Fall 2007 Texas Psychologist

Volume 58 Issue 2 FALL 2007

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Brian Stagner, PhD Editor David White, CAE Executive Director Sherr y Reisman Assistant Executive Director Rober t H. McPherson, PhD Director of Professional Af fairs TPA Board of Trustees

FEATURES Thoughts about the Role of TPA, Present and Future . . . . . . 5 Volume 1, No. 1, Philip Himelstein, Editor, March, 1957

M. David Rudd, PhD President

TPA Recognizes Past Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Ron Cohorn, PhD President-Elect

A Society of Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

By Thomas Wells Lowry, PhD

Ollie J. Seay, PhD President-Elect Designate Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD Past President

The Sun Rises Again for Texas Psychology: A Brief History from 1997-2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Robert H. McPherson, PhD Board Members Alan Fisher, PhD Bonnie Gardner, PhD Stephen Loughhead, PhD Randy Noblitt, PhD Lane Ogden, PhD Selia Ser vin-Lopez, PsyD Verlis Setne, PhD Brian Stagner, PhD Thomas Van Hoose, PhD Alison Wilson, PhD Ex-Officio Board Members Rob Mehl, PhD Association for the Advancement of Psychology in Texas President Sheila Jenkins, PhD Texas Psychological Foundation President Amanda Hook Student Division Director Ollie J. Seay, PhD Sherr y Reisman Federal Advocacy Coordinators

Bowling for Psychology’s Future. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Drs. Ron Cohorn and Robert McPherson

Heads to Roll All Over the State . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Texas Psychologist (ISSN 0749-3185) is the of ficial publication of TPA and is published quar terly.

www.texaspsyc.org

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Ollie J. Seay, PhD and Marla C. Craig, PhD

Karl F. Heiser APA Presidential Award for Advocacy . . . . .

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DEPARTMENTS WELCOME NEW MEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 FROM THE GUEST EDITOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Bob McPherson PhD

FROM THE PRESIDENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Texas Psychological Association Is located at 1005 Congress Avenue, Suite 825, Austin, Texas 78701.

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M. David Rudd, PhD, ABPP

Texas Psychological Foundation Contributors . . . . . . . .

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Association for the Advancement of Psychology in Texas Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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FROM THE GUEST EDITOR

Bob McPherson PhD

Bob McPherson, PhD Director of Professional Affairs

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his issue of the Texas Psychologist serves to celebrate the Texas Psychological Association’s 60th anniversary. Founded in 1947, TPA has grown expansively in membership numbers and influence, becoming the largest professional association in the State representing and responding to the interests and needs of Texas psychologists and those they serve. In the following pages, we make effort to share with you the 60 year story of TPA, as well as a glimpse of its future.

The first two articles are reprints from earlier editions of the Texas Psychologist. Article one comes by the hand of the first editor of the Texas Psychologist, which in 1957 took the form of a five page, double-sided mimeographed newsletter. In his article in the inaugural issue of the Texas Psychologist, Dr. Philip Himelstein (deceased), then a clinical psychologist at the Personnel Research Laboratory at Lackland Air Force Base in San An-

tonio, laments that psychology has become “over-organized”. He also notes that much of the Association’s activities have focused on issues of ethics and legislative advocacy, but he expresses hope that TPA will also turn its energies towards serving the scientific and scholarly needs of psychologists.

Next, we offer reprint of a 1997 article penned by Dr. Tom Lowry, a clinical psychologist practicing in Austin. Dr. Lowry provides a wonderful retrospective of TPA’s first fifty years as gleamed from his interviews of many of the Association’s former presidents. The 36th president of TPA, Dr. Lowry writes with both wit and wisdom. His effort is then followed by my attempt to chronicle TPA’s more recent ten year history. Borrowing from Dr. Lowry’s idea, I contacted the TPA presidents from 1997 to present, with invitation to share with me highlights from their year of leadership service and any anecdotes or stories they recall with fondness.

We then turn your attention to the TPA present and future with reports from several corners of our current leadership. TPA president Dr. M. David Rudd, Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department at Texas Tech University, summarizes the Association’s accomplishments during the 2007 legislative session and extends his sincere appreciation to those who helped to make the year a successful and rewarding one for Texas psychology. Looking ahead to 2008, President-elect Dr. Ron Cohorn who practices in Big Springs takes us “bowling for psychology” as he makes a passionate plea for increased volunteerism among our membership. Lastly, TPA president elect designate, Dr. Ollie Seay, who is Associate Clinical Professor and Director of the Masters in Health Psychology Program at Texas State University, reports on the exciting progress of the Texas State of Mind project, the largest and most ambitious public service project ever undertaken by the TPA.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS July 1, 2007 to October 31, 2007 Member Michael Bridgewater Samuel Brinkman Karen Fitting-Paul Alan Cooper Linda Galindo Jeffery Kee Theresa Kellam Richard Lenox Jo Ann Mitchell Dawn O’Donnell Jon Shepard

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Recent Graduate Member Annette Brissett Susan Odom Alexander Quiros Associate Mariaelena Flores Student Jeffrey Adams Ashley Adler

Sayyeda Ali Latasha Allen Tamika Backstrom Luana Bessa Morgan Burton Terri Cross Kanesha Davis Abby Diehl Keidy Ding Heather Edwards Emily Edwards Amanda Flores

Kara Fowler Mary Ann Gansle Charley Haardt Floyd Henderson Eric Jannazzo Jill Koenig Angelina Maynard Laura McCabe Maria Medina Stacey Meier Cecilia Montano Marta Otero Margaret Perish

Elizabeth Ramon Denise Reynolds John Sauceda Gina Shaw Wunda Shuga Melinda Silva Lani Steffens Lani Steffens Shantha Stokes Mark VanHudson Elizabeth Walker Michelle Wharry Michelle Wiggins

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Texas Psychologist

Volume 1, No. 1

Philip Himelstein, Editor

March, 1957

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ROLE OF TPA: PRESENT AND FUTURE

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any of us have begun to think that Psychology has become over-organized, with APA, regional, state, and even county and city organizations, which hold meetings, collect clues, and affect the affairs of psychologists in many ways. Since the organization of SWPA, which most Texas psychologists have joined, it has become necessary to take a realistic look at our own state association. On taking office as President of TPA this year, I have attempted to find answers to the following questions: (1) What functions does TPA have which are not duplicated by other psychological associations? and (2) Considering the population of psychologists as having two major subgroups whose interests are predominately scholarly or professional (with many belonging to both groups), whose interests does TPA serve?

These questions were investigated by correspondence with Roger Russell and Bob Hoch at APA central office Fred McKinney, Chairman of the Conference of State Psychological Associations, and a number of prominent psychologists of varying persuasions and interests.

The files and the distribution of participation in TPA were studied, as well as recent developments in APA and CSPA. Finally, the issues were discussed at the joint meeting of the TPA Executive Committee and Committee Chairmen, in Austin, on 16 February 1957.

As might be expected only one definitive answer can be stated at this time. That is that the profession of psychology is growing rapidly and experiencing a number of adolescent conflicts as symptoms of its accelerated growth. These are numerous and some are well known. They include problems of the government of APA itself, through the present Council and. Division structure, the form, location and program of annual meetings, some growing incompatibility between scholarly and professional interests and activities, and pressures to reorganize and decentralize.

One current development was reflected in FALL 2007

the report of the Policy and Planning Committee of CSPA, of 12—13 May, 1956. This group has had informal and. unofficial meetings and correspondence with the APA P&P. The report stated that the APA committee seems committed to (1) decentralization of APA, (2) change of structure of APA especially with reference to CSPA and the APA divisions.

The CSPA committee has recommended that certain administrative functions be handed over by APA to CSPA and that CSPA have greater representation on APA council.

In my opinion, any changes will develop slowly and there is not an immediate prospect of a major reorganization. On the other hand, some changes are inevitable and the thinking represented by the P& P committees may indicate the direction in which they will occur. TPA has two delegates to CSPA, whose responsibility it is to represent the views of the entire state membership, with the advice of the Executive Committee. It seems apparent that all psychologists have a stake in the affairs of TPA and that TPA can best represent them if they participate.

Although the principal activities of TPA for the past few years have ‘been concerned with legislation and ethics, the Executive Committee this year voted to explore ways n which the Association might better serve the scientific and scholarly interests of Texas psychologists as well as professional needs. Accordingly, the program for the 1957 program meeting, which will be held in San Antonio on 6 and.

7 December, is being planned as an action oriented rather than paper reading conference.

The Program Committee, under the chairmanship of Dave Trites, will attempt to arrange a number of concurrent workshops’ and technical conferences related to significant problems in a number of areas, with sponsorship by state or private agencies where possible and appropriate. For example, some of the ideas suggested, which will be followed up, include:

1. A workshop, to which representatives of all teaching departments in the state will be invited, on Preparing the Undergraduate Student for Graduate Work in Psychology.

Oscar A. Ullrich of Southwestern University has volunteered to organize this one—day conference.

2. A workshop, to which representatives of research laboratories will be invited, on problems and developments in the use of high speed computers. Frank Farese of IBM has agreed to cooperate. Dave Trites has agreed to organize this conference.

3. Other topics proposed, which the Program Chairman will explore and attempt to find sponsors and participants to carry through, include Standards and Needs in Counseling and Rehabilitation in Texas, which might be sponsored by the State Health Department; Meeting Industry’s Needs for Psychologists, which may receive support from one or more industrial organizations in the State; etc.

The possibilities of such a meeting are exciting and, if successfully carried out this year, might well set a pattern for further exploration and development.

We have a very competent and hardworking group looking out for the affairs of the Association. There are strong reasons why Texas psychologists should participate. It is my hope that, particularly during the next several years of transitional existence, your interest in TPA will be sustained and that you will make effective use of your membership by participation.

It might be well to point out that a panel discussion of the issues discussed above, to be entitled “What’s Happening to the State Psychological Association?” will be held at SWPA this year. Watch for the program and attend if possible.

