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# New England Psychologist

Monthly psychotherapy news, columnists & updates

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## Posts

- [New England Psychologist Past Articles](https://www.nepsy.com/archives/) - Archives
- [Likely Pedal Confusion Leads to Tragic Death in Byfield, MA](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/likely-pedal-confusion-leads-to-tragic-death-in-byfield-ma/) - In late May, Marblehead resident Janet Bach, 70, was backing up to pick up some flowers at a greenhouse and garden center in Byfield, MA. But instead of gently backing up the few yards she intended, she accelerated to 18 MPH in reverse, killing mother Susan Sfoza Nico and injuring others. The Honda CRV utility
- [Cambridge Health Alliance cuts restraint events by 76% through prevention-focused approach](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/cambridge-health-alliance-cuts-restraint-events-by-76-through-prevention-focused-approach/) - Cambridge Health Alliance, Massachusetts' largest provider of inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry services, has reduced restraint events by 76% over the past several years through a broad shift toward prevention, trauma-informed care, and proactive safety planning. The achievement is particularly notable because the health system has continued serving some of the state's highest-acuity pediatric psychiatric
- [Uncertainty is main risk factor for anxiety](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/uncertainty-is-main-risk-factor-for-anxiety/) - When the pandemic struck, uncertainty and fear spread rapidly, adding to already rising rates of anxiety across the globe. For therapists like David H. Rosmarin, Ph.D., an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Center for Anxiety, their own worries about the disease were exacerbated by fear for their patients. However, some
- [Social media ban for youths in Massachusetts a possibility?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/social-media-ban-for-youths-in-massachusetts-a-possibility/) - Significant debate about children’s online access is occurring, with Congress holding multiple hearings with tech giants to address allegations that their platforms’ algorithms are harming children’s mental health. In December, Australia became the first country in the world to legally ban children under 16 from having a social media account. France, Denmark, and Spain are
- [Why men don't reach out & how clinicians can help](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/why-men-dont-reach-out-and-how-clinicians-can-help/) - Anxiety, stress, and loneliness are major issues for boys and men. For mental health professionals, the key to effective treatment hinges on finding meaningful ways to engage, according to a new report from Crisis Text Line. The report analyzed 71,000 anonymized conversations at the text-based mental health support service, which serves the US, Canada, the
- [Creating an effective newsletter](https://www.nepsy.com/psychotherapy-business-marketing/creating-an-effective-newsletter/) - A newsletter can be an effective way for any business owner to stay engaged with a community that can support their business with a steady stream of referrals. In order for this to work for you as a private practitioner, you will need to craft a newsletter that entices your recipients to open, read, and
- [Report highlights gap between mental health needs, care access](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-highlights-gap-between-mental-health-needs-care-access/) - Americans are increasingly aware of the importance of mental health, but recognition alone is not translating into easier access to care, according to Rula’s 2026 State of Mental Health Report. The findings suggest demand for support is increasing faster than many people’s ability to obtain care. Anxiety, depression, burnout, trauma, relationship challenges, and grief remain
- [MA Resilience Hub Funding; New NH Inpatient Mental Health Program; CT Mobile Opioid Treatment Program](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/ma-resilience-hub-funding-new-nh-inpatient-mental-health-program-ct-mobile-opioid-treatment-program/) - Mass. community center receives $1 million for resilience hub The Cambridge Community Center has received $1 million in federal funding to establish what officials say will be New England's first resilience hub, a project intended to strengthen emergency preparedness and community support services. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA’s 7th District) recently joined local leaders and
- [Your psychology license in retirement](https://www.nepsy.com/in-person/your-psychology-license-in-retirement/) - With the deadline to renew my psychology license quickly approaching, I sit at my desk looking over a booklet on diagnosing and treating anxiety disorders. All I have to do is read the material, pass the included multiple-choice test, and send the required fee to the company, and I will have the 20 Continuing Education
- [Typewriter talk](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/typewriter-talk/) - The other day I came across a poem about typewriters by Billy Collins, something funny about mixing up the covers for his typewriter and his parrot’s cage. It was enough to get me thinking about my trusty old Remington. Wouldn’t it be cool, I thought, to get out the Remington and use it to write
- [Work smarter, not harder](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/work-smarter-not-harder/) - In a business that is run by one-to-one hourly sessions, there is an inherent limitation to your business’ growth. You can only work with a definitive number of clients per week. You cannot add more hours in the day, and for many, the number of clients that you can healthfully see may decline over time.
- [Psycho-oncology adapts treatment strategies](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psycho-oncology-adapts-treatment-strategies/) - Psychologists can transfer many of their therapeutic tools into a specialty of psycho-oncology. However, because cancer patients have unique challenges, coping styles, and timelines, treatment flexibility is key. Speaking about psycho-oncology at a recent Massachusetts Psychological Association seminar were Anna Levin, Ph.D., Kerri Murphy, Ph.D., and Harry Somers, Ed.D. Levin of New England Psychology Partners
- [Vermont grants prescriptive authority to specially trained psychologists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-grants-prescriptive-authority-to-specially-trained-psychologists/) - Vermont has become the eighth state in the nation to grant specially trained psychologists prescriptive authority for psychiatric medications following Gov. Phil Scott’s signing of H.237 into law this spring. Supporters say the legislation could help improve access to behavioral healthcare across the state, particularly in rural and underserved communities, while also creating a more
- [Prison suicide rates continue to increase](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/prison-suicide-rates-continue-to-increase/) - Kwaneta Harris, an incarcerated journalist and activist in the Texas prison system, wrote an article for “Solitary Watch,” detailing poor conditions and addressing how society forgets prisoners’ existence. She noted that prisons should be “ground zero” for suicide prevention. She wrote that incarcerated individuals attempt suicide at rates significantly higher than the general population, with
- [Behavioral health ED boarding remains high in Mass.](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/behavioral-health-ed-boarding-remains-high-in-mass/) - Long emergency department (ED) waits in Massachusetts reflect deeper cracks in the state’s health care system, according to a new report from the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC). The report found persistent shortages in behavioral health beds, workforce challenges, and limited access to primary care are driving prolonged ED boarding across the Commonwealth. Emergency department
- [NH awarded $204 million through Rural Health Transformation Program](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/nh-awarded-204-million-through-rural-health-transformation-program/) - New Hampshire recently announced it has been awarded $204 million through the federal government’s Rural Health Transformation Program. The fund was created in response to criticisms of health care cuts of nearly $991 billion over the next decade as a result of last year's “Big Beautiful Act.” It will distribute up to $50 billion through
- [AI can be helpful business consultant](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/ai-can-be-helpful-business-consultant/) - Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be at the forefront of many business owners’ minds, leaving them wondering, “Will AI help or hinder my business?” While AI will never be a replacement for the clinical work of a psychotherapist, it can be a helpful business consultant. After 16 years as a full-time self-employed psychotherapist, much of
- [NH Mental Health Bill in Works; New VT Mental Health Center; CT Fines Insurers; Community Healthlink Closes in MA](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/nh-mental-health-bill-in-works-new-vt-mental-health-center-ct-fines-insurers-community-healthlink-closes-in-ma/) - NH mental health bill stalls, negotiations continue A New Hampshire bill aimed at expanding funding for intensive behavioral health services for children covered by private insurance was rejected by the House, though negotiations are expected to continue before the end of the legislative session. The proposal, Senate Bill 498, sought to shift more of the
- [Stumbling forward with hope](https://www.nepsy.com/in-person/stumbling-forward-with-hope/) - Sixty years ago, I participated in an international student forum where my peers from outside the United States earned their places in the program on the strength of their essays on the topic of the world we want. Now, a lifetime later in our alumni group, we find ourselves talking about the world we have,
- [Worcester, MA Sued; MA AG Push Back on Mental Health Grants; Gaps in NH Mental Health System; Prison and Mental Health Care Oversight in CT](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/worcester-ma-sued-ma-ag-push-back-on-mental-health-grants-gaps-in-nh-mental-health-system-prison-and-mental-health-care-oversight-in-ct/) - Worcester MA sued over mental health emergency response Advocates have filed a lawsuit against the city of Worcester, alleging its response to mental health-related 911 calls relies too heavily on police rather than trained clinicians. The complaint argues that the city lacks adequate crisis intervention training and points to the discontinuation of a pilot mental
- [The Go-Between: A psychologist’s play for the new year](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/the-go-between-a-psychologists-play-for-the-new-year/) - Prologue: Life is not about finding oneself. It’s about creating oneself. So it says on our refrigerator magnet, but I’ve never been entirely comfortable with that idea. Creating oneself is a nice idea, but there are limits. It would have been fun to create myself to be an NBA All-Star, but I never had the
- [Maine Youth Mental Health Support Gets Boost; Student Mental Health Conference in Boston; Mental Wellness Art Contest in NH; Bid for Medicaid Reform in CT](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/maine-youth-mental-health-support-gets-boost-student-mental-health-conference-in-boston-mental-wellness-art-contest-in-nh-bid-for-medicaid-reform-in-ct/) - MaineHealth launches $1.6M program to support youth mental health MaineHealth is launching a $1.6 million initiative to expand mental health support for students across the state. The program will increase after-school programming and provide mental health first aid training in several school districts, aiming to help students identify and respond to emotional or behavioral challenges.
- [Musings of a citizen psychologist](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/musings-of-a-citizen-psychologist/) - I recently listened to a podcast where the host was interviewing a woman who had devoted her life to working with immigrants. With all the strife, division, and violence in our country around the question of immigration and other important issues, this was a timely interview. It didn’t take long for the host to ask
- [RI Shooting Trauma; Key Stressors for Veterans Returning Home; New England College Receives Federal Funding for Mental Health Workers](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/ri-shooting-trauma-key-stressors-for-veterans-returning-home-new-england-college-receives-federal-funding-for-mental-health-workers/) - RI Pawtucket shooting highlights community trauma A shooting during a high school hockey game in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has intensified regional focus on trauma and community mental health needs. Authorities described the incident as a targeted domestic violence attack that resulted in multiple fatalities. Officials report that spectators and families were exposed to a high-stress,
- [Lyra Health Report Signals Escalating Workplace Mental Health Pressures](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/lyra-health-report-signals-escalating-workplace-mental-health-pressures/) - A 2026 report from Lyra Health on workforce mental health trends shows that expanded benefits are not fully offsetting rising pressures on employees and managers. The survey, conducted between July and August 2025, included more than 500 benefits leaders from organizations ranging from 500 to over 90,000 employees across industries including health care, retail, law,
- [Poetry in a time of war](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/poetry-in-a-time-of-war/) - April is National Poetry Month, but this year it is also the second full month of our involvement in a new war in the Middle East. On the face of things, it seems trivial to talk about poetry when bombs are falling and people are dying. And yet, if poetry offers benefits for our psychological
- [Prescribing psychologists: Is it the wave of the future?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/prescribing-psychologists-is-it-the-wave-of-the-future/) - Psychologists prescribing medication, also known as clinical psychopharmacology or medical psychology, is nothing new. Since, 2002 New Mexico’s psychologists have had this authority. What is new, however, is the growth in the number of prescribing clinicians since then. In addition to New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and Idaho—also provide psychologists with the authority
- [Program focuses on training clinicians to work with veterans](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-focuses-on-training-clinicians-to-work-with-veterans/) - A graduate training program at William James College is preparing clinicians to work more effectively with servicemembers, veterans, and their families, a population often described as having distinct cultural and clinical needs. The Train Vets to Treat Vets (TVTV) program combines academic coursework, supervised clinical training, and mentorship for students, many of whom have military
- [RI Senate healthcare package seeks to strengthen behavioral health system](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ri-senate-healthcare-package-seeks-to-strengthen-behavioral-health-system/) - Rhode Island lawmakers have introduced a 2026 healthcare legislative package aimed at stabilizing and expanding the state’s behavioral health system. Its particular focus is on strengthening crisis response infrastructure and supporting providers on the front lines of care. For behavioral health professionals, the legislation reflects a shift from short-term program building to long-term system stability.
- [Study: Who expects the end of the world?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-who-expects-the-end-of-the-world/) - Study links apocalyptic thinking to faith and age Apocalyptic thinking is no longer necessarily a fringe belief, with religion and age being the biggest factors influencing those feelings, according to recent University of British Columbia research. More than 3,400 people in the United States and Canada were surveyed for the study, published in the Journal
- [Bill would prohibit gun ownership for court-ordered treatment recipients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/bill-would-prohibit-gun-ownership-for-court-ordered-treatment-recipients/) - Vermont lawmakers narrowly pushed a bill through on restricting gun laws. It will place limitations on rapid-fire devices, 3-D printing, and stricter penalties for theft and illegal gun possession. But there has been skepticism regarding one portion of the bill, a provision that would prohibit gun ownership by those ordered by a court to receive
- [ME AI Statute in Mental Health Care & Expansion of 988; Teen Social Media Use Limits & Expanded Crisis De-escalation Training for Police in MA](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/me-ai-statute-in-mental-health-care-teen-social-media-use-limits-expanded-crisis-de-escalation-training-for-police-in-ma/) - New Maine Law Sets Rules for AI in Mental Health Care Maine has enacted LD 2082, a new statute establishing safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence in mental health settings. The law is designed to give clinicians and organizations clearer expectations as AI tools become more common in therapeutic and behavioral health work. Regulators
- [Program aims to raise awareness of integrated cardiac care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-aims-to-raise-awareness-of-integrated-cardiac-care/) - Mental health issues often have physical symptoms and that could not be clearer than when working with cardiac patients. It is a correlation that surprises no one. Distress can affect heart rate and blood pressure, which affects how the heart works. Faced with a life-changing diagnosis or the prospect of a life-threatening medical procedure, people
- [Bills to regulate AI 'therapy' may miss the mark](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/bills-to-regulate-ai-therapy-may-miss-the-mark/) - Following several recent, high-profile situations in which chat engines have encouraged suicidal behavior, U.S. legislators acted to put some of the first restrictions on AI. Across New England, states have introduced legislation with a goal of protecting people from the harmful behaviors of artificial intelligence-based “therapy.” However, some experts feel the proposed bills are not
- [The mind–money connection: Why financial stress takes a toll](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/the-mind-money-connection-why-financial-stress-takes-a-toll/) - Accessing clients’ financial standings can help clinicians identify a possible cause of anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, harmful self-medication, and other issues. “Research has shown that financial stress and our mental health have a cyclical relationship,” said Traci Williams, Ph.D., a Chandler, AZ-based psychologist and certified financial therapist. “This means financial stress can worsen our mental
- [Insurance companies may be limiting your growth potential](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/insurance-companies-may-be-limiting-your-growth-potential/) - Many private psychotherapists choose to be on insurance panels as part of their initial business model. Taking insurance is a great way to gain access to clients, particularly those who need cost-effective services. Being on insurance panels can help you fill your business quickly; this is what I was told by other private practitioners when
- [The spiritual exercises: A new adventure](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/the-spiritual-exercises-a-new-adventure/) - If you were to ask what I have been doing since I retired 10 years ago, I would give you a list of interests I have deepened, new skills I have practiced, family ties I have strengthened, old friends with whom I have reconnected, and new friends I have made. The key to whatever contentment
- [Mindfulness is window to knowledge about nervous system](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mindfulness-is-window-to-knowledge-about-nervous-system/) - While nearly five percent of the U.S. population experiences true Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), the “winter blues” have a way of affecting all of us from a physiological standpoint. For therapy patients, addressing the physical root of the feelings brought on by the dark, cold days of winter, can be, what one expert calls, a
- [Disaster Resource Network shifts its focus](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/disaster-resource-network-shifts-its-focus/) - One word can change a lot, as the Massachusetts Psychological Association’s (MPA) Disaster Resource Network discovered following a name change in 2016. When the MPA received instructions from the American Psychological Association (APA) to change its focus from being a disaster “responder” to a disaster “resource,” the MPA took a few years to understand exactly
- [Beyond the medals: Supporting athletes’ mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/beyond-the-medals-supporting-athletes-mental-health/) - Elite athletes spend years training for one defining physical performance. But long-term success depends equally on mental resilience. Public scrutiny, the stigma of appearing vulnerable, and the post-competition crash can make that as challenging as the sport itself. “For professional athletes, it’s about numbers and one or two performances and less about having fun, like
- [Reverse engineering your practice](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/reverse-engineering-your-practice/) - You’ve studied. You’ve interned. You’ve sat in hours of supervision. You have likely worked in agencies, hospitals, schools, and mental health clinics. You know who you are as a professional and how you can help. Yet it is easy to lose sight of this knowledge once you start your private practice. The clarity you once
- [Steering Committee member: Even small DSM changes matter](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/steering-committee-member-even-small-dsm-changes-matter/) - Even minor updates to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders can influence day-to-day clinical practice, from how clinicians document cases to how patients qualify for services. Kimberly Yonkers, MD, a psychiatrist and researcher who chairs psychiatry at UMass Chan Medical School and serves on the DSM-5 steering committee, said most changes are incremental
- [The 2026 Medicare policy changes that affect your patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/the-2026-medicare-policy-changes-that-affect-your-patients/) - In late 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) issued a final ruling on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2026. It primarily focused on updating payment systems and expanding access to care. Effective January 1, it is part of a broader strategy “to create a health care system that results in better quality,
- [ME's Youth Mental Health Initiative; Mental Health & Violence Prevention Mini-Grants; RI Hospitals Warn of Medicaid Changes](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/mes-youth-mental-health-initiative-mental-health-ri-hospitals-warn-of-medicaid-changes/) - Maine launches new youth mental health initiative MaineHealth is launching a statewide youth mental health initiative in January aimed at improving early intervention and access to care for children and adolescents. The program will provide a range of services, including screening, counseling, and connection to mental health resources for young people and their families. Officials
- [Crafting a successful networking meeting](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/crafting-a-successful-networking-meeting/) - Cultivating a solid referral network of practitioners is one way to keep your private practice running on autopilot. Creating this network may start with curating a list of practitioners who have complementary services to yours. Most times, initial contact with a new potential referral source will be made through a personal and friendly email, one
- [Intervening Early: Behavioral indicators in active shooter prevention](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/intervening-early-behavioral-indicators-in-active-shooter-prevention/) - Early identification and intervention for children showing troubling behavioral traits could significantly improve outcomes, not only for the child, but for public safety, according to two forensic psychology professors at Roger Williams University. “You need to intervene if you identify kids with callous, unemotional traits,” said Matt C. Zaitchik, Ph.D. “Don’t just say ‘they’ll outgrow
- [The bitter cocktail of stress and politics](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/the-bitter-cocktail-of-stress-and-politics/) - To discover how politics can affect mental health just ask anyone who has attended a family gathering when it becomes a topic of conversation. It is not just anecdotal; it’s research-based. The American Psychological Association’s “Stress in America,” survey showed that more than three quarters of Americans felt physically and mentally distressed over politics. They
- [Massachusetts moves to legalize ‘magic mushrooms’](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/massachusetts-moves-to-legalize-magic-mushrooms/) - Massachusetts hopes to bring psychedelic therapy to the state. The Joint Committee on Public Health voted to advance two bills in December. One bill, H. 2506, decriminalizes up to two ounces of psilocybin for people 21 and over who are veterans, law enforcement officers, or diagnosed with conditions that could be better managed with this
- [Living with long COVID: A researcher’s perspective on mental health and care gaps](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/living-with-long-covid-a-researchers-perspective-on-mental-health-and-care-gaps/) - When Beth Stelson contracted COVID-19 nearly six years ago, she expected to recover. Instead, she became part of the first wave of patients who never fully got better, long before the term “long COVID” existed. “I got sick with COVID in March 2020… and I just didn’t get better,” said Stelson, an assistant professor at
- [Survey: Societal division is top stressor](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/survey-societal-division-is-top-stressor/) - Americans report loneliness, isolation Americans are significantly impacted by a divided country. They feel lonely and isolated and express doubt about information spread via technology. Last month, the 2025 Stress in America survey reported these results and more. Each year, The Harris Poll is conducted online on behalf of the American Psychological Association (APA). It
- [ME's red flag law wants to cut risk without stigmatizing mental illness](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mes-red-flag-law-wants-to-cut-risk-without-stigmatizing-mental-illness/) - When Maine voters approved a red flag gun law this fall, the change marked more than a shift in firearms policy. For mental health professionals, it signals a move away from a framework that explicitly tied firearm removal to psychiatric evaluation and toward one focused solely on dangerousness. Under Maine’s former “yellow flag” law, law
- [Funding cuts hurting researchers, clinicians](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/funding-cuts-hurting-researchers-clinicians/) - Federal cuts have impacted research grants and funding at many universities. As a result, some researchers and scientists are increasingly dealing with the effects by moving abroad for other positions, with many fleeing to Canada. Three Yale University professors took that short hop north. In a video piece for The New York Times last spring,
- [AI chat tools test new ground in therapy as clinicians assess risks & benefits](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ai-chat-tools-test-new-ground-in-therapy-as-clinicians-assess-risks-benefits/) - As AI chat tools move deeper into mental health care, psychologists are weighing the promise of round-the-clock support against concerns about safety, bias, and the limits of algorithmic empathy. Lyra Health, a provider of mental health solutions, is piloting AI chat functions to customers experiencing mild and moderate challenges like burnout, sleep, and stress. Users
- [Program provides resources for perinatal & postpartum mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-provides-resources-for-perinatal-postpartum-mental-health/) - The birth of a child can be one of life’s most miraculous, joy-filled events. For many new mothers, however, the time around giving birth can be less than positive. In fact, each year one in five pregnant women experience mental health or substance use disorders during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. “This is a
- [Owning a group practice: How hard can it be?](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/owning-a-group-practice-how-hard-can-it-be/) - Self-employed therapists often expand to group practice because demand for services is greater than the therapist’s availability, they see the potential for revenue generation, and have a vision that is larger than the single practitioner model. But owning a group psychotherapy practice is not just an expansion of solo clinical work; it requires a different
- [Overwhelmed MH facilities prompt nationwide effort to boost inpatient capacity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/overwhelmed-mh-facilities-prompt-nationwide-effort-to-boost-inpatient-capacity/) - For the first time since the 1950s, more states increased their state psychiatric hospital capacity in 2025 by reopening beds in existing hospitals or building new facilities to deal with bed shortages. In 2002, 50 percent of the 48 states surveyed reported a shortage of psychiatric beds, a number that leapt to 90 percent this
- [Mental Health America report: NE states have lower prevalence of mental illness, better access to care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mental-health-america-report-ne-states-have-lower-prevalence-of-mental-illness-better-access-to-care/) - The prevalence of mental health concerns among U.S. adults has not changed significantly from 2021-2022, with 23.4% or 60 million people reporting a mental illness. Concerns among youth ages 12 to 17 has decreased with major depressive disorder going from 18.10% to 15.40% and serious thoughts of suicide falling from 12.30% to 10.10%. However, 11.3%
- [Tax preparation information provided for therapists](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/tax-preparation-information-provided-for-therapists/) - The US Tax Code is more than 6,500 pages long. So, it’s not surprising that therapists flock to webinars like one hosted recently by the American Psychological Association in cooperation with Heard, an online accounting platform for psychologists. The topic was key tax preparation information for therapists. These talks are so popular, in fact, that
- [Expand your network, expand your options](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/expand-your-network-expand-your-options/) - Traditional business professionals have long acknowledged that it is not what you know but who you know that helps you get ahead. What if we take this business mindset and adjust it for a more supportive application for the field of psychotherapy? While you often work independently with clients, you do not need to feel
- [Why Is empathy a four-letter word?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/why-is-empathy-a-four-letter-word/) - When did American society become so apathetic to one another’s death, pain, or sadness? Think of the number of people online who cheered at Charlie Kirk’s assassination recently. Yet, Kirk, Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder, was widely quoted as saying "I can't stand the word empathy, actually. I think empathy is a made-up, new
- [AMA updates nearly 300 telehealth codes for 2026](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ama-updates-nearly-300-telehealth-codes-for-2026/) - In September, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced updated telehealth code sets to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) manual. The 288 additions, along with 84 deletions and 46 revisions, target medical, surgical, and diagnostic services effective January 1, 2026. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), whose advocacy work with the AMA helped incorporate some
- [Unpaid & uncertain: Psychological impacts of federal shutdowns](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/unpaid-uncertain-psychological-impacts-of-federal-shutdowns/) - On the morning of October 1, 2025, hundreds of thousands of federal employees woke up unsure if they would see a paycheck or if their jobs would continue to exist. The longest government shutdown in U.S. history lasted 43 days, furloughing roughly 670,000 workers and forcing another 730,000 to keep working without pay, according to
- [The trouble with angels](https://www.nepsy.com/in-person/the-trouble-with-angels/) - The trouble with angels is that they are always with us but hard to know. Now as the Christmas season approaches, angels come to life in the carols that tell of their appearance to shepherds to announce the birth of Christ. They begin by telling the shepherds not to be afraid. It’s a timely warning.
- [Mental Health ER option; Mental Health Screenings for New Mothers; Behavioral Health Care in CT; Electroconvulsive Therapy in NH;](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/mental-health-er-option-mental-health-screenings-for-new-mothers-behavioral-health-care-in-ct-electroconvulsive-therapy-in-nh/) - Griffin Hospital launches mental health ER alternative Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut, has opened a specialized emergency unit for individuals experiencing psychiatric crises, including severe depression, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts. Known as the EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment & Healing) unit, it features open spaces, natural lighting, family areas, and sensory rooms where patients can
- [Study: Suicide rates are higher among older men](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-suicide-rates-are-higher-among-older-men/) - According to a recent study, suicide rates around the world are higher among older adults, especially men, than all other age groups combined. Using data from the World Health Organization Mortality Database, the study analyzed 687,443 suicide deaths among adults age 65 and older from 47 countries and territories. It tracked from 1996 to 2021,
- [Tips offered for leaping into private practice](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/tips-offered-for-leaping-into-private-practice/) - Starting over. Leaving the security of a weekly paycheck and benefits. Relying only on your own ability to make it. It all sounds quite terrifying and it can be. But making the move to a private practice can also be the catalyst for re-writing a career, a lifestyle, and improving bottom line satisfaction. At least,
- [Psychologists face new nuances in reporting mandates](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-face-new-nuances-in-reporting-mandates/) - Psychologists nationwide face emerging trends in state-mandated reporting requirements for several areas of their practices. Rachael Soule, director of business regulations & independent practice in the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Office of Professional Legal and Regulatory Affairs, said the most significant shift she has seen impacts child abuse or neglect reporting. Increasingly, many states require a
- [MA joins multistate effort to defend Colorado’s conversion therapy ban](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ma-joins-multistate-effort-to-defend-colorados-conversion-therapy-ban/) - Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court defending Colorado’s law that prohibits licensed mental health professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors. The case challenges the state’s authority to protect youth from a practice widely recognized as harmful and ineffective.
