Summer 2012
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST
A publication
of the Iowa
Psychological
Association
iowapsychology
.org
State affiliate
of the American
Psychological
Association
From the President
Greg Gullickson
Thank you all for a successful
and truly enjoyable spring
conference in Ames this past
April. Despite concerns that were
raised about holding the
conference during VEISHA,
turnout was good, as was revenue
from the conference. It was just
as important to the planning
committee, however, that
attendees have a good time at the
conference as they benefitted from
excellent presentations and
enjoyed the warm collegiality that
I think most of us associate with
IPA conferences. I thought
members might be interested in
an outside perspective on this. In
her thank-you letter to the
1
association, our Friday presenter
Valerie Gaus wrote:
“During my visit I was very
impressed by the dedication Iowa
psychologists have to providing
high-quality services to their
patients as well as their students.
The breadth and depth of
experience each professional must
have in order to meet the mental
health needs of people in rural
and underserved areas was eyeopening. The fact that
psychologists in your state work
VERY hard was both obvious and
humbling to me. To see that you
all do so with such warmth and
humor only added to my
admiration for your members.
Last but not least, thank you for so
many gestures of hospitality that
made my stay all the more
pleasant. . . . So many of your
members went out of their way to
ensure I was made to feel at
home.”
Other aspects of the
conference were also very
gratifying and will guide the
organization in the planning of
future conferences. It was
wonderful to have a good student
turnout. In spite of VEISHA
activities preventing some students
from attending, the luncheon with
graduate students and internship
From the President: To Next Page
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
From the President
Greg Gullickson
were to be terminated in ninety days because Blue Cross
Blue Shield had partnered with an entity known as New
Directions “for the management of all aspects of behavioral
health services including provider network contracting.”
Predictably, the new contract with New Directions involved
From Page 1
significant rate cuts for Florida psychologists.
Many of you may already be well aware of such
developments. Florida is not alone. As the author of the
training directors was well attended, and approximately
previously cited article goes on to say, “Although Florida
twenty students presented posters. Although no students
happens to be the state where the model is being given a trial
took advantage of the “bed and breakfast” option for
accommodations in Ames, several students expressed their
run, it appears that this unholy witches’ brew is destined to
appreciation that it was available, and they strongly urged
be served nationally.” My intention in mentioning these
that IPA continue to offer this as an option at future spring
developments is not to sound alarmist but to emphasize how
conferences.
critical it is that we remain vigilant, resolved, and connected.
Response to programming on healthcare integration was
I find it reassuring that we have smart and committed
positive. Both the Saturday
professionals within IPA who are
morning plenary session that
tracking such developments
At the State Leadership Conference in
closely and keeping us informed.
provided an overview of this topic Washington, DC, APA leaders and
TIP articles and conference
and the follow-up panel
legislators told us that within several
presentations will remain a
presentation that focused on
years psychologists will likely face
applications were very well
primary means for keeping
demands for increased efficiency in
received. As I mentioned in my
members informed.
providing services as well as rate cuts.
last letter in TIP, APA has urged
To this end, Thomas Ottavi,
that we pursue the topic of
Jason Smith, and I are very
healthcare integration at the state level. (As some have said, in mindful of coordinating our efforts as conference committee
a healthcare environment that will face significant change in
chairs. One of our primary aims is to provide IPA members
these next years, this is about psychology having “a place at
with timely and helpful programming particularly in the area
of healthcare integration. At the same time, we are eager for
the table and not being on the menu.”)
At the State Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, input from members about topics they want to see featured
in upcoming conferences.
APA leaders and legislators told us that within several years
psychologists will likely face demands for increased efficiency
As I mentioned in my last letter, we must embrace both
in providing services as well as rate cuts. Those who think
the blessing and the curse of living in an interesting time.
this is unlikely would do well to review the lead article in the For the sake of our profession and our clients, I hope that
most recent issue of The National Psychologist. It details
together we can recognize the coming challenges that we
how in 2011 Florida psychologists received a letter from Blue face as Iowa psychologists and support IPA as a resource for
Cross Blue Shield of Florida announcing that their contracts navigating this shifting and precarious healthcare terrain.
Fall 2012 IPA Conference Topic
and Date Oct. 12, 2012 • Johnston
IPA is finalizing a contract for a presentation
by Dr. Armando Hernandez from a Midwest
Behavioral Health Consultation group with
over 20 years of combined experience in
working with psychology integration into
health care systems. We have a unique
opportunity for these consultants with
clinical experience to review our recent IPA
survey on healthcare integration issues for
membership. They will work to develop an
effective and useful workshop on the most
2
current topics and issues for integrations of
psychology for a range of psychology
providers. Dr. Hernandez will conduct an
interactive workshop that will provide a
framework for collaborative practice,
working consultation models, and
integrated delivery methods for
psychologists. Please look to join us for this
all-day workshop.
More information: primarycareshrink.com.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
3
Impaired – It Wasn’t Easy
Kerrie Hill
I want to tell you two stories in order to make
the issue of the impaired psychologist more real.
This is an issue that faces not just our profession,
but specific colleagues and/or you. The first story
is about my efforts to find and bring together
resources on the issue. It is to illustrate the amount
of effort it took as a fully functioning, not impaired
psychologist to get information that could be
helpful to an individual who is or is beginning to
find that their personal resources are overwhelmed.
The point being that it could be too big of a
challenge for the distressed or impaired
psychologist to find them and thus get some
direction without our help. The second story is
about an individual psychologist who became
impaired, a cautionary tale of sorts.
At our Spring Conference 2011, a year ago,
during one of the panel presentation there was a
general discussion among the attendees on
impairment issues. The majority of us were seasoned
psychologists. But even then there was some
uncertainty among us about just what constituted
impairment and just what we were required to do
when we had questions about how another
psychologist was faring. Prior to that I thought I knew
enough. I know our ethics. And back in my training
days I gave little thought to whether I would need to
know more, need to make judgments to apply the
ethics in this area. But 20 years of living and
practicing as a psychologist has brought home to me
that I need to know more than how to aspire. I need
to know the nuts and bolts of dealing with a specific
individual whose cognitive, emotional, and/or
physical energy are dangerously low.
After the conference I thought mostly about the
individual in need. I thought I would help by simply
helping create a list of psychologists who had
experience, knowledge, and comfort in the role of
the “psychologist’s psychologist” that could be
available through IPA. However, there is a whole lot
I had not considered (simple things aren’t always so
simple). I had not thought about how it would
expose IPA to the risk of being named in a
malpractice suit if they gave out a name or a list. So
my solution had to be reformulated. Executive
Council heard my frustration, discussed the issue,
and responded. A member of the council aided my
research by sharing information about an
intervention program she was aware of through the
IBP. This program, the Professional Licensure
Impaired Practitioner Program (IPP) is for all
licensed Iowa professionals. It was created by DHS
and is run by the Dept. of Public Health. It was
reassuring that Iowa has the IPP, that there is a path
the Board can routinely use when one of us is in
trouble, that they want to give us a chance to return
to competent functioning, that they do not have to
invent an appropriate “treatment plan” for each
individual that comes to their attention. That is the
job of the program.
But while IPP is a completely confidential
program, being such a formal (not to mention State)
program, I imagine fears about one’s license could
make it harder to accept that one needs much help
or to take that first step to get it. And it seems like it
could be pretty threatening to one’s self-concept as
well. I was not satisfied with this being the only
option, the only information I provided to our
members about getting help. So I made some more
efforts.
Going forward I found out some state
psychological associations have formal Colleague
Assistance Programs. They vary in how much they
provide. They can provide assessment of the
individual, develop an individual intervention plan,
monitor compliance and decide if the individual
needs to be reported to the licensing board. But
these programs need formal policies and procedures.
They also carry liability risks. Iowa is a small state
with a relatively small psychological association.
Getting such a program up and running would
involve untold hours. It could be a goal some time
in the future. Maybe something our near retirement
or actually retired members, or graduate students
might think about. But as a profession and as
individuals we need something now.
Again I had to re-conceive how I could help, and
help now (not just someday). I thought it would help
at least to develop a go-to resource to address the how,
when, and why questions, a kind of road map of how
to get or give help. And then that could be available
Hill: To Next Page
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
4
Impaired – It Wasn’t Easy
Kerrie Hill
So there is now (I hope it is posted in full by the time you
read this) a resource about impairment for students and
to our members through our web site. Helping was becoming
member psychologist on our web site. It is something I plan on
more difficult than I first thought. I was going to need to spend
updating and adding to over time.
more time, search, and write. But I wanted to give back.
I now turn to the story of a licensed psychologist in Iowa
As a clinician I was still most concerned about the
that I have had several contacts with who fell into “the abyss” (as
individual who is distressed and slipping –or is impaired. I
she put it). She has given me permission to tell her story on the
thought about what the individual psychologists personally need condition I not use her name and change identifying details.
to know, what help would they need (besides how to find a
Changing identifying details was easy and you are encouraged
therapist). It seemed they certainly needed to
to change any details that would make it
have help to deal with what was impairing
easier for you to put your self into her shoes
About the Author
them, especially their mental and/or physical
(vs. the tendency to see how you are different
health. It was easy to find a lot of
and thus this would never happen to you).
Dr. Hill works at Child
information on prevention and self-care.
