NJ Psychologist Winter 2023

NJ PSYCHOLOGIST

In this issue:

President'sMessage

EthicalConsiderations: HowCognitiveBiasesMayAffect OurWork

HowtoRetire:The Logistics/TakingCareofBusiness withRetirementPractice Resources

CommitteeonLegislativeAffairs (COLA): The2023Government AffairsAgentReport

IntroducingtheNEWNJPACareer Center!

The Professional Journal of the New Jersey Psychological Association

Executive Board

President: Briana Cox, PsyD

President-Elect: TBD

Past-President: Peter DeNigris, PsyD

Secretary: Alexandra Miller Clark, PsyD

Treasurer: Marc Gironda, PhD

Parliamentarian: Bonnie Markham, PhD

Members-At-Large:

Elio Arrechea, PhD

Daniel DaSilva, PhD

Jane Simon, PhD

Alex Gil, PsyD

Lauren Gerardi, PhD

Deirdre Waters, PsyD

APA Council Representative: Rhonda Allen, PhD

Special Representatives:

ECP Chair: TBD

NJPAGS Chair: Jaclyn Hammond

Affiliate Caucus Chair: Phyllis Bolling, PhD

CODI Co-Chairs: TBD

Executive Director: Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD

Director of Professional Affairs: Susan C McGroarty, PhD

Affiliate Organization Representatives:

Northeast Counties Association of Psychologists:

Alison Winston, PhD

Mercer County Psychological Association:

Loraine Washton, PhD

Middlesex County Association of Psychologists: TBD

Monmouth/Ocean County Psychological Association:

Lauren Gerardi, PhD

Morris County Psychological Association:

Sarah Dougherty, PsyD

Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren County Psychological

Association: TBD

South Jersey Psychological Association: Ange Puig, PhD

Editorial Board:

Editor: Aaron Gubi, PhD

Homestudy CE Article Editor: Dennis Finger, EdD

Editorial Board Members:

Anthony Tasso, PhD

Nathan McClelland, PhD

Eric Herschman, PsyD

Staff Liaison: Christine Gurriere

We're here to help!

Central Office: 8:30 am

Phone: 973-243-9800

4:00 pm

STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Executive Director: Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD njpaed@psychologynj.org

Communications: Christine Gurriere njpacg@psychologynj org

Membership/Foundation: Jennifer Cooper njpajc@psychologynj org

Continuing Education: Kaleigh White njpakw@psychologynj.org

Director of Professional Affairs: Dr Susan McGroarty Consultation Request (login required)

President's Message

thatmemberswillbekeptinformedofanychangesthataffect practice,astheybecomeknown.

ByBrianaCox,PsyD NJPAPresident

TherearesomanyexcitingthingsinstoreforNJPAin2023

Firstandforemost,Iammostpleasedtowelcomeournew ExecutiveDirector,Dr.SaraTedrickParikh.Saracomestous fromCaldwellUniversity,whereshewasatenuredAssociate ProfessorofPsychologyandCounseling Saraiswellknownto NJPA,asaformermemberoftheExecutiveBoardandseveral committeesandtaskforces NJPAreceivedover100 applicationsforthepositionofED SpecialthankstotheSearch Committeefortheirtimeandenergyintheselectionprocess TheSearchCommitteewaschairedbyDr.DorothyCantorand includedDrs PeterDeNigris,DanielLee,ChristopherKing, KellyMoore,GregoryBenson,SusanMcGroarty,PhyllisBolling, MarcGironda,MattHagovsky,andmyself Iamlookingforward tohelpingSaratransitionintohernewroleatNJPAoverthe comingmonths Pleasejoinmeinwelcomingherinhernew role

InMarch,representativesfromNJPAleadershipwillheadto Washington,DCfortheannualPracticeLeadershipConference, APA’sannualadvocacytrainingconference.AtPLC,NJPA leaderswilljoinothernationalleaderstostrategize onissues thatimpacttheprofessionaswellaslargerimportantsocietal issues

AlsoinMarch:TheNJPAExecutiveBoardtentativelyincluded RxPinthecurrentstrategicplanwiththecaveatthatpriorto makingadecisionwewouldseekadditionalfeedbackthrougha memberengagementevent Aneventisbeingplannedbythe RxPplanningcommittee,whichincludesvoiceswhosupport, oppose,andareneutralabouttheissue.NJPAhasengagedtwo consultantstohelpplanandfacilitatetheevent,whichisbeing partiallyfundedbyanAmericanPsychologicalAssociation legislativegrant ThiseventisscheduledtotakeplaceonMarch 25,2023,andisexpectedtobeafreeevent.Pleasestaytuned forfurtherdetailsandjoinusinparticipatinginthisvery importantdiscussion

NJPAiscloselymonitoringtheendoftheFederalHealth Emergency,scheduledtoendonMay11,2023 OurDirectorof ProfessionalAffairs,Dr.SusanMcGroartyisworkingveryhard tokeepinclosecommunicationwithAPAinordertoensure

PayparityfortelehealthservicesinNewJerseyremainsin effectuntilDecember31,2023.NJPAcontinuestomonitorand advocateonbehalfofNewJerseypsychologiststoensurethat telehealthcontinuestobepaidataratecommensuratewithinpersonservicessothatthepeopleofNewJerseycancontinue tohaveaccesstoqualitycare.NJPA’sCommitteeonLegislative AffairscontinuestocloselymonitortheDepartmentofHealth’s in-depthstudyoftheutilizationoftelehealthandworktowards havingourvoicesandconcernsheardinTrentononthis importantissue.

Thenewwebsiteisupandrunning.OurCentralofficestaff continuestoworkhardonprogrammingthewebsitetomeet thespecificneedsofourmembership Itisexpectedthatthe website’snewcapabilities,oncefullyimplemented,will facilitateamuchsmootherandenhancedmemberexperience. ThankstoChristineGurriere,JenniferCooper,andKaleigh Whitefortheircountlesshourslaunchingandimprovingthe newsite

Thereisnodoubtthatthepandemichasdramaticallychanged thewayweliveandwork NJPAwillcontinuetomeetmembers’ needsbyofferingvirtualandhybridoptionsforcontinuing educationeventsandmeetingstoensuresafe,healthyaccess However,manymembershavereportedadesiretoreturnto in-personevents.Membersaremissingtheconnectionweall usedtosharethroughface-to-facegatherings NJPAaimsto offeraseriesofnetworkingeventsoverthecourseoftheyear todeepenthoseconnectionsandbringusbacktogether Finally,pleasesavethedateforourSpringConference,which willbeheldonApril28,2023,atHanoverManorinEast Hanover.Pleasebeonthelookoutfordetailsaboutthe upcomingconferenceofferings,whichwillfocusonhottopics inpsychology TheCOCEAConferenceCommitteehasbeen workinghardtoaddressmemberfeedbackandinterests. ThankstoCo-Chairs,Dr.PhyllisLakinandDr.SharonRyan Montgomeryfortheirleadershipandcommitmenttoexcellent programming

Classified Ad: Office Space

Forked/Lacey Township: office space available with three psychotherapists and psychiatric nurse practitioner in a professional building Common waiting room, kitchen, bathroom, and storage space, quiet and plenty of parking

Full or part time Call 609-618-3164 or email ritaferrara4@yahoo com

How to Retire: The Logistics/Taking Care of Business

ByMaryBlakeslee,PhD Retired

This article first appeared in the Winter 2022 NJ Psychologist This article is reprinted here due to the increased interest in learning more about the retirement process

The decision to retire is not to be taken lightly, and hopefully it is well thought out and not forced on us due to poor health or a family crisis. It requires a good look at our personal, professional, and financial needs. Personally, we must prepare for our losses and begin the transition to another identity and lifestyle. Professionally, there is a lot of work to do, a kind of “taking care of business,” where we have to prepare our clients, get our paperwork in order, deal with insurance companies, landlords, and colleagues. Financially, I refer you to your accountant because finances are outside my scope of practice.