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TPA RECOGNIZES PAST PRESIDENTS Sept. 1947- Feb. 1948 Paul Young, PhD

1968 Maurice Korman, PhD

1988 Michael C. Gottlieb, PhD

1948 Aaron Q. Sartain, PhD

1969 James L. McCary, PhD

1989 Charles T. McDonald, PhD

1949 C.W. LaGrone, PhD

1970 Beeman Phillips, Ed.D.

1990 Emily G. Sutter, PhD

1950 M.E. Bonney, PhD

1971 Larry Smith, PhD

1991 John K. Reid, PhD

1951 Gordon V. Anderson, PhD

1972 John I Wheeler, Jr., PhD

1992 Roy Scrivner, PhD

1952 B.B. Hudson, PhD

1973 A. Jack Jernigan, PhD

1993 Thomas H. Cook, PhD

1953 L.T. Callicut, PhD

1974 George H. Kramer, Jr., PhD

1994 Lynn Rehm, PhD

1954 Hugh Blodgett, PhD

1975 Alvin G. Burstein, PhD

1995 Michael Duffy, PhD

1955 Alvin J. North, PhD

1976 James K. Weatherly, PhD

1996 Kimberly McClanahan, PhD

1956 Wayne Holtzman, PhD

1977 Joan S. Anderson, PhD

1997 Robert H. McPherson, PhD

1957 S.B. Selis, PhD

1978 Robert P. Anderson, PhD

1998 Robbie Sharp, PhD

1958 Sylvan Kaplan, PhD

1979 Joseph C. Kobos, PhD

1999 Jerry Grammer, PhD

1959 Carl Hereford, PhD

1980 June M. Gallessich, PhD

2000 Rick McGraw, PhD

1960 Ruth Hubbard, PhD

1981 Robert Gordon, J.D., PhD

2001 Sam Buser, PhD

1961& 1962 Charles Cleland, PhD

1982 Laurence Abrams, PhD

2002 Walter Cubberly, PhD

1963 Carson McGuire, PhD

1983 Thomas W Lowry, PhD

2003 Deanna Yates, PhD

1964 Ira Iscoe, PhD

1984 Elizabeth McDaniel, PhD

2004 Alan Hopewell, PhD

1965 Oliver Brown, PhD 1966 Harold Goolishian, PhD 1967 Jack Strange, PhD

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1985 Randall M. Parker, PhD 1986 Cliff Jones, PhD 1987 Karen S. Kamerschen, PhD

2005 J. Paul Burney, PhD 2006 Melba Vasquez, PhD 2007 M. David Rudd, PhD

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Texas Psychologist

A Society of Friends Texas Psychological Association began as an informal meeting of a few young academic psychologists who had been to APA.

By Thomas Wells Lowry, PhD

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hile there, they had talked with colleagues from other states who were founding state and regional associations. Not to be outdone by smaller states, these founders, including Paul Young, Aaron Sartain, Karl Dallenbach, Cyrus LaGrone, Buz Hudson, Bob Lake and Lori Callicut, held the first meeting of TPA in 1947 and then went on to found the Southwestern Psychological Association in 1948. According to Aaron Sartain, second TPA President, “There were approximately 35 members at first, mostly from the faculties of the University of Texas, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Christian University.” The first dues were set at one dollar a year, and the officers were a president, vice-president (parliamentarian), and secretary/treasurer.

Paul Young, a professor with a national reputation in hypnosis research (on sabbatical from Louisiana State University) was chosen by the founding group as the first president “because he had great ambitions and ideas for the state organization.” (Sartain) Early meetings were quite informal: Carl Hereford remembers that “friends gathered around, talked about activities and news, read papers and drank coffee.” Wayne Holtzman describes TPA in the 50s: “It was very informal and everything was run out of your vest pocket.

Probably we had a couple hundred dollars in the treasury. It was very casual — no paid employees, of course. And there were quite a few members who were academics with limited incomes.”

Gradually, psychologists from the military bases around San Antonio and from the Veterans Administration hospitals joined, so that over 60 persons attended the 1950 convention at the University of Texas in Austin. Early conventions were two-day affairs meeting in university lounges and classrooms and consisting

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of paper readings, informal conversations, and nascent organizational planning. Communications were usually between the President and a few members, and the role of President quickly became too much for one person to handle on a volunteer basis. Support for the administrative offices was minimal, such that even stationery, pencils and paper clips had to be ‘borrowed’ from various members and friends. “If the President happened to have a secretary, he did not have to type all his TPA correspondence himself.” (Holtzman) Betty Cleland was enlisted as the first Administrative Secretary in 1951, providing much needed continuity for the organization and welcome clerical and administrative relief for the President. In this position Betty held the first ‘collective memory’ for the organization, and officers regularly consulted with her about TPA protocol and history. Betty went on to assume parallel roles with Southwestern Psychological Association and, finally, with the State Boar of Examiners of Psychologists.

Merle Bonney (1950 President) recalls that, “As the organization grew in the fifties to over 150 members, the bulk of the new members were persons with a master’s degree. Most of the leadership positions were professors with PhDs. The programs at the annual convention were; usually research reports, with a few presentations on measurement and evaluation.”

Gordon Anderson (1951) knew how to he a gentleman and also knew Roberts Rules of Order. Both of these skills were important in the formation of a well-organized and professional society. TPA began to reach beyond its borders for featured speakers. Alvin North invited the well-known group process researcher Mutzifer Sharrif down from Oklahoma University for the 1955 convention. The association between Texas psychology and Sharrif continued with North doing research on gangs in Dal-

las in the 50s and 60s. In the 50s most TPA members were male, with a few master’s level women and even fewer women with doctorates. Notable among the latter were Drs. Ruth Hubbard and Gladys Guy Brown.

The Beginnings of Legislative Action The practice of psychology in institutions (guidance clinics and schools) was mainly carried on by masters level professionals. As there were few clinically trained doctoral psychologists, these applied psychologists were usually supervised by marriage and family therapists, social workers or psychiatrists.

Since there were no restrictions on who could call himself a psychologist, many persons with questionable or no qualifications were using the title. Teachers in academic and training positions were concerned both about the quality of service being given to the public and the reputation of psychology as a field.

The leadership of TPA made a first approach to establishing standards for service to the public in 1951. A landmark event occurred at a TPA meeting that year. President Cyrus LaGrone gave a presentation to the membership in which he made a very clear distinction between licensure and certification. At that time licensing was conceived of as requiring definition of all the functions of a psychologist. It became clear that this was an almost impossible thing to do. Certification meant that only an individual who had certain training and experience qualifications could use the official title of ‘psychologist.’ TPA leaders decided that the organization would work to obtain a state law certifying who could call him- or herself a psychologist.

Wayne Holtzman was the TPA legislative liaison in the attempt to pass a psychologist certification bill in 1955. At this time only 7

Texas Psychologist Tennessee had a law certifying psychologists (as a result of a tradeoff with the trucking industry). In retrospect, the psychologists involved in this legislation were amazed at how close to passage they came before the bill was defeated in the Senate by pressure from TMA. In this effort TPA made many friends in the legislature who would later be influential in the passage of a licensing law.

The Growth of Applied Psychology Psychology and TPA grew quickly in the late fifties, with psychology becoming the most popular undergraduate major in most universities. With plentiful government grants and a belief (by some) that any social problem could be solved by spending money on intervention, the field of applied psychology grew. There were pressures to break clinical and counseling psychology away from universities, but the center held, and collaboration between the academic institutions and funding agencies such as the U.S. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health and the Veterans Administration was maintained. A rich and varied training experience was available in the state schools and hospitals, and the universities hooked up with these institutions to provide practica and internships for the growing number of applied graduates. The major Texas universities revamped their academic departments to provide clinical education and training for the new “scientist-practitioner” model. School Psychology programs, and the training money they could bring with them, increased the visibility of psychology in the public schools. A number of good research articles began to come out of the state schools and public schools.

The Push for Licensure But all was not well. Ira Iscoe remembers that, “In the 50s and 60s psychologists could not do psychotherapy unless under the supervision of a physician — not a psychiatrist — a physician — any physician. Even a dermatologist!” The pressure was building to pass a licensing and certification law to ensure that the title of ‘psychologist’ was held by 8

those with excellence in training and skill, and that the practice of psychology be defined.

However, the political realities were harsh, TPA was a fairly small organization, with still fewer members committed to political action, planning to go up before the state legislature against the large and well-funded forces of organized medicine. Carson McGuire led TPA in an attempt to pass a licensing bill in 1963, but TPA did not have the political clout to move it out of the Calendars Committee, a common legislative graveyard for bills with clear merit and large financial opposition. Ira Iscoe remembers that time well: “Here we were, a small group, and our representative would ask us how many members do you have and how much money can you raise? The answer was few members and less money. The dues then were about $3.00 per year with $5.00 for two years. Betty Cleland came in with Charlie (Cleland) in 1962 and helped organize things for TPA. We made a deal so she could get a percentage of the advertising in exchange for her work. At that time you could get publishers such as Prentiss Hall and Random House to rent a booth at the convention for, say, $250.”

As a result of Betty’s work, TPA became more cohesive and better managed. Rapid communication and focused political action became possible. And a new strategy developed: build a constituency of people whose families had been well treated by psychologists, band together with other mental health and patients’ family groups, and convince a politically conservative legislator to carry our case in the legislature. Gone were the days of going head to head with the TMA and trying to get legislation passed because we were honest and good-hearted folk. Political reality had arrived. With the sudden death of our first lobbyist, William Bell, a decision was made to hire a full-time lobbyist, Don Cavness.

Don was a former representative, a man well known and respected by many legislators, and a man of honesty and sincerity in his dealings.

He also became a close and trusted friend of psychology’s leaders. Tom Lowry, President in 1983, said, “Don is the one lobbyist I know who does not fit the stereotype of a lobbyist.”

Ira continues: “Then came the question of what is the real utility and strength of psychology: helping people regardless of their financial situation. To get this message across, psychology is indebted to then-Senator (Charles) Herring and then-Lt. Governor Ben Barnes, who were very helpful. We found out quickly that ‘in sausage and politics, don’t look too closely at the ingredients, because when you get purists on this, you get nowhere.’ There were a lot of tradeoffs, some of which we face even now.”

In addition to a new political approach, TPA set up a Voluntary Certification Board in order to show how certification could work and to give the concept some legitimacy. Board members were elected by the TPA membership, and criteria were established for this credential. Drs. Glen Ramsey, Austin Foster, Harold Golishian, and Ira Iscoe were chosen as spokesmen to the legislature to try to show to the state how TPA wanted to regulate psychology. Betty Cleland was in charge of running the Voluntary Certification Board.

Again, in the spirit of political compromise, Iscoe states: “We had to take in some marginal cases, because if we didn’t they would start screaming and defeat the plan. A necessary tradeoff.”

Iscoe again: “There was testimony before a senate hearing by the mental health area of the Texas Medical Association, and this physician, a psychiatrist, got up and said ‘Psychotherapy is the practice of medicine,’ and therefore, psychologists cannot do this because they are not doctors. A senator from West Texas got up and started to really quiz this guy. He said, ‘Now if I talk to one of my constituents and she tells me about her child, who is very ill, am I acting illegally?’