- [Diversifying to mitigate burnout](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/diversifying-to-mitigate-burnout/) - With the intensity of the current social and political climate, it is more important than ever for psychotherapists to have a burnout prevention plan. In addition to regular time off, practicing good boundaries, and having a rich and satisfying personal life, private practitioners have the additional advantage of diversifying their practice to create balance in
- [Illinois Signs Anti-AI Therapy Law While APA Jumps Into AI Hype](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/illinois-signs-anti-ai-therapy-law-while-apa-jumps-into-ai-hype/) - In August, Illinois became the first state to pass a law that intends to ban artificial intelligence (AI) services such as chatbots from offering emotional or mental health support to consumers. The only problem? It is completely unenforceable. The Illinois law, Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, seeks to prohibit anyone from using AI
- [How psychologists can support immigrant clients experiencing uncertainty, fear](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/how-psychologists-can-support-immigrant-clients-experiencing-uncertainty-fear/) - For psychologists working with immigrant clients, the possibility of deportation is more than a legal stressor. It is a chronic, often hidden trauma that reverberates through entire families. Amanda Mead, Psy.D., a psychologist who conducts immigration evaluations in several New England states, sees the toll daily. “I most often see trauma related disorders, whether that’s
- [Successful NH NAMIWalks; New VT Mental Health Urgent Care; VT Ending Pipe Distribution Program; Safety Concerns at MA State Hospitals](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/successful-nh-namiwalks-new-vt-mental-health-urgent-care-vt-ending-pipe-distribution-program-safety-concerns-at-ma-state-hospitals/) - Record-Breaking turnout for NAMIWalks New Hampshire More than 2,000 participants gathered in Concord for NAMIWalks New Hampshire, setting a new record for attendance and raising more than $275,000 to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention across the state. The annual event, organized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire, continues to grow
- [Grateful](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/grateful/) - There is a chill in the air on this late summer morning despite the bright sunshine. I am sitting alone at an outdoor table at a busy café enjoying a breakfast sandwich, a simple fare of eggs, cheese, and bacon with a cup of coffee. Life is good and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I
- [Podcasting for business promotion](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/podcasting-for-business-promotion/) - As we continue to journey along with the ever-changing world of technology, the need for private psychotherapists to stay on trend with these updates is imperative for their businesses. The rise of podcasting over the past several years certainly piques the interest of any therapist looking for exciting new ways to promote their business. Does
- [CT domestic violence shelters are over capacity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ct-domestic-violence-shelters-are-over-capacity/) - When it comes to supporting victims of domestic violence, Connecticut has some alarming data. Shelters ran over capacity by 111% in 2023 and 129% in 2024. In those two fiscal years, the average length of stay increased by 15% to a high of 53 days by the end of 2024. The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic
- [Research studies links between cat color and personality traits](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-studies-links-between-cat-color-and-personality-traits/) - As any sharer of space with a small creature (aka a “pet owner”) can attest, animals have personalities, each as unique as any human. “My dog is anxious.” “My cat is snuggly.” “My cockatoo is feisty.” But what about the common perceptions around cat personalities and coat color? Is it true that orange cats are
- [Mass shootings create ripple effect on community mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-shootings-create-ripple-effect-on-community-mental-health/) - For parents, children, educators, and first-responders, the toll of both mass shootings themselves and the worry of future violence is having a lasting impact on mental health. Not all impacts can be easily measured, said EMDR-certified trauma therapist Bonnie Rumilly, LCSW, EMT, who provided support in Connecticut following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in
- [Getting started in private practice](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/getting-started-in-private-practice/) - Mental health professionals make tough decisions during their career, but few are as fraught with anxiety as the decision to pursue self-employment. The benefits of employment at a community agency, hospital, or university setting include the security of a regular paycheck, health and retirement benefits, and a community of professional peers. Despite these benefits, there
- [Rescuing the presumptive queen](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/rescuing-the-presumptive-queen/) - “Look, Pop Pop! It’s a queen bee.” And so I looked, and with my scant knowledge of bees, I couldn’t find anything to cast doubt on my six-year-old granddaughter’s conclusion. The insect was about twice the length of the average bee, its abdomen was dark brown with a few yellow stripes and it was tapered
- [Survey: Workers struggle with feelings of job insecurity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/survey-workers-struggle-with-feelings-of-job-insecurity/) - Results from the American Psychological Association (APA)’s 2025 Work in America Survey show that economy, technology and government policy changes created more mental stress and feelings of job insecurity. The Harris Poll conducted the online survey of 2,000 working adults on behalf of APA. Policy changes like tariffs, leading to trade wars with other countries,
- [VT leads U.S. in physical and mental health parity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/vt-leads-u-s-in-physical-and-mental-health-parity/) - If you live in Vermont, mental and physical health care are covered in the same way. But why don’t the other 49 states follow suit? Efforts are in the works to do just that. Introduced to Congress in early June, the Worker’s Disability Benefits Parity Act would end the disparity between mental and physical conditions
- [Is sliding scale a good business practice?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/is-sliding-scale-a-good-business-practice/) - Most therapists will agree that running a private practice solely on private pay is ideal. Even though working with health insurance can provide greater access to clients, the private practitioner is often left dealing with changing benefits, increasing deductibles, and long calls with insurance companies to rectify claims. When dealing with insurance companies becomes a
- [Poor posture: A psychotherapist’s occupational hazard](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/poor-posture-a-psychotherapists-occupational-hazard/) - One of my fondest memories of my work in healthcare is of a colleague who led our department as the point person for occupational safety. He took the role seriously and shepherded our department on a field trip to investigate stairway exits that were out of view and thus unknown by the majority. The tragedy
- [Study: Addictive social media use impacts youth mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-addictive-social-media-use-impacts-youth-mental-health/) - A new study has found that addictive use of technology such as social media, video games, or mobile phones is a factor in worsening mental health among preteens. In the study, conducted by Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and Weill Cornell Medicine, nearly 4,300 children’s social media use was examined over the course
- [Psychosis, suicide, and ChatGPT: A researcher’s caution](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychosis-suicide-and-chatgpt-a-researchers-caution/) - As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into mental health care, clinicians are weighing both its promise and risks. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT are already being used by patients outside clinical supervision, raising questions about safety, particularly for individuals at risk of suicide or psychosis. Shirley Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor in Yale’s psychology department
- [Mental health effects of cell phone use considered in ban proposals](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mental-health-effects-of-cell-phone-use-considered-in-ban-proposals/) - Lawmakers in Massachusetts are moving forward with a bill to ban cell phone use during the school day. " More than half-a-dozen proposals currently sit on Beacon Hill. The Joint Education Committee redrafted legislation combining seven different Senate bills including legislation supported by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell. In a statement, Senate President Karen Spilka
- [Mental health professionals fear the consequences of federal cuts](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mental-health-professionals-fear-the-consequences-of-federal-cuts/) - Deep cuts and massive layoffs to federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Veterans Administration have not only eliminated thousands of jobs, but also an estimated $12 billion in mental health care funding and addiction treatment. The policy shifts impact hospitals, private
- [As mass violence continues, threat and risk assessment practitioners strive to help](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/as-mass-violence-continues-threat-and-risk-assessment-practitioners-strive-to-help/) - It has been 26 years since the Columbine High School massacre and in late August, children were gunned down in Minneapolis while praying in a church at the start of the school year. Mass shootings at schools, workplaces, and houses of worship have escalated, with fatal incidents averaging 25 per year since 2006, according to
- [Trinity Health Closures in CT; MA Behavioral Health Hospital Expands; VT Telehealth Law to Improve Rural Access](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/trinity-health-closures-in-ct-ma-behavioral-health-hospital-expands-vt-telehealth-law-to-improve-rural-access/) - CT lawmakers push for input following Trinity Health closures This summer, Trinity Health of New England is closing two outpatient mental health programs in Hartford, raising concerns about continuity of care for patients with ongoing psychiatric needs.The programs have long served as key access points for therapy and medication management. heir closure may add strain
- [What psychologists can learn from Pierre Teilhard de Chardin](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-psychologists-can-learn-from-pierre-teilhard-de-chardin/) - I have been reading a lot of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, a French Jesuit priest, geologist, paleontologist, and philosopher who was active in his career during the first half of the 20th century. I first heard of Teilhard in my college years, but one of the great pleasures of retirement is having time to dig
- [Marketing for the online-averse practitioner](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/marketing-for-the-online-averse-practitioner/) - In today’s technology-filled and online-driven world, it may feel like the purity of human connection is getting lost. Yet, psychotherapists know that the relationship that we build with our clients is the foundation upon which all other healing work can happen. Because of this core value, it makes sense that there are plenty of psychotherapists
- [Unpacking the challenges of closing your practice](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/unpacking-the-challenges-of-closing-your-practice/) - Whether you are planning to relocate out of state, retire, or change jobs, there are countless tasks involved with closing a therapy practice. Some of these involve clinical care of the patient, while others pertain to the myriad administrative aspects of practice closure. Begin the process by checking relevant state laws pertaining to termination of
- [LGBTQ youth to lose 988 specialized service line](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/lgbtq-youth-to-lose-988-specialized-service-line/) - In a leaked budget draft this spring, the Trump administration indicated it was considering cuts to 988 specialized hotline services for LGBTQ+ youth Much like 911 for emergency help, 988 was designed to be a quicker dial and has been in effect for approximately three years. That possibility became a reality on June 18, when
- [Political climate impacts LGBTQIA+ patients and providers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/political-climate-impacts-lgbtqia-patients-and-providers/) - Mental health providers serving the LGBTQIA+ community say the current political climate has been an increasing cause of stress and anxiety for both clients and clinicians. Political stresses are not necessarily unique to the current administration, but there has been a definite uptick since last November, said Helen Staab, LICSW, clinical director at SAYFTEE, a
- [Gambling addictions on the rise](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/gambling-addictions-on-the-rise/) - It seems you can’t watch a professional sports game without also viewing a barrage of commercials enticing you to place a wager on your team. On-line gambling, including betting on sports, casino-type games, poker, or lotteries, has taken off in the past decade and so has the associated rise of problem gambling and addiction. And,
- [How to ensure psychological safety in the workplace](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/how-to-ensure-psychological-safety-in-the-workplace/) - We’ve all had a job where the best time was quitting time. But when you can’t wait to leave, think longingly about your next vacation, feel undervalued at work, or are afraid to bring up an issue, you may be in a psychologically unsafe work environment. Some states are taking workplace safety seriously. In late
- [When therapists need protection from patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/when-therapists-need-protection-from-patients/) - Therapy is meant to be a safe space for the patient and the therapist. But sometimes, it is anything but. This past spring, therapist Scott Owen, a high-ranking leader in the Church of Latter-Day Saints in Provo, Utah, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing his clients. The clients, referred by the
- [What I learned from building a model ship](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-i-learned-from-building-a-model-ship/) - “I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky.” With these words, John Masefield begins his best known poem, “Sea Fever.” They capture the draw that some of us feel to the broad vistas and limitless horizon of the sea. I have been one of these people for as
- [MA non-profits get grants; UVM helps rural schools; Bryant University's psychology research center; ME ups standards](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/ma-non-profits-get-grants-uvm-helps-rural-schools-bryant-universitys-psychology-research-center-me-ups-standards/) - MA non-profits receive grants for youth mental health Youth and adolescents across the country often suffer and struggle mentally in silence. Health New England, a non-profit Massachusetts-based health insurance company, has decided to help its community by allocating more than $80,000 to aid youth mental health and wellness in Western Massachusetts. The insurance company’s diversity,
- [RI, Hazel Health partnership; First Responder Funding in VT; New Treatment Recovery Center; Grants for behavior health careers](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/ri-hazel-health-partnership-first-responder-funding-in-vt-new-treatment-recovery-center-grants-for-behavior-health-careers/) - RI, Hazel Health partner to provide virtual mental health services to students Virtual mental health services have been key in the post-pandemic era for providing individuals with an alternate and efficient way to seek help online. Governor Dan McKee and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green have partnered with Hazel Health to provide accessible online mental health care
- [Health anxiety continues to rise](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/health-anxiety-continues-to-rise/) - In the aftermath of a global pandemic, an increase in medically-related anxiety is to be expected. But hypochondria, now known by the less stigmatizing term of “health anxiety,” has been increasing over the past three decades. Hypochondria was first recognized by the Ancient Greeks, when the disorder was thought to originate in a part of
- [College students at risk could use more mental health support](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/college-students-at-risk-could-use-more-mental-health-support/) - A report from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) at Pennsylvania State University suggests that while students with a history of self-harm report lower levels of distress after engaging with counseling center services, they remain at higher levels of distress overall compared to their peers. This (finding) highlights the need for additional services and
- [Sweetser to open residential facility for youth](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/sweetser-to-open-residential-facility-for-youth/) - Advocate questions it is best use of funding This past spring, nonprofit Sweetser was awarded $2 million from the state of Maine to develop its first psychiatric residential facility for youth with severe mental health needs. Construction began in April. Kristie Worster, Sweetser’s chief program officer, noted the funding will rehab an existing 8,000 square
- [Clinicians see politics entering the therapy room](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/clinicians-see-politics-entering-the-therapy-room/) - If you are feeling more anxious about politics and the state of the world today, you are not alone. According to the American Psychological Society’s 2024 Stress in America study, 77% of US adults reported that “the future of our nation” was causing them significant stress. The economy was a problem for 73% and the
- [Is doomscrolling here to stay?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/is-doomscrolling-here-to-stay/) - Doomscrolling, a term popularized during the COVID-19 pandemic, refers to the frequent scanning on devices to read negative, distressing news on topics like wars, mass shootings, natural disasters, and political unrest. Though five years have passed since the days of tracking pandemic casualties, the trend continues to escalate and pose a threat to mental and
- [When stories connect](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/when-stories-connect/) - Midday in Boston and my wife and I are standing on the platform at Charles Street waiting for the inbound Red Line train. We are going only two stops to Washington Street to renew our Senior Charlie Cards, but age somehow makes Beacon Hill steeper than it used to be, and so we take the
- [Massachusetts hopes to legalize medical aid in dying](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/massachusetts-hopes-to-legalize-medical-aid-in-dying/) - Advocates for legalizing end-of-life care with medical aid are hoping that Massachusetts becomes the eleventh state to adopt that process. The state has put forth legislation in the past that has failed. A new bill, sponsored by Rep. James O’Day (D-14th Worcester District) and Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester district), would allow adults with
- [Advocates express concern about autism database proposals](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/advocates-express-concern-about-autism-database-proposals/) - Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has drawn the ire of autism advocates and mental health professionals with his comments about the autism population and the Trump administration’s proposals to create a national database or registry to study the causes of autism spectrum disorder. “Autism is a spectrum — not a sentence,
- [Be your own boss: Business practices for good boundaries](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/be-your-own-boss-business-practices-for-good-boundaries/) - Many therapists choose a private practice to work less and make more money. Yet, when the business is all on your shoulders, you may find yourself working more than you ever have before. Setting limits for yourself is imperative - but can also be a challenge. Because your business is always available to you, the
- [Facilities for at-risk kids in Mass. spared from shut downs](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/facilities-for-at-risk-kids-in-mass-spared-from-shut-downs/) - Massachusetts, like so many other states, is struggling with a behavioral health crisis. A staff shortage, lack of psychiatric beds, and emergency room boarding are among its issues. Then, in January, Governor Maura Healey’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget slashed funding, notably approximately $20 million in mental healthcare for children and adolescents. Backlash ensured, including about
- [Report: Prevention services should be prioritized](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-prevention-services-should-be-prioritized/) - With mental and behavioral disorders on the rise, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a `blueprint’ report offering evidence-based interventions. The committee that authored the report began its study in 2023. It completed the document before recent federal changes in health agencies. In a statement, Marcella Alsan, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., professor of
- [You are here: Our lives with maps](https://www.nepsy.com/in-person/you-are-here-our-lives-with-maps/) - You are here. Without maps, you would still be here, but you wouldn’t know where here is. Or there, or how to get from here to there. I don’t know when I first had this insight, but I do know that I liked maps for as long as I can remember. I started thinking about
- [Vermont considers mental health licensure reform](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-considers-mental-health-licensure-reform/) - New recommendations from Vermont’s Office of Professional Regulation’s (OPR) aim to streamline licensing for the state’s mental health professions. A new report from the OPR suggests expanding the scope of Vermont’s Board of Allied Mental Health (BAMH) to oversee all new mental health credentials and include all current advisor mental health professions, such as social
- [Trevor Project research highlights LGBTQ+ youth challenges by region](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/trevor-project-research-highlights-lgbtq-youth-challenges-by-region/) - New research by The Trevor Project gives a state-by-state look at the mental health, suicide risk, access to care, impacts of anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and more of 18,000 young people ages 13-24 across the United States, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. “Similar to previous research, this data reinforces that LGBTQ+ youth are not disproportionately impacted by
- [Mental health screenings key in ME’s 'yellow flag' approach to gun violence prevention](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mental-health-screenings-key-in-mes-yellow-flag-approach-to-gun-violence-prevention/) - In the wake of the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine, the state's unique “yellow flag” law—designed to restrict firearm access for individuals in mental health crisis—has seen a dramatic surge in use, signaling a shift toward more proactive intervention by law enforcement. Twenty-one states currently have “red flag” laws; these court orders temporarily prohibit individuals
- [May Institute marks 70th year serving individuals with autism](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/may-institute-marks-70th-year-serving-individuals-with-autism/) - In 1955, after Marie Ann May and her husband, Jacques May, M.D., realized that autism treatment for their seven-year-old twin sons was nonexistent beyond lifelong institutionalization, they set out to provide a new option, founding a small, community-based school in Chatham, Mass. At the time, autism was considered a rare disease. The term had been
- [Report sheds light on police shootings](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-sheds-light-on-police-shootings/) - The latest report from the Maine Deadly Force Review Panel shed some light on the eight police shootings they examined from last year that resulted in either death or serious injuries. According to the panel’s fifth annual report released in January, mental illness, alcohol, and drugs were factors in most of the 2024 incidents. “The
- [Embracing psychotherapy minimalism](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/embracing-psychotherapy-minimalism/) - The very term “psychotherapy” connotes a maximalist approach to addressing mental health challenges. The vision of spending an unknown number of hours over months, if not years, to analyze and address problems in life is a considerable deterrent to help-seeking. The brief consultation, defined as one to three sessions, represents a minimalist approach to psychotherapy
- [Clinicians saying goodbye to insurance networks](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/clinicians-saying-goodbye-to-insurance-networks/) - One primary reason the shortage of clinicians persists is because of insufficient insurance reimbursement. Many psychologists, as well as psychiatrists and social workers, are choosing to no longer participate in insurance networks, which, in turns, leaves many people without access to mental health care because they cannot pay for it out of pocket. New Hampshire
- [Do therapists need an elevator pitch?](https://www.nepsy.com/psychotherapy-business-marketing/do-therapists-need-an-elevator-pitch/) - The 'Elevator Pitch' tends to conjure up an image of a high-pressure moment where you have “one shot” to make a good impression with someone who can help launch your career. Having to make the most out of a time-limited interaction with a powerful person is unlikely to occur to the average psychotherapist. You might
- [Reading Vonnegut in the playroom](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/reading-vonnegut-in-the-playroom/) - Visiting the grandkids is always a special treat and we make the day-long drive as often as we can. As the years roll on, our visits change from participating in the routines of one baby to playing with the toddler she becomes and then sharing our attention with another baby. Now they are six and
- [Advice given for treating immigrant population](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/advice-given-for-treating-immigrant-population/) - America is a "nation of immigrants,' as President Kennedy once said, where we like to think of ourselves as a land of refuge and promise. What we have proudly labelled a "melting pot" has at times, however, appeared ready to boil over, never more so than now. With the new administration's raids on immigrant populations
- [Psychological first aid available following traumatic events](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychological-first-aid-available-following-traumatic-events/) - As Americans, we have seen our fair share of disasters. We have witnessed countless mass shootings in schools, theaters, clubs, and even concerts. Massive storms, floods, and wildfires have destroyed homes and upended lives. Each of these cataclysmic events can cause psychological trauma. One way to subvert that trauma is through psychological first aid, or
- [Medicare telehealth waiver extended again](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/medicare-telehealth-waiver-extended-again/) - Telehealth just had a pretty close call. For those relying on Medicare, the expiration deadline for the telehealth waiver was set for March 31. The waiver was originally instituted in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting global lockdowns. As it had done in the past, Congress on March 14 extended the
- [The doctor will 'see' you now. Or text, talk, or chat if you would rather](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/the-doctor-will-see-you-now-or-text-talk-or-chat-if-you-would-rather/) - Before 2020, telehealth therapy had barely infiltrated the profession, covering about 9-11% of all outpatient visits, according to the American Psychological Association (APA.) Then along came COVID-19 and everything changed. According to the APA, which began annual "pulse" surveys during the pandemic, the number of clinicians using telehealth with at least some patients grew from
- [Training artificial intelligence therapists](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/training-artificial-intelligence-therapists/) - This month, my electronic medical record platform introduced an artificial intelligence tool to improve documentation of progress notes. Naturally skeptical, I felt certain it would be clunky but tried it out immediately. The practitioner writes two or three sentences to summarize the session in addition to completing the mental status, risk assessment, intervention techniques, and
- [Learning to receive: The key to prosperity in business](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/learning-to-receive-the-key-to-prosperity-in-business/) - Many of you have read, or have at least heard of, the 2006 book entitled, “The Secret,” by Rhonda Bryne. The book was the wildly popular new age approach to manifesting the life you want. I watched Oprah Winfrey enthusiastically advocate for this approach, and I was swayed by her insistence that “The Secret” held
- [Five Mass. cities designated as  `sanctuaries,’ for transgender population](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/five-mass-cities-designated-as-sanctuaries-for-transgender-population/) - In March, Cambridge, Pittsfield and Boston became the latest communities to designate themselves as “sanctuary cities,” for transgender people, following in the path of Northampton and Worcester. The Cambridge resolution cites the Trump administration’s recent order defining sex as only male or female, barring transgender female athletes from competing in women’s sports and banning transgender
- [The president and the poet](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-president-and-the-poet/) - It had snowed heavily the night before, and the day dawned with a frigid wind and blinding sunlight that glinted off the blanket of white spread out in all directions where the shovelers had left it undisturbed. The area around the speaker’s platform and the stands had been cleared, but the reflected light from surrounding
- [A new champion in the world of trauma treatment](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/a-new-champion-in-the-world-of-trauma-treatment/) - Nearly 20 years ago, Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D., founder and executive director of the Northampton, Mass.-based Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute, stumbled upon some surprising research. A leading trauma therapist who primarily worked with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Greenwald saw a randomized comparison study by David Read Johnson, Ph.D., that showed that a
- [Campaign aims to de-stigmatize mental health issues among youth](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/campaign-aims-to-de-stigmatize-mental-health-issues-among-youth/) - A new campaign aims to de-stigmatize and bring awareness to mental health issues among Boston youth. ‘Heads Up Boston’ launched December 5 with a one-day pop up event, two days after Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) announced the initiative. The BPHC leads the program, which encourages teens to speak
- [Mental health disorders on the rise in pregnant, post-partum women](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mental-health-disorders-on-the-rise-in-pregnant-post-partum-women/) - Significant strides have been made in women’s mental health care, specifically when it comes to pregnant and post-partum women. Initiatives have been launched in policy and funding and more in-depth research was conducted. Amidst these efforts was the development of the first oral medication targeting postpartum depression. However, more can be done. Nancy Byatt, D.O.,
- [Study finds unequal reimbursement rates in CT’s mental healthcare](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-finds-unequal-reimbursement-rates-in-cts-mental-healthcare/) - Late last year, the Office of Health Strategy (OHS), outlined payment parity issues with Connecticut’s mental healthcare, noting Medicaid reimbursement rates are much lower than commercial insurance rates. As a result, providers are typically underpaid, and unsurprisingly, fewer will accept that plan. OHS, working in conjunction with the Department of Children and Families, Mental Health
- [Still hoping for the world we want](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/still-hoping-for-the-world-we-want/) - It was two in the morning when a chartered bus carrying 30 idealistic teenagers drove up to a hangar at New York’s Kennedy airport where a propeller-driven Iceland Airlines plane bound for Brussels was waiting just a short walk across the tarmac. Bathed in the glow of the airport lights, the plane looked like a
- [Disadvantages to telehealth as a business model](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/disadvantages-to-telehealth-as-a-business-model/) - In last month's article, “Benefits of telehealth as a business model,” I shared the cost advantages to using telehealth to conduct psychotherapy instead of meeting in an office. I mentioned that it is important to include in your assessment of business “costs” how any business decision may tax your energy, time, work-life balance, and morale.
- [Preventing unplanned therapy termination](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/preventing-unplanned-therapy-termination/) - If only therapy would end neatly when the client reaches the desired goals! It is not always easy for the client or the therapist to determine when and how to end therapy. In a best-case scenario, treatment concludes on a positive note and the client leaves secure in the knowledge that they can return in
- [Mental Health Facility Closing in MA; Opioid Use Disorder Toolkit in CT; New Teen Behavioral Health Unit at RI Hospital](https://www.nepsy.com/news-briefs/mental-health-facility-closing-in-ma-opioid-use-disorder-toolkit-in-ct-new-teen-behavioral-health-unit-at-ri-hospital/) - Cape Cod’s only state-run mental health facility to close Governor Healey’s 2026 financial budget plan is bringing about devastating changes in the mental health industry. Recently, Pocasset Mental Health Center, also known as the Cape and Islands Community Mental Health Center, is headed for closure because of budget cuts. With the new financial plan causing
- [Medicare covers FDA approved mental health digital therapeutics](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/medicare-covers-fda-approved-mental-health-digital-therapeutics/) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved several new prescription digital therapeutics for mental health disorders in 2024, including generalized anxiety disorder and depression. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, Medicare began covering such FDA approved digital apps if the prescription was a medical necessity and fell into a defined benefit category. Digital therapeutic treatments can be
- [RI agrees to consent decree for children with behavioral health disabilities](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ri-agrees-to-consent-decree-for-children-with-behavioral-health-disabilities/) - Rhode Island has reached an agreement with federal authorities to resolve violations of disability laws. Rather than implementing community-based or intensive in-home care, the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF) heavily relied on hospitalization. Given five years under the decree to change how they approach the treatment of these children, the state will ensure
- [Vermont survey: Student mental health is 'not good'](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-survey-student-mental-health-is-not-good/) - The Youth Risk Behavior Survey shows middle and high school students in Vermont reporting self-harm and making suicide plans at the same rates as during COVID-19. The Department of Health survey also indicated that a third of high school students feel they struggle with poor mental health. Students from 57 high schools and 106 Vermont
- [Tips for success in sub-leasing office space](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/tips-for-success-in-sub-leasing-office-space/) - Sub-leasing office space is an affordable way for therapists to provide in person services, while keeping overhead low. Despite the success of telehealth, many clients still prefer to have the option of face-to-face therapy. Given the financial commitment of a multi-year office lease, there are also significant benefits for primary lease holders to sublet space.