Upon retirement, we lose our professional identity and we lose a number of people for whom we have cared We are technically no longer helpers and we now relate to people differently This is a loss and we must acknowledge it You are going to miss your clients, even though you might feel a sense of relief at no longer being responsible for them Every time you terminate with a client there may be a sense of loss and you may miss hearing about what happens to them Retirement means many terminations and those clients are not being replaced by another person who needs you Before you tell your clients about your retirement, it’s important to

address these losses and come to terms with the fact that you will be letting some people down and you will no longer be a therapist Finding your own therapist or peer consultation group can be helpful with this

Pick your retirement date; I suggest a full year, though other timelines work Plan to see your last client at least one week before you close your office. There are lots of things to do after your last client walks out your door. You will still have billing to finish and the last of your things to clean up. Some people may want to take down pictures and remove items from their office. This may help you and your clients come to terms with your leaving. Others may be more comfortable leaving most things as they are, and only remove items in drawers or behind doors, so it looks like nothing has changed.

Retirement To-do List

Twelve Months:

- Stop taking new clients (unless short term)

- Start to cut back your hours if you haven’t already done so

- Let yourself start to get used to the idea of not working

- Muse about what you might do and what you will enjoy

- Be aware of the impact of the impending loss

Nine Months:

- Set a timeline for telling clients

APA Ethical Principals Standard 10.10 (c) Terminating

Therapy - Inform any clients in crisis as soon as possible so they can decide to continue with you or work through the crisis with someone else. (Even if you’re sure they will stay with you, they will appreciate being given the choice).

- Consider at least six months for long-term clients

- Let others know at least three or four months ahead of time

Six Months:

- Get your files in order and destroy those you are no longer required to maintain (Do not leave this until the last day!)

- Start processing with your colleagues, therapist, or supervisor your own feelings about telling your clients and the accompanying loss

- Talk to your long-term clients

- Plan for what you think they might need, for examplereassurance.

- Be prepared for a variety of reactions.

Remember that their first reaction might not be their only reaction.

Four Months:

- Begin to inform the rest of your clients about your plans. (This way all your clients will have had at least three months’ notice)

- Be prepared for clients who will: Jump ship Get angry Cry

Ask questions

Tell you they are happy for you

Do something unexpected

Three Months:

- Send a letter about your retirement to former clients who have terminated within the last two or three years and include a list of possible referrals or mention the NJPA website. This gives them the opportunity to contact you about a referral or to say good-bye.

- Send a letter to psychiatrists and other collaborating professionals.

- Send letters to relevant colleagues who may need to know about your retirement.

Two Months:

- Line up referrals.

- Discuss options and preferences with your clients.

- Plan for transitions.

It may be helpful with more fragile clients for you and the new therapist to overlap for a few weeks

Consider a joint session with you, the new therapist, and the client

- Notify your landlord (check your lease, most require 30-60 days’ notice)

Four to Six Weeks:

- Remind clients that time is limited and ask how they are feeling

Those in denial will need the reminder

It may help you, as well

This doesn’t mean that you won’t be discussing other issues, but it may shape how the issues are addressed.

- Plan what you will do with your furniture.

- Pack whatever you are comfortable packing.

- Notify utility companies, paid advertising companies, insurance panels, etc.

Two to Three Weeks:

- Prepare a letter to give to each client including:

- Referrals.

- A way for them to contact you should they need their records Your sentiments about leaving your practice and a personalized statement about your work with them (perhaps artfully vague, not revealing particulars)

- Keep a copy of the letter in their files

- Be prepared for your own emotions about leaving each client

- Be present and genuine to the experience

- Have a good good-bye

- Write a letter to the colleagues to whom you have made referrals, letting them know how to reach you should they need information from you

- Include a copy of your “Release of Information” form so you can more easily get your client’s authorization.

Administrative Issues:

- Follow the Board of Psychological Examiners Regulations for retiring/closing your practice.

- Notify the Board of Psychological Examiners of your

changeofaddress.

-Secureallclientpaperandelectronicrecords

-Ensurethecontinuityofcareforyourclients

-Putanoticeinthelocalpaperonceamonthforthefirstthreemonthsafteryouclosedyourpractice,announcing theclosingofyourpractice,statinghowclientscanobtaintheirrecords.(TheStarLedgerhasaLegalNoticessection. Emaillegalads@starledger.comwithasamplenotice.Theywillemailyouuponreceiptofyouremailandgiveaphone numberforfollow-upandprice.Afterthethirdnoticetheywillsendanyouanaffidavit.)

-Notifyyourbank,insurancecarriers,APA,NJPA,andotherorganizationsofyourchangeofaddress

-UpdateyourProfessionalDirectives

-Makeappropriatechangestoyourmalpracticeinsurance

-Updateallbusinesslistings(Yelp,GoogleBusiness)

Afteryouhavesaidgood-byetoyourlastclientandhavetakendownyoursign,saythankyoutoyoursuccessfuland rewardingcareer Bidfarewelltotheofficethathousedyouandyourworkandholdsthesecretsofthoseyouhelped Closethedoorwithatearorasmile,maybeboth,andwalkintothestartofthenextstageoflife

Reference:

wwwnjconsumeraffairsgovBoardofPsychologicalExaminersChapter42,p34,LastRevisionDate2021

PracticeResourcesforRetirement

We are committed to providing our members with the most comprehensive list of resources to assist you as you approach retirement and in your professional roles and practices. These resources are constantly monitored for updates and additions. These resources are easily accessed in the Members Center on the homepage of the NJPA website under the heading Practice Resources. www.psychologynj.org (log in required)

The articles, resources, and forms found on the NJPA website are not intended as legal advice. Practice issues are complex and highly fact-specific and require legal expertise that will not be provided by such generalized articles or forms. The information should not be used as a substitute for obtaining personal legal advice and consultation prior to making decisions regarding individual circumstances.

If you cannot locate an answer, you may request a consultation with our Director of Professional Affairs, Susan McGroarty, PhD

Documents available for download include (log in required):

Are You Prepared for the Unexpected?

Closing Your Practice and Retirement

Closing a Practice Due to Death or Retirement

Closing Your Practice Checklist

Guidelines for a Professional Executor

Medicare Record keeping Guidelines

Professional Will Template

Retirement: Making a Successful Transition

Would you like to connect with fellow members who have already retired or are considering retirement?

Join the conversation by joining our Retirement Group E-List! Contact Jennifer for more details.

A Foundation Update

ByMathiasHagovsky,PhD President,NJPAFoundation

This has been another busy year for the Foundation. We greatly anticipate the hiring of a new Executive Director at NJPA, as we work closely with the Executive Director to ensure our collaboration continues to be in our mutual best interests.

Sadly, this past year we mourned the loss of devoted Trustee Dr Richard Klein We are in the process of considering new applications for open positions on the Foundation Board of Trustees If you have an interest in joining the Board of Trustees, it is not too late to submit and we welcome additional applications!

Dr. Ann Stainton, our new Treasurer, has spent countless hours working toward securing a new Financial Advisor and we have selected the same person who is already managing the portfolio at NJPA. We look forward to maximizing our efforts to provide financial assistance to students working with underserved populations, and continue to be thankful to those NJPA members who support the Foundation by individual donations and by "checking the box” to submit a $20 donation during dues renewal to support our mission We are also grateful to private donors whose additional support of the Foundation has been invaluable. Finally, we will continue to work toward developing additional and new ways to fundraise. Many of you who attended the Fall Conference will recall the many Tricky Tray baskets that lined the Foundation fundraising tables. Thank you to all who participated! This was our first ever Tricky Tray, which netted the Foundation over $1200, and we hope to host more in the future

We continue to host over 40 applications from graduate students each year for the Community Service Project grants, as well as applications from graduate students for our various research paper awards and Dissertation grants

Please consider continuing to support the Foundation and its good work, and thank you to those who have already done so and will hopefully continue to do so in 2023. Read more about the work of the Foundation here.

