Economic legitimacy for professional practitioners.

In response to M. L. Meltzer's (1975) article on insurance reimbursement for psychologists, the economic legitimacy that professional psychologist practitioners have secured over the past 2 decades is discussed. This legitimacy is illustrated by the US government's recognition that psychologists may now be reimbursed by insurance companies for providing psychotherapy for government employees. The effects that the enactment of national health insurance will have on the profession of psychology are addressed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical child psychology: A practice specialty serving children, adolescents, and their families.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 41(3) of Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (see record 2010-11935-006). The following sentence on page 79 is incorrect: “As evidence of the growing recognition of board certification, many institutions providing services to children, adolescents, and families are requiring their psychologists to become certified by ABPP (e.g., Mayo Clinic) and some insurance companies now mandate this for their panels (e.g., Group Health in Seattle).” In fact Group Health in Seattle does not mandate ABPP certification for psychologists. The sentence should not contain the example in the second set of parentheses.] Clinical child psychology is a growing and vibrant field of practice and research within professional psychology. The purpose of this article is to contribute to the recent series of articles on specialties in Professional Psychology Research and Practice and delineate the development, design, and purpose of clinical child psychology. The article describes the current trends in the specialty and the challenges clinical child psychologists face in tending to the mental health needs of youth and their families. The need for the specialty and the definition of the scope of the work of clinical child psychologists is described. The parameters of training are also discussed, with a focus on the distinctiveness of the role of the clinical child psychologist. Outlined are applications of the work with children, adolescents, and their families including types of professional practice and collaborations with other professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

State and Professional Affairs.

Discusses a variety of topics relevant to psychology, with an emphasis on the intersection of state and professional affairs. Topics include: the convening of conferences to identify, define, and discuss the role of psychology in social policy issues and in the rich dimensions of human affairs; psychology and mental health legislation; Congress and psychological assessment; and insurance reimbursement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Clinical child psychology: A practice specialty serving children, adolescents, and their families": Correction to Jackson et al (2010).

Reports an error in "Clinical child psychology: A practice specialty serving children, adolescents, and their families" by Yo Jackson, Fred L. Alberts Jr. and Michael C. Roberts (Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2010[Feb], Vol 41[1], 75-81). The following sentence on page 79 is incorrect: “As evidence of the growing recognition of board certification, many institutions providing services to children, adolescents, and families are requiring their psychologists to become certified by ABPP (e.g., Mayo Clinic) and some insurance companies now mandate this for their panels (e.g., Group Health in Seattle).” In fact Group Health in Seattle does not mandate ABPP certification for psychologists. The sentence should not contain the example in the second set of parentheses. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2010-02467-010.) Clinical child psychology is a growing and vibrant field of practice and research within professional psychology. The purpose of this article is to contribute to the recent series of articles on specialties in Professional Psychology Research and Practice and delineate the development, design, and purpose of clinical child psychology. The article describes the current trends in the specialty and the challenges clinical child psychologists face in tending to the mental health needs of youth and their families. The need for the specialty and the definition of the scope of the work of clinical child psychologists is described. The parameters of training are also discussed, with a focus on the distinctiveness of the role of the clinical child psychologist. Outlined are applications of the work with children, adolescents, and their families including types of professional practice and collaborations with other professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Professional psychology and private health services: Developing trends in the Federal Republic of Germany.

Summarizes data on professional psychologists in the Federal Republic of Germany, including training, work settings, human resources, and legal aspects of professional practice. The impact of recent changes in the health care structure and the influence of health insurance regulations and legislation on professional psychologists are discussed as determinants for the future development of psychology. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished career contribution to education and training in psychology: Donald R. Peterson.

Presents an overview of the career and contributions that Donald R. Peterson has made to psychology. For more than thirty-five years Donald R. Peterson has shown exemplary dedication to the education and training of psychologists. He is recognized, and valued, among his colleagues for his dauntless advocacy in behalf of the highest standards for professional psychology programs. He was dean of the first university-based school to award a professional doctorate in psychology. He may well be the only living person who has directed a research-oriented scientist-practitioner program, directed a professional program in an academic department, and also directed a professional school in a major research university. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

About This Special Issue.

