Entries categorized as Psychologist

Congress Temporarily Halts The SGR Cut

On March 3, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

us_capitolAt the urging of the APA Practice Organization (APAPO) and other provider groups, late last night the Senate voted 78-19 to pass legislation (H.R. 4691) to postpone the 21.2% Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut through March 31 as Congress considers longer term solutions. The bill passed the House by voice vote on February 25 and now heads to the President for his signature. This action will prevent SGR reductions to reimbursements through the end of March. (read the full story)

Whole-Head Normalization Using Live Z-Scores For Connectivity Training (Part 2)

On March 2, 2010 / By Thomas Collura / In Neurofeedback, QEEG / No Comments

neuroconnections-logo-smallThis article is a second in a 2-part series that further explains the practicalities of using Z-score [neurofeedback] training with multiple sites. For an explanation of the theory this is based upon, please refer to Part 1 of this series. Additionally, readers not familiar with Z-score neurofeedback may want to first read the article “Z-Score EEG Biofeedback: Conceptual Foundations” for an excellent introduction to this complex topic. (read the full story)

Researcher Finds That Hypnosis Can Help Control Pain Among Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer

On March 1, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Psychotherapy / No Comments

Hypnosis can help alleviate the pain and suffering experienced by women being treated for breast cancer, according to a study by a University at Buffalo School of Social Work professor. The randomized trial measured pain and suffering, frequency of pain, and degree of constant pain among 124 women with metastatic breast cancer, according to Lisa D. Butler, associate professor in UB’s School of Social Work, a faculty member in the Buffalo Center for Social Research and first author of the study. (read the full story)

American Psychological Association Amends Ethics Code To Address Potential Conflicts Among Professional Ethics, Legal Authority, and Organizational Demands

On February 27, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

The American Psychological Association (APA) has amended its Code of Ethics to make clear that its standards can never be interpreted to justify or defend violating human rights. The action, which came during the winter meeting of APA’s governing Council of Representatives, amended the Codes Introduction and Applicability section, as well as Ethical Standards 1.02 and 1.03, to resolve any potential ambiguity in the original language. These changes become effective June 1, 2010. (read the full story)

Update On Legislative Action On The Sustainable Growth Rate (02/26/10)

On February 26, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

us_capitolOn February 25, the House passed legislation (H.R. 4691) to postpone the 21.2% Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) cut for 30 days as Congress weighs longer term solutions. Over the past twenty-four hours, Senate leadership has sought unanimous consent to pass the measure, but has been blocked due to an objection from Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY). The SGR cut was postponed for two months late last year but is now expected to take effect on March 1, as the Senate has recessed for the weekend. (continue reading)

DSM-5 Proposed Revisions Include New Diagnostic Category Of Temper Dysregulation With Dysphoria

On February 25, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

The American Psychiatric Association’s draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) will include a proposed new diagnostic category, temper dysregulation with dysphoria (TDD), within the Mood Disorders section of the manual. (continue reading)

DSM-5 Proposed Revisions Includes New Risk Syndromes And Suicide Risk Assessment Tool

On February 21, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News, Suicide / No Comments

The American Psychiatric Association’s proposed diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) include a new suicide assessment tool, developed to help clinicians better identify individuals at risk for suicide. A new risk syndromes category, which would include two new diagnoses: psychosis risk syndrome and minor neurocognitive disorder, also has been proposed. (continue reading)

Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) Annual Conference 2010

On February 20, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Professional Training / 4 Comments

The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) will hold its annual conference on March 24-27, 2010 in San Diego, California. This year’s conference theme is “Personalized Medicine in the Age of Technology: Psychophysiology and Health.” (continue reading)

Summary Of The Interim Final Rule Implementing The Paul Wellstone And Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity And Addiction Equity Act

On February 19, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Public Health / No Comments

us_capitolThe American Psychological Association Practice Organization are pleased to report that the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury have released a highly favorable interim final rule implementing the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (the “MHPAEA”).  This interim rule was released on February 2, 2010, and we anticipate that the regulators will finalize the rule sometime after a 90-day comment period.  We are attaching a summary of the interim final rule, which provides extensive detail on how the MHPAEA will be implemented.  Most health plans will have to meet the requirements of this new regulation for plan years beginning January 1, 2011, but in the meantime they must continue their “good faith” compliance with the law. (continue reading)

DSM-5 Proposed Revisions Will Include Binge Eating Disorder And Revisions To Other Eating Disorders Criteria

On February 13, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

The American Psychiatric Association’s proposed diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) will include new recognition of binge eating disorder and minor changes in the criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Other recommended changes acknowledge that some eating disorders identified as beginning in infancy and childhood may also develop in older individuals. (continue reading)

International Society For Neurofeedback And Research (ISNR) 2010 Annual Conference

On February 12, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Professional Training / 5 Comments

I am pleased to announce that the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) 18th Annual Conference will held near Denver, Colorado from September 29 – October 3, 2010. Pre-conference workshops will be held September 27-29. I always look forward to the ISNR annual conference as this is the premier international conference for neurofeedback, biofeedback, and quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG ) practitioners. (continue reading)

DSM-5 Development Process Includes Emphasis On Gender And Cultural Sensitivity

On February 11, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

The process for developing the American Psychiatric Association’s proposed diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) has included careful consideration of how gender, race and ethnicity may affect the diagnosis of mental illness, according to the team responsible for DSM-5 development. (continue reading)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Improves Sleep And Lives Of Patients With Pain

On February 11, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Psychotherapy / No Comments

man_asleep_on_bedCognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for insomnia significantly improved sleep for patients with chronic neck or back pain and also reduced the extent to which pain interfered with their daily functioning, according to a study by University of Rochester Medical Center researchers. The study, published online by the journal Sleep Medicine, demonstrates that a behavioral intervention can help patients who already are taking medications for pain and might be reluctant or unable to take additional drugs to treat sleep disturbance. (continue reading)

DSM-5 Proposed Revisions Include New Category Of Autism Spectrum Disorders

On February 10, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In Autism / No Comments

The American Psychiatric Association’s draft proposed diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) will include new categories for learning disorders and a single diagnostic category, “autism spectrum disorders” that will incorporate the current diagnoses of autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder (not otherwise specified). (continue reading)

American Psychiatric Association (APA) Announces Draft Diagnostic Criteria For The DSM-5

On February 10, 2010 / By Chris Fisher / In News / No Comments

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) today released the proposed draft diagnostic criteria for the fifth edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The draft criteria represent content changes under consideration for DSM, which is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health and other health professionals, and is used for diagnostic and research purposes. (continue reading)