, at times daunting, especially with treatment-resistant patients. It is a bit beyond the responsibilities associated with evaluations and therapy, though they also can be quite daunting. We need better pharmacotherapeutic agents and more careful and thoughtful prescribing. The luxury of a small practice yields more time to consider and reconsider Rx. That is impractical for most. |
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