When this part of her story started she
Psychiatry Associates in
There are great ideas of things to do to
had been providing direct therapy services
Des Moines. She has been
restore one’s health, energy, and interest in
for 10 to 15 years. She liked working with
a member of IPA since 1990.
one’s work. But those ideas and practices
clients, finding it intellectually challenging
alone are insufficient to address impairment.
and rewarding. Improving individual lives
I also thought it would be important to find some kind of
was meaningful work for her. After licensure she had worked
specific guide to aid in making judgments as to whether one is
exclusively in outpatient settings and was reimbursed through
impaired. But there seems to be no paper and pencil test. We insurance (vs. depending on grants and government funding of
have our ethics and we have diagnoses. The latter do not tell us an agency). She had been seeing primarily middle class clients
if we are impaired. We know we can competently function in
for quite awhile and did not have to be on an on-call rotation.
the wide variety of roles we as psychologists do even with
She worked Monday through Friday, set her own hours, and
mental and physical health disorders.
controlled her own caseload. She kept her appointments to
The Psychologists Association of Alberta tried to develop a
between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
self-assessment guide. They published it over 25 years ago. It is
She reported she liked having time for herself, her family,
out of print and I was only able to locate one copy. It exists in a her friends, and talked about a number of hobbies and
library in Alberta Canada and they would not loan it out via
activities she kept herself involved in. So she made sure to
inter-library loan. I thought I had hit a dead end but after awhile protect the time she wanted for these from the opportunities
I figured out a different way to get the information. I contacted
and/or pressures to do “just a little more” professionally. She
the Association directly and explained what I was trying to do
had established a running habit in graduate school and had
and the woman agreed to help me. Eventually she was (oh, so
stuck with it. She liked making and eating healthy food.
many technological missteps) able to mail me a Xeroxed copy.
She had had some problems with depression in graduate
But I was disappointed as it was not what I thought it might be.
school. And she had taken care of it by seeking personal
Basically it was addressing competency more than impairment in support and the use of medication. It had not delayed her
that they had taken all of their ethical guidelines and formulated getting through all the hurdles of her training and getting
questions in behavioral terms so you could decide if you meet
licensed. So when she again started having trouble sleeping,
the standard. It was four months before I had another lead when feeling drained, and her focus was a little off she recognized the
I just stumbled across a Burnout Self-Appraisal Test from a
signs. She started seeing a counselor for a while and asked her
workshop I took in 1981. At first I was excited, but most of the
family doctor to put her back on the antidepressant she had
items focused on feelings and behaviors that suggested
found helpful before. Again it helped, but sleeping remained a
depression, only a single possible factor in becoming impaired.
problem. So her doctor added a sleeping medication. After
Of course there are other types of information needed to
trying several different ones and different doses, they decided it
deal with the whole issue of impairment. I found APA’s
was time to see a specialist, a psychiatrist.
Advisory Committee on Colleague Assistance Programs to be a
She met regularly with her psychiatrist. She was a “good
great resource. Through them I first spotted a link that nicely
patient”. Not only was she open and verbal, she was compliant
answered the bulk of the “what do you do if you think a
(what we all wish our clients were). But as these things go, one
colleague is impaired?” question. This led me to realize I could medication helped some of her symptoms but not others or made
use a lot of links to develop the resources on our web site
some of them worse (or had problematic side effects). So doses
instead of having to write a book, so to speak. The job was
were adjusted, different drugs in different categories were added
doable. With that I got myself into the modern way of doing
and different combinations were tried. The months added up.
things. Tapping into the ACCA resources made it possible to
Hill: To Next Page
develop our member resource I call the “Impairment Zone”.
From Page 3
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
From Page 4
She was starting to not look forward to meeting with her
clients. But, there was always one more medication or
combination to try. She respected her psychiatrist and thought
the next adjustment would make the difference. But each new
trial took 4-6 weeks before a fair judgment could be made if it
was doing what she needed it to do.
She was doing what looked like all the right things to care
for her personal health: seeking professional care and following
self-care recommendations (i.e., eating healthy, exercising
regularly, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and using good sleep
hygiene practices). But she was not able to judge whether she
needed to do something different in her work. All of the
more observable indicators of where she was in the foggy
“impairment zone” were not adequate or effective guides in
this case. She came in every day, saw the same number of
clients she always had, got her paperwork done in a timely
manner, and returned phone calls. None of her colleagues
noticed a change significant enough to approach her.
She had some discussion with her psychiatrist about the
possibility she should take some time off, but they did not
come to a conclusion, there were still more treatment options
they could try. And by that point she was too tired and
isolated to figure out where else to turn to get further help in
making a decision and making a plan to take a leave of
absence. So unfortunately one Friday she simply hit the wall.
She just could not fake it through one more therapy session.
She took the weekend to think, admit to herself it was time,
and made a hasty plan to take a leave of absence.
Humor Naomi McCormick
5
Along the way, as you read this story did you think about
if it was you instead of her what you would have (or even she
should have) done differently? Did you think about what is
different in your situation that would have prevented things
from ever going so far –or perhaps the opposite, differences
that could have made it go too far even faster? Did you think
of things that as a colleague you might have noticed or that
you already do that might have made her turn to you for help?
What did she need that could have helped her know
when to say when, when to say stop providing direct services
to clients? One answer could be that elusive paper and pencil
test (that isn’t among the resources you’ll find on our site). A
different answer that I hope becomes a reality: a culture of
openness. A test cannot replace clinical judgment. To judge
impairment takes being able to discuss what is happening. A
culture of openness could help individuals feel they can seek
out a colleague to have that discussion with and not
somehow exposing themselves to professional suicide.
It may surprise you that the Iowa Bar Association is actively
trying to create that culture of openness for their members. In
their last 3 newsletters they have had attorneys “out” themselves
by telling their story –not anonymously. The Iowa Supreme
Court has approved taking a workshop on how depression and/
or chemical dependency affects attorneys personally as meeting
one of their ethics CLE’s (CEU’s in our language). They are
doing this to address the fact that about half of the attorneys that
require disciplinary actions have either substance abuse and/or
mental health problems. I don’t know the statistics for IA
psychologists but expect they would be about the same.
How do we create this culture of openness for ourselves?
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
6
Positive Psychology and Adults on the
Autism Spectrum Valerie L. Gaus, Ph.D.
Comments from the Spring Conference
Being diagnosed on the autism spectrum
does not preclude a person from enjoying a
In response to Valerie Gaus’s presentation
mentally healthy life in adulthood. In my
on “Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult
practice as a psychologist providing therapy to
Asperger Syndrome and related conditions”
adults and older teens on the spectrum, I have
learned from my patients that life satisfaction
and peace of mind can and is experienced by
“This presentation was a great overview of
many. Living with an autism spectrum
Asperger’s Syndrome and the varied presentations
disorder does bring with it some stressful
of those affected. I felt the therapeutic
situations, however, and it is common for
suggestions and interventions were on-point and
will be very useful in my work with college students
people on the spectrum and their families to
seek help from psychotherapists in dealing with with Asperger’s. I appreciated the focus on
Positive Psychology with this population as well.”
problems of daily living. Many are diagnosed
with Asperger syndrome (AS) or “high“I’ve heard many times of ‘social stories’ but
functioning” autism (HFA); both phenomena
hadn’t integrated them into my work with ASD
involve symptoms of autism observed in
clients. This workshop was perfect timing in my
people who are verbal and have average or
above intellectual ability. Psychotherapists who developing competency. I will definitely be using
all of the techniques that she presented. I already
work to meet the needs of this expanding
have particular clients in mind (both children and
patient population may find guidance in the
adults).”
literature on both positive psychology and
cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT), where there
“The workshop was informative in differentiating
are evidence-based approaches that can be
the various areas of strength and challenge that AD
useful in helping these individuals find relief
spectrum individuals have and how they are
from their daily stress while also capitalizing on
manifested in a variety of our clients.”
their strengths (Gaus, 2007, 2011a, 2011b).
Patients typically come to a therapist for
help with social problems that they are
attributing to AS/HFA, and/or for help with
secondary psychiatric disorders, most commonly
Positive Psychology: A Strengths-Based
anxiety or mood symptoms. The mental health
Approach to Change
problems seen in these individuals are often related
Ironically, the characteristics that can put people
to their attempts to fit in with society. Contrary to with AS/HFA at odds with others or at risk for
the popular belief that people with autistic
problems are the very same characteristics that
spectrum disorders are aloof and disinterested in
contribute to their talents and abilities. When
people, many are very motivated to have friends
therapy goals are being set, it is important to not only
and lovers. Chronic stress comes with a
identify the problems that are targeted for reduction,
dramatically uneven profile of strengths and
but also to highlight the assets and coping strategies
deficits. Generally bright and often successful with that the adult patient has already developed before
academic pursuits, they struggle in the
coming into treatment. I have marveled at how
interpersonal domain of functioning. I
incredibly resourceful and clever these individuals can
conceptualize all of these problems as stemming
be in designing strategies, often without any help, to
from basic information processing differences.
negotiate their way through a world that is to them
People with AS/HFA have an idiosyncratic way of very confusing and threatening. The individualized
processing both social and non-social information treatment plan should always include interventions
that has been present since birth or early
geared toward helping the patient recognize the
childhood. Their unique perception has in some
things he or she has already done to successfully
ways adversely affected their development and
adapt and to build upon those self-taught skills.
social experiences, resulting in undesirable
Using a strengths-based, lifespan developmental
consequences (Klin, Jones, Shultz & Volkmar,
perspective, a therapist can collaborate with patients
2005). It causes them to exhibit behavior that can to help them alleviate the distress that they define.
make them look different or to be unappealing to
This is consistent with the philosophy of positive
others and also leads to impairment in non-social
psychology.
areas of functioning, such as organization and selfdirection, which increases the level of stress.
Gaus: To Next Page
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
7
From Page 6
Positive psychology is a growing field that focuses on
enhancing the mental and physical health of human beings
by highlighting and strengthening assets. Researchers and
clinicians try to understand the characteristics that are
associated with happiness as well as resilience and survival
through adverse circumstances. While these efforts have
been largely geared toward the general population,
professionals working with people on the autism spectrum
have also found this approach useful. One important part of
this movement has been a focus on defining autism
characteristics as differences, not defects. Autism is not seen
as a disease but does give a person a unique way of
processing information about the world and the people in it.
This philosophy has been helpful to me in my practice with
my patients because, while this unique way of perceiving the
world does indeed cause some of the problems that bring
adults into my office, it also gives them strengths and talents.
If I were to follow a disease model of autism, I would have to
try to “eliminate the autism”. But to do so would be to
sacrifice the assets that patients have because of their autism.
The positive psychology approach allows me and my patients
to use some of the autistic characteristics as tools and assets
in the therapy.