This issue of the American Psychologist is devoted to what is probably the timeliest legislative topic confronting psychology today--national health insurance. In one way or another it affects all psychologists, and the way professional psychologists and the American Psychological Association address the problem has potentially far-reaching implications not only for psychology but also for society. The Congress of the United States will eventually determine the structure of national health insurance. That word has yet to be written, and with it will be determined whether national health insurance will include a mental health benefit of any substance and, if so, whether it will include the services of qualified psychologists. The articles in this Special Issue are by no means definitive. They are intended to be representative of the three groups who have a substantial interest in the topic, in the hope of stimulating discussion and involvement of the broader APA membership in the issue of national health insurance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fighting for health care on the Hill: A tale of a senator, a psychologist, and the American people.

Describes the joint efforts of the author, a clinical psychologist, and Sen. Bill Bradley in writing and overseeing the passage of the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act (1996), which is designed to counteract the growing practice of insurance companies to force mothers and newborns out of the hospital as early 12 to 24 hrs after birth. The author also credits the support of professional medical organizations and grass roots citizen participation as key forces in overcoming opposition to the legislation by the insurance industry. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

We should respond with fact and data.

C. A. Kiesler (1977) makes the mistake of rising to the rivalry between psychology and psychiatry in order to justify 3rd-party reimbursement to psychologists under the proposed national health insurance. Before psychologists accept 3rd-party payments, they should have a national licensing procedure, support the American Board of Professional Psychology, and institute professional peer review. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

2003 Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Practice of Psychology.

Presents the 2003 American Psychological Foundation's Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in the Practice of Psychology, which was presented to Nicholas A. Cummings. A biography of Cummings is provided, along with a selected bibliography and the text of the award citation: "For a lifetime of service in which he not only consistently predicted the future of professional psychology for the past half century, he helped create it. A fearless fighter with the legendary 'Dirty Dozen,' he and this small group were at the forefront of the battle for professionalism, licensure, and third-party reimbursement. He is a cofounder of several psychological associations, including the California Psychological Association and the San Francisco Bay Area Psychological Association. He wrote and implemented the first comprehensive psychotherapy insurance, and he wrote and implemented the freedom-of-choice legislation that paved the way for reimbursement of psychologists. The institutions he founded defined much of psychological activity for decades, such as the professional school movement, the industrialization of health care, and the psychologist as behavioral primary care physician. His commitment to social justice has characterized his professional life, and, as president of the APA he... (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The AASPB story: The beginnings and first 16 years of the American Association of State Psychology Boards, 1961–1977.

At its inception 16 yrs ago, the American Association of State Psychology Boards (AASPB) identified and made provisions to facilitate dealing with the major needs of psychology examining boards in the states and the Canadian provinces. Attention has been given to legal issues, a national examination to help evaluate entry competence, mobility of psychologists across state jurisdictions, communication among boards and within AASPB, continuing education, insurance reimbursement, standards of training and supervision, and problems arising from federal and other initiatives affecting the professional practice of psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rehabilitation: Psychology's greatest opportunity?

Rehabilitation (RHB) is one of the fastest growing areas in the health industry. Supported by several key pieces of legislation, psychologists have established themselves as integral health care providers in RHB. Although psychologists have benefited from legislated membership in RHB, most individual psychologists and the psychological associations have not recognized the importance of public policy for the practice of psychology. Escalating health care costs have resulted in major revisions in the manner in which health insurers reimburse treatment. Medicare, the major federal health insurance provider, increasingly has been viewed as a model for the provision of all health care. The historic exclusion of psychologists from Medicare has limited the scope of psychologists' practice and the growth of professional psychology. The recent inclusion of psychologists in Medicare improves but does not solve practice and policy issues confronting psychology. Knowledge of national health policy formulation and greater participation by psychologists in health policy are necessary to secure the scope of professional practice most psychologists expect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The dilemma of managed care.