“The chief lobbyist for the TMA actually said, ‘No, this can’t take place.’ The senator, after the hearing, said to the chief TMA representative, ‘Look, I told you to get a bill for the psychologists; now you get one by Monday or I’ll ram one down your (deleted) bloody throat.’

Legislative Chair Larry Smith recalls the time this way: FALL 2007

Texas Psychologist “As usual, we were opposed by the medical establishment. Medics did not want psychology to be licensed. It was ‘practicing medicine’ and that was solely their realm. At the Friday hearing the medics testified and then I got up and testified. And one of the people who testified against us was Wade Lewis, a psychiatrist who officed just down the hall from me. One senator said, ‘All right, we go through this every two years. I am sick and tired of you guys fighting. I want you guys to sit down as a committee of two and work out a licensing law for psychologists.’ So Wade Lewis and I sat down and worked out a licensing law for psychologists. And on Monday, we took it back to them.

By the next week it became pretty clear that, on the whole, the medics were still against us.

We knew that historically the lobbyists for the medics were the ones who really swayed the legislature. This time we were about a month away [from the end of the session], and it really did not look like we were going to pass this thing. Wade and I had worked out a compromise, but it looked like it was going to get hung up in Calendars Committee. So, I had to make a quick decision, And psychologists are not known for quick decisions. But I went out and hired another lobbyist, the medics’ lobbyist from the session before, who had defeated us. TPA as an organization never would have gone with that because he had opposed us. His loyalty was supposedly to the medics.

But I knew his loyalty was to money. I hired him.”

In the bill that came out, psychologists employed ‘psychological treatment methods’, not ‘psychotherapy’, a compromise that Drs. Lewis and Smith worked out. The bill came quickly out of committee on Monday, passed the House, passed the Senate as a suddenly uncontested bill, and it was done.

Iscoe concludes: “We were all joyous. It was amazing. Psychiatry did not realize the force of psychology in Texas and nationally. They did not realize the need for psychological services was rising.

They did not know that a lot of poor people were getting services from psychologists. Their arrogance and ignorance made it all possible.”

Once the licensing law was passed, TPA FALL 2007

leadership thought that they could breathe easily. But that was not to be. At the TPA convention in Dallas in 1969, word came that Governor Preston Smith had appointed a number of non-psychologists to the first State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. It seems that some men who had been holding themselves out to be ‘psychologists’ and were not likely to be licensed under the provisions of the new law had, through astute political campaign contributions, managed to get the Governor’s blessing and appointment. The only qualified psychologists appointed were Al North and George Kramer. The leadership of TPA was incensed. Immediately, a delegation including Jack Wheeler, George Kramer, Larry Smith and Carson McGuire was dispatched to Austin to meet with the Governor.

Enroute they drafted a scathing press release which was to be used should the Governor not see the error of his ways. After a very tense meeting in which the press release was discussed, Governor Smith agreed to withdraw his original slate and appoint members from the Voluntary Certification Board as the new State Board. Spirits soared in Dallas as the news arrived.

The new Board was organized quickly, and License Number One was granted to Dr. Larry Smith, and Dr. Jack Wheeler received Number Two, with the other members of the Board receiving Numbers Three through Seven. Betty Cleland served as the first Administrative Secretary for the TSBEP.

Growth and Reorganization Naomi Meadows was employed as TPA Administrative Secretary in 1972, and became the person longest employed by TPA. Many of TPA’s presidents gave Naomi credit for their success in office. The organization was undergoing a slow but significant shift in membership from a mixture of academics and applied psychologists to one largely comprised of clinical, consulting, counseling, and school psychologists. The issues debated were often about the regulation of clinical practice and of gaining political clout, both in Texas and nationwide. “Ten for Texas” became the successful rallying cry to gain a second seat on APA

Council. Jack Jernigan recalls that one issue of importance was that of removing the designation of mental illness from the Texas drivers license. He emphasized the collegiality of TPA leadership during the mid-sixties: “It was a great pleasure to see all your friends every once in a while and sit down and talk over problems with them.

Jack Jernigan There was a kind of subtle but meaningful social interaction at the executive meetings that really served to unify the whole state of psychology when these people would go back and talk to their local people.

In other words, they would bring the wealth of information and diversity to TPA, and then it would get kind of blended together and would get dispersed back to the local areas, So TPA was a unifying force in that respect.”

Since the late fifties, the increasing workload of the organization had been assigned to a number of ad hoc committees, producing discontinuity and chaos with each change in elected leadership. In addition, committee chairs often wrote their own job descriptions to fit conscious or unconscious ego needs. As a result, some tasks were left undone and some were duplicated by other people. In 1975 President Al Burstein proposed a system of elected liaison officers for work areas, each to coordinate the work of committees under them. After some vigorous discussion, the new system was approved by the membership. With minor modifications, TPA has functioned with this structure ever since. With this new structure, Burstein wanted to leave TPA “a living organization that transcended any individual.” His view was that “the president had been a hired hand, that the president furthered the goals of the organization, rather than the other way around. And for that to work there had to be shared leadership and shared responsibility. I did work hard to get the executive committee to commit to being responsible for various aspects of the organization. Dues were raised without much howling so the budget could begin to support the activities of the organization.” The Century Club was set up at this time under the leadership of John Worsham to support political candidates.

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Texas Psychologist

Organizational Struggles

More Legislative Challenges

The issue as to the place of masters level professionals in psychology heated up again in the seventies, Al Burstein represented one position when he said: “There were those of us who felt that we should have a confrontation and recognize that they (PAs) were not part of our culture. I believe the critical mistake was making them anything but associate members, or even making them associate members. We were too hungry for members. I think that for good or for ill, master’s level individuals and doctoral psychologists come from different programs, perform different functions and are not part of the same profession. But that is the minority view, and I never felt I had enough support to press that. Some agreed with me, but the majority wanted to keep PAs within psychology.”

Needless to say, TPA EC meetings were exciting affairs, By the end of the decade PAs had gained a vote on the Executive Committee of TPA. During the seventies special interest groups proliferated: Under the leadership of President Beeman Phillips, Charles Clark and Phillips founded the School Division and George Kramer the Applied Division. Soon after, Betty Turner put the PA Division together. Local Area Societies were becoming more active, often sending representatives to EC meetings.

There was another hot issue in the 1970s: whether there should be any kind of advertising for candidates running for TPA office. According to Ken Weatherly: “If you were running for office in TPA, to mail out cards saying ‘Vote for Me’ drew a lot of attention and a lot of controversy. There was a kind of old guard that had controlled TPA, the old guard being those who were very conservative and leaning toward the academician point of view. And then there was the new front, the new progressive individuals were moving in, creating a real struggle for power.”

In 1977 TPA geared up again for an active legislative agenda. The big issue was parity of access for patients with psychiatry. Joan Anderson, the first female TPA president in seventeen years, recalls this time: “For the Freedom of Choice Bill we testified until 2 in the morning. The big thrust for the year was to gain parity with the psychiatrists on the insurance issue.

There was a whole bunch of people working on this bill. Joe Kobos, Al Burstein, and some of the other old guard had done a monumental job of gathering data for the facts that we presented to the legislature. They went to other states that had freedom of choice and gathered the data that demonstrating it saved the insurance companies money, rather than costing them. So our group was well prepared and both Al and Joe testified. But they wanted to hear the President of TPA, so I obliged.

They were favorably impressed with all the research that had gone into our presentation and quickly passed the bill out of committee.

Through all this (lobbyist) Don Cavness was a brick. David Guinn was also very instrumental because he was the lawyer that was hired to do extra work for psychology. David had some big political connections, and he was most helpful. But Don was just unrelenting. He talked with key legislators from night to day. He kept after it and told us whom to support with contributions and whom not to support. The moneys given to campaigns had been set up for over two years before. It was a group effort by many members of TPA.” The legislature voted that if you had any kind of a group health insurance in the state of Texas, you had to have the freedom of choice of doctor between psychiatry and psychology.

The hard work by many people paid off.

Bob Anderson was surprised to be elected president in 1978, since he was from West Texas. He credits the work of Joe Rickard from Temple, Joan Anderson from Houston, and a number of his friends from across the state for his election. Because of his reputation for fair-mindedness and a balanced, moderate position on many issues, he won. Since he was a populist president, he tried to find a Dallas

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hotel with lower room rates for the convention. Bob continues: “People were complaining that they didn’t have the money for the convention. So, we got a hotel which gave us a pretty good [room] rate. It was not a bad hotel, except people were very unhappy when they ran out of rooms.”

Bob felt strongly about the legalistic style in which the State Board was treating applicants and licensees: “People were being treated like sh— as far as I was concerned, and I wanted them to have their legal rights. I spoke out for these people as TPA president, and then the presidency put me in a position to get on the board, where I instituted some reforms. I disagreed with those in TPA who were opposed to the licensing of counselors. My position was ‘quality will out.’

In other words, If we do quality work, that will supersede everything else. It wasn’t worth a legislative fight to keep somebody else from getting in. It was like the physicians trying to keep the chiropractors or osteopaths from functioning. Psychologists are better enough than counselors that the public can see it and make good choices.”

Joe Kobos (1979) truly enjoyed the give and take in the Executive Committee: “The executive committee members were really opinionated. Everybody who was on the executive committee was really bright, everyone really believed that they had the right ideas.

And they really went after it. It had a quality that remind me of jousting. The ‘Young Turks’ (such as Mike Gottlieb and Ray Costello) argued with the ‘Old Guard’ (like Joe Rickard and Bob Anderson). Sometimes I just sat back and watched it happening. The legislative discussions that we had were wide ranging and significant. And that was exciting.”

The Sunset Era The annual budget of TPA was increasing to keep up with the growth in membership benefits, educational programs and legislative action. From a total budget in 1977 of $200,000, it grew to over $700,000 in 1980.

Naomi Meadows continued as Executive Secretary and hired part-time clerical help to manage the increasing publications and comFALL 2007

Texas Psychologist munications. June Gallessich, 1980 President, remembers the time this way: “TPA was experiencing tremendous growth in size and complexity. The social and political climate had changed, and we were living in a conservative movement away from the social changes of the 1960s and 1970s. The bounty of the last twenty years was drying up, and competition for public and private dollars was increasing. At the same time, psychological knowledge and technology was rapidly expanding. Specialization was increasing, new psychological services were now available, such as stress management, substance abuse treatment, pain control and so on. So the field was getting more and more competitive, and increasing numbers of PhDs were entering the field, and many psychologists were moving from other states to Texas. So, licensure and our licensing law were increasingly important, but at the same time, the Texas legislature had created the Sunset Commission and given it the task of reviewing licensing agencies. The laws governing the practice of psychology and operation of the TSBEP were to be reviewed in 1980. So, as we began the year, we didn’t know what to expect. But we worked very hard and very collaboratively to avoid being sunsetted.”