One of the most relevant concepts that grew out of
positive psychology for adults on the spectrum is the
definition of intelligence offered by Sternberg (2003). He
suggests that people will be most successful if they possess the
skills to do the following:
• Define success in one’s own terms, which may or may
not correspond to societal or conventional definitions of
success
• Adapt to, modify and choose the environments one is in
• Do all of the above by capitalizing on strengths and
correcting or compensating for weaknesses
While this definition pertains to all people, it is very
useful to adult patients on the spectrum in order to help them
clarify their goals and identify obstacles.
The Utility of Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
CBT refers to a set of strategies for dealing with mental
health problems that has existed for over 40 years and has a
huge empirical literature supporting its validity as a
psychotherapy approach with typical (not autistic) patients.
This large collection of therapeutic approaches all assume
cognitive activity affects emotions and behavior and that
people can learn to monitor and alter that activity in order to
bring about changes in mood and behavior. CBT has been
shown to be effective for a wide variety of mental health
problems seen in typical adults, such as major depression,
generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia,
social phobia and post-traumatic stress disorder (Butler,
Chapman, Forman & Beck, 2006). People on the spectrum
are at great risk for all of the mental health problems that
have been successfully treated using CBT (e.g., Attwood,
2006; Gaus, 2007; Ghaziuddin, 2005).
CBT teaches people to monitor their own thoughts and
perceptions with the hopes that they will become more aware
of their interpretive errors. There is no reason to believe
people with AS/HFA cannot learn to do this with a
therapist’s help. They can learn to re-conceptualize social
interactions and become more able to more accurately
“read” the behavior of others. Once they understand others'
motives and the rationale for the "codes of conduct" that
exist in various social situations, they can more easily monitor
their own behavior and adjust their responses to other people
and situations. They can also be taught to recognize and
modify maladaptive patterns of information processing
which contribute to their stress, anxiety and depression.
As with any typical patient in CBT for a mental health
problem, the therapist's job is to teach the adult with AS/
HFA to identify and modify the cognitive activity that is
causing problems in living, but not to change the individual's
entire personality. For people with AS/HFA, this means to:
• Teach new cognitive and behavioral skills that were
never learned
• Teach compensatory strategies for deficits that cannot
be changed
• Facilitate self-acceptance
• Teach strategies to decrease or prevent symptoms of
co-morbid mental health problems, such as anxiety
disorders and depression
Conclusion
By combining the philosophy of positive psychology and
CBT techniques for assessment and intervention, therapists
working with adults on the spectrum can help them to define
their own goals, become more knowledgeable about their
own strengths and weaknesses and then use that information
to increase life satisfaction.
References
Attwood, T. (2006). The complete guide to Asperger's syndrome.
London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Butler, A.C., Chapman, J.E., Forman, E.M., & Beck, A.T.
(2006). The empirical status of cognitive-behavior therapy: A review
of meta-analyses. Psychology Review, 26(1), 17-31.
Gaus, V.L. (2007). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult
Asperger syndrome. New York: Guilford Press.
Gaus, V.L. (2011a). Adult Asperger syndrome and the utility of
cognitive-behavioral therapy. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy,
41(1), 47-56.
Gaus, V.L. (2011b). Living well on the spectrum: How to use
your strengths to meet the challenges of Asperger syndrome/highfunctioning autism. New York: Guilford Press.
Ghaziuddin, M. (2005). Mental health aspects of autism and
Asperger's syndrome. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Klin, A., Jones, W., Schultz, R., & Volkmar, F. (2005). The
enactive mind - from actions to cognition: Lessons from autism. In F.R.
Volkmar, R. Paul, A. Klin, & D. Cohen (Eds.), Handbook of autism
and pervasive developmental disorders: Vol. 1. Diagnosis, development,
neurobiology, and behavior (3rd ed., pp. 682-703). Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley.
Sternberg, R.J. (2003). Driven to despair: Why we need to
redefine the concept and measurement of intelligence. In L.G. Aspinwall
& U.M. Staudinger (Eds.), A psychology of human strengths:
Fundamental questions and future directions for a positive psychology
(pp. 319-329). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
From the Executive Director
Carmella Schultes
In early March along with IPA leaders in an
Iowa delegation I attended the APA State Leadership
Conference in Washington, D.C. One of the speakers
I most enjoyed was Mary Beyer who spoke in a
plenary session about the how associations are
changing and where to shift our focus to continue to
be vibrant and relevant to our members.
The prevailing take home message was that
associations need to concentrate on helping
members work less stressfully, work more
productively and work more profitably. Leadership
and management need to morph from a mindset of
association as a club or community to association
as a business. And clean house, even creating a “to
don’t do” list.
As always, SLC can both inspire and
overwhelm me and it takes a few weeks of
processing to put the messages from SLC in the
context of IPA allowing me to cherry pick what I
think is applicable and what I think is not
applicable from their message. I recognize that
there are radical changes for professional
associations that are already here or just on the
horizon. They include: 1) generational changes, 2)
member time restraints, 3) member money
restraints, 4) competition from for profit groups, and
5) a need for associations to specialize and
compartmentalize.
And here is where it gets overwhelming … these
changes are occurring on a national scale but IPA
leadership and management need to adapt to them
within the culture of our geography and profession.
I cannot imagine that I will not still tell a prospective
member that IPA is a professional home and that
IPA has a real sense of community that they need to
be part of. This is Iowa, right? That’s what we have
always been about. But I hope to begin to develop
within myself and your leadership a new perspective
on what new young members are looking for when
they join IPA. We must remain relevant and we must
offer value so I do believe going forward we must use
as a litmus test for all of our initiatives, how our
investments in our projects reduce stress for our
members, make them more profitable, or make them
more productive. It is a tall order. Your help is
welcome. For starters, please let me know:
If you are chairing a non-functioning or
unnecessary committee. With limited resources and
a desire to reduce member stress, we should be open
to discarding what is no longer working.
If you see yourself as flexible, bright, creative
and consensus building. We need you on our team
because other for-profit groups that we are
competing with are identifying their best leaders and
we have to do the same to expect to be competitive.
•
•
8
•
What you need in your business to be more
productive and more profitable if you see a way we
can provide it. Our advocacy is the major thrust in
protecting the profession from threats to your
productivity and profitability. Expect to see more
training from us on how you can be more
comfortable participating in our legislative day and
in self advocating. Also be aware that we are reassessing our advocacy efforts and exploring how to
involve more students (with mindfulness of their
schedules). We know that student voices are
powerful. We need them on the hill with us.
What else our website can do to promote
your practice. Currently we offer reciprocal
linkage. If you have a site you would like posted to
ours let me know. We also have a contact form for
each of you so that public viewers looking for a
psychologist can find you. Finally we offer 1
month free posting of any classified ad for our
members and after the first month we extend a 50
percent discount.
To wrap up, I will just share a fact that I
brought back from SLC that gives some perspective
to the importance of advocacy. Research has shown
that a 30 second lie by the opposition takes 5
minutes (ration of 1:10) to refute. If the opposition is
spending 1 million on a campaign to attack our
profession, we must spend 10 million to counter it
and the refutation must appear in the same media
format that the attack was launched. As a profession,
if we are going to seriously advocate for our patients,
we need to step it up.
•
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
9
Does confirming post-identification
feedback affect evaluators’ abilities
to discriminate between accurate and
inaccurate witnesses? Leah Speed
& Laura Smalarz, Iowa State University
Eyewitness misidentifications are the leading cause of
wrongful convictions in the United States, yet eyewitness
testimony continues to be heavily relied upon by jurors in
court cases. One problem with jurors’ reliance on eyewitness
testimony is that witnesses are susceptible to the influences of
confirming post-identification feedback—when witnesses are
told they made the correct identification (Wells & Bradfield,
1998). Research consistently reveals that confirming postidentification feedback inflates eyewitnesses’ confidence and
distorts their recollections of the witnessing experience
(Bradfield-Douglass & Steblay, 2006). Although research has
demonstrated that confirming feedback inflates evaluators’
beliefs in the accuracy of inaccurate eyewitness testimony
(Bradfield-Douglass et al., 2010), no study to date has
investigated whether confirming feedback produces different
evaluations of accurate versus inaccurate witnesses.
The present study aimed to fill this gap by conducting a
two-phase study to test whether post-identification feedback
affects evaluators’ abilities to discriminate between accurate
and inaccurate witnesses. During Phase 1, stimulus materials
were collected for Phase 2. In this first phase, participantwitnesses watched a video of a crime and attempted to
identify the perpetrator from a photo lineup. Accuracy was
manipulated by giving half of the participants a lineup that
contained the perpetrator and the other half of participants
a lineup that did not contain the perpetrator. Following the
identification, half of the participants were told they made
the correct identification (regardless of their actual accuracy),
and half were told nothing. All participants then provided
videotaped testimony about the witnessed event and the
person whom they identified as the perpetrator of the crime.
During Phase 2, participant-evaluators watched the
videotaped testimony of witnesses from Phase 1 (four videos
total—one from each condition). After watching each video,
participant-evaluators indicated whether they believed the
witness had made an accurate or an inaccurate identification.
Participant-evaluators were not told that some witnesses had
been given confirming feedback. Results indicated that
feedback increased the extent to which evaluators believed
witnesses’ testimony, however it did not do so uniformly
among accurate and inaccurate witnesses. Rather, feedback
significantly inflated the believability of inaccurate witnesses,
About the Authors
Leah Speed (left) is a senior majoring in psychology at
Iowa State University. Laura Smalarz is starting her
fourth year in the Social Psychology Ph.D. program at
Iowa State. Her research focuses on social influences
in eyewitness identification and criminal interrogation.
but had little to no effect on believability among accurate
witnesses.
The results of this study indicate that the detrimental
effects of confirming post-identification feedback translate
into the evaluations of eyewitness testimony. Inaccurate
witnesses who received confirming feedback were believed to
have been accurate as frequently as were accurate witnesses,
regardless of whether the accurate witnesses had received
feedback. Inaccurate witnesses who received confirming
feedback took on the appearance of accurate witnesses.
This is the first study to demonstrate that postidentification feedback critically reduces jurors’ abilities to
discriminate between accurate and inaccurate witnesses.