- [Report: Majority of mass violence not linked to mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-majority-of-mass-violence-not-linked-to-mental-health/) - A new report from the Medical Director Institute (MDI) of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing examines the connection between the rise in mass violence and mental health. The findings from the report—“Mass Violence in the United States: Definition, Prevalence, Causes, Impacts, and Solutions”—show that while mental illness can play a role in some cases
- [The benefit of telehealth as a business model](https://www.nepsy.com/psychotherapy-business-marketing/the-benefit-of-telehealth-as-a-business-model/) - The key to success for any business is to keep revenue high and overhead costs low. For new business owners, the uncertainty of unexpected costs may feel daunting. In fact, the first feedback I received from a colleague who heard I was starting a business was, “I heard new businesses don't make money in the
- [Remembering Jimmy Carter](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/remembering-jimmy-carter/) - There are worlds within worlds. Galaxies fill the cosmos. Stars fill the galaxies and planets spin around the stars. The earth, what we call our world, is just one of them, and on its surface, eight billion people construct eight billion worlds. The numbers are astounding, but even the humblest of these worlds is rich
- ['Intensive parenting' beliefs negatively impact mothers' mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/intensive-parenting-beliefs-negatively-impact-mothers-mental-health/) - Societal pressures are taking a toll on maternal mental health, according to research by Kathryn E. Frazier, Ph.D., and Jacquelyn Raftery-Helmer, Ph.D., both associate professors of psychology at Worcester State University. The researchers studied “intensive parenting,” defined by beliefs that the child’s needs must be put above all else and that good parents must be
- [ME program designed to help Afghan refugees heal](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/me-program-designed-to-help-afghan-refugees-heal/) - For many young Afghan refugees arriving in Maine, experiences of violence, displacement, and uncertainty have led to significant mental health challenges. A new program through Catholic Charities Maine, highlighted by NPR's Rhitu Chatterjee, offers a holistic approach to helping them heal and rebuild their lives. As Chatterjee noted, these young people are grappling with post-traumatic
- [Maine to be freed from court oversight](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-to-be-freed-from-court-oversight/) - The state of Maine will soon be free from a consent decree that has shaped the way the state treats mentally ill patients. A court appointed specialist, or “Court Master,” was put in place to ensure the state met certain standards. That specialist was retired Chief Justice Daniel Wathen of Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court who
- [Research looks at internalized racism, suicidal ideation in U.S. Asians](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/research-looks-at-internalized-racism-suicidal-ideation-in-u-s-asians/) - Fanhao Nie, Ph.D., was inspired to explore the relationship of internalized racism and suicidal ideation among Asian adults in the U.S., resulting in a recent study. An assistant professor of psychology at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Nie noted that suicide has become a major health issue within the Asian community, particularly since the onset
- [What steps can therapists take when treating all genders? ](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/what-steps-can-therapists-take-when-treating-all-genders/) - As the debate around transgender rights in the United States grows more heated, an elevated need for psychological care in this population can be expected to follow. Beyond respecting pronouns and names, what steps must be taken for therapists to create a safe landing space for clients of all genders? A basic internet search will
- [Tips for developing a thriving health psychology practice](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/tips-for-developing-a-thriving-health-psychology-practice/) - While many clinical health psychologists work in health care settings, there is a need for outpatient clinicians in the private sector. The demand for ongoing outpatient psychotherapy services for people with medical problems far exceeds the supply. Despite this, therapists who are interested in developing a health psychology practice can find it challenging to navigate
- [Building your private practice from the inside-out](https://www.nepsy.com/psychotherapy-business-marketing/building-your-private-practice-from-the-inside-out/) - Feeling insecure, overwhelmed, and confused are common experiences when starting a private practice. When you are unsure about how to progress forward, you are probably inclined to seek outside information and consultation. After all, much of your training has taught you to seek supervision, read research, and review evidence-based practices to ensure success for your
- [O Christmas Tree](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/o-christmas-tree/) - As I write these words in early December, what is left of our small Thanksgiving turkey sits in the fridge holding one more meal for two. Our Christmas tree, artificial this year, stands in the corner of the living room waiting for the ornaments that will turn it into the story of our family life.
- [How does name change impact professional identity?](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/how-does-name-change-impact-professional-identity/) - Our surname can be an important link to our cultural identity, family heritage, and connection with earlier generations. So, it is a bit surprising, that 80% of American women in opposite sex relationships still take their husband’s name according to a recent Pew Research report. The topic is important for mental health professionals in training
- [Tax, record keeping advice offered by strategist](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/tax-record-keeping-advice-offered-by-strategist/) - Keeping detailed records and hiring a tax consultant are among the practices a psychologist should adopt when starting a business. That advice and more was offered by David McLaren, founder and partner at McLaren & Associates, CPAs PC in Shrewsbury, Mass., who has more than 35 years of experience offering tax and accounting services. During
- [Massachusetts and Vermont nix legalized psychedelics for now](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/massachusetts-and-vermont-nix-legalized-psychedelics-for-now/) - Both Massachusetts and Vermont dealt blows to the legalization of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes in November. On election day, Massachusetts voters rejected a ballot measure 57% to 43% that would have decriminalized the use of natural psychedelics such as psilocybin under licensed supervision for anyone over age 21. Then, in a report published Nov. 12,
- [Judge rules Meta must face Massachusetts social media lawsuit](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/judge-rules-meta-must-face-massachusetts-social-media-lawsuit/) - A Massachusetts judge has denied Meta’s bid to dismiss the state’s lawsuit alleging the social media titan purposely deployed and misrepresented features designed to exploit children’s psychological vulnerabilities. Meta —the parent company of social platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Threads — argued that Massachusetts’ case was barred by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of
- [Finding your "why" for private practice](https://www.nepsy.com/psychotherapy-business-marketing/finding-your-why-for-private-practice/) - Deciding to start a private practice can be exciting as well as overwhelming and confusing. Many clinicians get stuck contemplating the idea of a private practice and become paralyzed on where to begin. As a clinician, you know all too well the ambivalence that can happen when thinking about making a change in one's life.
- [Union: CT staff shortage is 'full-blown catastrophe'](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/union-ct-staff-shortage-is-full-blown-catastrophe/) - Staffing shortages in the mental health industry are an ongoing, national reality. In Connecticut, it is reaching a boiling point with many health workers becoming increasingly frustrated with the state’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). There are more than 600 vacancies in the mental health care industry with DMHAS indicating the need
- [When we knew for certain](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/when-we-knew-for-certain/) - Remember when we knew for certain that the moon would always follow us if we kept looking at it through the side window of the car? “Keep looking,” Mom said, “and it will always be there.” How did it know, we wondered, where we were. And why was it looking at us in the first
- [Stress tolerance for private practice](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/stress-tolerance-for-private-practice/) - In 2009, after some contemplation, I finally took the leap to open a small private practice. It was a long-held dream of mine starting when I began my social work career nine years before. The decision to plunge into the unknown was not easy. I consulted many folks in my field about my idea to
- [Maine to expand crisis centers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-to-expand-crisis-centers/) - The Living Room Crisis Center (LRCC) in Portland was designed to be warm and welcoming with couches, armchairs, and a skylight greeting people when they arrive. Private meeting rooms for clients are a feature of the alternative mental health crisis center run by the nonprofit organization Spurwink, along with the state’s Office of Behavioral Health.
- [Legal considerations offered for early career psychologists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/legal-considerations-offered-for-early-career-psychologists/) - Early career psychologists have several legal issues to consider while establishing private practices. Offering tips through a Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) forum was Bill Mandell, Esq., founder and co-managing partner of Pierce + Mandrell, a Boston-area firm specializing in health care. A key area is “winding down existing relationships,” Mandell said, whether those be with
- [Exploring the power of shared decision making to improve care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/exploring-the-power-of-shared-decision-making-to-improve-care/) - Listening closely to patients’ concerns and using shared decision making that is consistent with a patient’s personal values and goals can improve the quality of care given by both psychologists and physicians. This is particularly important when treating marginalized populations, according to Pennsylvania-based psychologist Aviva Gaskill, Ph.D. “This is a tool that we can use
- [NH redesigns rapid response](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/nh-redesigns-rapid-response/) - Help comes with many names—crisis intervention team, mobile crisis unit, or rapid response. Whatever the term, the outcome means behavioral health professionals quickly providing access to care. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 2,700 U.S. communities have teams connecting people in crisis to police, mental health care providers, and hospital emergency personnel.
- [Has Massachusetts fallen behind in adopting PSYPACT initiative?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/has-massachusetts-fallen-behind-in-adopting-psypact-initiative/) - Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Stone Creem is not giving up on a bill that would enable psychologists to practice across state lines, legally and ethically, without necessitating they become licensed in every state. Creem filed a petition last year accompanied by legislation (Bill S.1980) to establish a Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Act (PSYPACT) in Massachusetts, an
- [Ysabel Garcia brings cultural experiences to training](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ysabel-garcia-brings-cultural-experiences-to-training/) - When we talk about minority groups being under-served in mental health care, the focus tends to be on problems of limited access, a lack of diversity among providers or stigma around seeking care. What is mentioned less frequently, however, is the issue of the quality of the care received. According to a KFF/CNN survey published
- [Federal government tries again to ensure insurers pay for mental health care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/federal-government-tries-again-to-ensure-insurers-pay-for-mental-health-care/) - Rule will take effect 60 days after announcement The Biden administration announced in early September 2024 the finalization of a significant new regulation aimed at ensuring that health insurers cover and pay for mental health care on equal footing with physical health conditions. The move is part of a broader federal effort to address long-standing
- [Along the path](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/along-the-path/) - There is a short time between the end of summer and the beginning of fall when the best of both seasons combines to create a perfect day. If you believed in heaven, it’s the kind of day that would test your faith because nothing could be more beautiful than this patch of earth where you
- [Demystifying meditation in psychotherapy](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/demystifying-meditation-in-psychotherapy/) - People who seek therapy often want to get better at relaxing their body and mind. The concept is simple but not so easy to achieve under stressors such as dental surgery, childbirth, or the bread-and-butter challenges of daily life. Given our profession, it would be reasonable to expect that psychologists are the experts at meditation
- [Study: College students feel anxious about presidential election](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-college-students-feel-anxious-about-presidential-election/) - Survey conducted by virtual provider Students at colleges and universities across the United States are feeling significant stress and anxiety about the upcoming presidential election, according to a recent study. TimelyCare.com, a higher education virtual health and wellbeing provider, collected data from 1,400 students this past July in all regions of the country. The students
- [Examining the relationship between politics and psychology](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/examining-the-relationship-between-politics-and-psychology/) - Political psychologists combine disciplines In the run-up to the presidential election in November, the interdisciplinary field of political psychology, a combination of economics, history, international relations, political science, sociology, psychology, and other disciplines, offers a means of examining behaviors and political values and beliefs. Psychologists from these various disciplines treat clients and conduct research that
- [Mass. debuts country’s first social prescribing program: Arts and culture participation is focus](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-debuts-countrys-first-social-prescribing-program-arts-and-culture-participation-is-focus/) - Massachusetts recently launched the first statewide arts prescription solution in the United States, to prescribe arts and culture participation to individuals with a range of mental and physical health concerns. The venture is a joint effort between the Mass Cultural Council and social prescribing healthcare company Art Pharmacy. Social prescribing can be beneficial for several
- [Is Massachusetts getting closer to an AOT law?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/is-massachusetts-getting-closer-to-an-aot-law/) - Support in CT for measure is non-existent As the formal legislative session in Massachusetts ended in July, it became clear one bill would not find its way to the governor's desk for signing, or at least not this year. Massachusetts and Connecticut are the only two states in the country without a law allowing for
- [Behavioral health care funds to be released in Mass.](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/behavioral-health-care-funds-to-be-released-in-mass/) - Money meant to address staff shortages Last year, Massachusetts set up a behavioral health fund amounting to $192 million, the remainder of $400 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. The money was meant to support initiatives to attract and retain behavioral health workers, and provide loan repayment programs, compensation for unpaid internships, and scholarship
- [Why Words Matter in Life and Politics](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/why-words-matter-in-life-and-politics/) - If ever there were any doubt that words matter, the July assassination attempt on Donald Trump and the killing of an innocent bystander as well as the shooter provide more tragic evidence that they do. Even as the event was being reported, commentators were focusing on the connection between violent political rhetoric and violent behavior.
- [The DSM: Is it time to evolve?](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/the-dsm-is-it-time-to-evolve/) - Clinicians rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) every day and many people refer to it as the “bible” of psychiatry. Upon searching the internet for the current price of the DSM V-TR, I unexpectedly encountered some humorous reviews on Goodreads. Some examples, “Terrible plot, no character development” as well as, “I was able
- [The end of an era](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-end-of-an-era/) - This is the last print issue of New England Psychologist. It’s been a long time coming. Since purchasing New England Psychologist at the end of 2017, I’ve struggled with the same issues every print publication has faced in the past decade: rising printing and mailing costs, and declining revenue from sponsors who no longer want
- [Maine launches state’s first Child ACT program](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-launches-states-first-child-act-program/) - Services provided for at-risk youth and families Sweetser has introduced Maine’s first Child Assertive Community Treatment program (Child ACT) to offer mental health services to youth who may have experienced gaps in care. The behavioral health nonprofit’s program, launched earlier this year, provides services for children and youth up to age 21 within a 25-mile
- [Q&A: Machine learning, mathematical modeling used as tools to predict suicide ideation](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/qa-machine-learning-mathematical-modeling-used-as-tools-to-predict-suicide-ideation/) - Modern psychology may be about to experience a sea change. While the practice has certainly evolved over the past 100 years, the introduction of machine learning, a form of artificial intelligence that uses large data sets to look at human behavior, may vastly alter the way mental illness is understood and treated. At Yale University,
- [Cartwheel receives $20 million for school mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/cartwheel-receives-20-million-for-school-mental-health/) - Company provides quick access to telehealth care It should be no surprise that the mental health of children and adolescents was hit hard by the pandemic. But for kids in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and Illinois, help could be on the way. Cartwheel—a Massachusetts-based startup company that partners with school districts to provide
- [RI to open first supervised drug use site](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ri-to-open-first-supervised-drug-use-site/) - Center is creating protocols for overdoses Rhode Island’s first state-regulated overdose center is slated to open in Providence this summer. The facility — a partnership between Project Weber/RENEW and VICTA — will provide a space where people can safely use pre-obtained substances under supervision. Individuals will also be able to test their drugs for fentanyl
- [Bryant University launches doctoral clinical psychology program](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/bryant-university-launches-doctoral-clinical-psychology-program/) - Bryant University is addressing the shortage of health providers with the launch of a doctoral program in clinical psychology. “There had been a lack of behavioral health providers, particularly psychologists, providing services to the community in Rhode Island for quite some time. The pandemic just exacerbated that problem,” said Joseph J. Trunzo, Ph.D., associate director
- [RI bills aimed at improving treatment coverage](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/ri-bills-aimed-at-improving-treatment-coverage/) - Focus is on lack of parity, prior authorization denials Two Rhode Island lawmakers have proposed legislation aimed at improving mental health and substance abuse treatment coverage. Sen. Linda Ujifusa (D-11th District) and Rep. Teresa Tanzi (D-34th District) are behind the two bills that address lack of parity between mental and physical health care insurance coverage
- [Killingly, CT students will finally get much-needed mental health services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/killingly-ct-students-will-finally-get-much-needed-mental-health-services/) - Students in the Killingly Public Schools (KPS) district will now have access to mental health resources after the lack of them drew statewide and national attention and produced a years-long saga advocating for them. An agreement between the town, a group of concerned parents, and the Connecticut State Department of Education was reached in July.
- [Medication treatment for opioid disorders limited at outpatient facilities](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/medication-treatment-for-opioid-disorders-limited-at-outpatient-facilities/) - Only 34% of outpatient community mental health treatment facilities in 20 states—including four in New England—offer medication treatment for opioid use disorders, according to new research from RAND. More than 81,000 Americans died from overdoses involving opioids in 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The 20 states in the survey have all experienced
- ['Man Therapy' comes to Vermont](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/man-therapy-comes-to-vermont/) - According to the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, about 80% of suicide deaths in the U.S. are completed by men. In Vermont, eight in 10 suicide deaths are men. That alarming data prompted the state’s Department of Health (DOH) to seek resources to help. During the month of June, the department promoted Man Therapy,
- [Is student loan debt worth it?](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/is-student-loan-debt-worth-it/) - “I’m trying to decide whether I should become a licensed professional counselor or a psychologist. Do you have any advice?” I wasn’t surprised to hear this question from my client, a 21-year-old psychology major. He sought out therapy and found the process of self-discovery helpful. He had been accepted into both psychology doctoral programs and
- [Niche specialization: Is finding your niche important?](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/niche-specialization-is-finding-your-niche-important/) - Is it necessary for independent practitioners to have an area of specialty practice? A quick review of popular sites such as the Psychology Today Therapist Directory gives the impression that most psychologists have one or more niche areas of practice. The range of specialty areas of focus is seemingly limitless and includes diagnoses such as
- [Fake news: Misinformation has its own psychology](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/fake-news-misinformation-has-its-own-psychology/) - Over the past several years, misinformation—particularly political misinformation—has been running rampant on social media. Misinformation and disinformation are not the same. Misinformation is merely having the facts wrong. Disinformation is false information used to deliberately mislead—think skewed reporting, half-truths, propaganda, or conspiracy theories. Both have become a real problem and, with another presidential election in
- [When we learned to listen: The legacy of Elvin Semrad](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/when-we-learned-to-listen-the-legacy-of-elvin-semrad/) - Over more than three decades of writing this column, from time to time, I have quoted Dr. Elvin Semrad whom I briefly described as “the late Boston psychoanalyst.” I supposed he needed no further introduction because of his legendary stature in the psychoanalytic community that was synonymous with psychiatric and psychological teaching and practice in
- [My life with telescopes](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/my-life-with-telescopes/) - “You have a telescope! Use it much? What can you see? Can we take it outside and look at the moon?” Our visitor is asking about the telescope in the corner or our living room and his enthusiasm is infectious. It revives my own, which has been dampened by a combination of aging eyes and
- [Effects of social media use on children examined](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/effects-of-social-media-use-on-children-examined/) - Mental, physical health can suffer The potential negative effects of the digital world are well-documented, particularly as they pertain to the mental health and safety of youth. Community leaders in Connecticut along with health care providers and politicians are working to address the issue. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), during a West Hartford school roundtable
- [Is self-relevant research a bad thing?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/is-self-relevant-research-a-bad-thing/) - Approach gets mixed reviews Kathleen R. Bogart, Ph.D., has written about improving inclusion for disabled people based on self-relevant research. She was born with Moebius syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that affects the muscles that control facial expression and eye movement resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. As someone with lived experience, she wanted to
- [Disparities between mental, medical use reimbursements highlighted](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/disparities-between-mental-medical-use-reimbursements-highlighted/) - RTI International conducts research A new study highlights the disparity in out-of-network use and reimbursements between mental health and medical/surgical providers. Patients went out-of-network 3.5 times more often to see a behavioral health clinician than a medical/surgical clinician, according to the study, conducted by nonprofit research institute RTI International. Patients went out of network 8.9
- [NH psychologist combines running, therapy](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/nh-psychologist-combines-running-therapy/) - If "motion is lotion" for the body, what must it do for the mind? With evidence backing the theory that exercise provides a therapeutic boost for mental health, a small but growing movement in psychology has taken a next step by combining the two. The result is offering movement-based therapy sessions out on the road,
- [InStride Health gets $30M investment](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/instride-health-gets-30m-investment/) - One area of focus is Maine Two years after its launch, startup pediatric mental health company, InStride Health, announced the closing of a $30 million funding round. The money, raised from healthcare investors, will be used primarily towards research and development initiatives, said co-founder Kathryn Boger, Ph.D., with a goal of ensuring that the company
- [CT moving toward peer-run respite centers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/ct-moving-toward-peer-run-respite-centers/) - Bill proposes community-based alternatives Connecticut is considering legislation to provide funding for eight peer-run respite centers in five separate regions. According to the bill, proposed for the 2025 budget, a peer-run respite center is a community-based alternative for people undergoing a mental health crisis that gives them the chance to avoid psychiatric hospitalization. The centers
- [Practical Practice: What is your favorite client resource?](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/practical-practice-what-is-your-favorite-client-resource/) - It is impossible to keep up with the wide array of potential patient resource material, given the breadth of the mental health field. In the digital age, it is not feasible to stay abreast of the myriad books, podcasts, apps, websites, and communities available on Facebook and other social media. Over time, I have learned
- [Blue Envelope Program supports neuro-diverse drivers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/blue-envelope-program-supports-neuro-diverse-drivers/) - Mass. latest state to implement measure In April, Massachusetts became the latest state to implement the Blue Envelope Program, an initiative to improve communications between individuals on the autism spectrum and police officers. The envelopes—available at state and local police barracks—are designed to hold all the information a driver would need to provide during a
- [FAIR Health study: claims, diagnoses increase](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/fair-health-study-claims-diagnoses-increase/) - Fewer patients seek help from psychologists Patients with mental health diagnoses rose nearly 40%, from 13.5% who received medical services in 2019 to 18.9% in 2023, according to a study released in April by FAIR Health. The study, entitled, “Trends in Mental Health Conditions,” looked at data across geography, age, gender, in-network services, substance use
- [CT suicide numbers higher and younger](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/ct-suicide-numbers-higher-and-younger/) - Legislation seeks to fund prevention efforts Connecticut’s rate of suicide is on the rise. According to the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board, one person died by suicide every 21 hours in the state and suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people aged 10 to 34. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control
- [NH has new group home for LGBTQ youth](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/nh-has-new-group-home-for-lgbtq-youth/) - Space provides living environment for ages 12 to 19 In April, The Home for Little Wanderers, a Boston-based non-profit, opened a new facility in Keene, NH, designed for up to eight LGBTQ young people aged 12 to 19. The 6,700 square foot facility called Unity House will also operate on a community-based system with 18
- [Telehealth follies](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/telehealth-follies/) - The pandemic propelled many therapists into providing services via telehealth, typically through videoconferencing. Indeed, many colleagues have left the office, never to return. The advantages of telehealth sessions for clients have been well documented. Telehealth increases accessibility for those clients living in rural areas, those without transportation and those who are homebound because of physical
- [Practice of sending defendants to prison's IMHU continues until 2027](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/practice-of-sending-defendants-to-prisons-imhu-continues-until-2027/) - Maine is actively trying to provide appropriate psychological care to those who are deemed incapable of standing trial because of mental illness. In 2021, the state temporarily granted the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) the power to transfer defendants who were ruled incompetent to stand trial (IST) from a psychiatric facility to the
- [APA updates guidelines for older adult patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/apa-updates-guidelines-for-older-adult-patients/) - In February, the American Psychological Association (APA) updated its guidelines for treating older adults. The new recommendations include things like understanding what is normal cognitive aging as opposed to neurodegenerative conditions; recognizing and allowing for diversity in race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status; utilizing telehealth as a way for
- [DEI: Leadership drives success](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/dei-leadership-drives-success/) - Psychologists can play critical role The civil rights movement of the 1960s led to the creation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in schools, businesses, and various organizations. In recent years, DEI (also known as EDI) has come to encompass more than just racial justice. The movement addresses disparities regarding sexual orientation, gender identity,
- [Racial identity, self-esteem among psychologist’s focuses](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/racial-identity-self-esteem-among-psychologists-focuses/) - It has been generally accepted, within psychology and in the broader world, that increasing diverse representation in schools, the workforce, and within the practice itself will lead to a more equitable society. Encouraging the inclusion of a greater variety of people would support greater understanding, improve opportunity, remove biases, and help to reduce divisiveness. But
- [Is telehealth here to stay?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/is-telehealth-here-to-stay/) - Accessibility for patients is benefit Now that mask mandates and social distancing are a thing of the past, most medical care has gone back to being primarily in-person. This is not the case, however, for mental health care. Telehealth usage has dropped from its peak in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, but remains
- [Some things I learned along the way](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/some-things-i-learned-along-the-way/) - If it’s true that the biggest surprise you’ll ever have is to realize that you’ve grown old, then the second biggest is to believe that you have learned something useful along the way. Sometimes it takes an unbiased observer to start you thinking along those lines or, in my case, a roomful of them. It
- [Revisiting AI](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/revisiting-ai/) - Just a year ago, I wrote about the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence (A.I.) and its potential to help in mental health treatment. The field continues to suffer from a shortage of therapists, especially those trained in specific types of treatments to help with specific disorders (specialists). Artificial intelligence won’t be a cure-all and it’s
- [Psychologists weigh in on benefits, pitfalls of AI](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-weigh-in-on-benefits-pitfalls-of-ai/) - Can it improve assessment, diagnosis? Five, 10, 20 years from now, what role will AI play in psychology? Chatbots-as-therapists may come to mind for some (indeed, several commercially available apps already offer AI-based mental health support), but psychologists also see considerable potential in other areas. New England Psychologist spoke with a few psychologists to understand
- [Changed: Independent Practice in the Age of Cyberterrorism](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/changed-independent-practice-in-the-age-of-cyberterrorism/) - I became aware of a problem related to patient claim submission in late February, when the electronic claim submissions through my electronic medical record platform ground to a halt. As most psychologists are aware, Change Healthcare, a clearinghouse that processes approximately one-third of all medical claims in the United States was hacked. The U.S. Hospital
- [Reflections on Totality](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/reflections-on-totality/) - Words are the first to go. When all that is left of the sun is a circle of light surrounding the black disk of the moon, you are reduced to simple instructions and expressions of wonder. You point to the sun and tell your companion, “Look there,” and say over and over to no one
- [Remembering Dan Wakefield](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/remembering-dan-wakefield/) - When acclaimed author Dan Wakefield passed away on March 13, the world lost a voice of compassion and conscience, and I lost a kind and generous mentor. Dan was a journalist, novelist, screenwriter, memoirist, and writer of non-fiction books on topics including the world of Spanish Harlem and the literary and cultural scene of his
- [Limping with the bulls: A psychologist tests the market](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/limping-with-the-bulls-a-psychologist-tests-the-market/) - Things are quiet this morning and my heart is beating at its usual steady rate. The adrenaline that was coursing through my body yesterday at this time has subsided with the frenzy of trying to sell some shares of a hot stock that has been climbing steadily from a recent low. This is something new
- [Psychologists and poets](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/psychologists-and-poets/) - Apri is National Poetry Month, and psychologists everywhere are writing poetry. With Wordsworth they are recollecting intense emotion in tranquility and helping their patients do the same. Analysts are reading Rilke who reminds them to live the questions when they don’t know the answers, and they are passing this wisdom on to us all. Even
- [Marketing to the public versus peers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/marketing-to-the-public-versus-peers/) - When I began my career, in the early 1990s, word of mouth, recommendations from health providers and insurance provider directories were the primary methods I used to find a therapist in independent practice. Psychologists promoted new psychotherapeutic approaches by speaking at conferences, writing manuscripts, and books. In the digital age, there is an inordinate amount
- [Virtual reality helps Black autistic youth discuss depression](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/virtual-reality-helps-black-autistic-youth-discuss-depression/) - A Boston College professor has developed a new virtual reality (VR) tool to help Black youth on the autism spectrum discuss depression and other mental health issues. Ed-Dee Williams, Ph.D., MSW, says his interest in the area was inspired by his older brother, who is autistic. “I really want to bring a better understanding to
- [Study: High schoolers who use alcohol, cannibas or nicotine at higher risk for mental health disorders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-high-schoolers-who-use-alcohol-cannibas-or-nicotine-at-higher-risk-for-mental-health-disorders/) - A new study shows that high school students who reported cannabis, alcohol, or nicotine use were more likely to experience a number of mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiousness, inattention, and hyperactivity. First published in JAMA Pediatrics, the study was conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and the University of Minnesota,
- [Stigmatizing questions removed from healthcare credentialing processes](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/stigmatizing-questions-removed-from-healthcare-credentialing-processes/) - Mass. joins other New England states with practice In a move to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health treatment for physicians, Massachusetts hospitals and health insurers have committed to eliminate questions about prior mental illness and addiction from their credentialing processes. “I think this is an important step in the right direction,” Barbara Spivak,
- [Gun procurement laws under scrutiny](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/gun-procurement-laws-under-scrutiny/) - Shootings prompt proposals for change Gun laws in Maine and New Hampshire have come under scrutiny following a mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine last October and a shooting at New Hampshire Hospital in November. Proposed changes in those states could have implications for the availability of mental health crisis services and access to firearms for
- [Licensing master’s level psychologists could help fill gaps](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/licensing-masters-level-psychologists-could-help-fill-gaps/) - About 160 million Americans live in areas with mental health professional shortages, with more than 8,000 additional professionals needed to fill the demand, according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. More states licensing master’s level psychologists could get patients the help they need. In addition to West Virginia, Kansas, New Mexico, and Kentucky,
- [NH bill targets transitional housing](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/nh-bill-targets-transitional-housing/) - New Hampshire is trying to improve transitional housing for people with mental illness who might otherwise be homeless. Currently under committee perusal, Senate Bill 410 aims to establish a fund that provides up to $25,000 per bed. That money, which amounts to $1.5 million allocated to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), would
- [Connecticut Medical Center opens new pediatric facility](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/connecticut-medical-center-opens-new-pediatric-facility/) - Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, Conn. is one of two units in New England and the only one in Connecticut that provides both pediatric and psychiatric services. With its grand opening of the Medical Psychiatric Integrated Care Unit in January, this 12-bed facility focuses on patients who often need access to healthcare for multiple
- [Text line option offered by Rutland Mental Health Services Community Care Network](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/text-line-option-offered-by-rutland-mental-health-services-community-care-network/) - VERMONT – Rutland Mental Health Services Community Care Network began offering a text line around the same time as the transition to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is another avenue to provide mental health care accessibility. Community Care Network Director of Emergency Services Loree Zeif said the text line -- 802-214-2553 -- is
- [Rhode Island joins PSYPACT to increase providers, decrease wait times](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/rhode-island-joins-psypact-to-increase-providers-decrease-wait-times/) - Since the pandemic, mental health issues for both children and adults have increased, creating a widespread push for online access to healthcare. As a result, Rhode Island joined the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, commonly known as PSYPACT. The move creates a two-way street for clinicians and clients: providers can see patients out of state and patients
- [CT makes recommendations to improve children’s behavioral health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ct-makes-recommendations-to-improve-childrens-behavioral-health/) - What came first, the increase in children’s mental health issues or the shortage in staff to help them? According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral health problems are the most common mental disorders in children. Many states, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont, were lauded for their access to healthcare
- [Harvard recruits influencers to share mental health information](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/harvard-recruits-influencers-to-share-mental-health-information/) - Harvard University is partnering with a team of TikTok and Instagram creators and influencers to engage the public in two-way conversations about mental health. “It was amazing to see how thoughtful and creative all the participants in the mental health creator program were and what a good job they wanted to do,” said Amanda Yarnell,