In planning for sunset review the Executive Committee held meetings which were spirited and often heated. June continues: “With the opening up of licensure law, we were forced into a struggle for professional survival, and schisms within the organization deepened. Our different constituencies understandably fought to get their particular interests represented. Some of our Executive Committee meetings were extremely heated.

I had to learn to work within Roberts Rules and within our bylaws—at times within a highly conflictual atmosphere. We had a lot of fights. The members of the Executive Committee, just as members of TPA, were diverse.

We were also a stubborn, determined group of individuals. We were dedicated to our overall goal of survival, and we developed a great team spirit. We had an extremely creative and productive year.”

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A compromise was worked out by EC member Tom Lowry between those who wanted only PhDs on the Board and those who wanted a Board split between Doctoral and sub-doctoral certificands. The resulting board had both a PA member and public members.

Along with Gallessich, former Board Chair Robert Gordon, TPA Public Affairs Liaison Officer Tom Lowry and others spent many hours testifying, preparing positions on issues related to the State Board, holding meetings to reconcile opposing forces, and rewriting sections of the bills to satisfy both senators and TPA constituents. Dr. Gordon remembers well one such meeting: “A meeting with Congressman Bryant was particularly difficult, because he had among his constituency a number of psychologists who sought to be licensed under substantial equivalency, and their applications had been refused by the Board of Examiners. The meeting with him was stormy and vitriolic. I was in great anguish to know how best to satisfy his needs and yet maintain the policy mandate of the organization. That was a moment of great threat, because I believe that John Bryant had the power to keep our bill in committee and have a sunset. The Chinese use the word ‘crisis’ to represent both danger and opportunity.

That was both a danger and an opportunity.

But it came out all right. I was able to satisfy him, not by words, but by deeds. He wanted some concessions, so I set about to effect those concessions and show good faith and demonstrate there could be honest differences of opinion between people of good will. Even though he and I looked at things differently, we would work together, and he ultimately proceeded in that spirit, and so did we.”

The wait for the action of the Sunset Committee was filled with anxiety for TPA leadership. Finally the word came. June Gallessich remembers: “We did keep the sun from setting on our licensing law. Sunset Committee Chairman Lloyd Doggett called me at the convention November 21, 1980 and said the sunset review was almost over, although it wasn’t official until the next year when it was approved

by the 1981 legislature. When it became clear that we would not be sunsetted, many happy letters and calls came, and those contacts gave me and others who were on the Executive Committee a wonderful feeling of community — a statewide community. That was great!”

President-elect Bob Gordon put it this way: “The most significant, exciting moment was when our licensing bill successfully passed through the sunset process. And that was the culmination of a massive intellectual and social and political effort, which had many exigencies along the way, and was heralded by all as the most significant achievement of that year.”

Organizational Stability After the rigors of two years focusing on sunset review, the organization slowed down and recuperated. President Larry Abrams (1982) remembers a major concern was whether the fancy new convention hotel in Dallas would be completed in time for us. It was. Once through sunset, TPA turned its focus inward on organizational affairs, and outward on meeting the growing mental health needs of inner city residents, and on relationships with other health professions.

President Tom Lowry (1983) focused on healing the breaches within the organization and on bringing academic psychologists back into connection with TPA. The I/O Division was founded by Bill Howell, and it attracted both applied and academic professionals.

Various bills to weaken psychology’s position were introduced in the legislature and were defeated by a strong and determined group of TPA members. In 1984 President Elizabeth McDaniel promoted the involvement of the Trainers and School Divisions and presided over some raucous EC meetings.

By 1985 legislation was again at the forefront of the TPA agenda. Although we did not succeed in obtaining hospital privileges, due to overwhelming opposition from TMA, President Randy Parker remembers that this was the year that Legislative Chair Tom Cook really began to shine. Parker had this to say 11

Texas Psychologist about Cook: “He was really something to behold, I think he spent more time in Austin than he did (at home) in Dallas. He was just extremely effective in the capitol building talking with legislators and their aides. I recall how Tom amazed us by making a major contact with the Attorney General’s office in regard to hospital privileges. I very much enjoyed working with him.”

As was true for many past presidents, Dr. Parker found working with the EC was the best part. He said, “I really have not had any better working relationships with a group of professional people in may life.”

Cliff Jones, 1986 President, echoed this sentiment: “Just working alongside such a fine group of dedicated professionals was a real joy for me, I’m impressed with the way we bonded together. I enjoyed especially the bright young leaders like Mike Gottlieb, Larry Schoenfeld and Karen Karnerschen. Torn Cook in particular could think ahead of everyone else, including our medical colleagues.”

Nineteen-eighty-six marked the introduction of the official TPA logo and a full-color and full-sized convention program, which have set the standard for subsequent publications. Line dancing at the President’s dinner was a convention highlight.

In 1987 there was great concern within the TPA leadership that the membership would not approve a sizable dues increase to strengthen the administrative staff. Cliff Jones recalled that, once the membership was fully informed, the vote to staff a central office and raise the dues was unanimous. Major changes took place during the presidency of Karen Kamerschen in 1987. TPA moved to hire an Executive Director and to find a place for a permanent Central Office. After debating job duties and interviewing candidates, Margaret Youngquist was employed as TPA’s first E.D. The decision as to the best location for an office was made, and space was leased at our current location in Austin. For the first time, TPA had a place for clerical staff, a room for meetings, an office for the E.D., room for our lobbyist and staff, a place for out-of-town pro12

fessional guests to meet, a modern computer system, and room for our archives. TPA had finally reached maturity as an organization.

A Mature Organization Michael Gottlieb (1988) presided over an unusually peaceful year within TPA. He especially appreciated having Margaret, our full-time Executive Director, on board to help with the day- to-day activities of the increasingly complex organization. In 1989 Charles McDonald presided over another busy legislative year with hospital privileges, insurance reimbursement, and the role of PAs on the agenda. Charles was known for his reconciling style of leadership over a highly vocal and opinionated Executive Committee.

Emily Sutter (1990) instituted the Spring Mid-Year Conference as an opportunity to take TPA into the hinterlands. The focus of these meetings was on education and socializing. In addition, Emily inaugurated the Local Area Leadership Conference to teach LAS leaders more about TPA and the legislative process. She also led TPA into a hearing with the State Board over supervision rules, and TPA was successful in paring these regulations down to a more simplified statement of philosophy. Under the leadership of John Reid (1991), TPA moved into long-range planning for the 1990s. Legislative efforts were largely ones of setting boundaries around the practice of psychology. Beaten back were moves

by LPC’s to use projectives and an effort by a trade group to regulate guidance testing. Once again the extensive lobbying of the medics prevented psychologists from regaining hospital privileges.

Nineteen ninety-two was an innovative year for Texas psychology. President Royce Scrivner spearheaded the drive to raise over $10,000 to bring the national exhibit, “Psychology: Understanding Ourselves, Understanding One Another” to the State Fairgrounds in Dallas in conjunction with the annual convention. This meeting marked a first for TPA by bringing us together with the Oklahoma and Louisiana Psychological Associations in a “Tn-State” Convention. Dr. Scrivner helped set up the Division for the Study of Ethnic Minority

Issues and was instrumental in creating the Lesbian and Gay Research Award. In the TPA Central Office David White was hired as our new Executive Director, and many efficient new office procedures were implemented.

Nineteen-ninety-three brought the challenge of the second Sunset Review Process and with it the legislative wizardry of President Thomas Cook. Substantial changes were made in the Licensing Law, including the first true practice act for psychology. In this process, small groups of various types came out of the woodwork, each claiming to practice psychology in some form or fashion. To avoid being lumped together under a ‘super-board,’ the mental health professionals of Texas banded together and stated, “We are united in our desire to stay separate.” The ‘super- board’ bill never made it out of sub-committee. The roast at the President’s Dinner was a highlight of the year. This included a hilarious slide show by Lynn Rehm and an irreverent quartet, “Tom Cook Land,” sung by Don and Nell Cavness and Tom and Alaire Lowry.

Our four most recent Presidents have been academics. In 1994 Professor Lynn Rehm’s goal was to welcome more active participation by academic psychologists in TPA. Rehm helped the I/O group obtain associate member status in TPA and hold their convention in conjunction with TPA’s.

1995 was another legislative year, and President Michael Duffy schooled himself to an unprecedented degree in the legislative process and the use of political power. Dr. Kimberly McClanahan (1996) spent countless hours working out a successful agreement between TPA and School Psychologists. The Presidency of Robert McPherson is not yet history, but he has already led TPA through a successful legislative battle in which subdoctoral individuals were defeated in their attempts to be independently licensed to practice psychology.

It is easy to see that our presidents represent a wide variety of personalities and talents.

Each one has had a unique impact our Texas Psychological Association, molding it in his or her own special ways into the mature and vigorous organization it has become.

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Texas Psychologist

The Sun Rises Again for Texas Psychology: A Brief History from 1997-2006 Robert H. McPherson, PhD Director of Professional Affairs

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his next portion of the Texas Psychological Association story is told from the eyes of our past presidents from 1997 to 2006. For the purposes of this article, each of our former presidents was asked to share achievements, personal highlights, and favorite anecdotes for their year of service as leader of TPA. Our story picks up in 1997, my year as Association president.

Defining TPA as a doctoral organization and the practice of psychology as a doctoral profession dominated Board of Trustees’ discussions and actions for the Association’s 50th anniversary year. Indeed, preserving the doctoral standard has remained a prominent advocacy theme for the Association in the ensuing ten years. In 1997 TPA by-laws were amended to limit the Association voting rights to doctoral members only and to eliminate the Psychological Associate position from the Board of Trustees. These actions followed efforts by a small but persistent group of psychological associates, including a TPA Board member, who sought independent practice parity with psychologists during the 75th Texas legislative session. Fortunately, their bill died in the legislative Conference Committee after TPA lobbyist Lisa Ross reported to the legislative ethics office that the bill had been improperly submitted by a rogue legislative aide of State Representative Ciro D. Rodriguez of San Antonio. Shortly after the start of the 75th legislative session, Mr. Rodriguez was appointed to fill the term of US Congressman Frank Tejeda who had died in office from complications of brain cancer. Following Congressman Rodriguez’s departure to Washington, his former aide independently, and unknowingly to the new Congressman, continued to conduct Texas legislative busiFALL 2007

ness under the auspices of the Congressman’s former Texas legislative office. The bill was squashed and the aide was quickly dismissed.