Future research will examine potential moderators of the
effects of confirming feedback on evaluations of accurate
versus inaccurate witnesses, which will assist in suggesting
legal remedies.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
10
IPA Membership Survey on Healthcare
Integration Jeritt R. Tucker, MS,
& Thomas M. Ottavi, Ph.D.
In April, a survey was sent through e-mail list-serve to
members of the Iowa Psychological Association. Sixty-eight
members responded (about 35% of active IPA members) to
this request and completed a survey including their
demographic information, current practices in coordinating
with primary care, and concerns about healthcare reform.
The results of this survey are reported below.
Demographic Information
For those responding to the survey, the average number
of years as a licensed psychologist was 18.56, with 3 of the
68 respondents being pre-licensure. On average,
respondents spent 56% of their professional work in direct
clinical service; 15% in supervision, training, or
administration; 14% in consultation with other agencies; 8%
in teaching; and 6% in research or grant writing.
About the Authors
Jeritt Tucker is a second-year
doctoral student in Iowa State’s
counseling psychology
program. His research and
professional interests are
primarily in the domains of group
psychotherapy, international
applications of counseling theory
and practice, and the stigma of
seeking psychological help.
Thomas Ottavi is IPA Past
President.
privacy, shifting psychotherapy’s focus away from the therapeutic
Current coordination with primary care
relationship, and imposition of standardized managed care.
Sixty-eight percent (n = 46) of respondents were working in
The next largest area of concern (n = 7) was the idea that
coordination with primary care or health clinics for referrals or
psychologists would not be in a good position when compared
other services at the time of the survey. These clinics included a
with other healthcare professionals during and as a result of such
variety of settings: university medical centers and student health
reform. These centered on psychologists being “second-rate”
services, family medicine clinics, ob-gyn, adult internal medicine,
citizens, seen as mid-level providers, and otherwise being
pediatric practices, psychiatric providers,
devalued. A final common area of
Veterans Affairs clinics, nursing homes,
Figure 1
concern (n = 6) was the addition of
oncology clinics, pain management clinics,
paperwork through electronic records and
weight clinics, and endocrinologists.
How ready or prepared do you feel for the
compliance with insurance requirements
For those psychologists working in
upcoming changes related to healthcare
as well related reductions in payment.
reform?
coordination with primary care, this
Unprepared
15
22%
typically represented 38% of their
Summary
Partially
Prepared
40
59%
practice. They received approximately
It
is
clear
that
coordinating with
Mostly Prepared
10
15%
32% of their referrals from medical
primary
care
is
already
common
Completely Prepared
3
4%
providers and they referred
practice
amongst
psychologists
in Iowa.
TOTAL
68
100%
approximately 21% of their clientele to
For those who do work directly with
some sort of medical care setting.
What amount of change do you anticipate primary healthcare clinics, a significant
Healthcare reform will have on your
percentage (over one third) of their
current practice?
Concerns about healthcare
practice comes from and is referred out
None
12
18% to these settings. As such, it makes sense
reform
Little
9
14% that Iowan psychologists are concerned
Twenty-two percent (22%) felt
Some
37
57%
unprepared for upcoming changes
about the impacts that healthcare
A Great Deal
7
11%
related to healthcare reform, 59% felt
reform will have on their practice.
TOTAL
65
100%
partially prepared, and only 19% felt
There is much uncertainty about how
mostly or completely prepared. This was despite the fact that reform will impact current psychological practice in Iowa,
the majority of practitioners (68%) anticipated some or a
and many report being unprepared for these changes.
great deal of change in their current practice (see Figure 1).
As psychologists identify concerns around drastic changes to
Accordingly, the large majority (76%, n = 50) foresaw
long-standing therapeutic practice, no longer being granted the
wanting more workshops on the topic of healthcare reform
same autonomy, being seen as secondary to other clinicians, and
beyond those offered at the IPA Spring 2012 conference.
increasing paperwork and compliance demands, it is clear that
The majority of fears and knowledge gaps in the
healthcare reform represents a significant concern to
integration of psychology with healthcare reform centered on
psychologists in Iowa. It will be important for IPA, and other
changes to psychology as a practice (n = 8). Such fears
agencies across the state, to work to solidify these concerns and
included possible elimination of 50-minute sessions, changes in
to bring them to the table in the evolving healthcare arena.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
From the Iowa Psychological Foundation
Suzanne Zilber, Ph.D., IPF President
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Iowa
Psychological Foundation. It is fitting that we as a board
have stepped back and surveyed the IPA membership for
what types of projects they get excited about. While IPA
and IPF are separate organizations, our missions are very
similar and there is much cooperation between us. The IPF
offers a tax deductible vehicle for IPA members to support
IPA specific initiatives as well as projects unique to the IPF.
In addition to supporting the work of psychologists, the IPF’s
mission is to cultivate public understanding of the crucial
role psychology plays in strengthening the health,
productivity, and happiness of all Iowans.
Fifty-eight IPA members completed the survey: 37
online and 21 at the conference April 20th. The survey
suggests that we need to communicate more frequently and
the preferred mode is email. The IPF Board continues to be
excited about completing work on the Media-Wise project,
focusing on educating parents directly about the effects of
media on children, with the goal of strengthening the health
and happiness of Iowans. The survey results suggest there is
strong IPA member interest in keeping early psychologists in
Iowa and educating public policy makers. IPF cannot engage
in lobbying policy makers but we can be involved in creating
educational materials.
IPA membership would look forward to more onsite
auctions at the fall or spring meetings. These are wonderful
community building events but not great fundraising events
for the foundation. If the IPA membership wants to
collaborate with the IPF board to create something like that
in the future, we should talk.
Given this feedback, we will start communicating at
least quarterly by email to update you on progress we are
making toward the Board’s identified initiatives. Most
recently we provided the funding for the IPA Student Poster
Competition, and awards went to three student winners:
Emily Johnson, Leah Speed, and Gerald Jones.
Our most recent positive news is that the IPA board
voted to allow the IPF to earn revenue through purchases you
make on the IPA website with a major online retailer that
sells all types of products. Contracts prohibit me from
naming the website, but you will see it on the IPA homepage.
Please create a web bookmark to use this portal for all your
purchases. And of course, you are always welcome to make a
direct donation. Donations can be mailed to IPF, 48428
290th Ave., Rolfe, IA 50581.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST
Executive Director:
Carmella Schultes
48428 290th Avenue, Rolfe, IA 50581
712-848-3595 • 712-358-1621
(mobile) 712-848-3892 (fax)
[email protected]
11
The Iowa Psychologist is published
four times a year by the Iowa
Psychological Association and
distributed to IPA members for
purposes of disseminating a wide
variety of information of particular
relevance to Iowa psychologists.
Unless otherwise noted, positions/
opinions are those of the individual
contributors. The publication of any
advertisement in TIP is neither an
endorsement of the product or service
nor of the advertiser. We reserve the
right to reject, omit, edit or cancel any
ad or copy submitted for publication.
Advertising rates:
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• Two column – $25 per inch
• One column – $15 per inch
A 10 percent discount is available for
advertising in more than one issue.
Advertising copy (with payment) must
be received by the following deadlines:
March issue – February 15
June issue – May 15
September issue – August 15
December issue – November 15
All submissions must be typed and
may be sent to the editor as e-mail
attachments (Microsoft Word
preferred). Deadlines for issue content
are the same as the advertising
deadlines. To submit con- tent or for
more information, contact:
Stewart W. Ehly
358 Lindquist Center, University of
Iowa Iowa City, Iowa 52242
319.335.5335 • 319.621.7553 (cell)
[email protected]
Publications of APA, APA Divisions or
APA State Affiliates may copy in whole
or in part from The Iowa Psychologist
provided the item is not identified in
TIP as coming from another source.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
12
Homelessness and the Fairweather
Lodge Program Charles Bermingham
Homelessness is a term which evokes a variety
of reactions. There are many people and
organizations interested in helping individuals who
are homeless find a way to establish a better
standard of living. One such program working
across the country to aid individuals in this way is
the Fairweather Lodge program. This article will
give a brief explanation of the Fairweather Lodge
model and its implementation in the Iowa City area
by several prominent organizations. Additionally
the impact of this program on this author’s
perception of homelessness will be considered.
The model for the Lodge program has existed
since 1963 when Dr. George Fairweather conceived
it and implemented the Community Lodge Program
(http://www.theccl.org/Fairweather.htm). The
Lodge is not transitional housing, rather permanent
housing should an individual choose. Individuals
accepted into Lodge programs traditionally suffer
from a range of mental illnesses, unhealthy
interpersonal relationships, physical health concerns,
substance abuse, poor job seeking/maintenance
skills, homelessness, and histories of trauma. In
many instances veterans suffer from these symptoms
and are drawn to Lodge programs. Often these
reoccurring concerns, which often lead to
homelessness, increase as these veterans live on their
own, which creates a predictable and toxic cycle
(Gordon, Hass, Luther, Hilton, & Goldstein, 2010).
The Lodge program attempts to allow members to
break these cycles by providing an opportunity for
interdependent living and employment. This style of
living involves learning/re-learning basic living and
interpersonal skills, as well as how to function
efficiently in a variety of worksites. Individuals work
towards living together in a single-home without any
live-in staff, while still having the option to contact
staff if needed, working collaboratively at work-sites,
maintaining medication compliance, and building
relationships with one another. The residents pay
rent, are responsible for cooking, cleaning,
maintenance, and setting and holding others
accountable for rules via a consensus model, all of
which are taught throughout the training period.
The physical location of the home is generally in a
family neighborhood and it is indistinguishable from
any other house around it. The goals are for
individuals to find social support, healthy
relationships, active psychological coping skills,
problems solving skills, and more through the Lodge
program training and eventually living in a Lodge
with other graduates. The Lodge outcome research
shows good psychological outcomes, high
About the Author
Charles J.
Bermingham is a
student at the
University of Iowa
in the Counseling
Psychology doctoral
program.
medication compliance, good work performance,
and low recidivism (http://www.theccl.org/
Fairweather.htm).