- [Gender-affirming LGBTQ+ high school to open in Berkshires Farming, the arts are specialty areas](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/gender-affirming-lgbtq-high-school-to-open-in-berkshires-farming-the-arts-are-specialty-areas/) - Opening a therapeutic gender-affirming LGBTQ+ high school in the foothills of the Berkshires in Western Mass. comes from a very personal place for founders Allison Druin, Ph.D., and Ben Bederson, Ph.D. The life and business partners are parents to two children, an 18-year-old college freshman and a 24-year-old graduate student. Druin said their family’s journey
- [Youth trauma, staffing shortages impacting residential schools](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/youth-trauma-staffing-shortages-impacting-residential-schools/) - Increased drug use also a factor The American Psychological Association’s latest “Stress in America” survey indicated that respondents are suffering “collective trauma” because of a combination of influences, including COVID-19, global wars, racism, social injustice, economic instability, and natural disasters related to climate change. While these factors affect adults, the negative effects are trickling down
- [New center uses technology to identify, mitigate suicide risk](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/new-center-uses-technology-to-identify-mitigate-suicide-risk/) - Aim is to integrate best practices into clinical settings A new UMass Chan Medical School center plans to use technology to assist with identifying and mitigating suicide risk. Funded by a five-year, $17 million National Institute of Mental Health grant, the Center for Accelerating Practices to End Suicide through Technology Translation (CAPES) will collaborate with
- [The League School’s neurodiversity project relies on community, business partnerships](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/the-league-schools-neurodiversity-project-relies-on-community-business-partnerships/) - Career Learning Center in the works Neurodiverse students display behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other neurologically atypical thoughts and behaviors like ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, social anxiety, and dyslexia. These are commonly viewed as differences and disabilities rather than classified mental disorders. Thanks to an initiative, opportunities for employment are available to students
- ['Stress in America' survey shows adults have collective trauma](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/stress-in-america-survey-shows-adults-have-collective-trauma/) - Data from the most recent “Stress in America,” survey shows that people of all ages are still experiencing trauma from the pandemic that has impacted their physical and mental wellbeing. Arthur C. Evans, Jr., Ph.D., the American Psychological Association chief executive officer, noted in a statement: “The COVID-19 pandemic created a collective experience among Americans. While
- [Proposed legislation would ban aversive therapy in Massachusetts](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/proposed-legislation-would-ban-aversive-therapy-in-massachusetts/) - Judge Rotenberg Center uses, defends practice Opponents of the use of electric shock therapy to treat severe behavioral issues turned out in force to testify before the Massachusetts Legislature in November, in favor of a bill that would prohibit the use of aversive therapies on disabled individuals. Only one treatment center in the country —
- [I’m dead, now what?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/im-dead-now-what/) - This provocative title caught my eye at the local bookstore several years ago. It is a practical workbook that functions as both an organizer and end-of-life planner. My siblings (who share a similar dark and cynical sense of humor) appreciated it as a unique holiday gift during the pandemic. The thought occurred to me that
- [Thoughts on this issue's topics](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/thoughts-on-this-issues-topics/) - This is an interesting issue in which our contributors explore a wealth of timely topics for clinicians. Our cover story by Phyllis Hanlon takes a deep dive into the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement. DEI has increased in recent years not only in visibility and initiatives, but in results too. Our Q&A with Aaron
- [Make me an offer: How third-party negotiators suppress out of network claims](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/make-me-an-offer-how-third-party-negotiators-suppress-out-of-network-claims/) - As sensational as this title may sound, in August of 2023, AdventHealth brought an antitrust lawsuit against MultiPlan, Inc. a third-party business that negotiates out of network insurance claims between health care providers and insurance companies. The details of the lawsuit are available online. AdventHealth refers repeatedly to the “MultiPlan Cartel.” I became familiar with
- [Unplugged](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/unplugged/) - I am writing today by the dim light filtering into the room from a troubled sky. The rain has been constant since yesterday and the trees, stripped of their leaves, sway with menace in winds that howl like a freight train, alternately approaching and receding from my safe perch in the little room at the
- [Judge Rotenberg Center is last in U.S. to use electric shock therapy](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/judge-rotenberg-center-is-last-in-u-s-to-use-electric-shock-therapy/) - Graduated electronic decelerator gets mixed reviews Some families of residents at the Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) in Canton, MA cite the graduated electronic decelerator (GED) as a life changing therapy tool that improved their children’s quality of life. Some patients who were recipients of the therapy have a very different perspective. Both sides testified last
- [NH child advocate lobbies for lawmakers to rethink abuse, neglect placements](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/nh-child-advocate-lobbies-for-lawmakers-to-rethink-abuse-neglect-placements/) - Out- of-state residences would be last resort Children in abuse and neglect cases are typically placed in outside facilities when there is no family or foster situation available. Often, those facilities are far from home. Included in the recent report from the State of New Hampshire Office of the Child Advocate, was reason to be
- [Poll: Less than half of Gen Z Americans are thriving](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/poll-less-than-half-of-gen-z-americans-are-thriving/) - More mental health struggles reported Less than half (47 percent) of Gen Z Americans are thriving in their lives, among the lowest across all generations in the U.S., according to a recent poll. The Silent Generation (age 71 and older) is the only one on par with that degree of dissatisfaction at 45 percent. Gallup
- [NY ban on corporal punishment sparks awareness of practice](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/ny-ban-on-corporal-punishment-sparks-awareness-of-practice/) - In October, New York became just the fourth U.S. state to outlaw corporal punishment in private schools, joining New Jersey, Iowa, and Maryland, which passed its own ban earlier this year. The ban brought renewed attention to a practice considered to be archaic by many and troubling to mental health professionals. In New England, corporal
- [New behavioral health hospital opens in Mass.](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-behavioral-health-hospital-opens-in-mass/) - Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital opened its doors late this summer to treat children, adolescent, and adult patients with addiction and other mental and behavioral health issues. Costing $72 million, the more than 22,000 square foot facility is furnished with 150 private and semi-private rooms along with clinical spaces, community areas, outdoor courtyards, and rooms
- [The pros and cons of accepting health insurance](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-pros-and-cons-of-accepting-health-insurance/) - Solo practitioners face challenges Have you considered joining or leaving an insurance panel? More than one out of four psychologists are self-employed and nearly half (45 percent) work in private practice settings. Psychologists in independent practice often do not accept health insurance, citing low reimbursement rates and difficulties getting paid. I think of myself as
- [Sarah Schwartz, Ph.D. focuses on intersection between climate change and psychology](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/sarah-schwartz-ph-d-focuses-on-intersection-between-climate-change-and-psychology/) - Young people show more anxiety From the tragic fires in Maui to the flash floods in Vermont, the media has been filled with news of the devastating effects of climate-related disasters. As these types of events increase in frequency, so do concerns about the future of our planet. According to a study done by the
- [Should I accept this referral?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/should-i-accept-this-referral/) - Not long ago, I received a call from a woman requesting an intake appointment. I don’t use a scheduler and prefer to pre-screen clients myself. She was unclear about her referral source. Something seemed vaguely familiar and following a gut feeling, I pressed her for more information. It became apparent that she was the mother
- [Treating Long COVID mental health symptoms requires coordination](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/treating-long-covid-mental-health-symptoms-requires-coordination/) - Communication between mental health professionals and primary care providers (PCPs) is key to proper diagnosis and treatment of Long COVID mental health issues. Because Long COVID is a broad condition, providers must collect a full patient history to address other potential causes of symptoms, noted Molly Sanborn, public health analyst at the Substance Abuse and
- [Program helps with transition back to school for students with mental health issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/program-helps-with-transition-back-to-school-for-students-with-mental-health-issues/) - More than 250 schools in Massachusetts and largely across the East Coast have adopted the Bridge for Resilient Youth in Transition (bryt) model to help students return to school after prolonged absences because of mental health issues or medical injury or illness treatment. The bryt community is comprised of about 153,000 students with programs offered
- [Psychological tool measures how trauma impacts religious beliefs](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/psychological-tool-measures-how-trauma-impacts-religious-beliefs/) - Although religion and spirituality factor into many lives, research is scarce about how stress and traumatic events can impact and test an individual’s belief system. In response to the question of why a loving God would allow suffering, Crystal Park, Ph.D, professor of psychological sciences at University of Connecticut, and a team of researchers developed
- [Postpartum psychosis: A complex mix of serious symptoms](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/postpartum-psychosis-a-complex-mix-of-serious-symptoms/) - Several risk factors cited Amanda Brown struggled with infertility and suffered two miscarriages before she experienced a “text-book pregnancy.” However, a traumatic labor and delivery and a hemorrhage that left her unconscious and with no memory of the birth set the stage for a breakdown. While she began to recover physically, Brown’s mental state began
- [Research highlights health care inequity in Massachusetts](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-highlights-health-care-inequity-in-massachusetts/) - Communities of color most impacted Health care equity is a moral imperative and a new study reveals that it is a financial one as well. The economic burden of health inequities experienced by Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Asian populations in Massachusetts totals $5.9 billion annually, according to research commissioned by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of
- [Task Force recommends anxiety screening for adults under 65](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/task-force-recommends-anxiety-screening-for-adults-under-65/) - Older population requires further review In June, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued its final recommendation to support screening for anxiety disorders in adults younger than 65, including people who are pregnant or postpartum. Previously, the organization recommended screening for depression in adults but found insufficient evidence for or against screening for suicide risk.
- [988 Lifeline focuses on increasing awareness in second year](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/988-lifeline-focuses-on-increasing-awareness-in-second-year/) - Despite low public awareness, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline answered nearly five million texts, chats, and calls in its first year. Launched in July 2022, the 988 Lifeline answered two million more contacts in a 12-month period than the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline it replaced, according to Vibrant Emotional Health, which manages the
- [The overscheduled practitioner](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-overscheduled-practitioner/) - “People don’t change.” This was relayed to me within my first week on the job by a psychologist, 30 years older than myself. As a researcher, he had some basis for this statement and was referring to enduring behavior patterns, such as my tendency to take on too much and predictably, feel overwhelmed. Over the
- [Different types of trauma affecting children](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/different-types-of-trauma-affecting-children/) - Food, housing insecurity among factors We know that major trauma can have a long-term effect on a child's development, both physically and mentally. The loss of a parent, living through an environmental or man-made disaster, abuse, neglect, or abandonment can all impact a child or adolescent's wellbeing and mental health. Over the past few decades,
- [Here’s to what 2024 holds](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/heres-to-what-2024-holds/) - With another passing year, I look forward to what 2024 brings—especially because 2023 has been something else. We’ve seen the economy struggle and incomes shrink. We’ve watched the political scene denigrate, all the while clinicians struggle with the challenges of working with people who often seem disconnected from their own lives. Youth trauma seems to
- [On growing old gracefully –  or not](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/on-growing-old-gracefully-or-not/) - As I sit at my desk in a too quiet house, I am thinking about my wife who is spending the day with a friend on a senior citizens’ bus trip to view the New England countryside from a vintage train. The trip comes with a turkey dinner served on board what is naturally called
- [What can therapists learn from older adult clients?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-can-therapists-learn-from-older-adult-clients/) - Most mornings, I drink from a coffee cup featuring an owl, given to me by a client nearly 15 years ago. She was in her 80s and in failing health. Her death occurred after I stopped working with her. Unfailingly, my owl cup triggers positive memories of a woman who lived a full life and
- [Celebrating the holiday season…and yet](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/celebrating-the-holiday-seasonand-yet/) - The holiday season is upon us. We are in the thick of it with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Diwali behind us and Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza looming ahead. Feasts of saints, harvest and light remind us that good triumphs over evil and though the light may fade, it never fails. The earth will swing around the
- [Psychological tools used to achieve equity in workplace](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychological-tools-used-to-achieve-equity-in-workplace/) - In the wake of the 2020 murder in Minneapolis of George Floyd, the country saw a rise in protests and in resulting conversations around systemic racism. At this same time, the business world saw a correlating increase in focus on using psychological tools as more than a way to improve market share but to also
- [Wayne Dailey outlines the role of mental health action at disasters](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/wayne-dailey-outlines-the-role-of-mental-health-action-at-disasters/) - Between hurricanes, earthquakes, mass shootings, and deadly viruses, large scale traumatic events have spiked over the past decade. And with disasters comes trauma. Our society's first responders, the firefighters, medics, and police officers, are always at the scene of any trauma. Now, a cadre of mental health responders often join them. Wayne Dailey, Ph.D, is
- [The doctor is in: Calling yourself a Dr.](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/the-doctor-is-in-calling-yourself-a-dr/) - What does it mean when a patient addresses you by your first name? Even when offering psychiatric help for the low price of five cents, Lucy (from the Peanuts comic strip) referred to herself as “doctor.” In an article published in JAMA Open Network in October 2022, researchers analyzed the electronic messages delivered to more
- [Whose story is it anyway?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/whose-story-is-it-anyway/) - Psychologists are story people, especially when we are trying to help people make more satisfying stories of their lives. Because I am a story person, I am still mulling over the story of a book about the immigrant experience that has been the subject of media attention since its publication in January. The book, “American
- [NE states rank high on scorecard report but still have areas needing improvement](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/ne-states-rank-high-on-scorecard-report-but-still-have-areas-needing-improvement/) - Massachusetts holds top spot Massachusetts ranked first overall on The Commonwealth Fund’s “”Scorecard on State Health System Performance” report with New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Hawaii rounding out the top five. Connecticut ranked sixth while Maine was 16th. The lowest performing states were Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Mississippi. In its 12th year, The Commonwealth
- [Kids’ mental health getting a boost in Connecticut](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/kids-mental-health-getting-a-boost-in-connecticut/) - Bill focuses on access, play issues Connecticut’s recently passed Senate Bill 2 focuses on providing more access to mental health services for children, additional protections for public libraries particularly regarding book bans, and requiring schools to have more play-based curriculum for preschool and kindergarten with an allowance for it during instructional class time for grades
- [Are psychologists more vulnerable to violence?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/are-psychologists-more-vulnerable-to-violence/) - As legislation aimed at curbing the rights of transgender people has gained momentum, Sidney Trantham, Ph.D., a Brookline, Mass. psychologist who works with transgender and non-binary youth and their families, began to sense a shift in what he was hearing from other professionals, educators, and parents. “I feel as though there’s a new questioning of
- [Future of telehealth coverage uncertain](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/future-of-telehealth-coverage-uncertain/) - Rules differ state to state Telehealth became the new normal for both mental health patients and providers during the pandemic. But as public health emergency regulations sunset, uncertainty looms across New England regarding what insurance will cover. Federally, many Medicare telehealth benefits were extended through December 2024. In May, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and
- [Providers using more apps in treatment but with caution](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/providers-using-more-apps-in-treatment-but-with-caution/) - Privacy issues are common concern Since the pandemic, the saying, `there’s an app for that,” is applying to more mental health providers, who have incorporated virtual tools into their delivery of care. A website that evaluates apps on cost, features, privacy, and clinical evidence called Mindapps.org was developed by clinical psychologists while working on a
- [NE states consider legalizing Psilocybin](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ne-states-consider-legalizing-psilocybin/) - Bills that could decriminalize psilocybin for therapeutic purposes are under consideration in several New England states. Psilocybin is the primary psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms. Recent studies from Yale, Massachusetts General Hospital, Johns Hopkins and others have shown that, in a controlled therapeutic setting, psilocybin can be beneficial for a number of mental health issues
- [MPA highlights legislative priorities](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/mpa-highlights-legislative-priorities/) - Legislation for participation in PSYPACT® and to improve transparency of consumer health insurance rights and parity are among the priorities supported by the Massachusetts Psychological Association. The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), created by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB), was designed to facilitate the practice of telepsychology and the temporary in-person, face-to-face
- [BCBS of Massachusetts expands network of mental health providers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/bcbs-of-massachusetts-expands-network-of-mental-health-providers/) - What if your insurance company told you that you could get an appointment with a mental healthcare provider in just a few days, not several months? Since the beginning of the pandemic, the need for mental health care has escalated and Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Massachusetts is doing something about it. The company,
- [Study: Vets show decrease in suicidal thoughts, behaviors during pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-vets-show-decrease-in-suicidal-thoughts-behaviors-during-pandemic/) - Subset group has these experiences for first time Some evidence suggests the COVID-19 pandemic led to increases in loneliness, isolation, substance use, and financial insecurity, all issues that may increase suicide risk. U.S. military veterans are particularly at risk of death by suicide. Prior to 2019, veterans accounted for 12 percent of all suicide deaths
- [What is happening to patient privacy?](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/what-is-happening-to-patient-privacy/) - Recently, I realized that my medical records are available through not one, but three health information exchanges (HIEs), CTHealthlink, CONNIE and CareEverywhere. I learned this by looking at the privacy disclosures on the website where I have received care. I then looked up the member organizations participating in each HIE. Most of the member organizations
- [An AI chatbot for eating disorders gives harmful responses](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/an-ai-chatbot-for-eating-disorders-gives-harmful-responses/) - An artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot called Tessa, programmed to deliver an interactive program called Body Positive developed by Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft Ph.D. and other eating disorder experts, was taken off the National Eating Disorder Association’s (NEDA) website after users discovered it was offering potentially harmful information about eating disorders. On various social media sites, users posted
- [Institutional structures can help drive inequities, study says](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/institutional-structures-can-help-drive-inequities-study-says/) - Person-centering may help counter trend Organizational structures in mental health care may shape staff perceptions and behaviors in biased ways—usually unconsciously—according to a study published in “Clinical Psychological Science.” The study, titled “System-Centered Care: How Bureaucracy and Racialization Decenter Attempts at Person-Centered Mental Health Care,” was headed by researchers Miraj U. Desai, Ph.D., Larry Davidson,
- [Treatment varies for people with hoarding disorder](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/treatment-varies-for-people-with-hoarding-disorder/) - More practitioners needed in field The problem of hoarding went relatively unnoticed as a behavioral issue until the first systematic study of the condition was published in 1993 in the journal “Behavior Research and Therapy.” Thirty years later some of the early conceptions around hoarding have been dispelled and/or modified. Randy O. Frost, Ph.D, Harold
- [Report: 95 percent of prison population has mental health, substance use disorders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-95-percent-of-prison-population-has-mental-health-substance-use-disorders/) - CT Sentencing Commission aims for data to assist policymakers A 2023 report from the Connecticut Sentencing Commission found that 95.5 percent of the incarcerated population currently or previously had mental health or substance abuse disorders or both. The Department of Corrections reported 32 percent of prisoners currently need treatment for diagnoses such as post-traumatic stress
- [Writing a spiritual autobiography](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/writing-a-spiritual-autobiography/) - There will be eight of us, nine if you count me, the workshop leader, lighting up those little Zoom squares like stars blinking onto a twilight sky, one here, a cluster there, a straggler or two until the screen is filled. This has become a familiar routine since the start of the COVID pandemic. We
- [Vermont establishes mental health urgent care centers as alternatives to emergency departments](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-establishes-mental-health-urgent-care-centers-as-alternatives-to-emergency-departments/) - Vermont is addressing the ever-growing mental health crisis with a forward-thinking idea --mental health urgent care centers across the state, including an inaugural one in the Northeast Kingdom, an area that represents more than 2,000 square miles and a 2010 census population of 64,764 people. The idea behind the concept is that the centers provide
- [Changing times require adaptation](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/changing-times-require-adaptation/) - Changing times require flexibility and resilience in clinical practice. The old ways of doing things are not always going to be keeping with the times and the needs of clients. Take, for instance, the rising expectations of patients to be able to communicate with you in-between sessions, whether it is through texting, a messaging app,
- [How to elect a president](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/how-to-elect-a-president/) - Four years go by fast, especially at my age. The last four have given us the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the emergence of artificial intelligence, record breaking heat waves, floods and other natural disasters, the launch of the Webb telescope, space ship rides for billionaires, and the increasing rancor of our political parties
- [Whistler’s son](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/whistlers-son/) - My father was a whistler. He whistled while he waited for the bus and for the family to get ready to go wherever we were going with him. And he whistled in his hospital bed until he ran out of breath. When I was a young boy of seven or eight, leaning to whistle was
- [Practical Practice: How will Artificial Intelligence disrupt the therapy industry?](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/practical-practice-how-will-artificial-intelligence-disrupt-the-therapy-industry/) - I’m a late adopter of technology. I had a flip phone for an embarrassingly long time, resisted Facebook and kept a paper calendar well into the digital age. Despite this, curiosity about the open-source ChatGPT motivated me to watch a quick YouTube video and within minutes, create an online free account. With breathtaking speed, ChatGPT
- [Vermont aims for passage of prescriptive authority bill in 2024](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-aims-for-passage-of-prescriptive-authority-bill-in-2024/) - Could this help the prescriber shortage? In 2017, Connecticut sought to join New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, Idaho, and Colorado as the seventh state to allow qualified psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Connecticut Psychological Association submitted a Request for Review of Scope of Practice for Psychologists, citing a shortage of psychological prescribers across the
- [Flood of anti-transgender legislation takes mental health toll on population](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/flood-of-anti-transgender-legislation-takes-mental-health-toll-on-population/) - Study: One in three report poor mental health often or always Republicans have launched a series of legislative efforts limiting transgender youth to access healthcare, play sports, and use certain bathrooms. In May, Oklahoma’s governor signed legislation making gender-affirming care for minors a felony. In many cases, GOP leaders claim these bills are meant to
- [Study: Homelessness higher in specific demographics](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-homelessness-higher-in-specific-demographics/) - Blacks, Indigenous are most affected More than 3.5 million Americans experience the public health crisis of homelessness. And demographics play a role in the likelihood of it occurring. A recent study published in the “Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities” shows Blacks and Indigenous people—American Indian or Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian and Pacific
- [Two states, same problem: Staffing shortages plague industry](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/two-states-same-problem-staffing-shortages-plague-industry/) - Mass. and RI weigh in on nationwide dilemma The mental health field has been hit hard with the nationwide staffing shortage that has impacted physicians, dentists, nurses and more. According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration, there will be a deficit of an estimated 58,000 psychologists by 2025. In addition, the
- [Pay it forward](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/pay-it-forward/) - Why is it that no one ever calls me back? This is a statement that I hear nearly every day from people searching for mental health services. I’m in agreement. It is mystifying that phone calls from people searching for clinicians go unanswered. If psychologists could do one thing to improve public perception, it should
- [Protect your data: Electronic health records](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/protect-your-data-electronic-health-records/) - We’re living in digital times, but some things never change -- such as the interest criminals have in making some easy money. Efficient criminals no longer rob banks – too many things that could go wrong for an unknown payout. Instead, they turn to the endless supply of opportunities available online. While that includes the
- [Bill would provide peer mental health support](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/bill-would-provide-peer-mental-health-support/) - Representative Becca Balint’s (D-Vermont at-large District) very first bill introduced in Washington D.C. addresses mental health support for kids. She said it will not be her last when it comes to this issue. The Peer Education and Emergency Response for Mental Health Act, or PEER Mental Health Act of 2023, would allocate $24,963,000 in funding
- [Sages & Seekers: Bridging the generation divide](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/sages-seekers-bridging-the-generation-divide/) - Did you ever have a piece of art work displayed? Were you ever on TV? Were you ever arrested? Did you ever run away from home? Were you ever in a room with a famous person? These were some of the ice-breakers that Mary Mertsch, a 10th grade English teacher at the Rivers School in
- [Mass. seeks legislation to implement involuntary outpatient commitment](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/mass-seeks-legislation-to-implement-involuntary-outpatient-commitment/) - Involuntary outpatient commitment (IOC) targets persons documented as presenting a danger to themselves and/or others, with intent to supply community-based psychiatric care instead of in-hospital treatment. Two caveats: First, the ‘involuntary’ component, particularly the court-ordered part. Secondly, the availability of appropriate community-based services where the person is based. In the U.S., 47 states have some
- [Health Information Exchange: What does it mean for psychologists?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/health-information-exchange-what-does-it-mean-for-psychologists/) - Are you aware that mental health treatment might be included as part of your state’s health information exchange (HIE)? All New England states have an HIE as part of the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009. The goals of the HITECH Act are to improve quality, safety, and
- [Bill for peer specialist Medicaid reimbursement fails](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/bill-for-peer-specialist-medicaid-reimbursement-fails/) - As a woman in recovery herself, Rebecca Allen put a lot of thought into the written testimony that detailed why she did not support a bill (S.B. No. 1205) focusing on the push for peer specialists to get reimbursed that ultimately died in committee. Allen, director of recovery advocacy for Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR),
- [NH secures ARPA funds for psych services expansion](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/nh-secures-arpa-funds-for-psych-services-expansion/) - The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has approved $15 million for a $55-$60 million, at least 120-bed standalone hospital project in South Central New Hampshire. SolutionHealth is partnering with the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under a 10-year agreement. Planned opening date is late 2024. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital also won $1 million
- [The joy of reading](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-joy-of-reading/) - “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested…” – Francis Bacon Tasted, swallowed, and digested – I’ve done them all. Though I can’t remember when or how I learned to read, I imagine it happened in the usual way with a first-grade primer and a
- [How can psychologists help kids in aftermath of school shootings?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/how-can-psychologists-help-kids-in-aftermath-of-school-shootings/) - The recent episode of gun violence at The Covenant School in Nashville, TN, that ended the lives of three students and three teachers marked the 19th school shooting of 2023. As of mid-April, there have been more than 160 mass shootings in the United States in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The upward
- [Finding the light](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/finding-the-light/) - In March, I wrote about the challenge of walking in the dark, finding our way in life through a series of decisions guided in each case by unreliable and insufficient information. We are not prescient and we cannot expect to fully understand the implications of our decisions before we act. “Life moves forwards,” as Kierkegaard
- [VT bill targets mental healthcare in interstate counseling compact](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/vt-bill-targets-mental-healthcare-in-interstate-counseling-compact/) - In mid-March, Vermont’s House of Representatives passed a bill that would make practicing across state lines a lot easier for licensed mental health professionals. The bill outlines allowances for licensed professionals in Vermont to practice in other states and out-of-state licensed professionals to practice in Vermont. Should the legislation pass, Vermont would join New Hampshire
- [States ranked on prevalence of mental illness, access to care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/states-ranked-on-prevalence-of-mental-illness-access-to-care/) - Inequities also highlighted Using data that does not reflect the COVID-19 pandemic era, nearly 50 million or 19.86 percent of American adults experienced a mental illness in 2019. And, 24.7 percent report an unmet need for treatment. Further, only 27 percent of youth with severe depression receive consistent care and one in three do not
- [Report: Homelessness the biggest issue for Vermont children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-homelessness-the-biggest-issue-for-vermont-children/) - According to Building Bright Futures’ (BBF) annual report, Vermont’s children have issues surrounding caregiving, mental health, and homelessness. More than 30 percent of children under the age of 12 live in households with incomes below 185 percent of the Federal Poverty Level, which is the benchmark for qualifying for many benefit programs. (Sixty-three percent of
- [Maine DHHS unveils payment reform for behavioral health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-dhhs-unveils-payment-reform-for-behavioral-health/) - The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has instituted a $237 million increase in behavioral health investments of federal and state funds to continue MaineCare, the state’s Medicaid program, and related payment improvements, effective January 1, 2023. In a January 11 blog post, DHHS outlined the proposed impact of its rate reform package,
- [CT bill aims to improve access to children’s services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ct-bill-aims-to-improve-access-to-childrens-services/) - Children’s mental health will remain a top priority for Connecticut lawmakers this session. The state’s Children’s Committee and Committee on Education continue to address this issue that the U.S. Surgeon General deemed a national health crisis in 2021 with the proposal of a new bill. Senate Bill No. 2 was proposed in January by the
- [Research: Care in ER settings difficult for mental health, substance abuse patients, providers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-care-in-er-settings-difficult-for-mental-health-substance-abuse-patients-providers/) - Two professors are part of an effort to shine a light on the challenges of providing mental health and substance abuse care for patients in emergency department (ED) settings. According to published reports, one in eight visits to the ED across the country involve psychiatric or substance use concerns -- and the frequency of such
- [Do psychologists reject board certification?](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/do-psychologists-reject-board-certification/) - Warren Buffet has been quoted as saying, “Everyone has a circle of competence. The important thing is not how big the circle is. The important thing is staying inside the circle.” All health care professionals are legally and ethically obligated to practice within the scope of their knowledge, skill and experience. Given this obligation, is
- [Sadly, six-year-old shooters are not an anomaly](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/sadly-six-year-old-shooters-are-not-an-anomaly/) - Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Va., is now on the long list of schools in the country in which a shooting has taken place. This time, however, the shooter was a six-year-old who took a legally purchased 9mm handgun to school to intentionally shoot his teacher. The shooting took place in early January, and
- [Remote program for college students goes beyond crisis help to recovery](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/remote-program-for-college-students-goes-beyond-crisis-help-to-recovery/) - In its upending of everyday life, the COVID epidemic has also given the therapy community at the Stockbridge, Mass.-based Austin Riggs Center an unlikely catalyst to create an innovative Intensive outpatient program (IOP). Launched last November, the program is aimed at college students already experiencing troubles brought on by the pressures of entry into the
- [Mobile medical unit used to address mental health issues in Rhode Island](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/mobile-medical-unit-used-to-address-mental-health-issues-in-rhode-island/) - CODAC Behavioral Healthcare is revolutionizing patient care with its mobile medical unit, epitomizing the definition of meeting people where they are. “We address all the issues, geographic and also demographic issues that have to do with mental health,” said CODAC President/CEO Linda Hurley, LCDCS. “Stigma, racist infrastructure, all those access issues that prevent good care for
- [Mass Shooting and mental illness: Is there really a link?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-shooting-and-mental-illness-is-there-really-a-link/) - Mass shootings happen in this country with alarming regularity. When they happen, there is often an instantaneous blame for the event on mental illness—not easy access to firearms or stalled gun legislation. We frequently hear that it’s not guns that kill people, it’s people who kill people--and all those people are mentally ill. But is
- [Practical Practice: 'Courageous' conversations with clients about a medication evaluation may be necessary](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/practical-practice-courageous-conversations-with-clients-about-a-medication-evaluation-may-be-necessary/) - Psychotherapy for depression is the treatment of choice over medication for people willing to seek mental health help. The American Psychological Association’s Clinical Practice Guidelines for the general adult population suggest that a shared decision-making model be used to help people with depression make informed decisions about treatment with psychotherapy and/or second-generation antidepressants. Ideally, psychologists
- [Panel recommends anxiety screenings for adults](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/panel-recommends-anxiety-screenings-for-adults/) - On September 20, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force issued a draft recommendation statement for anxiety screenings. The panel of volunteer medical experts has recommended that adults between the ages of 19 and 65, including pregnant and postpartum individuals, be screened for anxiety as part of routine medical care. They recommend these screenings regardless of
- [New Hampshire deal would mean more mental health beds](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-hampshire-deal-would-mean-more-mental-health-beds/) - The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced a deal with SolutionHealth to use $15 million of federal funds to break ground on a new mental health hospital. It will be located in the south-central region of the state and comes at a time when New Hampshire Hospital closed 48 beds because
- [Some say new text revisions to DSM not so minor](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/some-say-new-text-revisions-to-dsm-not-so-minor/) - Earlier this year, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition, (DSM-5) had a revision to the text. A text revision typically occurs when there is new evidence presented or there is a need for clarity on certain aspects within the volume. The manual, now referred to as DSM-5-TR, includes disorders such as
- [Crotched Mountain School remains open under new ownership](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/crotched-mountain-school-remains-open-under-new-ownership/) - After sharing in October 2022 that they would be closing the following month because of hiring challenges, Legacy by Gersh’s Crotched Mountain School announced the following month it will remain open under new ownership. It’s quite the positive turnaround for the Greenfield autism educational institute. A letter on the Legacy by Gersh website dated Nov.