Under the direction of our legislative team comprised of Drs. Jerry Grammer and Tom Kozak, lobbyist Lisa Ross, Executive Director David White, and myself, TPA played an instrumental role in passing the nations’ first Patient Protection Act in 1997 ( a series of bills addressing detrimental managed care practices).

In addition to the address of the psychological associate issue, several other significant changes were made to the composition of the TPA Board of Trustees. The Board was expanded to ten at-large positions; the presidents of the Student Division, the Texas Psychological Foundation, Psy-Pac, and the newly established Texas Psychological Corporation were added as ex-officio, nonvoting members to the Board; and the President-elect designate position was created.

These changes were inspired by efforts to: (1) diversify geographic and psychological practice interests on the TPA Board; (2) facilitate strategic planning between the TPA, TPF, PAC, and TPC; (3) and ensure continuity of leadership for TPA across the every other year Texas legislature meeting cycle.

On a related legislative front, TPA Executive Director David White was formally assigned by the Board to serve as our second lobbyist during the legislative session.

Among the personal highlights of the year for me was having the opportunity to host the 50th annual TPA convention in Austin and to meet, then introduce 28 former TPA presidents at our anniversary banquet. In addition, I was very pleased to formally introduce the singing talents of ten year old Carin McGraw, daughter of Drs.

Rick and Lee McGraw, at our annual convention. Subsequently, Carin has performed at several TPA and APA events.

As the 51st TPA president, Dr. Robbie Sharp of Houston ably led the newly reconstituted Board of Trustees during a year of considerable transition, and occasional internal turmoil. In contrast to previous board duty assignments in which Trustees were elected into a position of oversight for specific committees and duties, the1998 Board members focused their attention on the larger policy issues affecting the Association and the profession, and as well as membership recruitment. In turn, the Executive Committee comprised of the President, Past president, President–elect, and Presidentelect designate, assumed responsibility for overseeing the Association’s committee operations and oversight of the Executive Director and central office staff. Dr. Sharp also encouraged re-structuring of the TPA central office, adding additional part-time staff to support to the new organizational structure. In addition, she initiated outside consultation to assist with the development of a comprehensive membership recruitment plan targeting licensed psychologists. There had been a noticeable decline in membership as a number of psychological associates (PA) chose not to renew their TPA dues following the ‘97 legislative defeat of the PA independent practice bill and the elimination of PA voting rights in the Association.

Dr. Sharp notes that much of the Board’s work in 1998 addressed internal feuding among different doctoral groups within the Association. Most importantly, “We were able to work with several somewhat antagonistic groups to forge a formal TPA endorsement of a psychopharmacology training program, and we worked to find 13

Texas Psychologist common ground with the newly founded Texas Association of School Psychologists.”

In 1998, TPA hosted a Spring Conference in South Padre Island, a Summer Family Get-Away to Vail, Colorado, and held a record setting annual convention in Houston, where the infamous Texas Blues Brothers of TPA (Rick McGraw and Bob McPherson) made their surprise début performance at the President’s dinner. Among Dr. Sharp’s fondest memories was hosting all comers to the hotel presidential suite later that same evening, where Drs. Rick McGraw and Tom Van Hoose played guitars, “and we sung the night away, drinking a few great wines along the way.”

In 1999, Dr. Jerry Grammer served as TPA president. When asked to reflect on his most significant achievements for the year, he talked about his longstanding passion in the legislative arena on behalf of psychologists and their patients. Following in the tradition of Dr. Tom Cook, who stood at the forefront of TPA legislative activities for more than a decade previously, Dr. Grammer was most certainly the key psychologist in TPA’s legislative activities from 1995 thru his year as president. He writes: The passage of the first anti-managed care legislation in the nation is the single most important endeavor that I participated in the years preceding my years as president. In fact, had it not been for managed care and it’s destructiveness to the community, I would have perhaps never become involved with TPA and had the opportunity to work on this very significant piece of legislation.

Early during the ’95 legislative session, with an initial straw vote of 20 against and 11 in favor of the Patients’ Protections Rights legislation endorsed by consumer and health provider groups, the Texas Senate aligned itself with the managed care/insurance industry opposing further governmental regulation of the industry. Dr. Grammer reports he really got “caught up” in the political process and subsequently devoted one full day a week from his practice to be at the Capitol to turn around the Senate vote.

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Following nearly four months of intensive lobbying by Dr. Grammer and the collaborative work of many other health care providers and consumer coalitions, 18 Senators eventually changed their minds and the bill passed the Senate with a vote of 29 in favor, 2 opposed. Having passed in the House easily, the bill was surprisingly vetoed by Governor George Bush. In 1997, however, the same legislation was again overwhelming supported in both the Senate and the House and was submitted to Governor Bush, who allowed that bill to become law without his signature.

During his year as TPA’s president, Dr. Grammer was one of six psychologists in the nation invited to participate in the first ever White House Conference on Mental Health, held in June of 1999. With approximately 300 people in attendance, President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton devoted their entire morning to the meeting, with the President giving the keynote address. Vice President Al Gore and wife Tipper Gore, also a social worker, spent the entire day at the Conference and concluded the event by hosting all conferees for a dinner at the Vice President’s home. Dr. Grammer admits that he was a bit overwhelmed to be in the presence of the President, the Vice President, their spouses, the entire cabinet, and many congressmen. Following an elegant and quite formal breakfast at the White House and a morning session at Howard University, the group broke for a picnic lunch. When Dr. Grammer turned to introduce himself to those at his table, he found himself seated between political figure Eunice Kennedy Shriver and famed CBS’s newsman Mike Wallace. “The entire conference was truly a career highlight for me”, says Dr. Grammer.

In the year 2000, Dr. Rick McGraw became the first psychologist of color (Latino) to assume presidency of the Texas Psychological Association. Armed with a quick wit, considerable diplomacy skills, and above average musical talent Dr. McGraw cites among his proudest accomplishments as TPA president, the planning and hosting

of a joint Texas/Oklahoma convention held in Dallas. The theme of the highly successful conference was “Science and Business of Practice”. As a key architect of the 1997 restructuring of the Board of Trustees, designed with the now realized hopes to increase the geographic, ethnic, and specialty diversity on the Board, Dr. McGraw was also one of the leading proponents of the prescription privileges movement in Texas.

During his presidential year, he was instrumental in securing a large block grant from the American Psychological Associations to support RxP advocacy efforts in Texas. In addition, then APA president Pat Deleon, a longtime national spokesman on the prescriptive authority front, gave the keynote address at the annual TPA convention.

Well known among TPA circles as the only talented member of the Texas Blues Brothers, Dr. McGraw confesses that his summersault onto the stage during the musical portion of annual convention that year was quite unintentional. Poor lighting and dark sunglasses inspired the tumble on stage, which many assumed was just a part of the act. On the other hand, Dr. McGraw proudly recalls the day he won a bottle of tequila doing a “tumble dance” on the party boat during a TPA Family Getaway in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that same year.

Dr. Sam J. Buser characterizes his presidential year as 2001: A TPA Odyssey.

Highlighting his year as president was the introduction of the first Texas bill permitting appropriately trained psychologists to prescribe medications. The bill did not pass, indeed, Dr. Buser and the TPA legislative team, including Executive Director David White and new lobbyists Rusty Kelly and Joey Bennett, strategically negotiated to withdraw the bill from a formal hearing in favor of an interim study to later be called by the legislature. This interim study eventually served to endorse the idea of nonphysicians prescribing and was followed by reintroduction of a new RxP bill in 2003.

On a more playful note, during Dr. Buser’s year as president, the TPA Family Getaway and continuing education event FALL 2007

Texas Psychologist took place aboard the Carnival Cruise liner Celebration. Nationally noted school psychologist Dr. Scott Poland (then at Cy Fair ISD and now of Nova University) led a workshop about responding to school violence. “A little later, we tried snorkeling and sightseeing in Cozumel, Mexico. Some of us even employed practical statistics at the ship’s casino,” muses Dr. Buser.

The theme for the 2001 convention was Psychology’s Response to Violence. Ironically and sadly, the convention’s focus also corresponded to the tragic and deadly terrorist attacks on the United States on 9/11 of that year. “When the conference theme was chosen, we were thinking about violence on the micro scale in families and with individuals. Before the conference was held, though, we all experienced violence on the macro scale as a result of global terrorism,” laments Dr. Buser.

In 2002, Dr. Walter Cubberly served as the 55th president of the Association. And in contrast to previous non-legislative years, when much of the Association’s attention was turned away from the sometimes ugly business of politics, Dr. Cubberly focused TPA efforts on preparation for the 2003 and 2005 legislative sessions. President-elect, Dr. Dee Yates, founder of the TPA endorsed psychopharmacology program housed at Texas A&M University, was charged with leading the successful TPA testimony efforts before the interim study group authorized by the Texas legislature in 2001. Efforts were also launched to make preparations for the introduction of another prescriptive authority bill for psychologists in 2003. Concurrently, Dr. Cubberly appointed a task force to prepare a formal report for the Sunset Commission and develop legislative strategy for the 2005 and necessary re-authorization of the state licensing act for psychologists. As well, he established the highly successful “Sunrise” campaign which generated several tens of thousand of dollars to aid the association’s operating costs associated with the sunset preparation process.

Dr. Cubberly’s entrepreneurial skills and foresight were further demonstrated with FALL 2007

the hosting of a TPA continuing education event in Paris. While many Board members offered caution about such a risky business venture, Dr. Cubberly and Executive Director David White took some seventy venturesome psychologists to France and returned with a very satisfied group of psychologist learners and a handsome profit for the Association.

But among his fondest memories of 2002, Dr. Cubberly spoke of his opportunity to bring internationally renowned psychiatrist Dr. Irvin Yalom to deliver the annual convention keynote address. Dr. Cubberly recalls, “Dr. Yalom told me he did not do these kinds of presentations at this late stage in his career because they would take away from his opportunity to see patients and write.” But Dr. Cubberly persisted with his invitation, sharing with the famed psychiatrist his own passion for conducting group therapy and existential psychotherapy. Dr. Yalom finally agreed, and Dr. Cubberly hosted an intimate dinner party and fundraiser during the convention to honor the writer who had so inspired Dr. Cubberly as a young counseling psychology student at the University of Texas.