Nationally, the Fairweather Lodge model has
been successful, yet this Lodge is the first in Iowa.
With its proximity to the Iowa City VA Medical
Center and University of Iowa Hospitals and
Clinics, it is highly likely that more homeless
Veterans will be identified and be eligible to
participate in the Lodge training program. The
University of Iowa, Department of Veterans Affairs
and the Shelter House are collaborating to help the
Iowa City Lodge program to succeed. The
Department of Veterans Affairs is a strong partner
in this project and The Department of Veterans
Affairs Health Services Research and Development
Service (HSR&D) recently published a critical
review of the literature on homelessness and
Veterans (April 2011). Although comprehensive,
two issues were tangentially addressed: rural
homeless Veterans and problems related to
permanent and stable housing. Homelessness as a
problem implies that having a stable home would be
a simple solution (Cunningham, Henry, & Lyons,
2007; Tessler, Rosenheck, & Gamache, 2002;
Wenzel et al., 1993). Yet, individual and
autonomous living is not the solution for all homeless
Veterans. Some Veterans certainly would thrive once
they settle in a safe apartment or home, have a job,
and find meaningful social relationships and
interpersonal contacts (First, Rife, & Toomey, 1994;
Forchuk et al., 2010; Gamache, Rosenheck, &
Tessler, 2001). The Lodge model provides an
opportunity for those individuals who might struggle
in an autonomous living situation to thrive in an
interdependent living situation.
My initial interactions with people in this program
strongly impacted my view of individuals who are
homeless. My experiences with the Lodge helped me
dispel the stereotype of homeless individuals being
Bermingham: To Next Page
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
References
Cunningham, M., Henry, M., & Lyons, W. (2007). Vital mission:
Ending homelessness among veterans. National Alliance to End
disconnected from the world and unable to hold engaging
conversation. I found that the men in the Lodge program are well Homelessness 1-36.
First, R.J., Rife, J.C., & Toomey, B.G. (1994). Homelessness in
connected to other members in the community and also keep up
rural areas: Causes, patterns, and trends. Social Work, 39(1), 97-108.
modern forms of communication via cell phones and email.
Forchuk, C., Montgomery, P., Berman, H., et al. (2010). Gaining
Although the contact these individuals have with others was not as
ground, losing ground: The paradoxes of rural homelessness. Canadian
frequent as what members of my graduate school community
Journal of Nursing Research, 42(2), 139-152.
engage in, it was much more than I expected. Also surprising to
me was the eloquence with which many of these members are
Gamache, G., Rosenheck, R., & Tessler, R. (2001). The proportion of
able to converse with others. Especially noticeable was the detail
veterans among homeless men: A decade later. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric
with which many of the individuals are able to describe their
Epidemiology, 36(10), 481-485. doi: 10.1007/s001270170012.
Gordon, A.J., Hass, G. L., Luther, J.F., Hilton, M.T., & Goldstein,
history and emotional pain. Every individual I have come across is
G. (2010). Personal, medical, and healthcare utilization among homeless
different; however I generally learned that these members desire
veterans served by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan veteran facilities.
social contact, hold engaging conversations, and have diverse
histories which led them to their current situations. Homelessness Psychological Services, 7(2), 65-74. doi: 10.1037/a0018479.
Tessler, R., Rosenheck, R., & Gamache, G. (2002). Comparison of
was not an ideal situation for any of these individuals, but the ways
in which they were able to get their basic needs met during periods homeless veterans with other homeless men in a large clinical outreach
program. Psychiatric Quarterly, 73(2), 109-119. doi: 10.1023/A:
of homelessness is evidence of a very adaptive resourcefulness. I
have witnessed how this resourcefulness can translate into very
1015051610515.
productive work both in the training and in the jobs they work at
The Coalition for Community Living (2009). Fairweather Lodge.
as part of the program. I have seen that, contrary to stereotypes,
http://www.theccl.org/Fairweather.htm.
Wenzel, S.L., Gelberg, L., Bakhtiar, L., Caskey, N., Hardie, E.,
these individuals have the capability and often desire to work, as
well as the capacity to hold engaging conversation and contribute Redford, C., & Sadler, N. (1993). Indicators of chronic homelessness
positively to society, and the Lodge program provides a supportive among veterans. Hospital & Community Psychiatry, 44(12),
1172-1176.
environment for these individuals to succeed in these ways.
From Page 12
IPA Website Update Phil Laughlin
The paragraph found immediately below was included
in a 2010 TIP article prepared by the executive director and
this writer on the History of IPA from 2000-2010:
“The IPA Website was created in the late 1990’s. The
first webmaster was Rex Shahriari and the server was
provided free by Central College in Pella, Iowa. Rex took a
sabbatical in 2002. He was followed by John Kvapil from the
Quad Cities area. Approximately four years later Chris
White in Ames, Iowa, became the webmaster. She upgraded
the site and this was maintained by her successor, Scott
Graham, also of Ames. Scott resigned in 2010 and passed
the baton to Cyndi Schaefer, of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. She
worked energetically with the IPA Website Committee to
significantly overhaul and update the web site; she continues
to maintain it at present. Membership utilization of the
website is evolving. The IPA Facebook site is directly
accessible on the website.”
At present, the host site for the web page is being
changed. The transition will take a month or two, but by the
time this article is read the transitioning should have been
completed. Thereafter, a series of articles will be prepared
that address various particulars about the site that should be
informative to the readership.
A significant focus over the past two years has been to
develop the archival function of the site. A History section
was created that includes a number of articles specific to
13
About the
Author
Phil Laughlin is a
retired VA
psychologist and a
lifetime member of
IPA. He currently
chairs the IPA web
site committee. He is
pictured with his wife Ruth at the celebration of their
50th wedding anniversary.
developments within IPA since its inception. Governing
Documents and Governing Monitors sections were created
that include founding organizational documents and
financial and membership trends. Minutes of executive
council and membership meetings are now included and all
future minutes of these meetings will be added on a timely
basis. A TIP archives is now in place and will include all
future issues.
The webmaster is performing extremely well and
working closely with the executive director and the web site
committee. Anyone wishing to participate on the committee
has simply to inform the executive director.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
Carl Rogers and Gloria: An Exploration
of Person-Centered Therapy
Barbara C. Sieck
During my second year of my Counseling Psychology
PhD program at the University of Iowa, my classmates and I
watched the 1965 movie Three Approaches to Psychotherapy.
The film, produced by Dr. Everett Shostrum, presented Dr.
Carl Rogers, Dr. Fritz Perls, and Dr. Albert Ellis providing
therapy to a "real life" woman named Gloria. Although much
of the post-film discussion revolved around the dramatic
differences in the three therapist's styles, I could not stop
thinking about the impact the film must have had on Gloria
herself. How did she experience the three therapists? Was she
able to truly give informed consent to the whole process? Was
she being exploited? What happened to her once filming was
completed? What would she have thought about the fact that
- 45 years later - a group of psychology students were privy to
her inner most thoughts?
These questions led me down several paths. I read an
excellent book, written by Gloria's daughter, Pamela J. Burry,
called Living with 'The Gloria Films': A Daughter's Memory
that offered a comprehensive picture of Gloria's life and
provided insight into the impact the film had on both Gloria
and her family. I wrote a research paper exploring therapist's
responsibilities when writing about their own clients. (The
paper, titled "Obtaining Clinical Writing Informed Consent
Versus Using Client Disguise and Recommendations for
Practice," was recently published in the Online First
Publication of Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice,
Training.) And I wrote the following paper which examined
Person Centered Therapy through the lens of Carl Rogers'
videotaped therapy session with Gloria.
“Many therapists today have not had enough
experience in farming…too many therapists think
they can make something happen…I like much
better the approach of an agriculturalist or a
farmer…I can’t make corn grow, but I can provide
the right soil and plant it in the right area and see
that it gets enough water; I can nurture it so that
exciting things happen. I think that’s the nature of
therapy…” – Carl Rogers (Moon, 2007, p. 278).
In 1965, Dr. Everett Shostrum invited three
world-renowned psychiatrists – Carl Rogers, Albert
Ellis, and Fritz Perls – to demonstrate their unique
forms of psychotherapy with the same client.
Gloria, a 30 year-old recently-divorced woman,
began each of the three sessions by describing her
ambivalence about sharing details of her sexual
relationships with her young daughter (Shostrum,
1965). Three Approaches to Psychotherapy, the
training film that resulted from these sessions,
illustrated the strong impact a theoretical orientation
can have on the therapeutic process. Because of his
14
beliefs about human nature and the process of
therapy, each psychiatrist created a very different
relationship with Gloria. Reflecting on the
experience several years later, Gloria described her
interaction with Carl Rogers, who practiced personcentered therapy, in this way: “Something happened
in those few short minutes which has stayed with me
ever since. He simply helped me to recognize my
own potential – my value as a human
being” (Dolliver, Williams & Gold, 1980, p. 141).
This paper will use the relationship between Carl
Rogers and Gloria to explore the different
components of the person-centered approach,
including the necessary conditions needed for
successful practice, the emphasis on being nondirective, and the roles of specific techniques and
transference. The paper will also examine critiques
of both the theory and the Rogers’ portion of the
film. Studying Gloria and Rogers’ interactions and
relationship will lead to a comprehensive analysis of
person-centered psychotherapy.
Central to Carl Rogers’ conceptualization of
person-centered therapy is the belief that humans
have an innate desire to grow, develop, and reach
their full potential (Sanders, 2007). This desire,
which Rogers called “self-actualization,” occurs
through an “organismic valuing process,” which is
an organism’s “inherent tendency to value
experiences which maintain and enhance” it
(Sanders, 2007, p. 10). If people are permitted to
flourish with no outside interferences, Rogers
believed that they would feel good about themselves
and continue to grow in a positive direction.
