Texas judge upholds doctoral standard for independent practice of psychology

August 23, 2011– A Texas judge has affirmed the statutory authority of the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (Board) to require that Masters-level trained “psychological associates” be supervised by licensed psychologists, who are required under Texas statute to be trained at the doctoral level.To read the full article from APA Practice Organization, click here. 

APA Practice Organization and Florida Psychological Association challenge recent Florida BCBS actions

August 23, 2011 – Early this month, the Florida Psychological Association (FPA) and the APA Practice Organization (APAPO) learned that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBS FL) and its new behavioral health subcontractor were planning a 30 to 60 percent reduction in psychologists’ reimbursement rates. The considerable payment reductions were part of a new provider contract from the behavioral health carve-out company that included some troubling provisions. Psychologists seemingly were given just 15 days to decide whether to accept the new contract.Read the full article from APA Practice Organization here.  

I am working with Wayne Reznick, Ph..D. and Andy Benjamin, JD, PhD, ABPP (President of Div. 31) on a project called SHRReD (State Healthcare Reform Resource Database). 
It is in the early stages of planning, but looks to be very promising in helping state psychological organizations share useful information on pertinent topics related to advocacy. It seeks to utilize the power of the internet and Web 2.0 services as a means of disseminating information to leaders and members of STPAs.  I will keep everyone updated as I get more involved and learn more.  Stay tuned..... 


-Rich
MOPA President

The Committee on Aging (CONA) is accepting nominations, including self-nominations, for two new members. CONA is the chief committee within the APA governance structure charged with addressing aging concerns. In its 11th year of existence, CONA seeks full members of APA with specialization in aging issues to serve a three-year term beginning January 2012 and ending December 2014.

CONA, a six-member Committee, places priority on maintaining representation within the Committee’s membership that reflects the diversity of psychology and society, including (a) individuals with experience in research, clinical training and practice, policy and advocacy, and education; (b) early- and mid-career psychologists and those who are retired or employed less than full time; and (c) diversity with respect to ethnicity, culture, age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, and geographic location.

CONA’s mission is to advance psychology as a science and profession and as a means of promoting health and human welfare by ensuring that older adults, especially the growing numbers of older women and members of minority groups, receive the attention of the Association.  Its goals include:

• provide leadership for a scientific agenda on aging
• advocate for policies that enhance availability and reimbursement of health and mental health services to older adults and their families
• contribute to the formulation and support of public policies that promote optimal development of older adults, facilitate psychological practice with older persons, and expand scientific understanding of adult development and aging
• promote inclusion of knowledge about adult development and aging in all levels of education
• develop and disseminate information concerning the scientific findings and practice issues about older adults
• serve as a visible focus for the coordination of information among groups within APA that address aging issues and offer consultation to relevant APA boards, committees, divisions, state associations, and directorates
• ensure that older members of APA receive appropriate attention from the Association.

CONA provides an overview of activities and members since its inception.

Selected candidates are required to attend two committee meetings each year in Washington, DC, with expenses reimbursed by the APA. The Committee will meet on March 30-April 1 and October 5-7, 2012; March 15-17 and September 20-22, 2013.  Members are encouraged to attend a CONA meeting held during the APA Convention at their own expense. CONA is a working committee with ongoing time sensitive and consuming projects that require members’ attention. Members are expected to participate in frequent email discussions and bi-monthly conference calls, work on Committee priorities between meetings, provide consultation to the Director of the APA Office on Aging, and participate in policy advocacy activities.

Nomination materials should include a current curriculum vitae and a letter from the nominee indicating their commitment to serve on CONA and highlighting specific competencies, interests, and potential contributions to the work of CONA. Letters of support from other APA governance groups and divisions, state psychological associations, or other organizations are desirable but not required. Prior applicants are encouraged to reapply.

Nominations and supporting materials should be sent by August 26, 2011 to: 
Deborah DiGilio, Director of the Office on Aging, American Psychological Association, 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC, 20002-4242 or via e-mail to ddigilio@apa.org. 

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Targeted Nominations Statement for Terms Beginning in 2012


The Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns (CLGBTC) seeks nominations for two positions beginning January 1, 2012.  Nominees are sought who have experience or expertise relevant to one or more of the following areas:

• People with disabilities 
• Transgender people 
• Indigenous people 
• LGBT youth, especially bullying 
• Self-identification as an ally 
• Public policy 
• Dissemination and implementation of reports and guidelines

The Committee particularly welcomes nominations of ethnic minority psychologists, bisexual psychologists, psychologists with disabilities, and transgender psychologists, and other psychologists who are members of underrepresented groups. In considering nominees, the Committee will also consider the range of major fields and specializations in psychology and the geographic diversity represented in its membership.The Committee's mission is to:

• Study and evaluate on an ongoing basis how the issues and concerns of lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender psychologists can best be dealt with;
• Encourage objective and unbiased research in areas relevant to lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender adults and youths and the social impact of such research;
• Examine the consequences of inaccurate information and stereotypes about lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender adults and youth in clinical practice;
• Develop educational materials for distribution to psychologists and others; and
• Make recommendations regarding the integration of these issues into the APA's activities to further the cause of civil and legal rights of lesbian, gay male, bisexual, and transgender psychologists within the profession.

The Committee shall consist of six members, three of whom self-identify as women and three of whom self-identify as men, to be appointed for staggered terms of three years. Transgender members who do not self-identify as either women or men may fill either a female or a male seat, in alternation (for example, if there were two transgender members who did not identify as either women or men, one would fill a male seat and one would fill a female seat). It shall report to Council through the Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest.How to ApplyThe nominee and/or nominator should provide a statement of interest, highlighting the nominee's qualifications for the Committee and expertise or interest in the targeted areas above; the nominee's curriculum vita should accompany this statement. Self nominations are accepted.Nomination materials are to be received by August 31, 2011, mail to:

CLGBTC Nominations
Public Interest Directorate
American Psychological Association
750 First St., NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Or e-mail CLGBTC.

Although our Executive Director Ellen McLean will not be in attendance at this year's APA convention this weekend due to budgetary constraints, thanks to technology she will still be able to follow other State Executive Directors' activity through Tweets that are being updated live and up to the minute from APA.  Additionally, there will be electronic voting to elect members of APA's Council of Executives of State and Provincial Psychological Associations (CESPPA) so that EDs who are not in attendance (and that is a sizable number) will still be able to vote. 

NPR recently ran a story on shopping for a psychotherapist.  It contains several links to useful resources for patients and one commenter to the article also mentioned the great web page developed by Division 12 on EBPs which can be found here.