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Site-seeing:
Web site picks of the month
(October
2005 Issue)
New England Psychologist occasionally highlights several
Web sites that psychologists of every discipline may want to bookmark.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, here are a couple of sites you
may want to look at.
Louisiana Psychological Association
www.louisianapsychologist.org
Upon entering this site, a message concerning "Psychological Health:
A Vital Component of Katrina Recovery," flashes on the screen. In
addition to sending condolences to those impacted by the natural
disaster, the association sends a reassuring message that psychologists
are available to provide necessary mental health services in Katrina's
aftermath.
Some important links featured include a searchable database called
"Find a psychologist," and a notice in red to displaced psychologists
asking for contact information to let the organization know how
it can help. There is also a forum available to post messages and
reconnect with colleagues as well as links to Katrina-related information
at the American Psychological Association (APA) Web site.
Another Katrina reminder is the grim absence of upcoming activities
on a "printer friendly," events calendar and an announcement that
a scheduled continuing education workshop in November has been cancelled.
Also, it is noteworthy that links to the psychology departments
at the University of New Orleans and Tulane University are currently
"down," with error messages stating, "page cannot be found."
The Louisiana Psychological Association, founded in 1948, is comprised
of more than 200 members and its site emphasizes how active the
state has been in promoting prescriptive authority. In fact, Louisiana
was the second state after New Mexico to authorize specially trained
psychologists to add medication to their treatment options.
Accordingly, the site contains links to comprehensive explanations
of everything from the role of the state's Board of Examiners, to
a breakdown of the differences between medical psychologists, experimental
psychologists, social psychologists and more.
The portal's other categories include direct email links to officers
and executive committee meeting members, career opportunities, and
explanations of psychologists' credentials, confidentiality and
HIPAA issues and means to contact state legislators and other government
officials.
The entire site uses splashes of color here and there but is basically
straightforward, written often in summary, bulleted form and thorough
but not overpowering in its presentation of ideas. At the moment,
the site's most distinct characteristic is its many references to
Katrina-related tips, contacts and pertinent help sites.
Mississippi Psychological Association
www.mpassoc.org
The first item a visitor to this Web site will see is an announcement
that MPA's 2005 convention will be postponed until early 2006. The
site directs users to its "News" section that features a multitude
of Katrina-related links such as a site to register missing persons
and a note from Public Education Coordinator and Membership Chairperson
Dr. Kristine Jacquin urging people to open their homes to displaced
psychologists and psychology students and their families.
Visitors are also encouraged to make a posting notifying the organization
if they have been able to get through to any MPA members and know
of their whereabouts. Another pertinent "News" section item is a
volunteer application form with the caveat that licensed practitioners
need not have completed disaster mental health training to apply.
There are also links regarding coordinating volunteer services
for psychologists, as well as messages from colleges and universities
across the country that are currently accepting students impacted
by Katrina's destruction.
This site will also take you to another called either www.dis placedpsychologists.com
or www.displacedpsychologists.org to provide crisis relocation for
practitioners who have lost their homes and businesses. There is
an "opportunity" form that can be searched either by state, city
or specialization.
Non-storm related features of merit include a history of the association
complete with a timeline of milestones, an online newsletter, thorough
contact information to legislators, and a huge selection of links
about everything from psychopharmacology, psychiatry and social
work sites to substance abuse, forensics and more.
In a timely fashion, the Mississippi Psychological Association
appears to have made a great effort to assist its membership online
with means to rebuild their careers and lives.
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