Dr. Deanna Yates assumed the presidency in 2003, and no other psychologist in Texas has done more to lead the prescriptive authority charge in the history of TPA. Following the success of the 2002 interim study on health care needs in the state, Dr. Yates led efforts to secure a sponsor and re-introduce a psychopharmacology bill during the 2003 legislative session. Forewarned by previous TPA efforts on this front, alarmed by the results of the interim study report, and threatened by the substantial influence of our lobbyist Rusty Kelly, the Texas Society of Psychiatric Physicians garnered additional support from the Texas Medical Association and launched a hostile negative campaign against prescription authority for psychologists. Despite overwhelming odds, TPA was successful in obtaining support from both sides of the aisle in the House and forced a hearing of the bill. The bill languished in the Public Health Committee but provided

opportunity to demonstrate that TPA could effectively maneuver against anticipated opposition by the medical establishment.

Dr. Yates also continued the successful “Sunrise” campaign and “Sunset” preparations initiated by Dr. Cubberly. As well, she established two new TPA committees: one to interact with third party payers and one to focus on public policy issues. Both committees continue today. She also instructed the TPA by-laws committee to undertake a review and update of the Association’s policies and procedures.

A significant highlight for Dr. Yates’ year as president was actually concluding as she took the gavel for TPA. In 2002, she was the only psychologist in independent practice selected to serve on the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health.

Comprised of a national interdisciplinary panel of mental health providers and advocates, this working group met monthly for more than year overseeing the work of dozens of subcommittees. In his charge to the Commission, President George Bush directed members “to study the problems and gaps in the mental health system and make concrete recommendations for immediate improvements that the Federal government, State governments, local agencies, as well as public and private health care providers, can implement.” The final report was comprehensive in scope and include such provisions as mandated mental health parity, which has recently been passed by the US Senate, and as of this writing, and shows positive signs for passage in the House.

Upon receipt of request for contribution for this article, our 57th president, Dr. C. Alan Hopewell sent a brief e-mail leading with the following words: “Tomorrow I leave for Baghdad”. Today, Dr. Hopewell is also a Major in the U.S. Army and the first civilian trained prescribing psychologist in the Armed Forces. He and his son are presently serving in Iraq. Foreshadowed by the running commentary in his Texas Psychologist presidential columns reminding psychologists of the escalating need to provide mental health services to the families 15

Texas Psychologist and soldiers affected by the global War on Terrorism, it is of little surprise that at midlife, Major C. Alan Hopewell, PhD would find way to become re-commissioned in the Army and serve his country in a time of war.

As a major achievement of the year as TPA president, Dr. Hopewell lauded the continuing work of the Sunset Task Force, with special acknowledgement of our legislative consultant Chris Shields and psychologist co-chairs Drs. Melba Vasquez and David Rudd. In the same e-mail, and on a much lighter note, Dr. Hopewell also recalled how the TPA convention hotel had double booked their meeting room space with a conference for computer programmers. Consequently, some of the TPA sessions had to be moved to the San Antonio conference center some distance away from the hotel. There was also another group holding a meeting at the convention center.

Apparently from the clothing and apparatus on display from the other conference, the other group was devoting much of its attention to the art of S&M sexual practices.

Notes, Dr. Hopewell, “We managed to successfully squeeze the TPA convention among and between the computer techs who were wandering the hotel halls with laptops literally toed to their necks, and the other people at the conference center who were wearing more revealing attire.”

Dr. J. Paul Burney highlights his year as TPA president in 2005 with the eventual passage of psychology’s Sunset Bill. Culminating three years of intensive work, Dr. Burney beams with pride over “the many psychologists who gave so generously of their time, money, and expertise for several years and then came to Austin for all those meetings, committee hearings, and late night planning sessions.”

He also lauds TPA Executive Director David White for his increased sophistication and contributions on our legislative front and underscores the outstanding ef16

forts of Assistant Director Sherry Reisman for her efforts in preparation for the annual convention, recruiting new members, and “the thousands of other details she attends with ease, humor, and efficiency.”

To celebrate TPA’s Sunset Legislation success, David White produced a video for showing at the annual convention. Filming of the video occurred at the office of lobbyist Chris Shields. Dr. Burney shares as one of his fondest memories the following story: I never laughed so hard at all of us, and especially at myself, when they were trying to keep me looking up to keep the glare off my glasses. I looked like some mortuary stiff staring into the Never World. The APA Practice Directorate’s Randy Phelps still holds a copy as ransom in case the boys and girls from Texas ever get out of line.

Dr. Burney concludes with, “The one thing about being involved in TPA is that the friendships are wonderful, the scotch and gin are super, and psychology is worth the endeavor.”

As has often been the case throughout her accomplished career as a psychologist, TPA’s 59th president, Dr. Melba Vasquez, was the first woman of color to lead our Association. And like many of our former president’s, she describes among her most rewarding accomplishments, the work she assumed on behalf of the Association (cochair of the Sunset Task Force) prior to assuming her presidential duties. As TPA president, Dr. Vasquez devoted a considerable amount of her time appearing before the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, successfully countering a proposal by psychological associates to lower the educational and training standards for the independent practice of psychology. Following one especially contentious TSBEP meeting, the psychological associate group posted the following on their website: What did confront us at the meeting were…a line of middle-aged white guys in dark suits, most office holders in TPA, many past presidents, sitting shoulder to shoulder to defend the

status quo. We would like to think …

Dr. Melba Vasquez, represents the face of Texas Psychology Future, yet there she was in her dark suit, sitting in their midst, straying not at all from the party line.

The “party line” of course, was upholding the rigorous demands and uniformed training standards for becoming a psychologist and for practicing psychology independently.

While her commitment to gender and racial equity were being challenged on the psychological associate front, in keeping with her life long efforts to address the needs of the unrepresented and underserved groups of psychologists and clients, respectively, as TPA president Dr. Vasquez appointed a Social Justice Task Force, now a Special Interest Group, which produces informative articles for the Texas Psychologist.

Also, with her support, the Woman’s SIG became a Division within TPA, and she facilitated the establishment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and the Early Career Psychologist SIGs in the Association.

Among her favorite TPA anecdotes is making more widely known the fact that Executive Director David White was her sixth grade student when she taught school in New Braunfels in the early 1970’s. “The funny part is that we didn’t recognize each other as such until David’s 40th surprise birthday party, when some of his friends also former students - recognized me and my husband Jim, who also taught in that school.”

David White later wrote of the “reunion” in a Texas Psychologist column, “Just as she did 35 years ago, Dr. Vasquez continues to teach me integrity, honesty, professionalism, leadership and one of the best qualities anyone could ever have, a caring and loving heart.”

And I can think of no better quote to close this chapter covering the past ten years of TPA history. I have learned much from Dr. Melba Vasquez and all of our former presidents. Each has held great passion for the profession and each has left an indelible mark on the history of Texas psychology.

FALL 2007

FROM THE PRESIDENT

M. David Rudd, PhD, ABPP

The Next Sixty Years for TPA

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ixty years can go quickly. In recognition of how quickly time can pass, the TPA executive committee recently held a daylong retreat to address the future of our association. Although new for TPA, it’s hoped that strategic planning retreats will occur on a regular basis, at least every couple of years. The agenda for the retreat was simple and straightforward; identify an organizational structure for TPA that would leverage our strengths for success over the next several decades. I’ve written previously about two issues critical to the future of our organization.

First, we have to assume active responsibility for our legislative efforts and, second, we need to find a way to purchase real estate in order to stabilize our financial future. The new TPA structure will address both of these issues, as well as capitalizing on our most significant inherent strength, our members.

What you’ll see emerge over the next year is a more nimble and responsive TPA, one connected in intimate fashion to the needs of our members. You’ll see an association committed improving patient access to affordable, high quality healthcare in the state of Texas. You’ll see an association intimately involved in the Texas Legislative and one in constant contact with the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. You’ll see an association with a vibrant and effective grassroots organization, one that stretches across every area corner of Texas. The net outcome of our recent retreat is a recognition and commitment to planning that stretches across decades rather than years, planning that builds across multiple presidents and boards, not artificially imposed service limits.

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I think you’ll be excited about what our association accomplished this past year and what is planned for the future. From a Legislative perspective, we learned a tremendous amount, lessons that have resulted in direct and meaningful changes in the TPA structure. The Board has reconfigured the job of our Executive Director, allowing more time for contact with our local areas societies and considerably more time for lobbying our cause in the Texas Legislature. We also recognize the importance of a grassroots lobbying. Rob Mehl, president of the Association for the Advancement of Psychology in Texas (AAPT) is actively developing our grassroots network for the 2009 session.

There will be a TPA member (or several) responsible for every single legislator in Texas. The importance of local commitment cannot be overstated. The TPA Legislative Committee is already meeting to firm up an agenda for the 2009 session, along with an action plan about fundraising efforts for targeted legislators. TPA has fully embraced the idea that we have to own our legislative agenda. Similarly, our president-elect, Ron Cohorn, is poised to take on broad array of insurance and reimbursement issues, all geared toward improving the patient access to affordable, hiågh-quality healthcare in the state.

The recent TPA restructuring will emphasize intimate contact with our membership, moving to a structure that demands a working board, that is, enhanced board member contact with the membership, something that will be supplemented by our executive director David White. Fi-

nally, the recent restructuring will allow TPA to move in responsible fashion toward purchasing property, something critical to building equity and financial stability for the association. Owning property will allow TPA to enjoy both real and professional equity, something vital to our future.

It will be difficult to prosper over the next sixty year without stable, predictable roots, something a building provides well beyond the bricks and mortar.

Let me thank all the current and past board members for their service to the profession of psychology and the Texas Psychological Association. It is service that often goes unrecognized, but is vital for both our profession and the public. A special thanks to Melba Vasquez for her fabulous leadership as president and past-president, along with board members completing their respective terms of service: Randy Noblitt, Lane Ogden, Alan Fisher and Alison Wilson. All have made significant and enduring contributions to TPA. I also want to thank the following individuals for participating in the retreat (at their own expense!) and assisting in the development of a new and nimble TPA structure for the next 60 years: Ollie Seay, Melba Vasquez, Ron Cohorn, Robbie Sharp, Dean Paret, Dee Yates, Bob McPherson, Selia Servin-Lopez, Bonny Gardner, Amanda Hook, Brian Stagner, Toba Rubin, Rob Mehl, David White and Sherry Reisman. Many Texans live more enjoyable and productive lives today because of the work of TPA and our membership. I look forward to another vibrant and productive sixty years!