Conflict occurs, however, when individuals begin to
internalize the values of others into their own sense
Sieck: To Next Page
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
15
Carl Rogers and Gloria: An Exploration of
Person-Centered Therapy Barbara C. Sieck
Throughout the session, Rogers works to connect with his
client by understanding her. At one point, Gloria describes
wanting to reach self-acceptance, but feeling that her behavior
of self, resulting in the development of conditions of worth.
prevents
her from this goal. Rather than offering a hypothesis,
When a person’s sense of self-worth becomes dependent on
or
interpreting
her behavior, Rogers simply tells her that he’d
societal forces, a discrepancy occurs between one’s real self and
like
to
understand
why this occurs (Rosenzweig, 1996). In
one’s ideal self. Rogers refers to this discrepancy as
expressing
his
willingness
to listen to Gloria, he encourages her
incongruence, and he believed that it is the source of distress
to
listen
to
herself
(Rogers,
2007). For Rogers, psychological
and psychological maladjustment (Archer & McCarthy, 2007).
contact
involves
the
therapist’s
commitment to join with the
Person-centered therapy differs tremendously from the
client
in
search
of
understanding.
medical model: rather than diagnosing and treating a specific
Client Incongruence
problem, Rogers emphasized a more holistic approach (Moon,
After the condition of psychological contact is met, the
2007). He believed that psychotherapy should provide an
person-centered approach asserts that the client must be
opportunity for the client to intensely express and experience
distress and for the therapist to affirm the client’s feelings (Barrett, experiencing some form of incongruence or vulnerability.
Incongruence exists when there is a divergence “between the
2007) Within person-centered therapy, an individual does not
self-structure (largely the self-image or the self as perceived…)
“learn” how to be happy, nor is this person “‘restored’ to a
and the lived experience of the person” (Sanders, 2007, p. 10).
previously non-distressed…state” (Sanders, 2007, p. 12). Since
Although incongruence can manifest itself in many different
“personality [is] not a state or a thing but a journey,” a client is
ways, the person-centered approach considers this vulnerability
encouraged to move forward, with the help of new experiences
to be the single source of psychological distress (Sanders, 2007).
and support, in a more positive direction (Sanders, 2007, p. 12).
A common theme in Gloria’s session is her internal conflict
about
how she wants to be viewed by her children. Gloria
The Necessary and Sufficient Conditions
notes
that
her children see their father as “sweet,” and she
When Gloria reflected on her involvement in Three
would
like
to be viewed in a similar way. Yet Gloria sees herself
Approaches to Psychotherapy, she identified a deceptively
as
more
“ornery”
and she wonders whether her children would
simple desire: “What I needed most at that point in my life was
love
her
if
they
knew
her true self (Zimring, 1996, p. 69).
permission to be me” (Dolliver, Williams, & Gold, 1980, pg.
Gloria
reports
having
moments of clarity, which she describes
141). Rogers believed that in order for a client to grant herself
as
“utopia,”
in
which
she
knows how she would like to act and
that permission (and, thus, experience psychological change)
see
herself.
But
she
goes
on
to say that thinking about it, “gives
there are six necessary conditions that must be met. The client
me
a
choked-up
feeling…because
I don’t get that as often as I’d
and therapist must be in psychological contact, the client must
like”
(Rosenzweig,
1996,
p.
62).
Therein
is the source of
be in a state of incongruence, the therapist must be congruent
Gloria’s
incongruence,
and
the
reason
that
she has entered
and genuine, the therapist must experience unconditional
therapy.
positive regard towards the client, the therapist must
demonstrate empathy towards the client’s internal frame of
Therapist Congruence
reference, and the client must perceive the therapist’s
Just
as
the
necessary
conditions for therapy includes a
unconditional positive regard and empathic understanding
client’s
incongruence,
the
person-centered approach holds that
(Sanders, 2007). Rogers asserted that if these six conditions
the
therapist
must
strive
to
be congruent and genuine (Sanders,
were met, a client could expect to achieve “greater integration,
less internal conflict… [and] more energy utilizable for effective 2007). This requires the therapist to be fully present in the
moment and have “the ability to listen…without being
living” (Kirschenbaum & Henderson, 1989, p.218).
impeded by the reverberations in oneself ” (Moon, 2007, p.
278). This does not mean that the therapist is unconcerned
Psychological Contact
Roger’s first condition appears to be straightforward: “The with his or her own thoughts and feelings. Instead, a congruent
person is one who is able to accept and process experiences
two persons are in (psychological) contact” (Sanders, 2007, p.
without getting lost in them (Sanders, 2007). Rogers wrote, “If
15). Yet within the person-centered approach, contact means
much more than proximity. Rather than being directed by the I am in a relationship with another individual I would like to
know what I am experiencing in my gut. I would like to be
therapist, the client leads the way. Rogers models this concept
aware of what I am experiencing in relationship with the client;
in the beginning of his session with Gloria. After introducing
himself, he gently says, “I’ll be glad to know whatever concerns I would like to be able to express that to the client, if it seems
you” (Rosenzweig, 1996, p. 57). He is making it clear to Gloria appropriate” (Rogers, 2007, p. 3). Clients tend to experience
their therapist’s congruence both through words (primarily in
that the therapy itself is meant to “accommodate each client’s
preferred way of being in relationship with a therapist” (Moon,
2007, p. 283).
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Carl Rogers and Gloria: An Exploration of
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“I statements”) and through non-verbal cues (Cornelius-White,
2007 p. 174).
During his session with Gloria, Rogers reveals his
congruence in multiple ways. He consistently demonstrates his
genuineness and openness nonverbally through “intonation,
pacing, gestures and physical presence” (Weinrach, 1990, p.
283). However, he also indicates his congruence verbally,
through the use of metaphors. As was discussed earlier, Gloria
tended to describe her ideal sense of self, in which she was less
concerned about how others viewed her and more in tune with
her own feelings, as “utopia” (Wickman & Campbell, 2003b, p.
20).
Gloria: “Ah, I mention this word a lot in therapy, and…
most therapists grin at me, or giggle or something when I say
Utopia. But when I do follow a feeling, and I feel this good
feeling inside me, that’s sort of Utopia, that’s what I mean.
That’s the way I like to feel, whether it’s a bad thing, or a good
thing. But I feel right about me. This is what I want to cover.”
Rogers: “I can sense that, in those Utopian moments, you really
feel kind of whole. You feel all in one piece…” (Wickman &
Campbell, 2003b, p. 21).
Rogers illustrated his congruence and openness towards
Gloria by building on her metaphor, rather than rephrasing or
otherwise modifying her description. By demonstrating his
willingness to meet Gloria where she was and contribute to her
already developed self-understanding, he situated himself as a
supportive presence. Rather than “giggling” or “grinning” at
Gloria’s self-conceptualization, he aligned with her (Wickman
& Campbell, 2003b).
Unconditional Positive Regard
One of the most well-known conditions needed for
psychological change is the therapist’s unconditional positive
regard for the client. Rogers compared this feeling to the love
and value a parent feels for a child, regardless of the child’s
occasional negative actions or behavior (Rogers, 2007). Moon
(2007) refers to unconditional positive regard as the therapist’s
“willingness to receive any and all communications from the
client as being the client’s experiences…all without
judgment” (p. 278). The motivation behind this condition is to
create a new experience for the client. If the client feels that
her sense of self is prized and appreciated by an outsider, it is
hoped that she will be more willing to prize and appreciate
herself (Sanders, 2007).
In Three Approaches to Psychotherapy, Rogers
exhibited successful and unsuccessful instances of
unconditional positive regard for Gloria. As Gloria
contemplates a lie about her sex life that she told her
daughter, Rogers continually reflects and affirms her
emotions without judgment. Giving Gloria a safe space to
share thoughts that she believes are shameful seems to give
her just the support she needs. When she tells Rogers that
she “senses that he is backing her up,” he replies, “[Y]es, I
do believe in backing up people in what they want to
do” (Rosenzweig, 1996, p. 62). This exchange helps Gloria
accept and value her own beliefs about herself.
Zimring (1996) asserts that Rogers fails to achieve
unconditional positive regard in other sections of the film.
He specifically identifies several instances in which Rogers
does not respond to Gloria’s negative emotions (such as when
she begins the session with the statement that she is feeling
nervous) or self-disparaging beliefs (about having sex with
other men or lying to her daughter). When a therapist
responds selectively to a client’s comments, he or she is
implicitly placing more value on certain feelings than others.
Zimring (1996) describes the consequences that can occur: “If
the therapist does not recognize the client’s experience of
weakness or helplessness, the client will not feel that these
negative aspects of the self are as respected or accepted” (p.
68). This may lead to a client feeling shamed or invalidated
for having certain feelings, which is counter to the goal of
unconditional positive regard.
Empathic Understanding
The person-centered approach strongly values the
therapist’s ability to communicate empathic understanding
towards the client (Sanders, 2007). Rogers cautions that
empathy is a “process rather than a state” and describes it as
“entering the private perceptual world of the other and
becoming thoroughly at home in it” (Rogers, 2007, p. 2). This
process requires the therapist to continually reevaluate whether
he or she is experiencing the client’s feelings (Moon, 2007). A
key element of empathic understanding requires that the
therapeutic frame of reference is the client’s subjective
experience. Focusing on the client’s unique understanding of
the world encourages the client to value herself and her
emotions. Conversely, if therapy focuses on “the client’s
objective world and problems…[the therapist reinforces] the
importance of that world for them” (Zimring, 1996, p. 71).
Focusing on the objective point of view enhances, rather than
diminishes, the client’s incongruence.
At certain points in the film, Rogers effectively
communicates empathic understanding by encouraging Gloria
to focus on her subjective, internal frame of reference, but at
other times, he makes statements that seem to emphasize the
objective point of view (Zimring, 1996). Late in the film, Gloria
began to discuss her disappointment regarding her relationship
with her father, and “Rogers describes Gloria’s feeling this way;
‘Well, I’m permanently cheated’” (Rosenzweig, 1996, p. 63).