- [Report outlines ways to expand, diversify Massachusetts’ workforce](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/report-outlines-ways-to-expand-diversify-massachusetts-workforce/) - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts engaged Manatt Health to create a report that identifies ways to maintain, expand, and increase diversity in Massachusetts’ behavioral health workforce. The resulting 62-page document entitled, “Creating a Robust, Diverse, and Resilient Behavioral Health Workforce in Massachusetts,” offers seven recommendations for the Commonwealth and other stakeholders to make policy,
- [Residential schools: Still riding the pandemic wave](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/residential-schools-still-riding-the-pandemic-wave/) - The arrival of the pandemic early in 2020 prompted residential schools to overcome significant challenges and implement some creative, strategic changes. As society creeps back to some semblance of normal, residential schools continue to engage in a post-pandemic balancing act. The Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association (MHA) recently reported the “COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated/presented challenges
- [Proposed legislation allows for student mental health sick days](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/proposed-legislation-allows-for-student-mental-health-sick-days/) - Legislators in Massachusetts are following the lead of other New England states in trying to get a bill passed to provide mental health sick days for public school students. Massachusetts State Rep. Tami Gouveia, DrPH (D- 14th Middlesex District), filed a bill on mental health sick days for students at the start of 2021 and State
- [CT deemed too restrictive on patients seeking gender-affirming surgery](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/ct-deemed-too-restrictive-on-patients-seeking-gender-affirming-surgery/) - Based on a 2022 study from the Williams Institute at UCLA, more than 1.6 million people in the U.S. over the age of 13 identify as transgender. Transgender individuals may feel conflicted between their sex at birth and the gender with which they identify. This conflict can become such a source of anxiety and distress
- [Mass. DOC, DOJ reach agreement on mental health reform](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-doc-doj-reach-agreement-on-mental-health-reform/) - Massachusetts prisoners with behavioral health problems will receive heightened levels of care while in custody of the state Department of Corrections (DOC), under an agreement reached between DOC and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division published Investigation of the Massachusetts Department of Corrections on November 17, 2020, in conjunction with
- [Baker administration's 'roadmap' seeing some benefits](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/baker-administrations-roadmap-seeing-some-benefits/) - More than two dozen mental health services centers across the state have been designated Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHC) as part of former governor Charlie Baker’s last administration days community health services expansion efforts his office called a “roadmap for behavioral health reform.” The state is expanding community health services to address the pairing of
- [Headway made, challenges continue in Mass. ER boarding crisis](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/headway-made-challenges-continue-in-mass-er-boarding-crisis/) - Despite the passage of a state law in 2021 to address the psychiatric patient ‘boarding’ problem in the state’s hospital emergency rooms, some patients wait more than a year to access specialized treatment, according to a weekly report issued by the Massachusetts Hospital Association (MHA). The report, “Capturing a Crisis: Massachusetts Behavioral Health Boarding Metrics”
- [The burden of positive thinking](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-burden-of-positive-thinking/) - February was “Red Dress Month,” a campaign from the American Heart Association to promote awareness of heart disease in women. Much like the “pink ribbon” campaign for breast cancer awareness, there are multiple walks, runs, and celebrations for survivors of cardiac illness. Such events are intended to honor those who have been affected by the
- [Survey by digital platform shows college kids worry about mental health, finances](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/survey-by-digital-platform-shows-college-kids-worry-about-mental-health-finances/) - At the start of the spring semester, a nationwide survey of 1,200 college students cited their own mental health challenges as the greatest cause of stress. The survey was conducted by TimelyMD, a leading virtual health and wellbeing provider in higher education. A record 500,000 students used the platform during the last semester. “The survey
- [AI, ChatGPT & Their Psychological Future](https://www.nepsy.com/publishers-note/ai-chatgpt-their-psychological-future/) - ll you hear on the news these days is talk about A.I. – artificial intelligence. What has got everyone excited is Open AI’s release of a chatbot – computer software that interacts with humans via texting – that utilizes artificial intelligence in a manner previously unseen. ChatGPT is a tool that utilizes something called generative
- [Frank & ChatGPT: My digital therapists then & now](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/frank-and-chatgpt-my-digital-therapists-then-and-now/) - Thirty years ago in my first year of writing this column, I described my encounter with Frank, a self-styled computerized therapist who lived on a floppy disk that I bought in the notions aisle of an all-night supermarket. That was around the same time I bought my first computer, and the salesman told me that
- [Social connection, work-life balance are keys to happiness](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/social-connection-work-life-balance-are-keys-to-happiness/) - Ten states are apparently the best places to live for good work-life balance. Based on a recent index data analysis run by Remote, a human resources company, the main factors in determining the states that got the highest marks included healthcare, minimum wage, maternity leave, statutory annual leave, sick pay, average hours worked per week,
- [Financial psychology: Creating a balanced relationship with money](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/financial-psychology-creating-a-balanced-relationship-with-money/) - Financial issues consistently cause stress and anxiety in individuals, according to the “Stress in America” Survey, issued annually by the American Psychological Association (APA). Yet, the topic of money is seldom raised in public and in the therapy room. However, some psychologists cite the relevance of financial matters to a person’s overall well-being. According to
- [Libraries offer books and mental health resources](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/libraries-offer-books-and-mental-health-resources/) - The Public Libraries in the United States Survey: Fiscal Year 2012 (the most recent available) reports that 1.5 billion people visited the library in person and more than 92.6 million attended four million programs at public libraries. In addition to printed and digital materials and programs, some libraries have begun offering mental health services and
- [Study: Checking social media shows possible connection with brain chemistry changes](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-checking-social-media-shows-possible-connection-with-brain-chemistry-changes/) - A recent study has identified a possible connection between social media use and changes in brain chemistry in adolescents. Results of the study suggest that frequently checking social media may cause hypersensitivity in adolescents in social situations, especially when receiving feedback or criticism. Researchers at the University of North Carolina used MRI brain scans to
- [How to walk in the dark](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/how-to-walk-in-the-dark/) - “You don’t need to know a whole book in order to write the first page. You need only the desire to create something that will say what you feel needs to be said, however vague its form at the beginning. You need a willingness to discover the wealth and wisdom of your own subconscious, and to trust that it will tell you what to
- [NH hospitals seek court redress for boarding of psych involuntary emergency admits](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/nh-hospitals-seek-court-redress-for-boarding-of-psych-involuntary-emergency-admits/) - On January 10, 15 not-for-profit acute-care New Hampshire hospitals filed a motion for summary judgment in Merrimack County Superior Court against the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, ordering the New Hampshire DHHS to ‘immediately’ transfer those people involuntarily held in hospital emergency rooms because of a mental health crisis to designated mental health
- [FDA warns maker of alternative autism treatment](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/fda-warns-maker-of-alternative-autism-treatment/) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June sent a warning letter to the maker of a product that was being used to treat symptoms of autism, the Chicago Tribune reported. The product, OSR#1, was being sold as a dietary supplement by a Kentucky company, but the FDA wrote that it was an unapproved drug
- [Winter a time to look inward, embrace quiet](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/winter-a-time-to-look-inward-embrace-quiet/) - The holidays are over. The days remain short. The skies are grey. The temperatures are bitter in many parts of the country. Many people experience dysphoria, wishing away the month and yearning for Spring. January can often feel like the longest month of the year. January is often referred to as the turning of the
- [Maine seeks waiver for mental disease exclusion](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-seeks-waiver-for-mental-disease-exclusion/) - Sen. Joe Baldacci, (D-Bangor) is proposing a bill that would force the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver to provide funds for mental health facilities in Maine. This waiver, known as the Institutions for Mental Disease (IMD) waiver, grants an exception to the IMD exclusion which prohibits the
- [Becoming an influencer](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/becoming-an-influencer/) - What’s the world coming to when our children dream of becoming YouTube influencers when they grow up? Not so long ago, I came across a study conducted by the Lego corporation in which 3,000 children between the ages of 8 and 12 from the U.S., the UK and China were asked what they wanted to
- [The Nature of Change](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/the-nature-of-change/) - We are not that different from a tree. As an analogy, trees breathe, have branches that resemble the branches of our lungs, and have tree rings much like a “fingerprint.” The seasons provide a recurring opportunity for nature to teach us. Changes in the wind often seem to usher in the change of seasons. Do
- [What's the State of Cannabis Oil in the U.S.? Legality, Popularity, and More](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/whats-the-state-of-cannabis-oil-in-the-u-s-legality-popularity-and-more/) - There's no denying just how popular cannabis oil has become in recent years. But how is it really performing in the U.S. Where is it even legal? Find out here.
- [Report highlights need for more diversity in health care system](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-highlights-need-for-more-diversity-in-health-care-system/) - The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) recently released a 34-page report overseen by Ernestine Jennings, Ph.D., that shines a light on a relevant and timely issue, the need for more diversity in the health care system and among behavioral health care providers in the Ocean State. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 16.3
- [Curing trauma: Reality or myth?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/curing-trauma-reality-or-myth/) - Horrific events such as a divorce, serious motor vehicle accident, physical assault, a terrorist attack or military service in an active war zone hold the potential for inducing trauma in its victims. A variety of treatment options are available that can alleviate symptoms and restore psychological balance. Some recent news stories report the possibility of
- [ADHD: Research expands understanding of a complicated and common diagnosis](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/adhd-research-expands-understanding-of-a-complicated-and-common-diagnosis/) - In the last 15 years, research into attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has shed more light on this complicated diagnosis, reaffirming some concepts and dispelling others. While new interventions have been, and continue to be, studied and new assessment tools created, some of the previous therapies still prevail. In recent years, ADHD has gone from
- [Conversion disorder: Medical mystery with psychological underpinnings](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/conversion-disorder-medical-mystery-with-psychological-underpinnings/) - The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition (DSM-IV) classifies conversion disorder as one of the somatoform disorders characterized by medically unexplained complaints of multiple physical symptoms, such as inability to speak, blindness, paralysis or numbness with underlying psychological issues or conflicts. In spite of the definition, conversion disorder, a rare occurrence, is
- [New hospital promotes recovery, resiliency and respect](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-hospital-promotes-recovery-resiliency-and-respect/) - Approximately eight years after an Inpatient Study Report from the Department of Mental Health (DMH) recommended the consolidation of Worcester State Hospital with Westborough State Hospital and construction of a new building, that suggestion will soon become reality. Nearing completion, the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) will begin serving individuals with severe and persistent
- [EMDR: Research prompts acceptance](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/emdr-research-prompts-acceptance/) - In 1987, Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., senior research fellow emeritus at the Mental Research Institute in Palo Alto, Calif., director of the EMDR Institute and founder of the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program, developed a new therapy that both intrigued and puzzled clinicians. Eye movement desensitization – in 1991, reprocessing was added to the technique – (EMDR)
- [Energy psychologists use variety of integrative therapies](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/energy-psychologists-use-variety-of-integrative-therapies/) - In the mid-1980s when psychologist Roger Callahan, Ph.D., and psychiatrist John Diamond, M.D., formulated the foundations for energy psychology, few mental health professionals understood or accepted the paradigm. However, in recent years, this niche area has gained acceptance as integrative therapies, such as emotional freedom technique (EFT), thought field therapy (TFT), tapas acupuncture technique (TAT)
- [Involuntary outpatient commitment: Supporters and critics weigh in](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/involuntary-outpatient-commitment-supporters-and-critics-weigh-in/) - Tragic events like the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut and at the theatre in Aurora, Colorado, tend to shine a spotlight on mental illness and effective ways to treat it. At these times, involuntary or assisted commitment is one subject that comes under scrutiny in states where such legislation doesn’t exist.
- [Involuntary outpatient treatment bill on legislative docket](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/involuntary-outpatient-treatment-bill-on-legislative-docket/) - Fourteen years ago, Rep. Kay Khan (D-Newton) filed a bill (H.1419) intended to prevent tragedies because of medication non-compliance and inadequate treatment for mental health issues. In light of mental health-related tragedies in Danvers and Weymouth this past fall, the bill is garnering renewed attention. According to Khan, who is a psychiatric nurse and clinical
- [The many shades of grief: Symptoms and treatments run the gamut](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/the-many-shades-of-grief-symptoms-and-treatments-run-the-gamut/) - Life’s greatest pleasures can sometimes cause the greatest pain: a job loss because of company downsizing, a miscarriage after years of trying to have a baby, the death of a beloved spouse or parent. Regardless of the type of loss, traumatic events can lead to crying, insomnia, fatigue, confusion, deep sadness and a host of
- [Prevention methods part of new law](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/prevention-methods-part-of-new-law/) - It’s been a long road since Gov. Deval Patrick introduced his proposal to bring gambling to Massachusetts on Sept. 17, 2007. But after more than four years of additional study, debate and compromise, Patrick signed a bill on Nov. 22 that will allow construction of three casinos and a slot machine operation in the Commonwealth.
- [Treatment resistance: A complex problem that requires multiple approaches](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/treatment-resistance-a-complex-problem-that-requires-multiple-approaches/) - Individuals who suffer with mental illness have several treatment options from which to choose, including psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, short-term residential placement and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other pharmacological agents. In spite of this robust therapeutic menu, some patients remain significantly impaired, posing a challenge for effective treatment. Treatment resistance, present across a number
- [Social aggressors: Examining those who engage in bullying behavior](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/social-aggressors-examining-those-who-engage-in-bullying-behavior/) - For decades, aggression in schools has presented a challenge to parents, educators, researchers and psychologists and the problem continues to escalate. Much attention has justifiably been given to the victims in hopes of creating programs to effectively address the issue. Lately, researchers have turned their efforts on the perpetrators of socially aggressive behavior, attempting to
- [APA to develop treatment guidelines](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/apa-to-develop-treatment-guidelines/) - For the first time, the American Psychological Association (APA) has launched an initiative to develop evidence-based clinical treatment guidelines. The Council of Representatives approved the move at its February 2010 meeting. Since then, a nine-member steering committee has been formed that chose depression and obesity as the first topics to take on. “The APA has
- [Treating mental illness in the elderly: Achieving stability through inpatient care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/treating-mental-illness-in-the-elderly-achieving-stability-through-inpatient-care/) - The Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports that approximately 5.6 to 8 million Americans 65 and older have mental health or substance use disorders; those figures are expected to double in the next 15 years, precipitating a tremendous burden on an already overburdened health care system. Although community-based care is preferred, inpatient care still remains important
- [Surgeon General report: A call to action on addiction](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/surgeon-general-report-a-call-to-action-on-addiction/) - In November 2016, the U.S. Surgeon General for the first time issued a report on alcohol, drugs, and health – calling addiction, “one of America’s most pressing public health issues.” The report, likened to a Surgeon General report on the dangers of smoking issued 50 years ago, was meant as a call to action. The
- [Telehealth study shows greater likelihood of follow up visits](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/telehealth-study-shows-greater-likelihood-of-follow-up-visits/) - A recent study published in the JAMA Network Open in late June found that greater use of telehealth visits in a non-metropolitan area showed a modest increase in outpatient visits with specialty mental health professionals and a greater likelihood of follow-up visits after hospitalizations. This research was focused mainly on patients with more severe mental
- [Research: Societal change will need both policy and behavioral support](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/research-societal-change-will-need-both-policy-and-behavioral-support/) - Social change may depend on the relationship between beneficial behaviors (bottom-up) and social policies (top down), according to research from the University of Maine, University of Maine at Augusta, University of Vermont and Universite Laval in Quebec, Canada. A team of researchers including Laurent Hébert-Dufresne, Ph.D., (lead writer) and Timothy M. Waring, Ph.D., authored “Source-sink
- [Practical Practice: The dynamics of returning to in-person sessions](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/practical-practice-the-dynamics-of-returning-to-in-person-sessions/) - The pandemic suddenly changed the provision of psychotherapy—with no opportunity to process the shift in treatment delivery in advance. Maintaining access to care was the priority. Interruption of care is disruptive in any case, however, the psychological impact of the pandemic and the related uncertainties created significant increases in mental health concerns making access to
- [The potential dangers of `career creep’](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/the-potential-dangers-of-career-creep/) - My younger colleague regards me with confusion. She is responding to my observation that she seems overwhelmed. “I don’t want to say no and risk limiting my opportunities in the future,” she says. She is simultaneously writing a manuscript, putting together a conference presentation, seeing clients, and supervising trainees. She juggles these tasks with apparent
- [Vaping on the rise in teens](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/vaping-on-the-rise-in-teens/) - Was it really a coping mechanism during the pandemic? How do you get kids addicted to what you’re selling? Make it taste like fruit or candy. That’s according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Federal Drug Administration. Their findings were unsettling. More than 2.5 million adolescents in
- [ME health organizations providing supports for lonely residents](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/me-health-organizations-providing-supports-for-lonely-residents/) - Maine is in the midst of a loneliness health crisis and the state’s health organizations are focusing their efforts to provide supports and services for residents struggling with social isolation. A recently published report based on research conducted by Cigna earlier this year revealed some stunning facts about the challenges of loneliness that have become
- [Study: Established outpatient care preceding acute psychiatric services improves incidents of follow up](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/study-established-outpatient-care-preceding-acute-psychiatric-services-improves-incidents-of-follow-up/) - Follow up outpatient care after hospitalization and emergency room use for mental health issues was determined to be 'suboptimal,' among youth and young adults with private insurance, according to a study published in ps.psychiatryonline.org. The study sought to define rates and predictors of mental health care follow up within seven and 30 days after an
- [Study shows increase in admissions, Emergency Department (ED) visits among children, adolescents](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/study-shows-increase-in-admissions-emergency-department-ed-visits-among-children-adolescents/) - According to research by Clarify Health Institute, mental health inpatient admissions for children and adolescents spiked 61 percent and emergency room visits increased by 21 percent between 2016-2021. During this period, however, in-person office and outpatient mental health services rose by only five percent, although significant declines can be partially attributed to the first year
- [RI hospital eligible for $30-$40M Medicaid funding due to standalone psych facility](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/ri-hospital-eligible-for-30-40m-medicaid-funding-due-to-standalone-psych-facility/) - The state-run Eleanor Slater Hospital (ESH) in Cranston, RI has created a standalone psychiatric hospital, discharging and then re-admitting 52 patients with often-longstanding mental illness. An existing care staff of 81 also moved with them. ESH is a long-term acute care hospital treating and caring for medical patients and some psychiatric patients. It received licensure
- [Koko Used GPT-3 AI Without Informed Consent from Users](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/koko-used-gpt-3-ai-without-informed-consent-from-users/) - When you're on the cutting edge of trying to help people with mental health issues, sometimes it's easy to let the technology and good intentions get ahead of ethics. That seems to be the case, for the second time, for Robert Morris, PhD, and his technology service, Koko. Artificial intelligence (AI) has garnered much attention
- [Wellspring co-founder reflects on healing nature of farm setting](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/wellspring-co-founder-reflects-on-healing-nature-of-farm-setting/) - Human beings evolved to be more in tune with the natural world and are built for more physical labor, than what most of us experience today. Could an increase in exercise and exposure to plants, animals, and green space, help us to be more aligned with our most basic humanity and more physically and mentally
- [Vermont group home for adolescent boys in limbo](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-group-home-for-adolescent-boys-in-limbo/) - If there were plans in your town to build a group home for teen boys in the juvenile justice system, would you be concerned? What if that group home appeared to be a replacement for a similar facility that was shut down two years ago amidst reports of neglect and abuse? That’s the situation Newbury,
- [A focus on residential schools and post-pandemic challenges](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/a-focus-on-residential-schools-and-post-pandemic-challenges/) - In our annual residential schools special issue and directory, I’m pleased to see these important treatment resources are recovering from the challenging times of the pandemic. The pandemic created an increased demand for the services offered by these facilities, and they are still adapting to the new normal. This year, the special Residential Schools Directory
- [Chamberlain School’s aviation program offers unique opportunities for students](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/chamberlain-schools-aviation-program-offers-unique-opportunities-for-students/) - The Chamberlain International School in Middleboro, Mass., is a co-educational therapeutic boarding and day school for students aged 11-21. It serves students dealing with a wide range of learning and emotional difficulties. The diploma-granting institution serves its diagnostically diverse student population by providing a variety of educational, psychiatric, and vocational services. Chamberlain’s learning model—developed from
- [Gravestone restoration project honors memory of Home for Destitute Children residents](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/gravestone-restoration-project-honors-memory-of-home-for-destitute-children-residents/) - Howard Center recently partnered with the Vermont Old Cemetery Association (VOCA) to complete a meaningful project at Lakeview Cemetery that included restoring and resetting the gravestone markers of children who lived at the Home for Destitute Children in the late 1800s. “We are grateful to the VOCA members for their support to complete this restoration,”
- [New May Center School for Autism opens in Chicopee](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/new-may-center-school-for-autism-opens-in-chicopee/) - In September the May Institute opened its fifth May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The expansion came in response to the increased demand for these highly specialized programs across the state. The Massachusetts Chapter-766 approved school offers full-day, year-round educational services to children and adolescents from preschool to age 22.