Responds to the article by L. S. Brown (see record 84-21642) regarding managed care and false memory movement issues in social justice-oriented psychology. The current author argues that Brown abandoned psychologists be declining to think through how responsible and ethical people can work their way out of binds. Buchholz also contends that a greater call to unity and action among psychologists is needed to fight the dehumanizing and threatening effects of the HMOs and insurance companies on mental health service delivery. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Report of the Executive Officer: 1976.

The Executive Officer of the American Psychological Association (APA) reports on the cost and organization of the Central Office, including APA's professional personnel policy, acquisition of a 2nd building, and dissemination of public information about psychology. Also discussed are interaction with the federal government concerning funds for training, research, and special projects; Central Office and public policy regarding national health insurance; and the morale of the association. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Henry H. Morgan (1919–2009).

Henry H. Morgan, consulting psychologist, gentleman, and scholar, died in New York City on June 4, 2009, after a long battle with pulmonary disease. Henry’s passing represents the loss of another link with the origin and growth of applied psychology. He joined The Psychological Corporation in 1952. Except for 1961–1962, which he spent at the Counseling Center of the University of California, Berkeley, working closely with Barbara Kirk and Harrison Gough, he remained at The Psychological Corporation until his retirement. At The Psychological Corporation, Henry applied his counseling and assessment skills to train interviewers and to become an expert in individual psychological assessment. Although he was well published and a frequent participant in professional meetings, Henry will be remembered primarily by those whose lives he touched, the young colleagues he mentored, and the managers and executives at the companies with which he consulted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ronald E. Fox.

While maintaining an active career as a scholar, teacher, and administrator, Ronald E. Fox has made important contributions to the field of education in professional psychology. Key among his contributions have been his work in establishing the Association of Psychology Internship Centers, organizing the National Council of Schools of Professional Psychology, and establishing a university-based school of professional psychology as a viable alternative to the graduate education models based in traditional departments of psychology. Fox is, perhaps, most noted for the various educational initiatives for which he has been responsible here at the American Psychological Association (APA). While he was recording secretary and member of the Board of Directors of APA, he was the key, central figure in the creation of the Education Directorate. This new directorate is now firmly established and will shape APA's actions regarding education and training for many years to come. For his commitment and dedication to the field of education in psychology, we honor Ronald E. Fox. He is this year's recipient of the award for Distinguished Education and Training Contributions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obituary: Samuel B. Kutash (1912-1979).

Presents an obituary for Samuel B. Kutash (1912-1979). Sam Kutash was a leader in the development of professional psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Melba J. T. Vasquez: Award for Distinguished Senior Career Contributions to the Public Interest.

Announces Melba J. T. Vasquez as a recipient of the Award for Distinguished Senior Career Contributions to the Public Interest for 2002. A biographical statement is included, along with major works and contributions for the field. Vasquez received this award for scholarship, teaching, service delivery, and professional leadership activities which reflect commitment to issues of empowerment, justice, and equality for all members of society. Vasquez has been involved in promoting the increase of ethnic minority and gender representation in all aspects of psychology. Her work has been in the areas of ethnic minority psychology, psychology of women, professional ethics, and teaching and training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Opinions and use of the DSM system by practicing psychologists.

Recent articles criticizing the new DSM-III have renewed discussion of the issues of diagnostic systems in general. A 4-page questionnaire was sent to 601 psychologists in the National Register of Health Service Providers, 1978 to assess their use of and views on the current and projected DSM systems. 434 (73.4%) were returned. Results suggest that diagnosis by DSM-II is used mainly as required by agencies and insurance companies. Little else seems to influence the use of DSM-II. It was also found that the development of an alternative American Psychological Association manual is contingent on acceptance by 3rd-party payers. Findings are discussed with regard to their impact on the future of diagnosis and psychology. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Political aspects of peer review.

Discusses professional psychology's increasing recognition in federal health-care legislation. Whether psychology is eventually included in a national health insurance bill will be primarily determined by political considerations, including psychology's relationship with organized medicine, its credibility within the federal bureaucracy, and its performance in the development of standards for care and assurance of quality. It is concluded that psychology's success in developing a workable system of quality assurance through peer review may be the profession's most important asset in determining its role in future legislation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)