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Texas Psychologist

Bowling for Psychology’s Future

By Drs. Ron Cohorn, President-Elect and Robert McPherson, Director of Professional Affairs

L

ike many Americans today, most Texas psychologists prefer to bowl alone.

Joining a bowling league is a hassle.

It means paying dues and tournament fees, buying a silly, look-alike bowling shirt with a goofy “Fast Eddy’s Quick Lube” logo on the back, arriving to the bowling alley on somebody else’s schedule, waiting longer for your next roll at the pins, and then suffering the added pressure of others anxiously watching you trying to “hit the pocket” consistently.

And to add further insult, bowling with others means your success depends in large part on your teammates’ ability to roll spares and strikes. Why bother with joining a bowling league when you can pay-by-the-game, wear what you want, bowl anytime you please, and be the only one who knows your score?

Robert Putman, author of Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000) notes that more of us are bowling today than in years previous, but that we are choosing to bowl alone. He suggests that going it alone comes at a rather hefty price for both the individual and society. Putnam argues that the seemingly insignificant act of bowling alone is both symbolic and symptomatic of a nearly thirty year long decline of Americans’ investment in the social capital necessary to sustain the civic involvement to make our democracy work effectively. Putman also suggests the absence of this investment means we do not know our neighbors as well, we socialize less with friends and family, we join fewer civic and professional organizations, we are less likely to participate in community oriented service, and we tend to avoid voting in political elections.

Parenthetically speaking, it would seem that American’s proclivity for social isolation might contribute handsomely to the livelihood of psychologists who specialize in the treatment of patients suffering from 18

situational depression and related mood disorders, unsatisfactory intimate and family relationships, agoraphobia, social phobias, and other interpersonal and intrapersonal dysfunctions or dissatisfactions. Seemingly, psychologists should be doing good and doing well because of the alienation and disconnectedness resultant from more people bowling alone. Of course, this is not the case. Most of these patients are being seen by non-psychologists, and the psychologists who are seeing patients are being paid less for the services they provide. And not so surprising, manage care company profits continue to reach new heights. Could these circumstances be a result of too many psychologists bowling alone?

Putman tells a story with Texas roots.

The Charity League of Dallas had met for fifty years to sew, knit, and visit, but on April 30, 1999, they held their last meeting: the average age of the group had risen to eighty, the last member had joined two years earlier, and President Pat Dibek said ruefully, “I feel like this is a sinking ship. (pp. 15-16) Likewise, there has been a near decade long membership decline among state psychological associations. Until recently, the Texas Psychological Association seemed on course to suffer the same fate of the Dallas Charity League. If our ship was not sinking, we most certainly have had fewer members to manage the oars and trim the sails for TPA. Until recently, membership renewals have been in decline, with many early and midcareer psychologists leaving the Association to bowl alone. Our membership is also graying and fewer new psychologists have been joining to replace those aging baby boomers who are retiring. Borrowing again from Put-

man, it has sometimes seemed that young psychologists would rather watch re-runs of the popular show “Friends” rather than making professional friends in TPA. Fortunately, 2007 has marked a positive turn in our membership numbers. The rate of current member renewals is up and some former members are re-joining the Association. This has not been by accident. Through the collaborative and persuasive efforts of our hardworking staff and dedicated volunteer leaders, many Texas psychologists have rediscovered the value of being a member of the TPA bowling team. In Putman’s terms, these renewing psychologists, at least implicitly, understand that being a TPA member serves as a major social capital investment in their professional future.

A lone psychologist can not successfully challenge the fee reductions inflicted by a billion dollar managed care company. One psychologist can not fend off those without the requisite training who want to practice our professional trade and assume our title.

A single psychologist can not convince the legislature that with appropriate training s/he can prescribe (or un-prescribe) safely and effectively. Bowling alone may be fun, but in the long run, it has proven to be unprofitable on many fronts for most psychologists.

TPA is the voice of licensed psychologists in Austin, and our voice grows stronger with the addition of each new member. Joining the TPA bowling team helps psychologists build their professional networks and strengthen their collective political muscle and influence in the Texas legislature. In an association of trusting and like-minded professionals who share a sense of reciprocal benefit for their efforts, much can be accomplished for individual members, the profession, and those we serve. Helping to lead the charge to increase our ranks and engage more psychologists in FALL 2007

Texas Psychologist

the good fight to ensure access to quality and affordable psychological services to Texans has been TPA Executive Director David White. David has been and will continue to travel extensively to local area society gatherings this fall and spring to meet with members and to recruit future TPA members. As we look toward the 2009 legislative year, now is the critical time to build our membership pranks and strengthen our relationships with our state senators and representatives.

David White can’t do it alone. We are asking you to assist in this endeavor. Our aspirational goal is to have personal contact and invite every licensed psychologist in Texas to become a member to the TPA bowling team.

Paying your dues is just the start of your social capital investment as a psychologist. Your assistance in membership recruitment is the next step in enhancing your social capital investment. After reading this article, identify one psychologist in your community that you know is not a TPA member. Invite them to attend your next local area society meeting. If David is in attendance, he will most certainly help make the membership pitch to your colleague. But from experience, we know that it’s your encouragement and prodding that will inspire your friend to join the team.

Here are some things your can share about TPA activities for 2008.

Under the direction of Dr. Rob Mehl and the Association for the Advancement of Texas Psychology (AATP), we will be launching an extended and targeted grassroots effort to inform and educate the Texas legislature of the key issues, affecting psychologists and their practices. These include the expansion of mental health parity and the address of the continuing abuse of the health care system by certain third party payer interests. We also know that there will be renewed efforts to undermine the doctoral standard for the independent practice of psychology.

On the psychopharmacology front, Dr. Dee Yates has been selected by the TPA division for prescribing psychologists to lead the execution of the Texas portion of the FALL 2007

APA national strategy to advance our Rxp initiative. We will be building on considerable national momentum on this front. The shortage of American trained psychiatrists, the understandable reluctance by some nonpsychiatric physicians to prescribe psychotropic medication, and the over-prescribing by other physicians with limited training in the area, serve to strengthen the argument for prescriptive authority for appropriately trained psychologists. Equally important, the staggering numbers of underserved mental health patients who require medication and the growing number of returning veterans requiring mental health services underscore psychology’s argument for increasing patient access to the high quality care psychologists can provide.

Next, TPA will also make special effort to identify and respond to the interests and needs of psychology graduate students, early career psychologists, as well as academic, research, school, consulting, I/O, and psychologists engaged in non-health related services.

We are aware that many new psychologists, and some of our “seasoned” veterans, are successfully blazing new trails in alternative service arenas (e.g. forensics, jury selection, coaching, mediation, software development, telehealth, web-based services and products, etc). But along the way, these innovators have encountered new challenges and unexpected hurdles that require legislative and/or TSBEP rule adaptations.

They need not bowl alone. TPA will be expanding its advocacy efforts in order to facilitate the ongoing diversification of psychological service activities among a growing number of our new and prospective members. Correspondingly, we will also seek to identify and promote cost effective ways to ethically and effectively scale the delivery of both traditional and non-traditional services via the: (1) use of technology, (2) employ of qualified extenders, and (3) use of appropriate outsourcing services.

TPA will also increase opportunities for high quality continuing education programs by utilizing video streaming on the TPA web-

site and partnering with your local area society. You can also expect another European CEU excursion in 2008. Bowling together can be both educational and fun.

Lastly, we want you to know that we will be moving the TPA central office from our current downtown Austin location to a temporary, less expensive location west of the capitol. Our plan is to reduce operating expenses while we build up cash reserves sufficient to buy a permanent office building for the Association. Our goal is purchase a facility by early 2009. Following the lead of our national association’s successful investment in bricks and mortar, the TPA leadership believes this is a crucial step in controlling ever-escalating overhead expenses related to office rental and for building equity for the Association. We will also continue to carefully monitor our mutual fund investments to ensure the long term financial vitality of the Association. These actions should also allow us to the moderate the need for future dues increases. We are striving to keep membership in TPA affordable and buying a TPA bowling t-shirt will always be optional.

In closing, past TPA president and current chairman of the Association’s financial committee, Dr. Paul Burney is fond of saying “We are they”. He reminds us that as TPA leaders and members, we all ultimately share the same fate. Another former TPA president Lynn Rehm once said, “TPA is whoever shows up”, suggesting that the direction and purpose of the TPA is defined by those who come to bowl together. Let’s continue to build the social capital of our professional lives by recruiting new members to the team.

There will be reciprocal benefit to all, and at the very least, the odds are that TPA will have a pretty good bowling team. Though not a bowler “nor an economist…Yogi Berra …offered the most succinct definition of reciprocity: If you don’t go to somebody’s funeral, they won’t come to yours.” (pp. 20).

Reference Putnam, R.D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community.

New York: Simon & Schuster.

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Texas Psychologist

Heads to Roll All Over the State Ollie J. Seay, PhD & Marla C. Craig, PhD

T

here’s no better way to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Texas Psychological Association than to launch the biggest public education campaign in the history of psychology in Texas, and “Texas State of Mind” is just the vehicle to do it! Imagine this: You are walking through a park or near a museum in your hometown, and what do you see sitting there but dozens of gigantic heads brightly painted and decorated by Texas artists! Ok, you’ve seen painted cows before, or maybe painted guitars in Austin.

Big deal! But, as you get closer, you find that the themes of these painted heads beckon your curiosity. These heads are about the mind-body connection! You see people from all walks of life drawn to the huge heads.

Not only are these heads esthetically appealing, but the pedestals on which they are sitting have all sorts of helpful information about healthy living, in English and Spanish!

The people are not just enjoying this art but learning about better ways to be mentally healthy and where to find resources. Finally, psychology in Texas has come to the masses!

Well, we sure hope so! “Texas State of

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Mind – Psychology Promotes Healthy Living” is set to roll into a location near you starting next summer. We will be seeking sponsors throughout the project. The Call to Artists in early fall should bring in a number of submissions that will be judged by a committee of individuals representing various areas of the art world. Artists will then be given about two months to complete their heads. An Opening Night Gala in Austin will be planned for next summer (2008) when the heads are unveiled in Austin. The heads will visit major cities and surrounding areas, such as Austin and San Marcos, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Houston, but they can also come to other locations if we get sponsorships to assist with their travel. They will travel throughout rest of 2008 and into the spring of 2009 when another gala will be planned to auction off all heads that have not already been bought through sponsorships.

