States with privileges provide feedback
By Pamela Berard
Since 2002, when New Mexico became the first state to grant prescription privileges to psychologists, only Louisiana has followed suit. But Dan Abrahamson, Ph.D., assistant executive director for state advocacy for the American Psychological Association, says an average of seven states over the past decade have introduced legislation. He expects a similar number to seek privileges in 2013. “There are new states coming on and getting involved all the time,” he says. Oregon (2010) and Hawaii (2007) successfully passed bills through the legislature, only to have them vetoed by the governor. “With all the effort we’ve put into supporting this [More]
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Region’s pursuit of privileges on hiatus
By Pamela Berard
While several states have active groups pursuing legislation for prescription privileges for psychologists, such efforts appear on hiatus in New England. Dan Abrahamson, Ph.D., assistant executive director for state advocacy for the American Psychological Association, says no New England state is among the current group engaging in prescriptive authority efforts. But, the issue is not dead yet. Rick Barnett, Psy.D., LADC, and president of the Vermont Psychological Association, attained a master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology in 2009. “I have found it extremely useful since I got the training and gained the knowledge,” Barnett says. Although he can’t prescribe in Vermont, [More]
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Study: Ketamine holds promise for PTSD treatment
By Janine Weisman
A fast acting anesthetic approved more than 40 years ago for American soldiers during the Vietnam War may hold the key to better treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the 21st century. Ketamine has already shown effectiveness in lifting symptoms of deep depression. Researchers at the Yale School of Medicine, the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Mount Sinai School of Medicine and other research institutions are pursuing more studies to learn more about how ketamine can work within hours to alleviate symptoms “I don’t think any drug is a miracle drug, but I think that ketamine has produced some very [More]
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PTSD support remains pertinent for Holocaust survivors
By Jennifer E Chase
Elihu Kover is the vice president of Nazi Victim Services for Selfhelp, Inc., a New York City organization that provides assistance to people who lived through the Holocaust. Founded in 1936 (there were people fleeing Germany for the U.S. before the Holocaust was fully underway), the organization serves about 5,000 New York City Jews each year who wish to stay in their homes and in their communities in spite of what their age and the Holocaust has done to them. For many, that means combating symptoms of late-onset posttraumatic stress disorder that may have lain dormant during their youth and [More]
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Police officers at higher risk of suicide
By Janine Weisman
In 1976, a 35-year-old Connecticut State Police trooper stopped by Ron Clark’s office to talk. No sooner had he closed the door, the trooper’s radio went off, summoning him to a call. That night the trooper killed himself by carbon monoxide poisoning in his garage. He left no suicide note. The tragedy led the Connecticut State Police to launch what became the first Employee Assistance Program/Medical Unit inside a police department in the country. Clark, a registered nurse and military veteran before becoming a state trooper, became the unit’s commander. “There were no signs. I spoke to all of his [More]
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Study to determine fate of Taunton State Hospital
By Phyllis Hanlon
The tug-of-war between state administration and patients, families, health workers and local lawmakers from southeast Massachusetts over the closure of Taunton State Hospital continues to capture headlines and the attention of mental health advocates across the Commonwealth. In July, Gov. Deval Patrick vetoed $5.1 million in funding, which would have kept Taunton State Hospital up and running, although with only 45 of its 169 beds. However, pressure from constituents prompted legislators to unanimously override the governor’s veto. House Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Patricia Haddad (D-Somerset) reports that she received a phone call from the administration in January informing her that [More]
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Pilot program for nursing homes to curb antipsychotic use
By Jennifer E Chase
Published reports in recent months have focused on the over-use of antipsychotic drugs on nursing home residents whose behavior may disrupt patients, staff and the general environment, but whose diagnoses don’t warrant scripts. An investigation led by The Boston Globe highlighted data showing that 185,000 nursing home residents across the country had received antipsychotics in 2010 against federal nursing home regulations and that antipsychotics can be harmful if taken by people who don’t need them. This is particularly true for dementia patients who aren’t diagnosed with conditions for which the antipsychotics are typically prescribed like schizophrenia. For the last year, [More]
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N.H. survey gauges satisfaction
By Catherine Robertson Souter
With the release of a fourth year of survey data, it would appear that New Hampshire’s 10 community mental health centers have been weathering a financial storm better than expected. Yet there are still many issues to address. As part of a federally mandated survey on mental health systems, the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services has contracted with the Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire to look at customer satisfaction with the community mental health centers (CMHCs). The fifth and final survey in this agreement will be released later this year. Among positive outcomes, [More]
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Biofeedback used as tool in practice
By Catherine Robertson Souter
As the field of psychology moves towards integration with the medical world, more professionals are seeking ways to link psychological theory and practice with medical science. One tool that has been around for nearly a century, but only started gaining traction in the past 40 years, is biofeedback therapy. According to Inna Khazan, Ph.D., a Harvard-trained clinical psychologist and certified biofeedback specialist, biofeedback has great potential in both the medical and psychological fields. Teaching clients how to alter their physical responses to stress, she specializes in the treatment of medically related disorders, anxiety, depression and pain conditions. An instructor of [More]
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Young Children with ADHD: Early Identification and Intervention
By James K Luiselli EdD ABPP BCBA-D
“Young Children with ADHD: Early Identification and Intervention” By George J. DuPaul and Lee Kern American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2011 ‘Trendsetting’ book is impressive Reviewed By James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are frequently referred to psychologists and related mental health professionals. Public schools and parents also regularly seek consultation to address learning and behavior challenges in classrooms and homes, respectively. Although most research has centered on elementary school-age children, more recent studies and related inquiry have emphasized early intervention with young children ages two to five years, who have [More]
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