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News Briefs

The Google effect: Training our brains

A recent headline proclaimed, “Digital Universe to Smash ‘Zettabyte’ Barrier for the First Time” telling us that the amount of available digital content is equivalent to everyone in the world tweeting or blogging constantly for a century or, put another way, the same as a stack of CDs — each full of data — extending [...]

New system to predict fraud and abuse

Due to increasing pressure to reduce fraud, abuse, and billing errors in its Medicare program, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on July 1 that Northrop Grumman Corporation, a global security firm known for its defense contract work, has been contracted to develop a predictive statistical modeling system to identify high-risk medical [...]

22nd state recognizes differences in legal competency

In July of 2011, when Ohio House Bill 86 was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, Ohio took a huge stride forward in defining what it means for a juvenile to be found “Incompetent to Stand Trial.” Ohio became the 22nd state to define juvenile competency by statute. Prior to the new [...]

Stand Down helps homeless veterans get their lives back

A three-day annual program called Stand Down in Ventura County California that was co-founded by a psychologist serves a growing number of homeless veterans each year. Psychologist Jon Nachison, Ph.D., and Robert Van Keuren developed the camp-styled intervention in 1988 as an outgrowth of their work with the Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (VVSD). Nachison [...]

From the Latest Issue...

The Second Decade

In the second 10 years of The National Psychologist, 2001-2011, the profession scored a couple of long-time goals, came to terms with national security issues that tested the patience of both sides of the issue and agreed to disagree on how best to deliver therapy.

During this 10-year period, many notables in the field of psychology died, as well as the founder, publisher and editor, Henry Saeman, who passed away at the age of 76 on May 13, 2003.

Psychology were able to claim victory over the medical profession when two states …

The First Decade

Condensed from a summary prepared by Gary DeNelsky, Ph.D., of the 57 issues of The National Psychologist printed from January 1991 through June 2001published in the 10th Anniversary Edition, July/August 2001. DeNelsky was a longtime friend and confidant of the newspaper’s founder, Henry Saeman. DeNelsky founded the Cleveland Clinic’s Smoking Cessation Program and was its director for 20 years before retiring in 2001. He remains active in tobacco control and stop smoking efforts in the Cleveland area.

Managed care

“Managed care” was largely a theoretical term when the first issue of The …

Peace of Mind: Keeping Medical Records Safe

How secure are your patients’ data? Storing patient health records electronically may be an efficient solution to the antiquated paper filing system of the past, but despite the many upside perks (including financial incentives from the government to adopt electronic health records), a failure in your system that results in breached data may come at a hefty price.

As a psychologist, you understand that maintaining confidentiality between patient and therapist is core to your ability to practice. Suffering a data breach could not only cost you time and resources but could …

But the Judge Ordered Me to Do It

During a recent risk management consultation a psychologist reported how a judge had ordered him to render a forensic recommendation regarding a family that he had been treating. This psychologist had been treating the family in question for more than a year, but eventually the parents decided to divorce. As a consequence of the decision to divorce, they began to battle over which parent should have what amount of time with their respective children.

The psychologist found himself in the middle of their legal dispute and, without input from the psychologist, …

ADHD Coaching: An Important Tool for Therapists

One study found that 10 percent to 20 percent of adults seen in outpatient mental health settings have ADHD. Too often, they are being treated for comorbid anxiety, depression, addictions, etc. while the ADHD goes undiagnosed and untreated.

When it is treated, it is usually with traditional therapy models that don’t address practical matters where adults with ADHD need help the most. Therapists have not sufficiently addressed these needs and the field of ADHD coaching was born and people without clinical training are providing these services. Some therapists have responded by …

Classifieds

2012 Appointment Calendar for Mental Health Professionals

For more than 20 years, this 8 1/2 x 11 inch appointment book has been a mainstay for busy psychologists, social workers & other... 

Did you know...?
That psychologists can earn 1 continuing education credit per issue for simply reading The National Psychologist? A great reason to subscribe today!