- [Remembering the Gaebler Children’s Center](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/remembering-the-gaebler-childrens-center/) - When our editor asked if I might have something to say about residential schools for this special edition of NEPSY, I thought I was too far removed from any real-life experience of treating children in residential settings to make a relevant contribution. Then I remembered a nine-month period when I worked at the William C.
- [License mobility allows greater public access](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/license-mobility-allows-greater-public-access/) - Several NE states participate in PsyPact As a psychologist in New England, I recently learned that I have the option of applying for an EPassport and Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT), authorizations accepted in PsyPact participating states. PsyPact is an interstate compact that allows psychologists to practice telepsychology with clients living in PsyPact participating
- [Bridging the divide: Walking the talk](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/bridging-the-divide-walking-the-talk/) - Last month, my reflections on the passing of a friend on the other side of the culture wars divide led me to the importance of common ground and common sense in bridging the widening gap between progressives and conservatives. In recent years, the gap has become a chasm that increasingly blocks honest and respectful conversation
- [Head of the Landmark School reflects on 51-year tenure](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/head-of-the-landmark-school-reflects-on-51-year-tenure/) - Not many people spend their entire careers working for only one organization. Half a century is a long time to stay in one place but when the work itself rises above day-to-day responsibilities to the level of a mission, 51 years may seem not nearly enough. As he announces his retirement and looks forward to
- [What is Mass Formation Psychosis? Is it like Mass Hysteria or Mass Delusion?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/what-is-mass-formation-psychosis-is-it-like-mass-hysteria-or-mass-delusion/) - "Mass formation psychosis" is a term that was used on the Joe Rogan podcast by a formerly respected medical researcher, Robert Malone, M.D. He used it to describe what was happening in the United States and elsewhere in terms of people's overwhelming acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccination. What is mass formation psychosis? What does the
- [Survey shows pandemic added to youth mental health struggle](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/survey-shows-pandemic-added-to-youth-mental-health-struggle/) - The pandemic wreaked havoc with so many lives and mental health is just one issue at the forefront with which people of all ages continue to struggle. According to the recently released 2021 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS), more than 40 percent of high schoolers in the state report mental health problems with about
- [Bridging the divide: Common ground and common sense](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/bridging-the-divide-common-ground-and-common-sense/) - Our friend Jim died this summer. He was my friend, but I use the word “our” because we were six, friends since high school, who have managed to stay in touch through all the seasons of our lives, most recently by way of twice monthly video chats. Now we are five. When I tell people
- [Brattleboro Retreat program geared toward helping mental health professionals](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/brattleboro-retreat-program-geared-toward-helping-mental-health-professionals/) - Mental health crises are at an all-time high as a result of the pandemic and because of that, a new conundrum presented itself – what do you do when healthcare providers are in need of the same services and treatment plans they themselves typically provide? Brattleboro Retreat is a mental health focused center working to
- [Bill to make Youth Risk Behavior Survey opt-in stalls this year](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/bill-to-make-youth-risk-behavior-survey-opt-in-stalls-this-year/) - Although New Hampshire House Bill 1639 to make the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) in schools opt-in instead of opt-out is now off the table this year, individuals on both sides of the issue have strong views when it comes to either potential outcome down the road. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) was
- [New England states strive to address impact of pandemic on adolescents](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/new-england-states-strive-to-address-impact-of-pandemic-on-adolescents/) - Pandemics tend to exacerbate mental health issues. At least, in our experience, this one has. The first year of the pandemic saw a quadruple increase in adults reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, with negative impacts on sleeping, eating, alcohol consumption or substance use, and worsening chronic conditions. It's
- [Campus counseling centers enhance LGBTQ+ services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/campus-counseling-centers-enhance-lgbtq-services/) - In 2018, the Association of American Universities reported that out of 180,000 undergraduate and graduate students surveyed, nearly 17 percent identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, queer, or questioning. As the LGBTQIA+ community continues to grow, colleges and universities are taking steps to ensure that their unique needs are met. Kelsey Moran, Psy.D, coordinator of
- [Study: Mindful adults better capable of handling difficulties](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/study-mindful-adults-better-capable-of-handling-difficulties/) - Sooner or later, we all face the inevitable challenges of aging. However, a recent study shows that mindful individuals may be better suited to handle those difficulties as they age. In November of 2021, a University of Maine study, led by Rebecca MacAulay, associate professor of psychology, investigated the association between trait mindfulness and executive
- [Research examines effects on firearm injury survivors, families](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-examines-effects-on-firearm-injury-survivors-families/) - Survivors of firearm injuries had a 51 percent increase in psychiatric disorders, an 85 percent increase in substance use disorders, and showed a 40 percent jump in pain diagnoses. Additionally, medical spending rose by $2,495 per person per month among survivors relative to control participants in the first year. Family members of the injured party
- [Legislation hopes to address shortage of school mental health providers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/legislation-hopes-to-address-shortage-of-school-mental-health-providers/) - Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is leading the introduction of the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act, bipartisan legislation that if passed will address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by authorizing the Department of Education to partner with higher education institutions to help cover students’ costs at relevant graduate programs. “Throughout the pandemic,
- [Wade overturned: Processing the decision](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/wade-overturned-processing-the-decision/) - On June 24, the Supreme Court, in a five to four vote, overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling giving women the right to have an abortion. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, who wrote the opinion, determined that abortion is a matter for individual states to decide. The decision prompted protests both in support of
- [New Hampshire DOE provides funding to assist summer camps](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/new-hampshire-doe-provides-funding-to-assist-summer-camps/) - Pandemic related issues and long-term effects are known to be far reaching and include mental health particularly in youth. The New Hampshire Department of Education (DOE) is addressing the issue with $500,000 in grant funding for summer camps across the state to utilize by bringing on mental health clinicians and providing access to relevant resources
- [Report on firearm deaths in Maine show many are suicides](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/report-on-firearm-deaths-in-maine-show-many-are-suicides/) - More than 85 percent of all firearm deaths in 2020 in the state of Maine were suicides, according to a report submitted by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health and Human Services. In 2020, 154 people were killed with firearms in Maine: 132 died by suicide; 19 were
- [Massachusetts bills, hotline focus on maternal mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/massachusetts-bills-hotline-focus-on-maternal-mental-health/) - Earlier this year, Massachusetts legislators proposed two maternal mental health bills known as H.4740 and H.4741. The bills were passed by the House and sent to the Senate for further study. The first bill focuses on creating maternal mental and behavioral health care work force grants to offset the shortage in health care workers. The
- [Believers in common animal ancestor more likely to be inclusive of humans](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/believers-in-common-animal-ancestor-more-likely-to-be-inclusive-of-humans/) - Belief in human evolution leads to more connectedness with groups different from one’s own, leading to less prejudicial attitudes, researchers at University of Massachusetts Amherst have discovered. Their work appeared in the “Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.” Lead author and Ph.D. candidate Stylianos Syropoulos and Associate Professor of Social Psychology Bernhard Leidner, Ph.D., collaborated
- [DOJ investigation finds over-institutionalization of ME children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/doj-investigation-finds-over-institutionalization-of-me-children/) - Following an investigation of the children’s behavioral health system, Maine’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has determined that the state does not sufficiently provide community-based programs. The investigation uncovered: Children are typically segregated into other institutions or the juvenile justice system when they can’t get the services they need; The state advertises such community-based programs through
- [Working group still grappling with potential forensic mental health facility](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/working-group-still-grappling-with-potential-forensic-mental-health-facility/) - In 2011, Hurricane Irene forced the Vermont State Hospital to close its doors for good, leading to a shortage of housing options across the state. More than 10 years later, state leaders and care providers still struggle to provide the housing and care that many psychiatric patients desperately need. “Unlike most states, we have no
- [Caregivers for multiple myeloma patients have psychological distress](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/caregivers-for-multiple-myeloma-patients-have-psychological-distress/) - A new study published in “Blood Advances” reveals that caregivers for patients with multiple myeloma may experience higher levels of depression and anxiety than the patients themselves. While there are ample studies documenting the psychological and emotional effects a disease can have on patients, there is limited understanding of how terminal illnesses affect the friends,
- [Feminist theory: An intersectional model that promotes equality](https://www.nepsy.com/subscribers/feminist-theory-an-intersectional-model-that-promotes-equality/) - The origins of feminist theory can be traced back to the writings of Mary Wollstonecraft, particularly “A Vindication of the Rights of Women” in 1794. Since that time, other individuals have championed this model, adhering to its main tenet – to view the world in a way that brings attention to inequality, oppression, and injustice
- [Transitions](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/transitions/) - In partnership with Psych Central Professional, we hope to grow New England Psychologist and reach even more psychologists and other mental health professionals every month.
- [Where is the leadership in Mass. compensation debate?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/where-is-the-leadership-in-mass-compensation-debate/) - Psychologists in Massachusetts are letting down their fellow citizens, as more and more clinical psychologists refuse to accept traditional health insurance for payment. In an in-depth article in the Oct. 21, 2018 issue of the Boston Globe, Liz Kowalczyk details the challenges citizens in Massachusetts face in getting psychological care through their insurance provider or
- [A proper introduction](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/a-proper-introduction/) - Many of you are familiar with Psych Central, and hopefully for those of you who are, you’re as happy as I am that we’re able to carry on the wonderful publishing tradition of New England Psychologist. But I suspect there are many professionals who are unfamiliar with us or our history. The roots of Psych
- [School shootings offer no easy answers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/school-shootings-offer-no-easy-answers/) - Not a year goes by in America where we don’t suffer through another horrible mass shooting at a school, perpetrated by a young adult or teenager with a gun. Despite the outcry from both sides, however, there are no clear or easy answers on how to reduce or altogether stop school shootings from taking place.
- [Striking a Digital Balance](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/striking-a-digital-balance/) - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – these are all services designed not only to gain your attention and brain cycles, but to keep it for as long as possible. They are designed from a neurocognitive perspective to take advantage of the stimulus-reward system – and they work wonderfully in keeping you captive.
- [Emphasizing psychosocial treatments for ADHD](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/emphasizing-psychosocial-treatments-for-adhd/) - It’s difficult to keep focused on outcomes that are likely to result in the greatest long-term success for your clients. One such example is in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. It’s becoming increasingly less common for clinicians to even see children who present with ADHD, because of the emphasis of
- [500 million, but the need still grows](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/500-million-but-the-need-still-grows/) - Psych Central just reached an amazing milestone in our 23 years online. We’ve just passed 500 million visitors who’ve come to our site to learn more about mental illness symptoms and treatments, psychology, personality, parenting, or a relationship issue. We’re proud of this achievement, but we also realize we have a much longer road to
- [Public still confused about memories of sexual assault](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/public-still-confused-about-memories-of-sexual-assault/) - If the U.S. Senate hearings of now-confirmed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh taught us anything, it’s that the public has a very poor understanding of the science behind trauma and memory. Republican senators convinced themselves that the victim – Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault back in high school – must
- [It’s time for portability in psychologist licensing](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/its-time-for-portability-in-psychologist-licensing/) - There may have been a time in the not-too-distant past when the guild mentality that infects clinical psychology as a profession served a purpose. Not only did it emphasize psychologist’s greater training and educational requirements, but it helped to differentiate the profession from others that provided similar services (such as psychotherapy). But the guild mentality
- [The shame of United Behavioral Healthcare](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-shame-of-united-behavioral-healthcare/) - I’m surprised United Behavioral Healthcare (UBH) – a part of behemoth UnitedHealthcare -- can even show its face these days. After a scathing ruling against this disliked healthcare insurer was handed down in early March, it’s become clear – to me at least -- that UBH only cared for its bottom line, not the highest
- [Psychology by the numbers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/psychology-by-the-numbers/) - Every few years, I like to take a look at the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics numbers for the mental health profession. The numbers discussed below come from the latest reports from the 2016-2017 time period. Since I last looked at these numbers in 2011, the mental health profession workforce as
- [The empowered patient](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-empowered-patient/) - Patients nowadays are empowered more than ever. They’ve not only read all about their disorder online, but they may have even participated in an online support group or previously tried online therapy before coming to you. This trend is a good one that every clinician should embrace. A fear of misinformation online has been put
- [Your online directory service doesn’t have to be so expensive](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/your-online-directory-service-doesnt-have-to-be-so-expensive/) - Nearly every therapist subscribes to an online therapist directory service. Paying hundreds of dollars of a year to be listed in a directory may seem like it makes good business sense for a psychologist in individual practice. But there’s no reason these directories need to cost $300 to over $500 per year for a basic
- [A world turned upside down is also a time for new opportunities](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/a-world-turned-upside-down-is-also-a-time-for-new-opportunities/) - Online counseling services have gotten a big boost in the past few months, as the coronavirus pandemic closed down much of the face-to-face world. In fact, the only way for most to do psychotherapy during this time was either via some sort of teleconferencing or online therapy service, or going old-school and using just the
- [Reducing mental illness stigma is everyone’s responsibility](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/reducing-mental-illness-stigma-is-everyones-responsibility/) - It may seem that trying to reduce the prejudice and discrimination that’s commonplace when talking about mental illness is a never-ending job. Because it is. But I believe that every single one of us needs to be responsible for helping to forward the conversation about mental illness. It can’t just be left to advocacy groups,
- [NEP in 2020](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/nep-in-2020/) - With another year ending, it’s time to share news of New England Psychologist’s (NEP) print future with you. As I’ve mentioned here previously, traditional publishing has become increasingly challenging with the rise of printing and mailing costs year after year. How often we publish in print form impacts our ability to keep publishing. With that
- [Giving back to the community](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/giving-back-to-the-community/) - Few psychologists get into the profession for the enormous paycheck. Over the years, my colleagues have shared a range of reasons why they decided to become a psychologist. Not once has someone mentioned money. Many of us already give back to the community in some way. Whether it’s through volunteer work for a favorite charity,
- [Reducing anxiety during a world-wide health scare](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/__trashed/) - The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 , is sweeping the world. With documented cases in more than 70 countries, people are understandably concerned about their risk and exposure to the virus. Like the seasonal flu, COVID-19 is spread through contact with someone who has the coronavirus via coughing, sneezing, or touching a germ-infected surface. Symptoms appear two
- [You’re Not Alone: Pandemic Fatigue is Real](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/youre-not-alone-pandemic-fatigue-is-real/) - Pandemic fatigue is creeping into more and more of our lives. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across the world, it’s getting harder and harder to continue on in our normal lives. With colder weather coming, the summer respite and spending good amounts of time outdoors is coming to an end. This is going
- [Continuing education credits for all](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/continuing-education-credits-for-all/) - Continuing education (CE) is a vital part of a psychologists’ on-going training and keeping up with the latest developments in the field. Twenty years ago, the only way to attain your continuing education credits was by attending an in-person seminar or workshop. While this is a great format for learning, we’ve seen the benefits of
- [The end of the pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-end-of-the-pandemic/) - At least here in New England, the end of the pandemic is in sight. Masks are no longer needed, and there’s a certain sense of relief that perhaps the worst is behind us. Like many Americans, I feel like we’ve come to the end of our generation’s shared hardship experience. While not as traumatic or
- [The Future of New England Psychologist](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-future-of-new-england-psychologist/) - Print publications have taken a beating over the past few years. Some advertisers -- not ours, though! -- seem to think there are better ways to reach dedicated readers such as yourself. I've been working with advertisers for more than 25 years, and based upon that experience, I don't think that's true. Our postage and
- [A new year is a good time for renewal](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/a-new-year-is-a-good-time-for-renewal/) - When we start a new year, it’s often a time for reflection, a time to review and renew our commitments to others and ourselves. To others, we may look around and find we are spreading ourselves too thin. Maybe we offer to help out just a little too often with external activities like the PTA
- [Time for a refreshing change](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/time-for-a-refreshing-change/) - After 30 years of publication, New England Psychologist has an exciting new format and look! A collaboration between myself and our longtime graphic designer, Karen Woodward, we’re proud to bring you this amazing refresh for our esteemed publication. You’ll find this magazine format not only easier to handle, but also easier on the eyes. With
- [The new normal](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-new-normal/) - A year ago, I claimed that “the end of the pandemic is in sight.” In hindsight, I was being optimistic. While the pandemic rages on largely unchecked, the newer strains of the coronavirus appear to be less deadly – especially to those who are vaccinated and boosted. At least, for now. Masks have become uncommon,
- [The lady in the chair](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-lady-in-the-chair/) - It was time for her annual review and she had been transferred only recently to my unit. A year in the hospital and this was the first time we would be talking together. The nurse pointed me in the direction of a woman sitting in the TV room in her bathrobe and slippers. We were
- [The way of the cat](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-way-of-the-cat/) - You never know what new lesson life has in store or who will come along to teach it. Just when I thought I had missed the pleasures and challenges of pet ownership, our daughter asked us to watch her cat Mushu for six weeks until she came back to bring him home with her to
- [Your mailbox is almost full](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/your-mailbox-is-almost-full/) - When it comes to life’s little annoyances, right up there with greenhead flies on the beach and that wad of cotton in the aspirin bottle, is the email message that threatens to immobilize your workday, “Your mailbox is almost full.” Of course, that’s only one way of looking at the situation. If my automatic thoughts
- [Taking the next step](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/taking-the-next-step/) - I find it hard to believe that it has been a full year since I wrote about “The Retirement Readiness Test,” a three-day weekend rehearsal of a retired psychologist’s schedule that led me to conclude that I wasn’t ready. I find this hard to believe because when this column appears on July 1, I will
- [When laughter shows the way](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/when-laughter-shows-the-way/) - In all the years I had known him, through hundreds of therapy hours that sometimes left me feeling as hopeless as he did; he had never stopped talking about killing himself. He had almost succeeded on a number of occasions and we believed him when he said that the only thing keeping him alive was
- [All you need is love](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/all-you-need-is-love/) - In the dead of winter, Valentine’s Day reminds us of the healing power of love in all of its many forms. Cut through the commercial dross of the manufactured holiday and you might be able to see acts of kindness in places you never thought to look. Avoid print and television news where stories of
- [Learning to trust the process](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/learning-to-trust-the-process/) - The interviews are over, the rankings have been submitted, and the cloud has delivered the names of our interns for the next training year. All of that is done but I am still thinking about an answer one of our applicants gave to my standard question about how he imagined his unique strengths and challenges
- [Extra people](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/extra-people/) - Flannery O’Connor has a powerful short story entitled, “The Displaced Person,” where she describes the impact of the arrival of a refugee family on a small Southern farm. The story is set in the period following World War II when masses of people left Central and Eastern Europe in the wake of Soviet occupation of
- [Marking the passage of time](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/marking-the-passage-of-time/) - I have always been conscious of the passage of time and my place in its flow. As a small boy traveling by bus and subway from my suburban New Jersey home to visit my cousins in Brooklyn for the weekend, I couldn’t help but notice the train returning on the opposite track and thinking that
- [Why place matters](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/why-place-matters/) - The man had just explained how his violent behavior was the norm in the poor urban neighborhood where he was raised and I responded with a simple acknowledgement of how difficult it must have been to grow up there. Then he surprised me with a question. Did I know anything about Mallorca? Only that it
- [Re-thinking what useful means](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/re-thinking-what-useful-means/) - Sometimes, the obvious distortions in the thinking of a person with mental illness can lead us to examine our own assumptions about the way we live our lives. One of the most hopeless people I know believes that he does not deserve to live because he is useless. He is confined to the hospital because
- [A night with my invisible friend](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/a-night-with-my-invisible-friend/) - When my friend had to bow out of an educational event we had planned to attend together, I thought I would be on my own. I never expected to be sitting with a guy who snuck into the auditorium by registering under my name. He was my younger self and he’s been popping up more
- [Stuck](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/stuck/) - He said he didn’t care what happened to him so he didn’t seem to be bothered that he was still in the custody of the court and confined to the hospital. His indifference was part of his depression and his depression had invaded the very core of his identity. If he had his way, he
- [Smartphone summer](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/smartphone-summer/) - This was the summer of my first smartphone. I wasn’t the last holdout among my friends and family, but I was close. My wife is going for the record of having the oldest flip phone on the face of the planet but she convinced me that it was time for one of us to join
- [Constructing the world together](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/constructing-the-world-together/) - The first time I realized that none of us sees the world in quite the same way I was just a kid riding in the back of the car with my aunt driving and my mother sitting in the passenger seat. In the way of small children before the days of seat belts, bored with
- [Learning new ways to connect](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/learning-new-ways-to-connect/) - With the gift of time that retirement brings and the opportunity to continue doing some clinical work, I am noticing a change in the way I talk with people in and out of the office. It may have something to do with a change in perspective that comes from shedding some of the trappings of
- [What we miss along the way](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-we-miss-along-the-way/) - On a recent trip to Colorado to visit our daughter, I found myself obsessed by the desire to see the Rockies covered with snow. I had a particular view in mind, probably an amalgam of what I had seen in documentaries about climbing Mt. Everest, a scene from the movie, “Lost Horizon” and my ever
- [Pruning our lives](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/pruning-our-lives/) - It is a warm Friday morning in April and my wife is out to an estate sale. If she sees anything interesting, she will buy it or, if it is something big or expensive, she will call me for a second opinion. This is our usual arrangement and it has worked well over the years
- [The next best thing to being there](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-next-best-thing-to-being-there/) - Today there are more ways than ever to stay in touch with family and friends and, as I am discovering, each has its own preferred modes of expression, rules of etiquette, advantages, and risks. For a few days last month, I traded emails with three friends whom I have known for more than 50 years
- [A walk through time and history](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/a-walk-through-time-and-history/) - Sometimes we have to remind ourselves to slow down, especially when we travel. And so my wife and I started the morning with breakfast in a park near our London hotel, relaxing at an outdoor café overlooking an expansive lawn punctuated with beds of autumn flowers. For our main event of the day, we planned
- [One Perfect Life](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/one-perfect-life/) - “There is not a short life or a long life. There is only the life that you have and the life you have is the life you are given, the life you work with. It has its own shape, describes its own arc and is perfect.” This passage, attributed to the ancient Greeks, is easy
- [The surprising life of Sister Mary](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-surprising-life-of-sister-mary/) - At the risk of appearing to be living a cliché of the retired life, I must say that I have been spending more time these days reading obituaries. It could be because I have more time to read the morning paper and the obituaries are printed in the same section as the funnies. I always
- [Irrepressible soul](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/irrepressible-soul/) - In a book group discussing the spirituality of caring for people with dementia, it doesn’t take long before we begin to discuss how dementia affects the personhood of the afflicted. It is a question at once philosophical and practical. What remains when dementia has robbed a person of his memories and his capacity to think
- [Traveling with the eyes of faith](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/traveling-with-the-eyes-of-faith/) - I thought I knew all the benefits of travel but a recent trip to England introduced me to one I had yet to consider, travel as an act of faith. In its theological meaning, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. When I said good-bye to my checked baggage
- [Where have all our heroes gone?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/where-have-all-our-heroes-gone/) - If ever we needed heroes, the time is now. Every day, the morning paper brings news of drastic actions taken by President Trump and widespread public demonstrations of outrage and solidarity with those he maligns or endangers with his policies of exclusion. Building a wall between us and Mexico, closing our borders to refugees and
- [Ask me about my granddoggie](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/ask-me-about-my-granddoggie/) - Some of the nicest people I know have dogs. Either their number is increasing or they are poised in an ever-tightening circle around me until I shall soon hear nothing but their heartwarming stories of canine companionship. The stories are seductive and so are the photos, proudly displayed on smart phones or sent in text
- [Working from home](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/working-from-home/) - Since I retired nearly two years ago, I have been finding more opportunities to work from home and not just in the way the term is usually meant. Unless you see patients in your home office, working from home is not the way clinical psychologists typically do business. Professionals in other fields can always work
- [From the window](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/from-the-window/) - As we stand here watching the birds at our winter feeder, I remember writing about the challenge of keeping the squirrels away nearly 10 years ago. By the time we had run through our repertoire of clever strategies to foil our hungry visitors, I was beginning to doubt that I could ever find a way
- [Back to square one](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/back-to-square-one/) - In a recent Thursday night, my wife and I drove into Harvard Square to hear a talk by Damion Searls, the author of "The Inkblots," a new book about Hermann Rorschach and the test that Searls described as once having been as emblematic of the psychologist as the stethoscope is of the physician. The square
- [Welcoming the stranger](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/welcoming-the-stranger/) - In recent weeks, small signs have been springing up on the lawns of our little town, refreshingly different from the usual appeals to vote for political candidates or issues facing the community. The message in Spanish, English, and Arabic says simply, “No matter where you are from, you’re welcome in our neighborhood.” Anyone can say
- [Not only a game](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/not-only-a-game/) - Of all the things I thought I would be doing after I retired, I never expected that playing an internet game would be one of them. We all know these things can be addictive but I jumped at the chance to play a word game with my son when he introduced me to Words with
- [Dual citizen](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/dual-citizen/) - I have always wanted to be a dual citizen. Don’t get me wrong, the United States is a great place to live and my grandparents went through a lot of trouble so that my parents and I could be born here. Even so, a second passport wouldn’t hurt. The UK or Ireland would be nice,
- [When prayers are not enough](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/when-prayers-are-not-enough/) - There is nothing worse than a mass shooting like the one in Las Vegas last month, except perhaps how easy it is to forget and to go about our lives as if nothing had ever happened. The killing of 59 (including gunman) and wounding of more than 500 of our neighbors gathered to hear a
- [My view of our eclipse summer](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/my-view-of-our-eclipse-summer/) - It was the summer of the great solar eclipse, the first total eclipse of the sun visible in the United States since 1979 and the first to traverse the entire country in more than a century. Here in New England, only about 60 percent of the sun was blocked out by the moon’s shadow. While
- [Letting go of the dark](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/letting-go-of-the-dark/) - Somewhere in the middle of the holiday season, we find ourselves looking for light. It is dark by 4:15 p.m. on December 21, the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year. The earth, tilted 23 degrees on its axis, is tilting away from the sun even though we are as close as we will
- [Paying attention to the music](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/paying-attention-to-the-music/) - Music is all around us but it took a holiday meal at a memory care center to remind me of its power to restore us to ourselves even if only for as long as we pay attention. My wife and I were there for a special dinner served to the strains of familiar tunes like
- [Painting a life](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/painting-a-life/) - As any psychologist will tell you, you can learn a lot by listening and because old habits die hard, I found myself listening as a psychologist to a recent lecture about painting.