DissertationGrants (currentlyonhiatus)

Proposalsfromstudentsare consideredandreviewedbythe NJPAFoundationBoard throughouttheyearonanongoing, rollingbasis.Thedissertationgrant isintendedtofunddoctorallevel graduatepsychologystudents, enrolledinaNewJerseydoctoral levelpsychologyprogram,to supporttheprocessoftheir doctoraldissertation.

CommunityServiceProject Grants

TheNJPAFoundationidentifies exemplaryprogramsthatprovide psychologicalservicestothosewho cannotafforditandtrainsdoctoral studentstoworkwiththese underservedpopulations.Weinvite applicationsfromprogramsacross thestateofNewJersey,withthe goalofidentifyingandsupporting modelprogramsfromeachcounty.

GraduateStudentInitiated ResearchAwards

Thisawardhelpsfundstudentinitiatedresearchandprojects addressingpsychologicalissues thathavesignificantimpacton communityhealth.Throughthe generosityofindividual contributions,weareabletooffer awardsandscholarshipsfor innovativefamily,school,and communityprojects.

RayHanburyLegacyFund

RichardAuletta,PhD:$5000

PatriciaHanbury:$1000

MorganMurray,PhD:$1000

OsnaHaller,PhD:$500

JoanFiorello,PhD:$250

PamelaFoley,PhD:$250

PhyllisLakin,PhD:$200

JanetBerson,PhD:$150

TheodoreBatlas,PsyD:$100

SheilaBender,PhD:$100

NeilMassoth,PhD:$50

KellyJeanSymons:$20

Angel$1000andover

RosalindDorlen,PsyD

MathiasHagovsky,PhD

Isabel&DavidMahalick Foundation

Patron$500-$749

RichardAuletta,PhD

DavidPanzer,PhD

Contributor$250-$499

RandyBressler,PsyD

RosemarieCiccarello,PhD

JosephCoyne,PhD

StephanieCoyne,PhD

DanielDaSilva,PhD

SusanEsquilin,PhD

DennisFinger,EdD

MarcGironda,PsyD

EileenKohutis,PhD

BonnieMarkham,PhD,PsyD

AnnStainton,PhD

JonathanWall,PsyD

Supporter$100-$249

JeffreyAxelbank,PsyD

RoderickBennett,PhD

JudithBernstein,PsyD

MaryBlakeslee,PhD

JosephBraun,PhD

MiltonFuentes,PsyD

ChristineHudson,PhD

DeirdreKramer,PhD

TheNJPAFoundationismostgratefultoallofthefollowing colleagueswhohavecontributedsosubstantiallytoour effortsin2022.OURHEARTFELTTHANKSTOALLOFYOU!

DonateToday!

Board of Trustees: President, Mathias Hagovsky, PhD; Secretary, Toby Kaufman,PhD;Treasurer:AnnStainton,PhD

Trustees: Regina Budesa, PsyD; Jonathan Wall, PsyD; Eileen Kohutis, PhD; JoannaTillson

Supporter$100-$249

BonnieLipeles,PsyD

MarcLipkus,PsyD

DavidMasur,PhD

NicoleMartell,PsyD

StanleyMesser,PhD

BarryMitchell,PsyD

LeilaMoore,EdD

JoanGlassMorgan,PsyD

LoriPine,PsyD

DebraRoelke,PhD

BartRossi,PhD

KarenSkean,PsyD

AaronWelt,PhD

JamesWulach,JD,PhD

Friendupto$99

LyndaAckerman,PsyD

AmyAho,PhD

MichelleAlberti,PhD

RhondaAllen,PhD

RikaAlper,PhD

AlexanderAlperin,PsyD

AmyAltenhaus,PhD

BenjaminAlterman,PhD

ToniAnnAmabile,PhD

AnnetteAppleheimer,PsyD

AlyssaAustern,PsyD

JohnAylward,EdD

ChristopherBarker,PhD

LouisBarretti,PhD

ElinorBashe,PsyD

LaurenBecker,PhD

ShariBecker,PhD,JD

AmyBecker-Mattes,PhD

KarenBekker,PhD

GregoryBenson,PsyD

DawnBerger,PhD

RosaBianco,PsyD

VanessaBing,PhD

NancyBloom,PsyD

CarolBlum,PsyD

MonicaBlum,PhD

NancyBoyd-Franklin,PhD

ThomasBoyle,PhD

JosephBraun,PhD

Friend (cont.)

Emily Brislin, PsyD

Lara Brodzinsky, PsyD

Daniel Bromberg, PhD

Kim Busuchio, PhD

Fiona Byrne, PhD

Diane Cabush, PsyD

Teena Cahill, PsyD

Carolyn Carbone-Magnero, PhD

Susanna Carew, PsyD

Monica Carsky, PhD

Mark Cetta, PhD

Gary Chanowitz, PhD

Marvin Chartoff, EdD

Anindita Chaudhuri, PsyD

Judy Clyman, PhD

Karen Cocco, PhD

Barry Cohen, PhD

Joshua Cohen, PhD

Louise Conley, PhD

Ralph Constantino, PhD

Robin Cooper-Fleming, PsyD

Briana Cox, PsyD

Joanne Coyle, PsyD

Christian Davis, PhD

Deborah Dawson, PsyD

Vincent D'Elia, PhD

Laura DeMarzo, EdD

Joseph DeMeyer, PhD

Peter DeNigris, PsyD

Madine DeSantis, PhD

Promila Dhillon, PhD

Julie DiMatteo, PhD

Charles Dodgen, PhD

Gerard Donohue, PhD

Sarah Dougherty, PsyD

Debra Drucker, PhD

Adriana Dunn, PhD

Linda Earley, PsyD

Margaret Edwards, PsyD

Laura Eisdorfer, PsyD

Rebecca Eisenberg-Papka, PsyD

Donna English, PhD

Irene Erckert, PhD

Robert Evans, PhD

Friend (cont.)

Karen Faherty, PhD

Shapar Farzad, PhD

Guity Fazelpoor, PsyD

Michael Femenella, PhD

Michael Fiore, PhD

Joan Fiorello, PhD

Irene Fisher, EdD

Rachael Fite, PhD

Pamela Foley, PhD

Richard Formica, PhD

William Frankenstein, PhD

Jacqueline Freedman, PsyD

Sharon Freedman, PhD

Elizabeth Frenkel, PhD

Antonia Fried, PsyD

Kevin Fried, PhD

Cynthia Friedman, PhD

Joshua Friedman, PhD

Thomas Frio, PhD

Vered Frumer, PsyD

Abisola Gallagher, EdD

Daniel Gallagher, PhD

James Garofallou, PhD

Eliot Garson, PhD

Marissa Geary, PsyD

Marc Geller, PsyD

Jill Gentile, PhD

John George, PhD

Michael Gerson, PhD

Lisabeth Gertner, PhD

Nouriman Ghahary, PhD

Ronald Gironda, PhD

Elizabeth Goldberg, PhD

Lydia Golub, PhD

Ashley Gorman, PhD

Jennifer Gorman, PsyD

Bonnie Gorscak, PhD

Ora Gourarie, PsyD

Ricardo Grippaldi, EdD

Sandra Grundfest, EdD

Hadassah Gurfein, PhD

Cynthia Haines, PsyD

Angela Hall, PsyD

Judith Halle, PhD

Friends (cont.)