The proceeds from this Texas-sized campaign will be used by the Texas Psychological Foundation to Proceeds to continue and expand its mission to stimulate interest and knowledge of psychology to the public. Pro-

ceeds also will be used to recognize excellence and achievement in graduate training by granting awards, scholarships, and fellowships; as well as encourage the design and development of programs and techniques for providing psychological services to schools, institutions, industries, and the communityat-large. However, “Texas State of Mind” can only roll if we have the support of our members and help from sponsors. Every one of you, either on your own or with some colleagues, can help by sponsoring a head, submitting your design to decorate one of the heads, or volunteering to be a part of one or all of the various committees listed below: Sponsorship Committee – Chair, Dr. Ed Davidson Volunteer Committee – Chair, Dr. Pat Ellis Artists Detail Committee – Chair, Dr. Suzanne Mouton-Odum Let us hear from you today at texasstateofmind@austin.rr.com

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Texas Psychologist

Disaster Corner Preparedness for Disaster Mental Health Professionals DO…Have a disaster plan for your family and job that includes you being away if you believe you would respond.…Keep a small bag handy for quick repsonse that might include personal items as well as teddy bears, crayons, paper, crossword puzzles, etc. that may help with a distressed group…Be flexible – this is not your typical private office setting and you may be asked to do things that are not your typical role …Make sure the DRN and the agency you trained with have your current contact information.

In a disaster, DO NOT... Sit at home…Wait for someone to call and ask for help…Wait until after the disaster to get trained…Show up on the scene and go to work without checking in…Show up in dress shoes and a suit (look professional, but be comfortable; open-toed shoes are a no-no).

Update From the TPA Disaster Response Network (DRN) • Rebecca Hamlin, PhD (one of our own), is now teaching the Red Cross disaster mental health course.

• Our efforts to become a TPA Special Interest Group are moving forward due to a positive response from TPA membership.

• Red Cross national is now coordinating with APA to notify all DRN state chairs in event of a disaster.

• Minnesota DRN members were part of a group of Red Cross volunteers and who offered assistance in the aftermath of the I-35W bridge collapse in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in August 2007.

• There is a new chair for the Houston Red Cross disaster mental health committee. His name is Dub Wright, and he is updating the list of interested volunteers.

Texas Psychological Foundation Contributors Contriburions received November 2006-October 2007 $1500 or Greater Elizabeth Richeson $750-999 Manuel Ramirez $250-749 Edward Davidson Michael Pelfrey Robert McLaughlin Cheryl Hall Nicolas Carrasco $100-249 Mimi Wright Sam Buser Jerry Grammer Jerry Hutton Tim Branaman

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Catherine Matthews Melba Vasquez Sheila Jenkins B. Thomas Gray Ollie Seay Lynn Ferrell Barbara Abrams Joan Anderson Keith Barton Michael Blain Ron Boney Stacy Broun Ray Brown Trenton Everett Alan Fisher Larry Fisher Michael Hand Jack Jernigan

Joseph Kobos Julie Landis Victor Loos Daniel Macias Rebecca Marsh Janel Miller Joseph Moore Dean Paret Robbie Sharp Amy Sheinberg Laurence Smith Vicky Spradling Ann Vreeland David Wachtel Collen Walter Maryanne Watson Joan Weltzien Kate Wyatt

$1-99 Linda Eklof Leigh Scott Suzanne Mouton-Odum Terri Menotti Pauline Clansy ALan Frol Stephen Loughhead Lynn Rehm Brian Stagner James Taylor Ronald Garber Carol Grothues Blakie LeCrone Ellis Craig Lynn Price Deborah Horn Pat Ellis Marla Craig Dana Davies

Wayne Ehrisman John Godfrey Carol Hailes Scott Hill Arthur Linskey Laurie Robinson Verlis Setne Richard Wheatley Jim Cox Marsha Harman Bonny Gardner Karen Jackson Hazel Lane Harold LeCrone George Parnham Sherry McKinney Selia Servin-Lopez Thomas Van Hoose George Arrendondo Paul Burney 21

Texas Psychologist

Karl F. Heiser APA Presidential Award for Advocacy

S

ince its establishment in 1992, the Karl F. Heiser APA Presidential Award for Advocacy has honored individual psychologists who have been in the forefront of advocacy on behalf of the profession. The Award is named for Karl F. Heiser, the psychologist who succeeded in passing the nation’s first state statute defining and governing the practice of psychology. Given each year at the annual APA Convention, these Presidential Awards recognize those who have given voluntarily of their time to define the discipline of psychology statutorily by state and federal laws and regulations through advocacy. Such laws and regulations include, but are not limited to, licensure, freedom of choice, Medicare, Medicaid, Workers Compensation, disability determination, mandatory mental health/substance abuse coverage, civil commitment, hospital practice, prescriptive authority, child protection and elder protection, etc. Advocacy efforts that have stopped the passage of laws inimical to psychology have also been recognized.

The 1992 recipients of the award were honored primarily because of work they did before 1975. The 1993 recipients were those who worked to ensure passage of legislation in the later 1970s through

the early 1980s. The recipients from 1994 on have been recognized for legislative advocacy benefiting the profession and the public in more recent years. Fourteen Texas psychologists have been recipient of the Award. They are: J. Leslie McCary, PhD Thomas H. Cook, PhD Rodney R. Baker, PhD James Bray, PhD Joseph Kobos, PhD Charles McDonald, PhD Laurence Abrams, PhD Jerry R. Grammer, PhD Robert H. McPherson, PhD Randy E. Phelps, PhD Rick McGraw, PhD Walter Cubberly, PhD David Rudd, PhD Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD

1992 1993 1993 1994 1994 1994 1996 1999 1999 1999 2000 2007 2007 2007

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hazelden.org/clienthelp © 2007 Hazelden Foundation

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Association for the Advancement of Psychology in Texas Contributors Donations received November 1, 2006 - October 31, 2007 $1000 and above Ed Davidson Michael Pelfrey $500-$999 Robert McLaughlin David Rudd Melba Vasquez $250-$499 Paul Burney Ron Cohorn Alexandria Doyle Richard Fulbright Charles Haskovec Sandra Hotz Morton Katz Lawrence Muirhead James Womack Dee Yates $100-$249 Barbara Abrams Carolyn Anderson Paul Andrews Larry Aniol Amelia Anthony Cheryl Armbrust Carolyn B. Reed Kyle Babick Ann Baker Deborah Barton Keith Barton Carolyn Bates Michelle Beard Connie BenďŹ eld Bonnie Blankmeyer Ron Boney Norman Bouffard Nancy Boylan Alford Peggy Bradley Glenn Bricken Franklin Brooks Stacy Broun Ray Brown Amos Jerry Bruce

FALL 2007

Linda Calvert Michael Campbell John Carpenter Jorge Carrillo Mercy Chieza Betty Clark Andrew Clifford Susan Costin Jim Cox Mary Cox Ray Coxe Leslie Crossman Mark Cunningham Caryl Dalton Harvey Davidson Dana Davies Sally Davis Michael Duffy James Duncan Anette Edens Jean Ehrenberg Wayne Ehrisman Pat Ellis John Elwood Michelle Emick Trent Everett Betty Feir Raymond Finn Stephen Finn Larry Fisher Lynn Fisher-Kittay Rowland Folensbee Elizabeth Garrison Katherine Goethe James Goggin Edward Goodman Jerry Grammer Andrew GrifďŹ n Dennis Grill George Grimes Cheryl Hall Judy Halla Paul Hamilton Bethany Hampton Henry Hanna Jo Beth Hawkins

Lillie Haynes Steve Heath David Hensley Robert Hochschild John Hoper David Hopkinson Jerry Hutton Jennifer Imming Daniel Jackson Shelia Jenkins Ronald Jereb Charlotte Kimmel Harry Klinefelter Joseph Kobos Amelia Kornfeld Julie Landis Vivian Laverty Mark Lehman Nancy Leslie Myrna Little Alice Lottes Richard Lourie Perry Marchioni Sam Marullo Catherine Matthews Donald McCann Glen McClure Jill McGavin Rick McGraw Robert McKenzie Sherry McKinney Brenda Meeks Robert Mehl Robert Mims Will Norsworthy Gina Novellino Lane Ogden David Ogren Frank Ohler Frank Ohler Pat Perin Caren Phelan Randall Price Timothy Proctor Manuel Ramirez Jayne Raquepaw

Susan Rebillet Lynn Rehm John Reid Elizabeth Richeson Steven Schneider Gaston Scott Robert Setty Robbie Sharp Herbert Shriver Joyce Sichel Jev Sikes Edward Silverman Bryan Smith Brian Stagner Jana Swart Janet Tate Ann Tucker Dana Turnbull Thomas Van Hoose Deborah Voorhees David Wachtel Joan Weltzien Mark Wernick Richard Wheatley Lee Winderman Michael Winters Arlis Wood Mimi Wright Jarvis Wright Sharon Young Fort Worth Area Psychological Assn $1 - $99 Lynn Aiken Price Drema Albin Kay Allensworth Laurie Baldwin Melvyn Berke Melvyn Berke Karen Berkowitz Brian Carr Ingrid Chowdhury Amy Collins Anne Davee Ruth Ferguson

Alan Fisher Marsha Gabriel Ron Garber John Godfrey Thomas Gray Pamela Grossman Carol Grothues Edmond Guilfoyle Marsha Harman Earl Johnson Thomas Johnson Satkartar Khalsa Satkartar Khalsa Bruce Kruger Linda Ladd Doreen Lerner Marcia Lindsey Victoria McCain Joseph McCoy George McLaughlin Craig Moore Lee Morrison Kathryn Oden Dorothy Pace George Parnham Murray Parsons Kim Praderas Arlene Rivero Cecilia Robertson Laurie Robinson James Ryan Timothy Sadler Allison Sallee Mark Schmidt Holly Schrier Jonathan Schwartz Ollie Seay Verlis Setne Tana Slay Truett Smith Rebecca Stein Laurel Wagner Patricia Weger Nancy Wilson

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Introducing the Texas Psychology Career Center!

Your career success begins right here!

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Many job seekers and employers have discovered the advantages of searching online for the best jobs and for the most qualified candidates to fill them.

But when it comes to finding qualified psychologists in the State of Texas, the mass-market approach of the mega job boards may not be the best way to find exactly what you’re looking for. The all-new Texas Psychology Career Center gives employers and job seeking professionals in Idaho a better way to find one another and make that perfect career fit.

Visit http://careers.texaspsyc.org to post your jobs or search job listings.

Job Seeker Benefits: • Services are FREE! • Job Search and Application • Resume Posting with Confidentiality Option • Save Jobs – apply when ready • Automatic Email Notification whenever posted jobs match YOUR specific criteria.

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