When Rogers focused on Gloria’s feelings and spoke from her
perspective, she continued to delve into her emotions and have
new insights. Zimring (1996) writes that when this occurred,
“[Gloria’s] subjective landscape became richer” (p. 73). Yet
when Rogers speaks from his own point of reference, Gloria
tends to focus less on her own emotions. For example, at one
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THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
Carl Rogers and Gloria: An Exploration of
Person-Centered Therapy Barbara C. Sieck
From Page 16
point, Rogers tells her that “[L]ife is risky…It’s a hell of a
responsibility” (Rosenzweig, 1996, p. 61). While Rogers was
probably attempting to align with her fears about life, his
statement reflected his own perspective and encouraged Gloria
to ask for his opinion (Zimring, 2006). However subtly, this
moves the client away from accepting her own view of the
world, and towards the view of the therapist. The client may
experience less empathic understanding when the therapist
inserts his own opinion.
Client’s Perception of Therapeutic Relationship
The final condition necessary to achieve psychological
change requires the client to perceive “at least to a minimal
degree,” the therapist’s unconditional positive regard and
empathic understanding (Sanders, 2007, p. 15). This highlights
the dyadic nature of the therapeutic relationship: it does not
matter how supportive and open a therapist is if the client does
not experience those emotions. This is illustrated when Gloria
describes her complex feelings about Rogers himself. She says
that she feels close to him and Rogers reciprocates this emotion
by saying, “Well, all I can know is what I am feeling, that is, I
feel close to you in this moment” (Rosenzweig, 1996, p. 63).
However, Gloria then doubts these close feelings by
characterizing them as “pretend.” In this case, Rogers
demonstrated empathic understanding and unconditional
positive regard, but Gloria was unable to receive these feelings
(Bohart, 1991). Gillon (2007) cautions that within personcentered therapy, the therapist is not expected to be able to
regard a client with empathy and positive regard all the time,
nor is the client expected to always experience that empathy
and positive regard. Instead, this is an ongoing negotiation
within the relationship, as illustrated with Gloria’s ambivalence
regarding Rogers’ feelings about her.
that lead to psychological change. A common theme among
all of the conditions, however, is the principle of nondirectivity (Gillon, 2007). Although some critics suggest that
non-directivity “renders a therapist passive in the face of all
client desires or intents,” advocates of the non-directive
approach suggest that it should be viewed more as an
underlying principle than as a steadfast rule (Gillon, 2007).
Inherent in the principle of non-directivity is the belief that the
client is the expert, rather than the traditional belief that the
therapist should be the authority (Sanders, 2007). Ten years
before his death, Rogers wrote: “I still feel that the person who
should guide the client’s life is the client. My whole philosophy
and whole approach is to strengthen him in that way of being,
that he’s in charge of his own life and nothing I say is intended
to take that capacity or opportunity away from him” (Sanders,
2007, p. 16).
The Strengths and Limitations
of Person-Centered Therapy Techniques
A common perception of the person-centered approach is
that the extent of the therapist’s role is to passively restate the
client’s comments (Brink & Farber, 1996). However, analyses of
several of Rogers’ clinical interviews and therapy sessions have
found just the opposite to be true: it seems that the personcentered approach is comprised of several different techniques
(Brink & Farber, 1996; Moon, 2007; Wickman & Campbell,
2003a). Common techniques used by Rogers included
affirming his attention with sounds like “M-hm, m-hm;”
confirming a client’s intent (such as “Is that what you meant?”);
repeating a client’s words to add emphasis; interpreting a
client’s statements to create deeper understanding; embracing
the use of silence in sessions; and self-disclosing” (Brink &
Farber, 1996, p. 16-23).
Rogers used these, and other, methods with Gloria. Early
in the film, Gloria acknowledged that she was anxious about
filming the session, and Rogers attended to her unstated
Other Components of Person-Centered Therapy
emotions by replying, “I hear the tremor in your voice” (Brink
Rogers conceptualized the six conditions as “attitudes to be & Farber, 1996, p. 19). Also, Rogers frequently situated himself
held [rather than] skills to be assembled and
as a non-expert, such as when he replied to one of Gloria’s
practiced” (Sanders, 2007, p. 15). Other attitudes in personquestions: “And I guess…this is the kind of very private thing
centered therapy include the therapist’s commitment to playing that I couldn’t possibly answer for you” (Wickman & Campbell,
a non-directive role in the therapeutic process, as well as
2003a, p. 180). In another section of the film, Rogers
emphasizing the here-and-now versus transferential
combined the techniques of providing reassurance and selfinteractions. Additionally, Rogers felt particularly strongly that disclosing when, in response to Gloria’s statement that she
his therapy not be taught to future psychologists as a series of
rarely felt confident, he said, “I suspect none of us get [that
microskills (Wickman, 2003a). Although researchers have
feeling] as often as we’d like” (Brink & Farber, 1996, p. 19).
identified specific techniques that frequently occur in personAnd Rogers made frequent use of meta-statements (like, “I
centered sessions, Rogers felt that the therapy should be
guess I’d like to say”), which allowed him to share his point of
understood as “an encounter between two persons…not a
view, while simultaneously softening awkward statements
formulaic ‘treatment’” (Sanders, 2007, p. 15).
(Moon, 2007, p. 280).
A Non-Directive Stance
In his writing, Rogers delineated six discrete conditions
17
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Carl Rogers and Gloria: An Exploration of
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Although researchers have identified these techniques as key
components of person-centered therapy, Rogers often expressed
concern that his therapeutic approach was being taught
“through reductionist means such as microskills” (Wickman &
Campbell, 2003, p. 178a). He believed that the motivation
behind all of a therapist’s statements and behaviors should be to
further understand and accept the client (Moon, 2007). Thus
Rogers’ “attitude toward his clients was a consistent, direct
expression of his therapeutic values, with his specific techniques
being suited to the individuality of his clients within their unique
circumstances at the time seen” (Brink & Farber, 1996, 24).
approach’s views on transference to be problematic. Weinrach
(1991) asserts that Rogers’ focus on the immediate nature of
the therapeutic relationship deemphasizes the significance of
past experiences similarly to the way that Freud minimized the
impact of the present.
Critiques of the Person-Centered Approach
Several years after Three Approaches to Psychotherapy was
filmed, Gloria continued to believe that she greatly benefited
from her experience with Rogers (Dolliver, Williams, & Gold,
1980 pg. 141). Yet not everyone feels this singular veneration for
the therapy. Common critiques include the approach’s tendency
to discount both the therapist’s biases and the context in which
the client lives, as well as the theory’s tendency to privilege
Transference
certain cultural values (Lago, 2007; Waterhouse, 1993).
In articulating his thoughts on transference, Rogers makes
So much of person-centered therapy involves the
a distinction between two categories of client responses to the
relationship between the therapist and client. Rogers believed
therapist: the first are the client’s feelings about the therapist’s
that it was in this relationship that psychological change occurs
behavior, and the second are the emotions that a client projects (Sanders, 2007). Yet the person-centered approach doesn’t
from another source onto the therapist (Kirschenbaum &
appear to consider the factors that contribute to the therapist
Henderson, 1989). While psychoanalysts would consider this
and client’s identities. Lago (2007) suggests that the theory
distinction to be extremely important, the person-centered
does not address the therapist’s comfort, competence, or
approach suggests that the division is unnecessary. Rogers
experience working with clients from different backgrounds. If
writes: “…‘transference’ feelings [and] therapist-caused
the therapist, “however inadvertently and unconsciously,
reactions…are best dealt with in the same way. If the therapist repeats behaviors and views that have had negative impacts
is sensitively understanding and genuinely acceptant and nonupon the client previously,” the relationship can shift from a
judgmental, therapy will move through those
source of care to a source of pain (Lago, 2007, p. 254). Recent
feelings” (Kirschenbaum & Henderson, 1989, 130). Personresearch that analyzed interviews with an African-American
centered therapy is more concerned with giving the client a
client in the 1970s found that Rogers was “uncharacteristically
new experience in which all of his or her feelings are
directive” with this client, suggesting that no therapist is
unconditionally accepted; thus, the source of those feelings is
immune from bias (Brodley in Lago, 2007, p. 255).
deemed to be beside the point (Bohart, 1991).
Feminist critiques of the person-center approach suggest
Near the end of Three Approaches to Psychotherapy,
that the theory fails to recognize that not all individuals have
Gloria and Rogers have the following exchange:
the agency to make changes in their lives (Waterhouse, 1993).
Gloria: “… all of a sudden while talking to you I thought, While Rogers asserts that experiencing a warm and supportive
‘Gee, how nice I can talk to you and I want you to approve of
environment in which feelings are validated can lead to change,
me and I respect you, but I miss that my father couldn’t talk to he ignores the very real societal structures that privilege some
me like you are.’ I mean, I’d like to say, ‘Gee, I’d like you for my and oppress others (Waterhouse, 1993). Even the personfather.’ I don’t even know why that came to me.”
centered approach’s emphasis on embracing and experiencing
Rogers: “You look to me like a pretty nice daughter. But you
all emotions can ignore important contextual factors.
really do miss the fact that you couldn’t be open with your
Waterhouse (1993) gives the example of an abusive husband
dad” (Weinrach, 1990, p. 282).
who expresses his emotions by terrorizing his wife or children.
Rogers’ decision to respond to Gloria in an affirming and
Inherent in person-centered therapy is the belief that
accepting way illustrates his commitment to displaying
“psychological well-being involve[s] a movement towards
unconditional positive regard and empathic understanding.
greater independence, self-regulation, and autonomy” (Cooper,
Bohart (1991) imagines an alternative response, in which
2007, p. 85). Since this principle is not valued by all cultures,
Rogers focused on the transferential nature of Gloria’s
the theory is at risk for imposing dominant norms and values
comment: “Now Gloria’s expression of caring is not to be
on all people. Similarly, the importance for Rogers of being
trusted; it is a reflection of her pathology” (Bohart, 1991, 500). non-directive may not be appropriate for populations that
Instead, Rogers facilitated an experience in which Gloria felt
believe the therapist should guide the session with expert
respected and validated before returning to her feelings about
knowledge (Lago, 2007).
her relationship with her father.
Some psychologists consider the person-centered
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Carl Rogers and Gloria: An Exploration of
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Gillon, E. (2007). Person-centred counseling psychology [electronic
resource]: An introduction. London: Sage Publications. Retrieved from
Conclusion
http://site.ebrary.com.proxy.lib.uiowa.edu/lib/uiowa/docDetail.action?