Diane Handlin, PhD

Jennifer Hanych, PhD

Ilona Harris, PhD

Nancy Harrison, PsyD

Steven Hartman, PhD

Christina Hathaway, PsyD

Jeffrey Hawkins, PhD

Hilary Hays, PhD

Frances Hecker, PhD

Susan Herman, PhD

Judith Herschlag, PhD

Susan Herschman, PsyD

Denise Hien, PhD

Hayley Hirschmann, PhD

Sean Hiscox, PhD

Lauraine Hollyer, PhD

Sharon Horowitz, PhD

Maureen Hudak, PsyD

Ellen Hulme, EdD

Lisa Jacobs, PhD

Jane Jacobus, PhD

Arthur Joseph, EdD

Kyung Sil Jung, PhD

Michael Kahn, PhD

Deborah Kaplan, PsyD

Paula Kaplan-Reiss, PhD

Maureen Kelley, PsyD

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD

Michael Keren, PsyD

Stanley Keyles, PsyD

Diane Klein, PhD

Candice Knight, EdD, PhD

Marcia Laky, PhD

Danielle Lavelle, PhD

Alan Lee, PsyD

Stuart Leeds, PsyD

Paul Lehrer, PhD

Gerald Leventhal, PhD

Renee Levin, PhD

Ruth Lijtmaer, PhD

Ora Limor, PsyD

Edward Linehan, PhD

Viviana Litovsky, PhD

John LoConte, PhD

Mark Lowenthal, PsyD

Marilyn Lyga, PhD

Joel Kleinman, PhD

William MacLaney, PsyD

Donna Macri, PhD

Stanley Mandel, EdD

Margery Manheim, PhD

Judith Margolin, PsyD

Charles Mark, PsyD

Nancy Marks, PsyD

Maria Masciandaro, PsyD

Neil Massoth, PhD

Jim Mastrich, EdD

Friends (cont.)

Frank McElroy, PhD

Robert McGrath, PhD

Susan McGroarty, PhD

Fawn McNeil-Haber, PhD

Kathleen McNulty, PhD

Nancy McWilliams, PhD

Lauren Meisels, PhD

Alexis Menken, PhD

Wilda Mesias, PhD

Jacqueline Mesnik, PhD

Robert Miller II, PhD

Lynn Mollick, PhD

Sharon Ryan Montgomery, PsyD

Steven Moraca, PsyD

Marsha Morris, PhD

Caroline Mossip, PsyD

Sangeetha Nayak, PhD

Susan Neigher, PhD

Leslie Newport, PsyD

Cheryl Notari, PhD

Cathy Novaky, PhD

Geraldine Oades-Sese, PhD

Timothy O'Connell, PhD

Rose Oosting, PhD

Michele Opper, PhD

Amy Origlieri, PhD

Susan Orshan, PsyD

Behnaz Pakizegi, PhD

Susan Parente, PsyD

Sara Tedrick Parikh, PhD

Craig Pearl, PsyD

Lysandra Perez-Strur, PhD

Sueli Petry, PhD

Donna Phair, PhD

Lauren Picciano, PsyD

Vincenza Piscitelli, PsyD

Adam Price, PhD

Jeffrey Pusar, PsyD

Sharon Rauschenberger, PhD

Katherine Rhoades, PhD

Louis Richmond, PhD

Deborah Riviere, EdD

Alisa Robinson, PhD

Lori Rockmore, PsyD

Yomarie Rodriguez-Loyola, PhD

Laura Rosen, PhD

Barbara Rosenberg, PhD

Karen Rosenberg, PhD

Michele Rubin, EdD

Debra Salzman, PhD

Carmela Sansone PhD

Komal Saraf, PhD

Lynn Schiller, PhD

Louis Schlesinger, PhD

Doris Schueler, PhD

Ellen Schwartz, PhD

Helene Schwartzbach, EdD

Friend (cont.)

Francis Schwoeri, PhD

Jeffrey Segal, PsyD

Shiri Sella, PsyD

Nancie Senet, PhD

Eileen Senior, PsyD

Neuza Serra, PsyD

Arline Shaffer, PhD

Maliha Sheikh, PsyD

William Shinefield, PsyD

Stacie Shivers, PsyD

Nancy Sidhu, PhD

Ronald Silikovitz, PhD

Pierce Skinner, PsyD

Marjorie Slass, PsyD

Shawn Marie Sobkowski, EdD

Milton Spett, PhD

Jakob Steinberg, PhD

Lois Steinberg, PhD

David Steinke, PhD

Cheryl Sterling, PhD

Deana Stevens, PsyD

Vincent Stranges, PhD

Larry Straus, PhD

Susanne Struebing, EdD

Steven Sussman, PhD

Ben Susswein, PhD

Kelly Jeanne Symons

David Szmak, PsyD

Luciene Sant'Anna Takagi, PsyD

Laurie Terres, PsyD

Donna Teti, PhD

Tamsen Thorpe, PhD

Anthony Todaro, PhD

Daniel Tomasulo, PhD

Leslie Tuttle, PsyD

Jasmine Ueng-McHale, PhD

Peggy Van Raalte, PsyD

Laura Venuto, PsyD

Deborah Vineberg, PsyD

Jennifer Vogel-Davis, PsyD

Melissa Warman, PhD

Arnold Washton, PhD

Beth Watchman, PhD

Jennifer Weberman, PsyD

Elaine Weinman, PhD

Nicola Weiss, PhD

Carol Wenzel-Rideout, PsyD

Syke Wilson, PhD

Alison Winston, PhD

Philip Witt, PhD

Scott Woerner, PhD

Miriam Wolosh, PhD

Maha Younes, PhD

Julie Zakreski, PhD

Robert Zambrano, PsyD

Kelly Zanetich, PhD

Michael Zito, PhD

Licensed5+years

NancyCoba,PsyD

MariaKatsamanis,PsyD

EvanKroll,PhD

DavidLeibovitz,PsyD

AnnieMcCue,PhD

Licensed2-5years

StephenAndreopoulos,PhD

IngridDiaz,PhD

HwayoungKim,PhD

JanaLuber,PsyD

Licensed<2years

DanielleColuccio,PsyD

JessicaDiasodse,PhD

TaylorDiGravina,PsyD

MalloryDimler,PhD

KellyFeeney-Kettler,PhD

TomGambino,PsyD

ChristopherGuarino,PhD

EricaHarris,PhD

BruceHubbard,PhD

AurelieLucette,PhD

1styearPost-Doctoral

AkhirahLewis,PhD

AnweshaChaudhuri,PsyD

JovannaOssa,PsyD

YoelEpstein,PsyD

Welcome New Members!

Non-licensedDoctoral

SashaBerger,PhD

ArpanaInman,PhD

AndrewNewsom,PhD

JenniferRosen,PsyD

NdayiziveyiScott,PhD

Non-Resident

CindyAriel,PhD

LeslieHarf,PsyD

DavidJuncos,PsyD

LisaMaheras,MA

GraduateStudents

NicoleArias

LiezlBosch

AngelaCabble

TaminaDaruvala

MelissaEscobar

LaceyFarrow

GiovannaGagliardi

PabloArenasGallo

MeganGiles

KaitlinGilleran

AllegraGold

GraceGrady

uliannaGreen

NicoleGuevara

SherrikahThigpenHayes

MorganIskowitz

Graduate Students (cont.)

Chase Johnson

Tanya Johnson

Omievier Joseph

Emily Judd

Rahil Kamath

Germeen Kilada

Alexis Libert

Dhruv Maisuria

Brittany McCabe

Jinmu Meng

Aliza Naiman

Brayan Ospina

Henessys Paulino

Kierra Pean

Marco Pelosi

Alexandra Peterson

Hannah Pucker

Kaitlin Riegler

Lhia Rivero

Thanharat Silamongkol

Daniel Smigiel

Julia Solomon

Amirah Thomas

Connor Uhrig

Michele Ventola

Undergraduate Student

Madison Gesualdo

Committee on Legislative Affairs (COLA): The 2023 Government Affairs Agent Report

ByJonBombadieri NJPAGovernmentAffairsAgent

AssemblymanSpearman,approachedmeastheNJPA lobbyisttodiscussaconcernthathehaswiththe growingnumberofsuicidesbylawenforcement He wantedtoknowifNJPAwouldbewillingtosit-down withhimtodiscussthisissueandprovidesome thoughtsandideasonpossiblelegislation.Hereally doesn’thaveanylegislationinmindatthispointbut wantedtoseeifwecouldworktogetheronlegislation.