- [You know you're getting old when...](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/you-know-youre-getting-old-when/) - We’ve all heard it said that you’re only as old as you think you are, but I’m proud of my age. According to gerontologists, it is threshold of our senior years, the midpoint of a stage of life beginning at 65 called the young old to be followed, if we are lucky, by the old beginning at 75, and the oldest old at 85.
- [Saving our souls](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/saving-our-souls/) - In Roland Merullo’s novel, "In Revere, In Those Days," the narrator eloquently describes his knack for seeing the essence of people that lies hidden beneath their visible presence in the world.
- [Submitted for your approval, a reunion in the Twilight Zone](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/submitted-for-your-approval-a-reunion-in-the-twilight-zone/) - I never suspected that a detour on our way back from Newark airport would take me even farther, not just to my childhood home but, through my memory, to childhood itself. When I arrived I would be drawn to the house of a friend who, at that very moment a thousand miles away, was trying to remember what it looked like.
- [Embracing the fall](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/embracing-the-fall/) - As much as I would like embrace the beauty of autumn with its colorful foliage and bright, clear days, I can never seem to ignore the melancholy chord that this season strikes in my soul and the bittersweet taste of joy diluted by sorrow. This year I might have made it through, gliding into the
- [The power of hard stories](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-power-of-hard-stories/) - Psychologists, like writers, are all about the story. When we listen to our patients telling us about the challenges in their lives, we are listening to their stories and trying to understand how they make sense of their particular situations.
- [The upholstered clock](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-upholstered-clock/) - “Will you miss it?” I asked my wife as we stood at opposite ends of the couch in the middle of the floor, aimed at the sliding doors of our family room. “Miss what?” she replied. “Me neither,” I answered. And so, one day after the Salvation Army rejected our offer because of some fraying
- [What’s in a name?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/whats-in-a-name/) - You’re sitting in your doctor’s waiting room when the receptionist calls the name of the next patient. No one responds, she calls the name again, and prompted by curiosity, you look up from your magazine to meet her puzzled gaze. She repeats the name, this time adding the surname, and you wonder why she is
- [Another chance to get it right](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/another-chance-to-get-it-right/) - As much as anything, fall offers us another chance to get it right and another chance to think about what that really means. In this time of endings and beginnings, we put the garden to bed for the winter, gather up and dispose of summer’s answer to springtime’s promise, and once again prepare the earth
- [Home for the holidays](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/home-for-the-holidays/) - In exile, the heart longs for home. You can hear the longing in the voice of the man from the other side of the world, who has been stuck in the hospital for a decade through a combination of mental illness and legal problems. He recalls his childhood in a rural village and the spring
- [Introduction to Psychology](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/introduction-to-psychology/) - Some things grab hold of us and never let go. Of all the things that might have had this effect on me, I would have never predicted that one of them would be my first psychology textbook, Introduction to Psychology by Clifford T. Morgan and Richard A. King. I kept the book for years, rarely
- [Playing the waiting game](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/playing-the-waiting-game/) - In the depths of winter and longing for spring, I am finding reminders everywhere of how much our lives are consumed by waiting. In the hospital, patients wait to be examined, to be found competent to stand trial, not criminally responsible for the actions that led to their confinement, for the voices to stop, to
- [Why we walk](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/why-we-walk/) - When he was finally given permission to walk outside of the locked areas of the hospital with staff supervision, the man wasted no time in arranging opportunities to walk with his psychiatrist, to work in the hospital greenhouse, and to spend some of his weekly therapy hour with me in the open air. There is
- [Looking both ways](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/looking-both-ways/) - Looking forward to my 50th college reunion this month and backward to what I learned during those four years, I am surprised by the power of a teacher’s words to strike a responsive chord that has been vibrating in my life through the passing decades. So, come with me to the leafy campus of suburban
- [What I imagined in the psychology aisle](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-i-imagined-in-the-psychology-aisle/) - About once every decade, I go down to my local bookstore to scan the shelves in the psychology aisle and simply let the titles speak to me. These rare excursions are not meant for shopping or browsing. As a book store junkie, I shop and browse often enough, but scanning and waiting for an insight
- [How traveling the inner state highway works](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/how-traveling-the-inner-state-highway-works/) - When it comes to wisdom and humor both, there is nothing like the comics in the daily paper. Given the content of the news these days, we need wisdom and humor more than ever. In a recent edition of The Boston Globe, Hilary Price’s strip, “Rhymes with Orange, ”featured a worried looking driver reading a
- [What astronomy offers psychology](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-astronomy-offers-psychology/) - It had been a long time since I took the telescope out onto the front lawn for a spell of stargazing, just over a year according to the calendar built into the electronic guidance system of my small glass. Time gets away, new concerns take precedence, and the town installs brighter streetlamps. The stars fade.
- [The magic of found objects](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-magic-of-found-objects/) - There are few things better able to stimulate the imagination than finding an interesting, unknown object. The first time I had this experience I was a boy playing in the vacant lot at the corner of our block. The block was really a triangle, with the town hall and World War II honor roll near
- [Navigating layers of change](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/navigating-layers-of-change/) - One day last fall, my colleague Martin asked if I had seen what had become of the hospital where we used to work. Martin is the hospital’s memory, and his passion for history and the natural world makes him someone I take very seriously. So, when he told me that they had turned the place
- [Living in three worlds](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/living-in-three-worlds/) - The man is smiling now, released from the grip of the terrible depression that brought him to the hospital so many years ago. He smiles often as he anticipates his next trip to a restaurant in the city with his social worker. Movement from the locked hospital setting to the community is slow. Evaluations for
- [Discovering What Matters Most](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/discovering-what-matters-most/) - After almost three months into the Coronavirus lockdown in Massachusetts, we are cataloguing our losses and discovering new sources of vitality. So many things that we took for granted have changed or simply disappeared. This is true of our daily routines and of the larger societal rituals that sustained us in ways we may have
- [Bookmarking a life](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/bookmarking-a-life/) - When I was a young psychologist just starting my second job, someone gave me an office and a title that were bigger than I needed, and like hand-me-down clothes, both gave me room to grow. They called me the chief psychologist and director of training, but I was just a kid. In equal parts scared
- [A good day out](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/a-good-day-out/) - One of our favorite ways to relieve the boredom of pandemic isolation is to take a drive. Most days, almost anywhere will do. A trip to the grocery store or a run to the town dump with our trash, recyclables, and yard waste neatly sorted makes for a satisfying change of scenery, but for a
- [Running on comet time](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/running-on-comet-time/) - There’s nothing like the appearance of a bright comet to remind us that beautiful surprises are always possible no matter what else is happening in the world. I had seen four of these celestial visitors over the years, Comets West, Halley, Hyakutake, and Hale-Bopp, and this summer of the corona virus brought the fifth, Comet
- [Learning from life’s important places](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/learning-from-lifes-important-places/) - The places where we live, work, or simply pass through on our life’s journey become part of who we are. Crucibles of growth and backdrops of memory, they are always with us, long after we have moved on to yet another place. The important places remain to instruct, entertain, and inspire confidence that, in a
- [The way we live now](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-way-we-live-now/) - The dump or recycling center has long been a hub of social and civic engagement in the town where I have lived for the past 42 years. Recycling bins for every kind of material earn the town hundreds of thousands of dollars every year, and candidates for public office are often on hand to woo
- [Giving thanks for the joy of a perfect morning](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/giving-thanks-for-the-joy-of-a-perfect-morning/) - Sometimes in the morning when I have the house to myself, I leave it behind and set out for a walk in the woods. It’s a short drive to a wide dusty space just off the road where a trail leads through the pines and curves around the lakeshore to a solitary picnic table. In
- [What we learned from 2020](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-we-learned-from-2020/) - It is January again and time to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with hope for better days ahead. We do this every year, and no matter what has gone before, we hope that something better is waiting just out of sight on the second or third page of our
- [Dear Mister President](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/dear-mister-president/) - Dear President Biden: First of all, let me congratulate you on your inauguration as our nation’s 46th president. Eighty-one million of your fellow citizens expressed their solidarity with you on election day. That leaves 74 million voters on the other side of what has become a great divide in American politics and culture. Your goal
- [Dispatch from the COVID-19 vaccine scheduling front](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/dispatch-from-the-covid-19-vaccine-scheduling-front/) - Dateline: February 25, 2021, the little room at the top of the stairs. The little room at the top of the stairs is quiet now. The extra chair where my wife sat with her Ipad is back in the bedroom where it belongs, our insurance cards are tucked safely into our wallets, and my Twitter
- [Adventures in senior yoga](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/adventures-in-senior-yoga/) - Ask any retired person and they will tell you that one of the best things about not reporting for work every day is the freedom to set your own schedule and finally get around to doing some of the things that you’ve always wanted to try. For me, one of those things was yoga. You
- [What I learned on the Mount Misery Trail](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/what-i-learned-on-the-mount-misery-trail/) - It was one of those perfect winter days, cold and clear with the bluest of blue skies above six inches of blindingly white snow that blanketed the frozen pond, the trail through the pines and the meadow below. The trail skirted the base of a small hill, Mount Misery, which gives its name to this
- [People tell me stories](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/people-tell-me-stories/) - People tell me stories. It’s not that I ask them to, they just do. Now this made sense when I was practicing psychology and people would come into the office for 50 minutes and pour their hearts out or spin fantasies that they thought would protect them from talking about what really mattered. But now,
- [Reading our life in common](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/reading-our-life-in-common/) - There is nothing like the take-and-leave bookshelves at the local recycling center to remind us of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re headed. I have been visiting the take-and-leave shelves for decades, unloading books I’ve read or that I’ve finally admitted I never will and picking up what looks like it might
- [When worlds connect](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/when-worlds-connect/) - Turn right at the end of my driveway and walk up a gentle hill, and you will come to a path leading to a bridge overarching a brook that runs through a swath of wetlands. When you reach that bridge, you are standing at the intersection of two worlds – the everyday world of human
- [How many photos do we really need?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/how-many-photos-do-we-really-need/) - I’m getting to know the folks at Apple pretty well, from the greeters with their iPads at the front of their mall store, the geniuses at the big table up front, to the good people on the telephone support line to which I have been given the triple-secret direct number. Actually, it’s not a secret
- [Raking leaves again](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/raking-leaves-again/) - The yard is clean and smooth again waiting for nature’s hand to paint the first coat of winter white. The air is crisp and still. As I take in the scene from the window, I find it hard to believe that it has been 25 years since I wrote my last column about my personal
- [Amazing Grace](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/amazing-grace/) - Where would we be without grace? This is not the kind of question you would expect to find in a psychology publication, but that, I believe, is a blind spot in the view many psychologists take on the human condition. We are more accustomed to seeing discussions of grace in religious literature or singing about
- [When memory fails](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/when-memory-fails/) - Before I retired almost seven years ago, a friend who had already left the nine to five daily routine told me that one nice thing about retirement is that you have more time to schedule your doctors’ appointments. I was tempted to ask what doctors’ appointments but restrained myself because I didn’t want to appear
- [Love letters from London](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/love-letters-from-london/) - Tucked between the pages of a thin, spiral notebook with a plain brown cover, I keep two letters that came to me from London in the summer of 1970 after my first year of graduate studies in psychology. In the small, cluttered room where I write at the top of the stairs, I know exactly
- [My life in the library](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/my-life-in-the-library/) - When I retired from my hospital position nearly seven years ago, I moved my office to the public library. It was an easy move – no furniture to rearrange at home or haul across town to a new building, no rent to pay and a short commute for the pleasure of getting out of the
- [Cleaning the closet of doubt](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/cleaning-the-closet-of-doubt/) - Now that I can see the top of my desk again, it’s good to get back to the keyboard and set down in writing some thoughts about the everyday life of a retired psychologist. In case you’re wondering about the hidden desktop, it had been covered until recently by stuff that I’ve been cleaning out
- [COVID-19: What might this be?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/covid-19-what-might-this-be/) - All you need for a good projective test is an ambiguous stimulus and a simple question, “What might this be?” If this sounds like the Rorschach, then you’re either an old-school psychologist like me or a student of the history of psychology. Like the Rorschach, most projective tests use visual stimuli to draw the subject’s
- [Surreal Alaska](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/surreal-alaska/) - The world is on the move again. With COVID under better control and most people just tired of being confined, airports are crowded, flights are delayed and cruise ships are taking to the open seas. And so it was that my wife and I set out on our pandemic postponed cruise to Alaska, a rite
- [Professor Joseph Gone explores ways psychology can better serve American Indian communities](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/professor-joseph-gone-explores-ways-psychology-can-better-serve-american-indian-communities/) - Is psychology failing this country's commitment to Native Americans? The United States has signed many treaties with American Indian nations over the years (many of which it then broke.) As a result, the federal government provides health services, including mental health care, for members of federally-recognized Indian tribes. In looking at outcomes with indigenous populations,
- [Suicide prevention hotline launched across nation](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/suicide-prevention-hotline-launched-across-nation/) - On July 16, the 988, the new three-digit national suicide prevention hotline launched in New England and across the nation. With mental health crises becoming increasingly prevalent, initiatives like the 988 can be invaluable to individuals and families in need of support. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide was the 12th
- [Practical Practice: Toward better models for mental health treatment](https://www.nepsy.com/practical-practice/practical-practice-toward-better-models-for-mental-health-treatment/) - I recently came across a job posting with an ambitious mission statement that included the goal of creating a “rockstar psychologist thinktank.” The company seeks “gifted, dedicated, wholehearted, crafty, Jedi psychologists.” While being a rockstar would seem just a trifle incongruent with the role of a psychologist, the posting reflects the need to stand out
- [ARPA funds giving seniors a boost in Connecticut](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/arpa-funds-giving-seniors-a-boost-in-connecticut/) - The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was put into law in March 2021 with $350 billion allocated to aid public health, economic, and community programs. Of that $350 billion, Connecticut received $2.6 billion. The state has put several programs in action, including ones that target the mental health of seniors. For example, in New London,
- [Good customer service benefits patients and practitioner](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/good-customer-service-benefits-patients-and-practitioner/) - The term "customer service" brings to mind smiling hotel clerks welcoming guests, or a helpful sales associate offering to "grab you a different size" to try on. It's not a term often used when discussing a healthy psychological practice. Instead, we hear recommendations on how to "grow your practice" or how to "cultivate referral resources."
- [To open or not: Clinicians face plethora of challenges in wake of pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/to-open-or-not-clinicians-face-plethora-of-challenges-in-wake-of-pandemic/) - Eighteen months in, the pandemic we once believed would be over in a few weeks or months at the most, continues to impact our daily work and personal lives. And, with the rise of the Delta variant, there is no clear end in sight. What does this mean for the therapist who would like to
- [Choosing a specialty can be challenging decision](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/choosing-a-specialty-can-be-challenging-decision/) - If you ask 100 psychologists how they chose what they do, the specialty or the setting, you will get 100 different answers. Many will say they chose to follow an interest from early educational experiences. Some may say they followed a mentor's footsteps. Still others will say it was a bit more serendipitous with fate
- [Is it a psychologist’s job to address false beliefs?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/is-it-a-psychologists-job-to-address-false-beliefs/) - With the massive amount of disinformation floating around, from political to medical, most therapists will come face-to-face with questionable beliefs spouted by patients. One client may insist that COVID is no more serious than the flu and the reports of the dead are grossly inflated. Another may claim that the vaccines are not safe, not
- [Child psychology emerges as top concentration](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/child-psychology-emerges-as-top-concentration/) - Forensic and neuropsychology are other popular choices Even before the pandemic, there were reports of a shortage of mental health professionals across the country. The shortages hit hardest in rural and low-income areas and for minorities, children, adolescents, and seniors. The pandemic has only exacerbated that need. Therapists have reported turning away new clients amid
- [Dealing with ongoing stress](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/dealing-with-ongoing-stress/) - How psychologists can help patients and themselves Remember the week everything shut down? As we approach the two-year anniversary of the designation of COVID-19 as a global pandemic, there are still so many unknowns, things to worry about. Is the Omicron variant fading away? Will another variant rise to take its place? As we have
- [How can psychologists find their niche?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/how-can-psychologists-find-their-niche/) - The American Psychological Association has 53 divisions representing various subfields of psychology yet there are still far more specific areas in which to specialize. Whether just starting out or looking to expand or make a career change, finding a niche within psychology can feel overwhelming. How does one decide what path to choose? Beyond the
- [Psychologists provide advice on how to talk to kids about war](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/psychologists-provide-advice-on-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-war/) - In a media-saturated world, it can be difficult to shield children from the most traumatic information. With a war raging in Ukraine and updates on the nightly news, parents face the challenge of helping children cope with an onslaught of information and commentary. The first question a parent may ask their therapist is whether to
- [Mental health in schools subject of new bills](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/mental-health-in-schools-subject-of-new-bills/) - In the last year, students nationwide have struggled to adjust to the return to classrooms while navigating the enduring stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of mental health-related emergency hospital visits increased by 31 percent among kids ages 12-17 compared to 2019.
- [Practitioners declare state of emergency in Rhode Island](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/practitioners-declare-state-of-emergency-in-rhode-island/) - Psychiatrists and pediatricians in Rhode Island have declared a state of emergency regarding the mental health of children and adolescents. The Rhode Island Council for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (RICCAP) and the Rhode Island chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (RIAAP) issued the declaration, with the support of Hasbro Children’s Hospital and Bradley Hospital.
- [Schizophrenia: What's in a name?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/schizophrenia-whats-in-a-name/) - For schizophrenia, quite a bit Should schizophrenia undergo a name change? For many, the answer is yes in order to destigmatize the term. A Schizophrenia Research article published in December 2021 surveyed what authors called a “broad array” of clinicians, researchers, government officials, those living with the mental illness, family members, and the general public. Their
- [Connecticut legislates bills to address children’s mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/connecticut-legislates-bills-to-address-childrens-mental-health/) - Two years into a pandemic and mental health issues have been on the rise, particularly with children and adolescents. The CDC has stated that suicide is the second leading cause of death among children between ages 10 and 14 and the organization has voiced concerns about how the pandemic has affected children’s mental health. Unfortunately,
- [Returning to pre-pandemic life presents many challenges](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/returning-to-pre-pandemic-life-presents-many-challenges/) - A switch flipped last year when, quite suddenly, nearly everything stopped. For most of us, our daily lives turned upside down. We took a huge step back, didn't leave our homes, moved online for work and school, and were forced to find other ways to entertain ourselves. Looking back, it seems shocking how quickly the
- [Studies show mask wearers believe in science](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/studies-show-mask-wearers-believe-in-science/) - Mask on or mask off? That depends on your trust in science, according to a study first published online in February. Doctoral students Morgan Stosic and Shelby Helwig and Assistant Psychology Professor Mollie Ruben, Ph.D., from the University of Maine set out to determine three things: the greater the belief in science, the greater the
- [U.S. workers not so keen on heading back to the office](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/u-s-workers-not-so-keen-on-heading-back-to-the-office/) - Slowly, a glimmer of what life was like before the pandemic is starting to emerge. Mask mandates are being lifted, there is more relaxed social distancing, and people are returning to the office. But not everyone is eager to resume their lengthy commute only to stare at the inside of a cubical again. In a
- [Kids Count Factbook highlights how families had it tough during pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/kids-count-factbook-highlights-how-families-had-it-tough-during-pandemic/) - Rhode Island’s children and their families have had a rough year, according to the annual Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook released in May. Kids Count is a non-profit child advocacy group that examined 70 indicators in five areas that affect the lives of children. They are broken down into family and community; economic well-being; health;
- [Massachusetts legislators address law enforcement mental health issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/massachusetts-legislators-address-law-enforcement-mental-health-issues/) - Almost every occupation carries some degree of risk to physical and mental health. But for those in law enforcement, the chances of suffering from both are significantly higher. A 2020 survey of 1,355 active-duty law enforcement officers revealed that between seven and 35 percent suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is nine to 10
- [Community Impact Survey reveals high levels of poor mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/community-impact-survey-reveals-high-levels-of-poor-mental-health/) - In 2019, the Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey found that 11 percent of respondents reported poor mental health. More recently, the Department of Public Health (DPH) conducted the COVID-19 Community Impact Survey (CCIS); the findings of this survey revealed poor mental health rates three times higher than the 2019 survey. The survey was
- [Hallucinogenic agents: pros and cons of psychedelic therapy](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/hallucinogenic-agents-pros-and-cons-of-psychedelic-therapy/) - As a young man, Rick Barnett sought to “find himself” through psychedelic drugs. His journey began as exploration but in time became problematic. However, during this experimental stage, Barnett, Psy.D, LADC, MS clinical psychopharmacology in Stowe, Vermont, discovered that hallucinogenic substances “had the potential to change people’s minds and perceptions.” Some 25 years later, Barnett
- [Guiding patients in self-care is key](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/guiding-patients-in-self-care-is-key/) - There has been a lot of talk about self-care this past year. Do a search and you will find multiple articles on how therapists need to care for themselves in order to care for others. But where does teaching self-care fit in? For David Meyer, Ph.D, clinical director and owner of Health Psych Maine, who
- [Psychologist’s training program may impact police reform](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologists-training-program-may-impact-police-reform/) - Just over a year ago, the world paused in stunned horror when a video surfaced of the murder of George Floyd, suffocated while pinned under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer who has since been found guilty of murder. The country erupted in anti-police brutality protests and calls went out for systemic change within
- [Teens’ investment in selfies linked to symptoms of depression](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/teens-investment-in-selfies-linked-to-symptoms-of-depression/) - While many parents worry their teens post too many selfies on social media, a new study says the frequency of sharing these photos is less important than how invested the teens are in how the selfies look and whether the selfies got positive feedback from followers. “I feel like the narrative around posting selfies is
- [MHA reports on state of mental health in America](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mha-reports-on-state-of-mental-health-in-america/) - Since 2014, Mental Health America (MHA) has collected and published data related to the status of mental health in this country. Theresa Nguyen, LCSW, chief program officer at MHA, explained that the data released, which generally has a two-year lag time, comes from federal sources, specifically the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the
- [Connecticut providers face escalating insurance concerns](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/connecticut-providers-face-escalating-insurance-concerns/) - Mental health providers have long experienced issues with reimbursement from insurers. But in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, these challenges have dramatically increased. According to Jennifer M. Doran, Ph.D, president, Connecticut Psychological Association, the issues with insurance are precipitating “an escalating mental health crisis.” Several problematic areas have prompted an onslaught of daily emails
- [Headlines at the Olympics bring mental health issues to the forefront](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/headlines-at-the-olympics-bring-mental-health-issues-to-the-forefront/) - "Put mental health first because if you don't then you're not going to enjoy your sport and you're not going to succeed as much as you want to. So, it's okay sometimes to sit out the big competitions to focus on yourself. It shows how strong a person and competitor you really are, rather than
- [Clinical and Support Options: A front door to open access care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/clinical-and-support-options-a-front-door-to-open-access-care/) - In 1955, 22 citizens formed the Franklin County Mental Health Association to address the mental health needs of people, particularly children, living in the western part of the state. Today, the organization is known as Clinical and Support Options (CSO) and offers much broader services to children and families in Western Massachusetts and the North
- [Workforce shortage escalates to crisis point](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/workforce-shortage-escalates-to-crisis-point/) - The workforce shortage in mental health, already a concern before 2020, has gotten worse during the pandemic and, in many areas of the country, is at a crisis point right now. A study done by the APA in November of last year found that nearly a third of psychologists were seeing more patients and 30
- [Could major change be coming to how the United States addresses mental health care?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/could-major-change-be-coming-to-how-the-united-states-addresses-mental-health-care/) - If New Hampshire Rep. Annie Kuster, along with a bipartisan group of 144 U.S. House lawmakers have their way, major changes could be coming to how the U.S. addresses mental health care. The Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force, co-chaired by Kuster, released a 48-page blueprint in September with an aspirational 66 bills and
- [Look at immediate environment when helping adolescents cope in changing world](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/look-at-immediate-environment-when-helping-adolescents-cope-in-changing-world/) - Coming of age is difficult enough. For today's teens and adolescents, not having the life experience an adult may have to provide perspective, the fear, anger, uncertainty, and all-around negativity flooding our world can be overwhelming. According to a recent Washington Post / Ipsos poll of Americans aged 14-18, more than half said this is
- [Standardized autism spectrum disorder standards created](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/standardized-autism-spectrum-disorder-standards-created/) - To date, no industry standards, selection and measuring tools for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have existed. However, discussions regarding the creation of such standards began in spring 2020, and summer 2021 marked the rollout of the standard set. Ivy Chong, Ph.D, BCBA-D, MBA, chaired the working group that developed the Autism Spectrum Disorder Standard Set
- [COVID-19 has impact on staffing, long-term effects on patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/covid-19-has-impact-on-staffing-long-term-effects-on-patients/) - The fear of getting infected with COVID-19 kept many people at home—no trips to the hospital or clinics or even doctor’s offices in many cases. But that doesn’t mean those would-be patients didn’t need help. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) last year, mental health issues, substance abuse, and suicidal
- [Pandemic-related teacher shortage triggers academic changes](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/pandemic-related-teacher-shortage-triggers-academic-changes/) - The Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS) conducted a staffing survey in 2021 and found that 76 percent of schools are operating at a significant staffing deficit; from 10 to 50 percent of positions are vacant. Staffing at 70 percent of schools are close to or have already reached levels that could impact
- [Additional school year legislation filed in wake of pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/additional-school-year-legislation-filed-in-wake-of-pandemic/) - Interruptions in schooling can result in academic setbacks for students. For some students with disabilities, the COVID-19 related stoppage has been devastating. In an effort to ameliorate the situation, Edward F. Coppinger (D-10th Suffolk District) filed legislation to provide an additional year of education for students negatively impacted by the pandemic. Coppinger’s proposed bill would
- [Managing tech/life balance can be challenging for children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/managing-tech-life-balance-can-be-challenging-for-children/) - Technology, the internet specifically, has drastically changed the way we live our lives. From instant access to data, to 24/7 contact, to real-time traffic flow, many of us live simultaneously in both the real and virtual worlds. For younger people, who have never known a world without social media, YouTube or TikTok, the virtual and
- [Study on Connecticut school-based health centers on pause](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-on-connecticut-school-based-health-centers-on-pause/) - Social isolation. Remote learning. Job loss. Sickness and death of family members. These are just a few examples of how the pandemic has affected children. Now more than ever, kids need mental health treatment and Connecticut-based schools are trying their best to help them. School-based Health Centers (SBHCs) have existed in the state since 1981,
- [PSYPACT: Licensing compact facilitates continuity of care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/psypact-licensing-compact-facilitates-continuity-of-care/) - In 2011, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPBB) formed a tele-practice task force to examine the formation of an interstate licensing compact that would grant licensed psychologists reciprocal privileges in other states that belong to the compact. The PSYPACT compact creates a regulatory framework for psychologists who practice telehealth, according to PSYPACT
- [Psychologist shortage: Demand exceeds supply](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologist-shortage-demand-exceeds-supply/) - A July 2020 Health Tracking Poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that four in 10 adults reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, up from one in 10 from January to June 2019. The increase in these symptoms is leading to an increased demand for behavioral health care. A 2021 American Psychological Association