Although Rogers acknowledged the influence of
docID=10256909.
psychoanalysis on person-centered therapy, he deeply rejected
Kirschenbaum, H. & Henderson, V. L. (Eds.). (1989). The Carl
its tendency to refer to individuals as patients (Schmid, 2007).
Rogers reader. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company.
In his view, “[a] patient…feels that the doctor is probably the
Lago C. (2007). Counselling across difference and diversity. In M.
authority who will tell him what to do. A client, on the other
Cooper, M. O’Hara, P. F. Schmid, & G. Wyatt (Eds.), The handbook of
hand, is a self-respecting person who comes to someone else for person-centred psychotherapy and counseling (pp. 251-265). New York:
service” (Rogers, 1992, p. 2). Each component of personPalgrave Macmillan.
centered therapy, such as empathic understanding and
Moon, K. A. (2007). A client-centered review of Rogers with Gloria.
unconditional positive regard, works to facilitate an
Journal of Counseling & Development, 85, 277-285.
environment in which an individual can listen to her feelings
Rogers, C. R. (2007). The basic conditions of the facilitative
and value herself as a human being. When Gloria described
therapeutic relationships. In M. Cooper, M. O’Hara, P. F. Schmid, & G.
her experience with person-centered therapy, it appeared that
Wyatt (Eds.), The handbook of person-centred psychotherapy and
those six necessary and sufficient conditions were met. She
counseling (pp. 1-6). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
wrote: “[M]y body felt perfectly grounded with Carl Rogers. I
Rosenzweig, D. (1996). The case of Gloria (1964): Summary. In
felt whole, intact, in other words, a person…All the words
B. A. Farber, D. C. Brink, & P. M. Raskin (Eds.), The psychotherapy of
couldn’t possibly express the importance of that to
Carl Rogers: Cases and commentary (pp.57-64). New York: The Guilford
me” (Dolliver, Williams, & Gold, 1980 pg. 141).
Press.
Sanders, P. (2007). Introduction to the theory of person-centred
therapy. In M. Cooper, M. O’Hara, P. F. Schmid, & G. Wyatt (Eds.),
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centred innovation. In M. Cooper, M. O’Hara, P. F. Schmid, & G. Wyatt New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Schmid, P.F. (2007). The Anthropological and Ethical Foundations
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127-139). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Brink, D. C. & Farber, B. A. (1996). A scheme of Rogers’ clinical G. Wyatt (Eds.), The handbook of person-centred psychotherapy and
counseling (pp. 30-46). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
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psychotherapy [Film]. Orange, CA: Psychological Films.
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Waterhouse, R. L. (1993). Wild women don’t have the blues: A
Bohart, A. C. (1991). The missing 249 words: In search of
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Bohart, A. C. (2007). The actualizing person. In M. Cooper, M.
Weinrach, S. G. (1990). Rogers and Gloria: The controversial film
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centred psychotherapy and counseling (pp. 47-63). New York: Palgrave
Weinrach, S. G. (1991). Rogers’ encounter with Gloria: What did
Macmillan.
Rogers know and when?. Psychotherapy, 28(3), 504-506.
Cooper, Mick (2007). Experiential and phenomenological
Wickman, S. A. & Campbell, C. (2003a). An analysis of how
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(Eds.), The handbook of person-centred psychotherapy and counseling (pp. Carl Rogers enacted client-centered conversations with Gloria. Journal of
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Wickman, S. A. & Campbell, C. (2003b). The coconstruction of
Cornelius-White, J. (2007). Congruence. In M. Cooper, M.
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Spring Conference 2012
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
Dr. John Dilley and Dr. Sam Graham exiting a session for a break.
Dr. Suzanne Zilber, President of IPF, and Dr.
Jim Thorpe stood ready to answer questions
and accept contributions at the IPF table.
Dr. Lisa Streyffeler
and Dr. Elaine
Hoversten return to
the session with a
little sustenance.
Dr. Amy Fuller Stockman uses break times to do some texting.
20
Dr. Robert Hutzell accepts the
Meritorious Achievement Award.
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
A Call for 2012 Ann Ernst Retired Psychologist
Public Service Award Nominees
This award honors a psychologist, active or retired, who has made on a pro bono basis,
significant contributions of a psychological nature that have benefited society as a whole. The
contribution(s) may have been a single major contribution or reflect a consistent history of
volunteer service to the community at large.
A call for letters of nomination will be distributed to voting members no later than July 1. The
letters of nomination will be reviewed by the Council at its August meeting. The Executive
Council may select a person to receive the award, which may be given annually at the Fall
Conference. The Elections/Honors Task Force and the Executive Director will be responsible for
ordering an appropriate award.
With this nomination form, please enclose a letter of recommendation for the person you
nominate. Postmark deadline for consideration is Aug. 1, 2012. Mail to:
IPA Ann Ernst Public Service Award
48428 290th Ave
Rolfe, IA 50581
Email: [email protected]
I nominate the following candidate(s) for the 2012 IPA Ann Ernst Retired Psychologist
Service Award:
Nominee: _________________________________________________________________________
Nominee: _________________________________________________________________________
Nominee: _________________________________________________________________________
Your name: ________________________________________________________________________
Former Recipients of this Award: Ann Ernst (2006), Charles McDonald (2008),
Mike Rossman (2010), Darshan Singh (2010)
21
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
Call for Nominations to IPA Executive Council
Nominations are currently being solicited for position openings on the IPA Executive Council.
This is an excellent opportunity to nominate yourself or any other member whose strengths,
experience and ideas could make a significant contribution to IPA. Good leaders are people who
are creative, consensus building, bright, and flexible individuals. These nominations will be used
by the Elections Committee to prepare a slate of candidates. THIS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
WILL NOT BE SENT IN A SEPARATE MAILING. IF YOU WISH TO MAKE A NOMINATION
PLEASE USE THIS FORM. If you are an IPA member with voting privileges, you may volunteer
yourself or nominate a colleague to serve as a member of the Council. Please indicate if the
person has agreed to be a nominee. Sorry, but student members and associate members of less
than 5 years are not eligible to nominate candidates for office. Nominations must be signed to
be valid, and should be sent to the IPA Office by Aug. 24, 2012.
I wish to nominate the following individual(s) for IPA Executive Council:
For President-Elect, 2013-2015 (will be President in 2014):
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
I have _____ have not ______ verified this member’s willingness to be nominated.
For IPA Rep, 2013-2015:
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
I have _____ have not _____ verified this member’s willingness to be nominated.
For Treasurer, 2013-2015:
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
I have _____ have not _____ verified this member’s willingness to be nominated.
Write In Candidate: For Position ________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________
I have _____ have not _____ verified this member’s willingness to be nominated.
Your signature: _______________________________________________________________________
22
Send completed form to: IPA Call for Nominations
48428 290th Ave.
Rolfe, IA 50581
Office: 712-848-3595 Fax: 712-848-3892 Mobile: 712-358-1621
Email: [email protected]
THE IOWA PSYCHOLOGIST Summer 2012
IPA Leadership
2012
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
President
Recording Secretary
Past President
Treasure
President-Elect
APA Representative
IPA Representative
IPA Representative
IPA Representative
State Advocacy
Federal Advocacy
APAGS Representative
Greg Gullickson
David Towle
Thomas Ottavi
Daniel Courtney
Jason Smith
Elizabeth Lonning
David Beeman
Catalina D’Achiardi-Ressler
Kevin Krumvieda
Greg Febbraro
Brenda Payne
Sara Schwatken
LIASIONS
Medical Assistance Advisory Council
Morgain Hall
Disaster Relief Network
Veronica Lestina
Psychology in the Workplace Network
Dan Earle
Iowa Board of Psychology (IBP)
Morgain Hall
APA Rural Mental Health
Ruth Evans
APA Women’s Issues Network
Cindy Anderson
IDPH Health & Longterm Care Access Michele Greiner
IDPH Prevention & Chronic Care Council Michele Greiner
APA Committee on Women in Psychology
Lauri Lehn
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Ethics
Federal Advocacy
State Advocacy
Membership
Finance
Editorial/Newsletter
Public Education
Elections Task Force
Developing Psychologists
Diversity Initiative
Psychopharmacology Education
Internship Ad Hoc
IPA Website
Training Director
Integrated Healthcare Task Force
David Johnson
Brenda Payne
Greg Febbraro
Brenda Crawford
Dan Courtney
Stewart Ehly
Don Damsteegt
Thomas Ottavi
Scott Young
Jane Daniel
Elizabeth Lonning
Michele Greiner
Phil Laughlin
Michele Greiner
Jon Weinand
COMMUNICATIONS
PSYCH-Electronic
The Iowa Psychologist
Listserv
Carmella Schultes
Stewart Ehly
James Marchman
IPA Meetings
2012
Date
July 30-Aug. 1
Aug. 2-5
Aug. 25
Oct. 11
Oct. 12
Dec. 1
Time
TBA
TBA
10 a.m.-noon
5-8 p.m.
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
10 a.m.-noon
Event
CESPPA Meeting
APA Convention
Executive Council
Executive Council
Fall Conference
Executive Council
Notice to Readers
The Iowa Psychologist newsletter editorial staff is seeking peer
reviewers who are willing to read a small number of
manuscripts and offer feedback as needed to authors.
Reviewers will help form decisions on acceptance of materials.
Please contact Stewart Ehly ([email protected]) to
indicate interest.
23
Location
TBA
Orlando, Fla.
Kirkwood CC, Cedar Rapids
Hilton Garden Inn, Johnston
Hilton Garden Inn, Johnston
Clarion, Amana
Invitation to Iowa
Colleges & Universities
All psychology programs in Iowa are invited to submit
manuscripts on undergraduate and graduate activities,
including educational, research, and service programs.
Please feel free to contact the editor, Stewart Ehly ([email protected]), to receive additional information.
All submissions are in electronic form (Microsoft Word if
possible) and can be attached to an email sent to the editor.