TheAssemblymanfeelsthatmanytimesofficersare afraidtogothroughtheirinsuranceformentalhealth carebecausetheyareworriedthatthedepartmentwill findtheyarestrugglingwiththeirmentalhealthandcan losetheirbadge Healsosaidthatofficersdon’tmake theirstrugglesknown,becausetheyareafraidthatthe othersinthedepartmentmaylosefaithinthem.

Ididsomeresearchonpotentiallegislationfromother states,andnobodyhasdraftedanythingmeaningful beyondaresolutionrecognizingtheissue.Irecommend thatwestartadialogueontheissuewiththe Assemblymanandseewhatideaswecancomeupwith.

VirtualCreditCard

A4193(Conaway)Requireshealthinsurancecarriersto reimbursehealthcareprovidersusingcheckor electronicfundstransfer.

ThelegislationisupintheAssemblyHealthCommittee onJanuary12th.

BillStatement:

Thisbillrequireshealthinsurancecarrierstoremitpaymenttoa healthcareprovidersolelythrougheitheracheckorelectronic fundstransferincompliancewithfederallaw Thebillprohibits healthinsurancecarriersfromremittingpaymentforaclaimto ahealthcareproviderusinganyformofreimbursementnot

authorizedunderthebill Thebillalsoprohibitshealthinsurance carriersfromreimbursingcoveredpersonsusingavirtualcredit card,whichisdefinedtomeanasingle-usecreditcard exclusivelyprovidedinanelectronicordigitalformat

BillReviewforVote

A1700(Quijano/Mukherji)/S524(Ruiz):Creates MentalIllnessDiversionProgramtodiverteligible personsawayfromcriminaljusticesystemandinto appropriatecasemanagementandmentalhealth services

ThislegislationwasreleasedfromtheAssembly JudiciaryCommitteebyavoteof4-0-1onSeptember 29thandreferredtotheAssemblyHumanServices Committee.

TheSenateversion,S524,wasreferredtotheSenate JudiciaryCommitteeandhasseennofurtheraction

A4921(Conaway)Waives15daywaitingperiodfor medicalaidindyingundercertaincircumstances ThereisnoSenateversionatthistime.

A4879(Flynn)/S3391(Ruiz)Addspostpartum depressionservicestoState’sbehavioralhealthcrisis servicessystem.

A4512(Sampson)Requiresreportingofsuicide attemptsmadebyfirstresponders.

PreviousLegislation

A4755(Lopez)Permitsbehavioralhealthcareproviders tooperatewithinhomelessshelters

Asamended,underthebill,abehavioralhealthcare provideristobeauthorizedtoprovidebehavioral

healthcareservicestohomelesspersonswithinanemergencyshelterforthehomeless.Abehavioralhealthcare providermayprovidesuchservicesinresponsetoemergencies,onapart-timeorfull-timebasis,andwithina temporaryorpermanentlocationwithintheemergencyshelterforthehomelessthatisexclusivelyusedbythe behavioralhealthcareprovider

Asamended,thebilldefines“behavioralhealthcareprovider”tomeanapsychiatrist,psychiatricadvancepractice nurse,psychologist,clinicalsocialworker,marriageandfamilytherapist,oranyothermentalhealthorsubstanceuse disordertreatmentproviderlicensedpursuanttoTitle45oftheRevisedStatutes Theamendedbillalsodefines, "behavioralhealthcare"asproceduresorservices,otherthanprimaryhealthcareservices,whichareprovidedbya healthcarepractitionertoapatientforthetreatmentofamentalillness,emotionaldisorder,ordrugoralcoholuse disorder.

Thecommitteeamendedthedefinitionof“behavioralhealthcare”toclarifythatbehavioralhealthcareisnotlimitedto thetreatmentofamentalillness,emotionaldisorder,ordrugoralcoholusedisorderofmildtomoderateseverity,as originallyprovidedinthebill.

Thecommitteeamendmentsremovelanguagethatspecifiedwhatthedefinitionof“behavioralhealthcare”wouldnot includeunderthebill’sprovisions

Thecommitteeamendmentsrevisethedefinitionof“behavioralhealthcareprovider”tomeanapsychiatrist, psychiatricadvancepracticenurse,psychologist,clinicalsocialworker,marriageandfamilytherapist,oranyother mentalhealthorsubstanceusedisordertreatmentproviderlicensedpursuanttoTitle45oftheRevisedStatutes, deletethedefinitionof“mentalhealthcareprofessional,”andremovereferencesthroughoutthebillto“mentalhealth careprofessional”and“mentalhealth.”

COLAQuestions:

Whyisthisisbeingpresented(whatiscurrentlyinplace-whatisnotallowed)? Thelegislatureisunderthe impressionthattheirmedicalinsuranceandlicensedoesonlyallowthemtooperatewithinafacility/office.

Whyweneedtodistinguishbetweenthosewith/withoutseverementalillnessandhowwouldthatworkclinically withthepopulationofindividualsinshelters? TheSponsorthoughtthatwasagreatpointanddeletedthat distinctionfromthelegislation.

LegislationpassedtheAssembly77-0onDecember15,2022.NowwaitingonactionintheSenateHealthCommittee.

A4618(Freiman)/S3122(Zwicker)Createsonlinejobportalforbehavioralhealthcareworkersandonlineinternship andexternshipportalforhealthcarestudents

MeetingwithAssemblymanFreiman(tookplaceonJanuary17th)todiscussourthoughtsandhowwecansupportit Legislature

2023isanelectionyearfortheNewJerseylegislature,all120seats(80Assembly&40Senate)areupforelectionthis year.

NJPACommitteeonLegislativeAffairs

ThepurposeofCOLAistomonitorandintroducelegislationasdirectedby,andinconjunctionwith,theNJPAexecutiveboard,andto advocateforlegislationtoservethebestinterestsofpsychologyandthepublic

COLAhasthreegeneralroles.First,COLAreviewsselectednewlyintroducedbillsandrecommendsapositiontotheNJPAExecutive Boardforapprovalthatcanrangefrom“activelysupport,”to“activelyoppose,”or“noposition”Second,whereappropriate,COLAmay draftandproposenewlegislationfortheNJPAExecutiveBoard'sconsideration Finally,COLAsubcommitteesmayworkontheirown,or withothercommittees,toexplorefutureinitiatives.ThroughdiscussionswiththeNJPAgovernmentaffairsagent,COLAmembersare advisedofandparticipateinimportantandrelevantgrassrootseffortstonetworkwithNewJerseylegislators

Member News

InMemoriam:VirginiaWaters,PhD

ByAlexandraMillerClark,PsyD,NSCP

TheNJPAcommunitymournsthelossofVirginiaWaters,PhD,whopassedawayonDecember 6th Virginia,apracticingpsychologistinNewJerseyandNewYorkfor48years,wasoneofthe firstfemalePhDgraduatesfromColumbiaUniversityShethenwentontostudywithAlbertEllis, becomingalecturerandsupervisorathisinstitute,andeventuallywasaninvitedspeakerathis funeralShemorerecentlyisknownprofessionallyforservingasthepresidentofAPA’sDivision 55(SocietyforPrescribingPsychologists)in2018andforbeingastalwart,nationalleaderinthe RxPmovement,especiallyinNewJerseyandNewYorkVirginiafoundedandledtheNewJerseyAcademyforMedical Psychologists,wasamemberofthe2022NJPARxPtaskforce,amemberofNJPA’sCommitteeonLegislativeAffairs (COLA),andamemberoftheNYSPAPresidentialTaskForceonGriefandLossduringCOVID-19.

