President’s Update
The Executive Council of LPA understands that our members are facing extraordinary challenges. Psychologists all over the world are meeting the stresses and mental health demands presented by COVID-19, while exercising self-care. With so much uncertainty, accurate information is vital. I want you to know that LPA is active in clarifying concerns of our members and supporting the shifting methodologies for delivering psychological services during this crisis.
Licensed psychologists should have received an email from LSBEP clarifying the licensing board’s position on the delivery of telehealth services by licensed psychologists. If you need additional information, I encourage you to reach out the LSBEP whose responsibility is to protect the public in receiving psychological services.
APA and other resources are working hard to support psychologists as we all transition to different methods for providing healthcare to our clients/patients. LPA, through Julie Nelson’s prescient actions, will be offering online assistance on how to deliver telehealth services. Reminder announcements are forthcoming. LPA’s responsibility is to support psychologists in evidence-based delivery of psychological services.
If you have not read yesterday’s article in the New York Times, I encourage you to access the information concerning what will hopefully occur in the coming days. Unfortunately, if recent reports are accurate, Louisiana may experience a higher prevalence of COVID-19 than other states. Hence, our professional services will be more in demand while we all strive to care for our families and ourselves.
As Kim VanGeffen said to me this morning, “The LPA leadership is here to help you in any way that we can. Please feel free to reach out to us. We will be providing a free webinar on telepsychology to our members this Wednesday afternoon. We are also offering to host a weekly online information/support meeting for our members. These are incredibly difficult times and psychologists have both the expertise and compassion to help each other to get through this and to continue to provide good care to our patients and clients.” If you are interested in participating in such a group, please send email Kim VanGeffen. This could be very helpful to you.
LPA is your state professional organization. Let us know how we can best support you in these exceedingly difficult but surmountable times. I’m grateful that LPA has experienced, positive members and able leaders on the Executive Council. We will get through this.