IwasstillearlyinmystudiesofclinicalpsychopharmacologywhenIsecuredameetingwithmylocalNJStateSenator SteveOrohotodiscussincreasingaccesstomentalhealthcarethroughRxPlegislationIdidn’tfeelreadytodoitalone andRobertMcGrath,PhDsaidhewouldfindmeaseniormemberoftheRxPmovementtojoinme-itwasVirginiaThis wasthefirsttimeImether-inthelobbyofthesenator’soffice,andinthefirstfewminutesofourtimetogetherIfelt welcomed,loved,andencouragedThisisasimilarfeelingthatChrisKing,JD,PhDamemberofCOLAexperiencedwith Virginia:“DrWaterswasalwayssowarmandwelcomingtomeasanECPonCOLAFriendlyandapproachable,deeply informed,andeagerforustoalwaysdomore.”Onthatdayofourinitialmeeting,VirginiaandIsatdownwiththesenator andhischiefofstaff,andstartedtheconversation.ItbecameapparentthatIwasaccompaniedbyamavenandtherewas nothingtofear.Virginiacouldanswereveryandanyquestionbrilliantlyandwithcharm.Shesharedexamplesofhowshe helpedherpatientswithherknowledgeaboutwhentoprescribeandwhennottoprescribe,andhowsheservedasa consultanttogeneralmedicalpractitionerstohelpthembetterservetheirpatientsIcameawaydelightedtohavemet thisamazingwomanandinspiredtobettermyknowledgeofthissubjectmattersothatperhapsIcouldonedaybeof servicelikeVirginia

Virginia’soptimismwascontagiousSeanEvers,PhD,MSCP,formerpresidentofNJPA,formermemberofAPACouncil, formerpresidentofDivision55,chairmanofNJBoardofExaminers,inhisownwords“Moreimportantly–aperson privilegedtohaveknownVirginiaandbeenabletocallherafriend.”SeansharedhisthoughtsaboutVirginia:“Shewas unflinchinglyoptimistic.Shewasenergeticandgoaldirected.Justunderstandingherworkscheduleitishardtobelieve howsheworked6daysaweekandthendonatedhertimetofacilitateagriefsupportgroupforherchurchonSunday OnedayshetoldmeshewasgoingtoAfricatoseethewhitelionpreserve,andthentraveledtherebyherself”Similarly, AnastasiaBullock,PsyD,whoservedonNJPA’sCOLAwithVirginia,said“WhatstruckmemostaboutVirginiawasher tirelessenergyandhowupbeatandcheerfulshewasateverymeetingIt’sclearthatsheledalifeconsistentwithher valuesandherhappinessanddedicationtouchedothers”SeanEversadded:“Icouldgoonforawhiletodescribethe indescribable Virginiawasoneofthosepeoplewhocouldnothelpbuthaveapositiveimpactoneveryoneshemet” HulonNewsom,PsyD,formerNJPApresident(2017),sharedthefollowingaboutVirginia:“Whileherpassingforme evokesconsiderablesadnessIamalsoremindedofherunflappableoptimism,heart-warmingsmile,andsoulfullaughter. Icelebratethosequalitiesandherdedicationtotheprofessionofpsychology,whichincludedherworkintheareaof prescriptiveauthoritytoexpandourscopeofpracticeIrememberthefirsttimeIservedonCOLA,Ithinkin2015,and VirginiaservedaschairofthecommitteeAsanewbie,Ifoundhergenerous,patient,kind,andsupportiveHer grassrootstraininginitiativecontributedtomyunderstandingofthelegislativeandlobbyingprocessandgaveme confidenceasIcarriedoutmyCOLAdutiesIhadthepleasureofseeingherlegislativechopsinactionwhileweboth attendedAPA'slegislativeconference”

IwillalwaysrememberVirginia’soptimismandkindnessfirstIwillrememberhowsheencouragedallofustobe advocatesinourcommunitiesandcirclesofinfluenceforpsychology-notjustonourpettopics,butonanyandall topicsthatcouldhelpthepublicandpromotefurtheraccesstomentalhealthcare.Iwillrememberherpassionandlove ofnewlearningandhercuriosityVirginiacontinuouslyenjoyeddeepdivesintoalldifferenttopics,whichshethen sharedwiththosearoundher,especiallyherpatientsMayVirginiarestinpeaceandmaywelearnandemulateher beautifulqualitiesofoptimism,inquisitiveness,courage,kindness,humility,andindustriousnessformakingtheworlda betterplace

ReadmoreaboutVirginiafromherfamily’sobituaryhere

Leadership$1000andover

Platinum$750-$999

RosalindDorlen,PsyD

Gold$500-$749

DavidPanzer,PsyD

DavidSzmak,PsyD

Silver$250-$499

RandyBressler,PsyD

RosemarieCiccarello,PhD

StephanieCoyne,PhD

DanielDaSilva,PhD

BonnieMarkham,PhD,PsyD

TamaraSofair-Fisch,PhD

Bronze$100-$249

RichardAuletta,PhD

JeffreyAxelbank,PsyD

VickiBarnett,PsyD

RoderickBennett,PhD

JudithBernstein,PsyD

MonicaBlum,PhD

CarolynCarbone-Magnero,PhD

MarkCetta,PhD

AlexandraMillerClark,PsyD

KarenCocco,PhD

CharlesDodgen,PhD

PamelaFoley,PhD

ThomasFrio,PhD

DanielGallagher,PhD

MarcGironda,PsyD

ElizabethGoldberg,PhD

SusanHerman,PhD

LauraineHollyer,PhD

MaureenHudak,PsyD

ChristineHudson,PhD

DeirdreKramer,PhD

BonnieLipeles,PsyD

LynnMollick,PhD

JoanGlassMorgan,PsyD

LoriPine,PsyD

ElissaRozov,PhD

TheNewJerseyPsychology–PoliticalActionCommittee(“NJP-PAC”) isavoluntary,non-profitpoliticalactioncommitteecomprisedofa boardoftrustees,consistingofNewJerseyPsychologicalAssociation (“NJPA”)members/psychologists.NJP-PACisaseparateentity,andis notaffiliatedwithanypoliticalpartyorotherpoliticalcommittee OURHEARTFELTTHANKSTOALLOFYOU!

DONATETODAY!

President,MarkSinger,PhD;Secretary/Treasurer:KennethFreundlich,PhD

Bronze$100-$249(cont.)

DebraSalzman,PhD

KomalSaraf,PhD

LouisSchlesinger,PhD

WilliamShinefield,PsyD

KarenSkean,PsyD

MiltonSpett,PhD

StevenSussman,PhD

PeggyVanRaalte,PsyD

AaronWelt,PhD

JamesS Wulach,JD,PhD

KellyZanetich,PhD

Copperupto$99

RosaBianco,PsyD

FionaByrne,PhD

MonicaCarsky,PhD

MarvinChartoff,EdD

KarenCohen,PsyD

DeborahDawson,PsyD

LauraDeMarzo,EdD

PromilaDhillon,PhD

NancyDistel,PhD

:auraEisdorfer,PsyD

IreneErckert,PhD

RenanErkut-Petermann PhD

JoanFiorello,PhD

WilliamFrankenstein,PhD

ElizabethFrenkel,PhD

AntoniaFried,PsyD

JoshuaFriedman,PhD

JillGentile,PhD

SandraGrundfest,EdD

CynthiaHaines,PsyD

AngelaHall,PsyD

JenniferHanych,PhD

JeffreyHawkins,PhD

RandiKell,PhD

JoelKleinman,PhD

RuthLijtmaer,PhD

JohnLoConte,PhD

MarkLowenthal,PsyD

SusanMacKinnon,PsyD

Friend (cont.)

William MacLaney, PsyD

Heather MacLeod, EdD

Cornelius Mahoney, PhD

Vanessa Marcantuono, PhD

Steven Master PhD

Susan McGroarty PhD

Jacqueline Mesnik, PhD

Leila Moore, EdD

Steven Moraca, PsyD

Marsha Morris, PhD

Susan Neigher, PhD

Susan Orshan, PsyD

Pilar Perez-Ortega, PsyD

Lysandra Perez-Strumolo, PhD

Lauren Picciano, PsyD

Vincenza Piscitelli, PsyD

Jeffrey Pusar, PsyD

Steven Reed, PhD

Debra Roelke, PhD

Amelia Romanowsky, PsyD

Barbara Rosenberg, PhD

Gina Rudolph, PsyD

George Sanders, PhD

Carmela Sansone, PhD

Ellen Schwartz, PhD

Nancie Senet, PhD

Arline Shaffer, PhD

Ronald Silikovitz, PhD

Pierce Skinner, PsyD

Jakob Steinberg, PhD

Lois Steinberg, PhD

Tamsen Thorpe, PhD

Rachel Thuer, PsyD

Jonathan Wall, PsyD

William Walsh, PhD

Melissa Warman, PhD

Jennifer Weberman, PsyD

Skye Wilson, PhD

Michael Zito, PhD

How Cognitive Biases May Affect Our Work

ByLidiaAbrams,PhD Chair,EthicalEducationand ResourceCommittee

Thisarticlediscussessomecognitivedistortionsandbiases thatwe,psychologists,maysuccumbto Cognitivebiasesand distortionputusatriskformakingpoorassessmentsand treatmentdecisionsforourclients.AsperPrincipleA, BeneficenceandNonmaleficence,wearetostrivetohelpand takecaretodonoharm Thus,itisourethicalobligationto haveanunderstandingofbiasesthatmayinterferewithour besthelpingourclientsandothersaffectedbyour professionalwork.

Biasescanbeclassifiedassocialandcontextual Social cognitivebiasescanresultfromstereotypesweholdabout certaingroupsofpeople,basedonrace,culture,gender,age, weight,andahostofidiosyncraticbeliefswemayacquire aboutothersthroughourlives Beliefswemayhaveabouta clientbasedonacategorytheyfallintopreventsusfromfully andobjectivelyassessing,diagnosing,andtreatingthem. Socialbiasesmaybeexplicitorimplicit Makingthemexplicit mayhelpdiffusethem TheImplicitAssociationTest(IAT) (Greenwaldetal,1998)helpspeoplecometounderstand whethertheyhaveimplicitbiasesagainstaspecificgroup (https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit).

Anotherkindofbiasiscontextual,involvinghowourbrain processesinformationaboutpersonsandsituationsaswe encounterthem Researchshowsusthathumanthought andjudgmentisfraughtwithcognitivedistortionsand implicitbiases(eg Tversky&Kahneman,1974),aswellas memoryprocesses,whichmakeusvulnerableto misremember,selectivelyremember,andevenbelievewe rememberthingsthatneveroccurred(eg Loftus,2016) We gatherandprocessinformationaboutourclientsusing certainheuristics-shortcutstoinformationprocessingthat allowustoassessandmakedecisionsinaspeedierfashion. Thesearegenerallyadaptivetoourfunctioningandoftendo pointusintherightdirection,butnotalways Notably, the

availabilityheuristicfocusesusonreadilyavailable information,disregardingotherpotentiallyimportantdata Whendiagnosingaclient,wemayconsiderourownpast experiences,aswellasourassessmentofpreviousclients, withsimilarpresentations.Thedifficultywiththisisthat memoryisconstructiveandourbrainsdonot indiscriminatelyretainalltheinformationwehavebeen exposedto Asweformopinionsaboutpersonsand situations,thosecharacteristicsandeventsthatsupport ouropinionsandinterpretationsarebetterretained Soif werelyonpreviouscaseswherewehavemadeacertain judgmentordiagnosis,wemayhavebeenwrongthenand wrongnow,butwewouldnotknow.Arelatedpitfallis perceivingillusorycorrelations;aclientwhoinsome salientwayspresentssimilarlytoapreviousclientmayyet beverydifferentdiagnostically Weareoftenaffectedby therepresentativenessheuristic,notconsideringbase ratesandthelikelihoodofcertainjudgmentsbeing accurateornot.

Havingformedaninitialassessmentordiagnosisofa client,confirmationbias(Nickerson,1998)leadsusto engaginginconfirmation-seekingstrategies,payingmore attention,andgivingmoreimportancetoinformationthat confirmsourexistinghypothesis Withthismindset,we maydutifullycollectlargeamountsofinformation,but alwayswithabiastowardswhatwealreadythinkitall means Contradictoryordisconfirmatorydataiseither deemedunimportantorisreinterpretedtosomehow supportourexistingwayofthinking. Yet,asperKarl Popper’sfalsificationprinciple,thetruthcannotbefully proventhroughamassingevidence,butitcanbe supportedordisconfirmedbyattemptsatfalsificationlookingtodisconfirmourhypotheses(Popper,1994)

Confirmationbiastendstoleadtooverconfidence(Moore

etal.,2008),anotherformofbiasthatprofessionals succumbto And,overconfidencetendstofeedintothe confirmationbias Thismaybewhy,asresearchshows,level ofconfidenceisnotcorrelatedwithaccuracyofdiagnoses, andpsychologistsdonotnecessarilygetbetterat diagnosingwithmoreexperience(Lilienfeld,2014).

Over-confidencecanleadtogoingwithourfirstdiagnostic impressionandperhapsignoringsignsofanotherdisorder thatmightrequiremorecarefulassessment Itcanalsolead topoorpracticessuchaspartialadministrationofa standardizedtest,withthejustificationthattheclinician feelstheycaninterpretitwithlimiteddata.Oran improvisedadministrationandinterpretationofprojective tests,withthebeliefthattheclinician“knows”whatthe itemsmean Suchmethodsare,ofcourse,unethical, becauseonecannotclaimtohaveadministereda standardizedtestiftheydidnotdosoinastandardized fashion Finally,confirmationbias,overconfidenceand otherbiasescanleadsometodevelopandpromote theoreticalframeworksandmethodsoftreatment,which mayhavesomefacevalidity,butarenottrulyeffective whenrigorouslyevaluated,orareevenharmful.

Colleagues’ErrorsandBiases:TheNeedforIndependent Thinking

Wemaydeveloprelationshipswithreferralsources,suchas DCP&Pworkers,attorneys,orotherprofessionals.Those referringtoushavetheirownimplicitand/orexplicit biases,whichmayaffecthowtheyframeinformationabout thereferredclient Weshouldbemindfulofthis,andalso aboutourowntendencytowanttoplease,toforma positiverelationshipwiththereferralsource.Yetanother problemwithreceivingareferralfromaninterestedpartyis thatweareexposedtotheirviewsfirst,andasperthe anchoringeffect,wetendtoover-relyonthesefirstpieces ofinformation.Ourprocessingoffurtherinformationis vulnerabletotheframingeffect–wetrytofititintothe frameworkwehavestartedtodevelop Beingmindfulthat thefirstinformationthatreachesusmaybeincomplete,it isagoodideatotakeourtimeforminganopinion,looking ateveryreasonableangleofasituation.Inanysituation whereweareworkingwithotherprofessionalswiththeir ownopinionsandconceptualizations,itisourethical obligationtoconsidertheirviews,butalsocontinuetothink independently.

TherapeuticAllianceBias:TheNeedforCognitive Boundaries

Learningaboutourclient’srelationshipsandcircumstances fromtheclient,weareatriskofmisinterpretation,asthey themselvesmaybeseeingandconveyingadistorted

picture.Manyofourclientsarepronetospecificcognitive distortions(àlaBeck,Burns) involvingfocusingon,and magnifying,negativeevents,ignoringorminimizing positiveones,feelingthat“nobodylikesthem,”andfeeling disrespectedateveryturn.Suchnegativeoutlookscan leadtomisperceptionsandmisunderstandings,whichare thenconveyedtousasfacts Afrequentscenarioiswhere weseeaclientintherapywhoisstrugglingwithinabad relationship,whotellsusingreatdetailabouthowtheir significantotherisa“controlling,malignantnarcissist,” mean,uncaring,andunreasonable,causingthemgreat distress Thetherapeuticrelationshipandempathywe bringintothesessionfacilitateouracceptanceofthe client’sdescriptionofeventsandtheirviewoftheir significantother.Yetthatsamepartnerofourclientmay beintherapyaswell,gettingsympathyfromtheir therapistabouttheunfairtreatmenttheyaregettingfrom ourclient!Enteringourclient’sworldinorderto understanditanddoingsowithempathyisaslippery slope,aswemuststopshortoffullyacceptingtheclient’s perceptionandinterpretationoftheirworld Ifwedoso, webecomeuseless,andultimatelyharmfultotheclient CounteringFlawsinourThinking

Learningaboutcognitivebiasesandthedangersofusing certainheuristicsisimportant,butnotsufficientto preventusfromfallingpreytothem Ourbrainsare predisposedtoengageintheseheuristics,forthepurpose ofadaptive,successfulfunctioning.Powerfuldynamics inclineustowanttofeelcompetentandeffective,rather thantoquestionourjudgmentandourrealityatevery juncture Asaresult,ourcognitivebiasestendtobe resistanttochangeevenwhentheyarepointedouttous. Researchershavecoinedthetermbiasblindspot(Pronin etal,2002):weoftendon’trecognizeourownbiasesas muchasweunderstandtheconceptandrecognizeitin others Toovercomeourownbiases,weneedmotivation andpractice.Themotivationmaybeaidedbychangingour self-conceptfrombeing(orhopingtobe)aprofessional withgoodknowledgeandclinicalacumen,tothatofa professionalwhoisflexible,curious,wise,willingtobe wrong,andwhovaluesthetruth Withthis,wethenneed topractice,routinelyexploringalternativeexplanationsfor thefactspresentedtous,perhapsconsideringthevery oppositeofwhatwearenowthinking Wemightconsider (andrelish)playingtheroleofdetectiveinsearchofthe rightdiagnosis,therightassessmentofinterpersonal dynamics,therighttreatment.Agoodruleofthumbisto delayforminganopinionandenjoyconsidering alternativesbeforewesettleintoourpositiononaclient orcaseWhilewearestilldeliberating,ourmindsareopen toallreasonablepossibilities.Theuse

ofstructuredinterviewsandstandardizedtests,whilenotfull-proofbyanymeans,helpsusinsurethatwecovermost relevantpossibilitiesratherthansettlingtooearlyonadiagnosisorconceptualization Finally,usingonlyevidence-based treatmentshelpsuseschewmanyoftheproblemsresultingfromourownandourcolleagues’cognitivebiases

AbouttheAuthor:

Dr LidiaAbramsisexecutivedirectorandclinicalsupervisoratResolveCommunityCounselingCenter,anonprofitmentalhealth agency.Shealsohasaprivatepracticecomprisedofclinicalandforensicwork.Shehasabackgroundinsocialandcognitivepsychology, withaninterestinhowourperceptions,judgments,anddecisionsmayhaveevolvedinself-protectivewaysthatattimescause divergencefromaccuracy;andhowcognitivedistortionsmayaffecttheworkofpsychologists.

References

Greenwald,A G;McGhee,D E;Schwartz,J K L (1998) "Measuringindividualdifferencesinimplicitcognition:TheImplicit AssociationTest" JournalofPersonalityandSocialPsychology

Lilienfeld,ScottO.,Lynn,StevenJay,Lohr,JeffreyM.(2014).ScienceandPseudoscienceinClinicalPsychology,TheGuilfordPress (2ndedition)

Loftus,E.F.(2016).Memorymatters.InR.J.Sternberg,S.T.Fiske,&D.J.Foss(Eds.),Scientistsmakingadifference:Onehundred eminentbehavioralandbrainscientiststalkabouttheirmostimportantcontributions(pp.136–139).CambridgeUniversityPress.

Moore,DonA;Healy,PaulJ (2008) Thetroublewithoverconfidence PsychologicalReview April,115(2):502–517

Nickerson,R S (1998) Confirmationbias:Aubiquitousphenomenoninmanyguises ReviewofGeneralPsychology,2,175-220

Popper,R K (1959) Thelogicofscientificdiscovery NewYork,NY:BasicBooks

Pronin,E.,Lin,D.Y.,&Ross,L.(2002).Thebiasblindspot:Perceptionsofbiasinselfversusothers.PersonalityandSocialPsychology Bulletin,Vol28(3),Mar,369-381.

Tversky,A.&Kahneman,D.(1974),Judgmentunderuncertainty:Heuristicsandbiases.Science,185,1124-1131.

NJPA Member Benefit: Free Ethics Consultations!

The NJPA Ethics Education and Resource Committee offers free, confidential feedback, exclusively to NJPA members, concerning ethical questions that may arise in the course of their practice. The information provided by the Ethics Committee is designed to assist NJPA members to better understand ethical issues arising out of the practice of psychology in an educative and consultative manner. Ethics Committee consultations are available on weekdays.

Consultation requests can be made in the Member Center on the NJPA website homepage!

Note - The information provided by the Ethics Committee should not be relied on as legal advice, and is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney

Upcoming NJPA CE Programs

New Jersey Continuing Education/ FAQs

When are Continuing Education credits due?

Licensed psychologists are required to complete the required continuing education by the end of each renewal period, June 30 of each odd-numbered year

Must I document my Continuing Education credits?

You must maintain your continuing education documentation for 4 years after completion Course work vs other means of accumulating credit must be specifically documented as spelled out in the regulations. For every biennial license renewal, you shall attest that you have completed your continuing education requirements and the Board of Psychological Examiners will perform random audits of licensees to determine compliance with continuing education requirements It is very important that you create a tracking system for yourself. Please note: we strongly recommend that you maintain a hard copy and electronic copy of all CE certificates NJPA members have the ability to document and store electronic CE certificate information You will find the access to the portal in your NJPA web profile (see below)

TicDisorders:AnOverviewand IntroductiontoTreatment(1.5CE)

Thisisanintroductorycoursethatfocusesonthe overview,course,anddiagnosisofticdisorders Themostwidelyacceptedevidenced-based treatmentforticdisorderswillbediscussedand anoverviewwillbeprovided.Finally,tipsfor identifyingandmanagingenvironmentalfactors impactingthepresentationofticswillbereviewed andtipstodistinguishticsfromfunctionaltic-like behaviorswillbediscussed

Clickhereformoreinformation

OurNewWorld:Expandingthe PaadigmforAssessingDomestic ViolenceandDiversity(4CE)

Althoughassessmentforclientswhopresentwith domesticviolenceandchildabuseissueshasbeen availableforalmostfiftyyears,theabsenceofthe sensitivityforhowthesetraumaticeventsimpact thoseclientsfromdiverseracial,ethnic,and culturalbackgroundsisalarmingWithoutasking therightquestions,itwillnotbepossibletoeither understandtheclient’sexperienceorbeableto offerappropriatepsychologicalhelpWhether assessingforforensicandlegalissuesorclinical treatmentgoals,psychologistsareenteringanew worldwithnewparadigmstoincludethosewho havebeenexcluded/misunderstoodpreviously Clickhereformoreinformation

The NJPA Referral Network

Become part of our in-demand network of providers: Be a part of the solution!

During the pandemic, individuals seeking mental health services skyrocketed The expansion of telehealth services enabled many individuals to access the critical services psychologists provide creating a high demand for referrals.

Your unique blend of specialized services, orientations, practice area expertise, and foreign language proficiency will help us successfully assist our diverse populations, throughout NJ, who are often conducting frustrating searches for practitioners who meet their needs. We are in need especially in the southern and western part of NJ and those with foreign language proficiency in any part of the state

Are you a licensed NJPA member? Consider joining our network today! (Free for all NJPA Sustaining Members/reduced rate for newly licensed members)