- [Mass. governor aims healthcare bill at mental health parity, lower costs](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-governor-aims-healthcare-bill-at-mental-health-parity-lower-costs/) - Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts has proposed a systemic health care reform bill designed to target three major areas: prioritizing primary and behavioral health care; managing factors that increase costs for families, including prescription drug pricing; and improving access to high quality care. While much of the legislation was originally introduced in 2019, passing it
- [Psychologist wins landmark ruling in equal pay case](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologist-wins-landmark-ruling-in-equal-pay-case/) - Clare Mundell, Ph.D, did not realize that she would be instigating a landmark court ruling on a 73-year-old law when she brought charges against her employer for equal pay violations. Working as a pool psychologist for Northern Light Acadia Hospital in Bangor, Maine, Mundell had exhausted the administrative channels available to her and decided to
- [Peace and social justice wedded to diversity, equity, and inclusion](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/peace-and-social-justice-wedded-to-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/) - Peace, social justice, and diversity, equity, and inclusion are all intricately connected. In a society wracked by racism, violence, prejudice, and political upheaval, these traits are sorely lacking, although there are stringent efforts underway to resolve conflict. Psychology classes at Clark University in Worcester, Mass. although not strictly called peace psychology, address social justice issues
- [NH has new procedure for involuntary emergency admissions](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/nh-has-new-procedure-for-involuntary-emergency-admissions/) - Emergency department boarding has been a long-term problem in hospitals. It first started with a shortage of beds when psychiatric hospitals were shut down. And now, particularly after two years of a pandemic, there’s a shortage of staff. Units can’t be opened because there’s no one to cover. In an already chaotic environment with nowhere
- [Do you have a duty to warn? It may depend on where you live.](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/do-you-have-a-duty-to-warn-it-may-depend-on-where-you-live/) - What is the duty to warn and what does that mean for healthcare providers? There are specific legal cases that lay it out. In the 1976 landmark case of Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, a court found that a psychologist should have warned his patient’s girlfriend after his patient told the psychologist
- [Psychologist focuses on tackling climate change](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologist-focuses-on-tackling-climate-change/) - Most Americans agree that climate change is happening. We are facing the preliminary droughts, forest fires, flooding and storms that are likely to continue to increase in severity if we don't join to slow the rise in temperature. So, why is it so easy to ignore, to nod or shake our heads and go about
- [Trauma-informed schools filling a need](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/trauma-informed-schools-filling-a-need/) - The pandemic has brought to light several important social issues, including the need to address trauma in children. To that end, some schools are incorporating trauma-informed care into their curricula. Jill Brewer, MEd, serves as educational administrator at the Springdale Education Center in Chicopee, Massachusetts, a program under the Positive Regard Network (PRN) umbrella. PRN
- [Non-profit aids immigrants with evaluations, counseling](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/non-profit-aids-immigrants-with-evaluations-counseling/) - Looking for a new way of life, thousands of people travel each year to the United States hoping to become American citizens. Yet, escaping what they left behind, war, torture, famine and poverty, is only the first step in carving out a new future. Often, the trauma of what they experienced leaves scars both physically
- [Do psychologists have unique role in helping country heal?](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/do-psychologists-have-unique-role-in-helping-country-heal/) - With the near-universal hardships and losses of the pandemic that have affected us all in some way, Americans are feeling stress and anxiety across the board. Yet, rather than reach out and support each other, some are losing their ability to come together because of political and social differences. These issues have destroyed friendships and
- [MPA president strives to increase diversity in membership](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/mpa-president-strives-to-increase-diversity-in-membership/) - Under the leadership of current president Martin Pierre, Ph.D, the Massachusetts Psychological Association has taken major strides towards its goal of being more open and inclusive and becoming a force for anti-racism within the field. As the first Black man to lead the group in its 81 years of existence, Pierre’s work during his tenure
- [Psychologist focuses on treating adversity in children](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologist-focuses-on-treating-adversity-in-children/) - The first years of a person's life form the foundation for everything to follow. Those years of early childhood development can set the stage for later mental health and well-being or, unfortunately, the opposite. For clinical psychologist Jenessa Deleault Psy.D., working with children is more than a career, it is a calling, one that spoke
- [Walker Schools’ President Gene Takahashi living his career goal](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/walker-schools-president-gene-takahashi-living-his-career-goal/) - During this past spring, when schools were shuttered for months only recently to re-open, residential schools working with the neediest of children did not have that luxury. For programs like the Massachusetts-based Walker schools in Watertown and Needham, providing a safe, supportive academic environment was not something they could put on hold. Working with children
- [$5 million grant to expand mental health services at Wheeler clinics](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/5-million-grant-to-expand-mental-health-services-at-wheeler-clinics/) - The pandemic has had a profound effect on mental health. To help address some of that impact, Wheeler, which provides mental health services to children and adults at five clinics in Connecticut, has received a two-year $5 million grant to expand its services. The non-profit organization, which provides mental health services at its clinics in
- [Mental Health Courts: A 'humane mechanism' for people with mental illness](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mental-health-courts-a-humane-mechanism-for-people-with-mental-illness/) - In the late 1980s, Janet Reno, then state attorney for Miami Dade County, Florida, founded the first drug court to address the underlying issues that repeatedly brought individuals into the criminal justice system. That model led to the creation of mental health courts, which aim to support, assist and encourage offenders with mental illness and
- [State of Mental Health in America report highlights trends about access, disparity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/state-of-mental-health-in-america-report-highlights-trends-about-access-disparity/) - Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, more than half of the adults with mental illness (27 million) and 60 percent of children with major depression did not receive the treatment they need. In addition, even in states with the greatest access to health care, nearly one in three are not getting it. These statistics are
- [For healthcare professionals, malpractice is down as other issues rise](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/for-healthcare-professionals-malpractice-is-down-as-other-issues-rise/) - The healthcare field covers a broad range of professionals—from psychologists to emergency room doctors to nursing home staff and everything in between. But the legal problems they face are often the same. Malpractice suits are consistently one of the top issues along with licensing problems. However, the pandemic has brought about some changes, according to
- [Hampstead Hospital acquisition to enhance state’s mental health system](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/hampstead-hospital-acquisition-to-enhance-states-mental-health-system/) - No plans in place to expand footprint Mental health care in New Hampshire has had some major issues. Between long stays in emergency rooms waiting for a psychiatric bed to the second highest rate of opioid deaths in the country to accusations of inadequate funding for community-based services, the state has seen its once highly
- [Telehealth coverage rolls back across United States](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/telehealth-coverage-rolls-back-across-united-states/) - New England tries to hang on If there was an upside to the pandemic, it was telehealth. For many patients, particularly those with mental health issues, telehealth was both convenient and necessary. Unfortunately, now that insurance coverage is increasingly rolling back, patients and clinicians are feeling concerned. For example, Virginia announced late last year that
- [Vermont aims to 'stop the bleeding'](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-aims-to-stop-the-bleeding/) - Vermont is experiencing a serious staffing shortage, according to January data, which showed a 58.8 percent staffing vacancy rate, an increase from pre-pandemic times. To ameliorate the situation, Human Services Secretary Mike Smith allocated $2 million in emergency funds for retention bonuses and other financial incentives. Alison Krompf, deputy commissioner of the Vermont Department of
- [Training gives police and first responders tools to deal with people with mental illness](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/training-gives-police-and-first-responders-tools-to-deal-with-people-with-mental-illness/) - New Hampshire has seen more than its share of officer-related shootings. In December, the Concord Monitor reported the results of an analysis on police shootings over the past decade where they found that more than 60 percent of those killed had "clear indicators of mental illness." In the last two years, every police shooting involved New Hampshire has seen more than its share of officer-related shootings. In December, the Concord Monitor reported the results of an analysis on police shootings over the past decade where they found that more than 60 percent of those killed had "clear indicators of mental illness." In the last two years, every police shooting involved
- [Research: Borderline personality disorder and eating disorders associated with suicide risk?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/research-borderline-personality-disorder-and-eating-disorders-associated-with-suicide-risk/) - Suicide and suicide attempts are on the rise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide rates rose by 33 percent between 1999 and 2019. It is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. and affects people of all ages. The highest rates often occur in American Indian/Alaska Native and non-Hispanic
- [Surviving COVID-19: Residential schools find ways to weather the pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/surviving-covid-19-residential-schools-find-ways-to-weather-the-pandemic/) - When life came to a virtual halt in March 2020, thanks to COVID-19, residential schools faced daunting challenges that required quick action, creative thinking, and fortitude. According to Elizabeth D.R. Becker, Esq., executive director, Massachusetts Association of Approved Special Education Schools (MAAPS), the virus was the “hardest thing we have faced.” She pointed out that
- [Trauma-based theater impacts kids at risk](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/trauma-based-theater-impacts-kids-at-risk/) - Sports, art, dance—these kinds of activities have always been enriching for school-aged children. But for some kids, theater is their best bet and there’s data to back that up. A research article published in the “Journal of Thinking Skills and Creativity” in March 2020 pinpointed the benefits of improvisational theater as a psychosocial and emotional
- [Spurwink’s ShifaME helps refugees, immigrants through mental health care, education](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/spurwinks-shifame-helps-refugees-immigrants-through-mental-health-care-education/) - Editor’s note: three years ago, New England Psychologist featured a story about Spurwink Services in Maine implementing the SHifaME program, based on Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees (TST-R) model from Boston Children’s Hospital. In the program, mental health clinicians work with `cultural brokers’ who provide assistance in bridging the gaps in language, culture, and health
- [Transition programs help young adults become self-reliant](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/transition-programs-help-young-adults-become-self-reliant/) - As any parent knows, sending your nearly-adult child out into the world, whether to college, the military, or the working world, is bittersweet. While mourning the passage of time and saying goodbye to their daily presence can be difficult, there is also a sense of pride in watching your child square his or her shoulders
- [Helping clients uncover emotional intelligence is key to therapist's work](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/helping-clients-uncover-emotional-intelligence-is-key-to-therapists-work/) - At the base of everything that a therapist does, helping patients to reach a level of emotional balance is key. There may be many modalities used in the therapy room, from CBT to psychodynamic therapy, but the bottom line is to help clients get there. Since it first was defined in the 1990s, the concept
- [Drama therapy: Creating meaningful change for those in recovery](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/drama-therapy-creating-meaningful-change-for-those-in-recovery/) - Since the sixth century BC, drama has been a prime source of entertainment as well as an effective vehicle for developing social, communication, and language skills. Dramatic play has also been found to relieve emotional tension and stress. The UMass MIND program, a community outreach program of the Psychotic Disorders Program, has recently begun using
- [NH mobile crisis teams face staffing challenges](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/nh-mobile-crisis-teams-face-staffing-challenges/) - New Hampshire’s 10 community mental health centers have the funding to operate mobile crisis teams. That’s the good news. The bad news? They don’t have enough staff to offer the in-person support Without the mobile services available, patients in a mental health crisis will most likely end up in already overwhelmed emergency rooms. Or they
- [Clinician helps others work through employment, pandemic burnout](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/clinician-helps-others-work-through-employment-pandemic-burnout/) - After 18 months of a fever pitch of stress and anxiety, it is no wonder that people are feeling burnt out. Having our worlds upended, with forced time to reflect, has left a lot of us questioning what we are doing and wondering if our lives meet our values. In a March study done by
- [Industrial-occupational psychology is fastest growing field](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/industrial-occupational-psychology-is-fastest-growing-field/) - The Occupational Outlook Handbook, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), predicts that industrial-occupational (I-O) psychology will be one of the fastest growing psychology fields between 2018 and 2028. Practitioners pointed out that I-O psychology will become increasingly important as the business landscape evolves, requiring companies to find more effective and efficient ways to
- [Rhode Island introduces harm reduction centers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/rhode-island-introduces-harm-reduction-centers/) - Rhode Island is the first state in the U.S. to enact a law designated for harm reduction centers. Effective March 2022, these centers, also known as overdose prevention sites or supervised injection facilities, will integrate people suffering from substance abuse disorder with the physical and behavioral healthcare they need. The legislation was introduced by Majority
- [Research: Financial incentives may help prompt vaccinations](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-financial-incentives-may-help-prompt-vaccinations/) - Cold hard cash may be one way to get those people who still have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to get their shots. That was the takeaway from a team of researchers at the University of Vermont, who say in a new paper that incentives have worked for other health conditions, so it makes sense
- [Massachusetts agencies update protocols to alleviate ED boarding in hospitals](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/massachusetts-agencies-update-protocols-to-alleviate-ed-boarding-in-hospitals/) - Too often, patients with behavioral health or substance abuse issues have no choice but to head to the Emergency Department (ED). Once there, they can wait for hours, days, and sometimes weeks before a bed is available. Commonly known as “ED boarding,” it’s a situation the pandemic only made worse. At the end of June,
- [Proposed law would allow for mandated outpatient treatment](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/proposed-law-would-allow-for-mandated-outpatient-treatment/) - Massachusetts is one of only three states, along with Connecticut and Maryland, that does not allow court-ordered outpatient treatment for people deemed to be a potential danger to themselves or others. A bill currently before the state's Joint Committee on Mental Health would change that fact. If passed, H2121 would allow for mandated outpatient treatment,
- [VT legislature calls for action to address ED boarding](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vt-legislature-calls-for-action-to-address-ed-boarding/) - In 2020, the state of Vermont was ranked first in the nation for access to mental health care in Mental Health America's annual state-by-state rankings. Yet, this spring, the state's legislature was shocked to hear stories of children in mental health crisis languishing for hours, days, and even weeks in emergency departments while awaiting transfer
- [When your patient gets angry](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/when-your-patient-gets-angry/) - If you’ve grown up on Marvel Comics, you know the Incredible Hulk’s line: “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” Some of our patients are like that. Underneath their seemingly calm presentation, they are angry. They are angry at the world. They are angry at life. They are angry at everyone
- [How can psychologists address rise in SAD?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/how-can-psychologists-address-rise-in-sad/) - As clients come in this winter, complaining about feelings of depression and anxiety, it can be easy to chalk it all up to the on-going pandemic. But, as if 2020 was not difficult enough, the darker months also promised to bring a rise in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). For those suffering from SAD, a cyclical
- [Mass. proposes legislation for prison system suicidal prevention plan](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-proposes-legislation-for-prison-system-suicidal-prevention-plan/) - In March, a bill was presented to the Massachusetts legislation that effectively upgrades suicide prevention plans in the state’s prison system. Based on a report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) after an investigation of the suicide response practices of the Department of Corrections (DOC), serious concerns were identified and the bill, S. 1283, seeks
- [APA resolution opposes gender identity change efforts](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/apa-resolution-opposes-gender-identity-change-efforts/) - In 1997 and 2009, the American Psychological Association (APA) issued resolutions that focused on sexual orientation change efforts. Earlier this month, the APA again adopted a resolution that, this time, addressed gender identity change efforts (GICE). According to Clinton W. Anderson, Ph.D, this resolution takes a broader focus against efforts to force individuals to conform
- [Law enforcement & trauma: Psychological intervention addresses the impact](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/law-enforcement-trauma-psychological-intervention-addresses-the-impact/) - According to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH), eight of every 100 individuals will experience post-traumatic stress at some time in their life; unlike civilians, police officers, on average, experience three traumatic events every six months. The frequency and intensity of these events may have a serious psychological impact on the officer at the
- [How can psychologists help with needle phobia, vaccination hesitation?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/how-can-psychologists-help-with-needle-phobia-vaccination-hesitation/) - With a growing number of Americans being vaccinated, there has been renewed hope that life will soon return to pre-pandemic normal. Guidelines around mask wearing have been relaxed, public spaces are being further opened, and the travel industry is seeing renewed interest. With all of this excitement, it can be easy to overlook the fact
- [Advocates, legislators address children’s mental health crisis](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/advocates-legislators-address-childrens-mental-health-crisis/) - The true toll of this pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents may take decades to fully understand. Young people can be resilient but the academic and social milestones missed may have repercussions across their lifespans that are not yet visible. With more acute issues of mental health, the effects are being felt
- [Transhealth Northampton: Bringing gender-diverse care to Western Massachusetts](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/transhealth-northampton-bringing-gender-diverse-care-to-western-massachusetts/) - In 2018, the Fenway Institute, Cooley Dickinson Health Care and Harvard Medical School conducted a planning study, the PATH Project (Plan and Act for Transgender Health), which evaluated the needs and experiences of the transgender and gender diverse populations in the western part of Massachusetts. It also looked at the services offered by regional health
- [Long term results of parental alienation to the alienated child](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/long-term-results-of-parental-alienation-to-the-alienated-child/) - (Source: Dr. Lori Love, Custody Evaluations 101: Allegations and Sensitivities) What are the long-term effects of parental alienation on the child who has been alienated? The results are devastating for the alienated child and can last a lifetime. Not only does the child miss out on a lifetime of having an enjoyable and fulfilling relationship with
- [New rule prohibits 'information blocking' & allows patients greater access to records](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-rule-prohibits-information-blocking-allows-patients-greater-access-to-records/) - On April 5, a new rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services took effect that could impact mental health care professionals' use of electronic health records (EHR). The ruling prohibits "information blocking," or any practice that might restrict a patient's or other health care entity's ability to immediately access health records. The
- [Anti-Asian hate intensifies as pandemic lingers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/anti-asian-hate-intensifies-as-pandemic-lingers/) - Three bystanders witnessed an Asian American woman being viciously attacked in front of a luxury condo in New York and did nothing to intervene. An Asian man was brutally beaten unconscious on a New York subway while other riders watched. Another Asian man out for his morning walk in San Francisco was slammed to the
- [Providers object to bill removing audio-only option](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/providers-object-to-bill-removing-audio-only-option/) - In July of 2020, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill into law that required insurance companies to cover telemedicine at equal rates to in-person treatment. The move was lauded by both health care and mental health care professionals as a positive step toward expanding services, especially in remote areas where access may be
- [Equity, diversity issues should be at forefront of psychologists' work](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/equity-diversity-issues-should-be-at-forefront-of-psychologists-work/) - There may be some positive to come out of the tumult. In a year when America was forced to slow down and, for many of us, begin to question what really matters, the conversation around racism and what can be done to address issues of equality has taken center stage. We have all begun to
- [Online continuing education gets mixed reviews](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/online-continuing-education-gets-mixed-reviews/) - Just over one year ago, the whole world shut down. People stopped going to work, to school, to restaurants and movie theatres. There are some Americans who have still not gone back to doctors, dentists, or therapy sessions, at least not in person. For those in the working world who are lucky to still have
- [Massachusetts launches schools’ initiative to address mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/massachusetts-launches-schools-initiative-to-address-mental-health/) - Throughout the last year, schooling has looked significantly different than in any other year. The spread of COVID-19 prompted the state to temporarily suspend in-classroom learning. In some cases, schools opened and then shuttered their doors shortly after as cases of the virus increased. Although some in-person learning has resumed, students have the option of
- [COVID-19 is impacting pediatric mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/covid-19-is-impacting-pediatric-mental-health/) - Research clearly demonstrates that the pandemic is having a significant negative effect on the younger generation. A November 2020 article, “Impact of COVID-19 and lockdown on mental health of children and adolescents: A narrative review with recommendations,” found both short-term and long-term “psychosocial and mental health implications” in this population. The article was published in
- [Drug overdoses rise but NH’s death rate dips slightly](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/drug-overdoses-rise-but-nhs-death-rate-dips-slightly/) - The Covid-19 pandemic has caused more than half a million deaths in the United States. Sadly, those direct results of the virus may not tell the whole story. Across the United States, drug overdose deaths increased nearly 20 percent in the 12-month period ending last June, with a noticeable spike occurring during the early months
- [College students feel the mental health toll of pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/college-students-feel-the-mental-health-toll-of-pandemic/) - In the past year, the pandemic has taken a significant mental and emotional toll. Mask wearing, social distancing, isolation, and quarantining are practically second nature. And, none of this is lost on college students who have had a very different school experience since last March. Jacqueline Alvarez, Ph.D, associate dean and director of the counseling
- [Parenting Education: How to help your children after trauma](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/parenting-education-how-to-help-your-children-after-trauma/) - Some basics for managing trauma in your child: In some ways, helping children recover from traumatic experiences, can be simple. In other ways, the healing process can seem endless and grueling. In order to make this process doable, let’s discuss some basic concepts you can incorporate from the get go. • Physical contact – Be affectionate
- [Survey: Households with children reported feeling down, depressed, or hopeless](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/survey-households-with-children-reported-feeling-down-depressed-or-hopeless/) - Since last March, feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, and isolation are simply commonplace. What initially was presumed to be a shutdown for a few weeks has been prolonged into a year. People of all ages are experiencing the effects of the lack of normalcy. But children, adolescents, and young adults in particular are showing the strain.
- [Five ways professionals can cope with suicide](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/five-ways-professionals-can-cope-with-suicide/) - Professionals who work in the mental health field are not immune to loss by suicide. In fact, they and professionals in every field can succumb to suicidal thoughts themselves or lose patients or family members they are trying to help. The aftermath is often filled with additional burdens centering around their career role. Counselors, ministers,
- [Psychologists ponder the future of their profession](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/psychologists-ponder-the-future-of-their-profession/) - When the COVID-19 virus invaded the United States last year, life as we knew it changed dramatically. For many psychologists, this shift prompted changes to the way they practiced. According to John F. Todaro, Ph.D., clinical associate professor in Brown University’s department of psychiatry and human behavior, many psychologists shifted to telehealth-based therapy within a
- [Data shows pandemic as 'collective traumatic experience'](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/data-shows-pandemic-as-collective-traumatic-experience/) - A year’s worth of data on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has found that 40 to 50 percent of the general population is showing clinical levels of depression. “Which is what we’d expect,” said clinical psychologist Luana Marques, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School. Marques is also the Phyllis and Jerome
- [Impact of pandemic on 'emerging adults' should not be overlooked](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/impact-of-pandemic-on-emerging-adults-should-not-be-overlooked/) - The pandemic has thrown a monkey wrench into everyone’s plans. From weddings to holidays to vacation travel, we have all been impacted. School children struggle with online classwork and parents with managing a house full of people. Seniors have had to face increased health risks and the effects of the isolation meant to protect them.
- [MPA seeks better care, quality, and coverage in 2021-2022 legislative session](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/mpa-seeks-better-care-quality-and-coverage-in-2021-2022-legislative-session/) - The Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) highlighted three specific aspects of mental health to be focused on during the 2021-2022 legislative session: access to care, quality and continuity of care, and consumer and professional protections. These focal points are further broken down into other topics needing attention: ensuring health plans are meeting current mental health parity
- [Medicaid reimbursement benefits post-grads and patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/medicaid-reimbursement-benefits-post-grads-and-patients/) - After several years of advocacy, New Hampshire has changed its Medicaid reimbursement policy to include coverage for psychological services provided by post-graduate residents enrolled in the licensure process and working under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. This policy change is expected to benefit psychology residents, mental health centers, and the patients they serve. Bethann
- [Maine launches initiatives to address pandemic-related issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/maine-launches-initiatives-to-address-pandemic-related-issues/) - Approximately nine months after the COVID-19 virus was identified in the United States, Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) launched StrengthenME, an initiative designed to provide coping mechanisms for pandemic-related stress and anxiety before it becomes a more serious mental health issue. According to Jessica Pollard, Ph.D, director of the Maine DHHS Office
- [Dealing with on-going trauma a consequence of 2020 issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/dealing-with-on-going-trauma-a-consequence-of-2020-issues/) - Twenty-twenty (2020) was a really long year. As one Twitter user posted, "Just don't ask, ‘What else can happen?’ 2020 takes it as a challenge." In the past 12 months, we have had wildfires, a world-wide pandemic, racial justice protests and counter-protests, a difficult election year, and murder hornets (!). And, even though we are well
- [Connecticut’s emergency shelters take financial hit in pandemic as abuse rises](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/connecticuts-emergency-shelters-take-financial-hit-in-pandemic-as-abuse-rises/) - Across the country, reports of domestic abuse have been on the rise during the pandemic. In December 2020, the New England Journal of Medicine cited this increase, calling it a “pandemic within a pandemic.” Although calls for help dropped as much as 50 percent in some regions, that didn’t mean the violence stopped. It just
- [Adoption of QAnon beliefs similar to cult following](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/adoption-of-qanon-beliefs-similar-to-cult-following/) - Despite vast evidence to the contrary and more than 60 lost court cases, more than half of Republican voters believed that the presidential election in November was actually won by Donald Trump, according to multiple polls done since November. Across America, there is also strong support for the idea that the media cannot be trusted
- [End-of-life care offers challenges to clinicians](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/end-of-life-care-offers-challenges-to-clinicians/) - Until recently, talk of death and dying was a subject often avoided. However, medical professionals and some segments of the general population have come to understand the value of hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care. According to Karen M. Fasciano, Psy.D, director of the young adult program at Dana Farber/Brigham & Women’s Cancer Center, in the
- [Study: Personality plays a role in who complies with pandemic restrictions](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/study-personality-plays-a-role-in-who-complies-with-pandemic-restrictions/) - A new study finds that personality traits affect who is most likely to shelter in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Looking at the five big personality traits, the researchers found that people who scored low on two of them – openness to experience and neuroticism – were less likely to shelter at home in the
- [Spike in alcohol use is of concern](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/spike-in-alcohol-use-is-of-concern/) - As stay-at-home orders surged, restaurants and bars closed, and social events went virtual, Americans turned more and more to a trusty old friend, alcohol, to help ease the transition. Nightly Zoom cocktail parties became all the rage, with the apt title "Quarantini," applied to just about anything one wants to drink during lockdown. According to
- [Psychologists offer advice to parents during this chaotic time](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/psychologists-offer-advice-to-parents-during-this-chaotic-time/) - To say this has been a trying year for humans is to put it mildly. Everything has been thrown up into the air. From fears of a loved one getting sick to the stress of financial or housing instabilities, to the overarching political and social turmoil, 2020 will go down as a year that showed
- [Massachusetts clinic has virtual take on neuropsychology exams](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/massachusetts-clinic-has-virtual-take-on-neuropsychology-exams/) - After several months of a pandemic, mask wearing, hand sanitizer, and maintaining a social distance is like second nature for most people. The need for those measures is not lost on Margaret Lanca, Ph.D, director of adult neuropsychology and psychological testing and training at Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) outside Boston. She developed a method of
- [NHPA adapts education programs with eye to licensing requirements](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/nhpa-adapts-education-programs-with-eye-to-licensing-requirements/) - When everything shut down in March, most of us were caught off guard, not sure how best to proceed and with far more questions than answers. For psychologists, a need to rapidly move to a fully remote version of what was once an in-person practice was a bit daunting. Add to that the many concerns
- [Survey: Highest stress levels found in Gen Z adults](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/survey-highest-stress-levels-found-in-gen-z-adults/) - The American Psychological Association (APA) issued the results of its first Stress in America Survey in 2008 as part of its Mind/Body Health Campaign. The results of that survey, which measure attitudes and perceptions, leading causes, common responses and the impact of stress on our lives, found that women experienced the highest stress levels and
- [COVID-19 has tripled depression rate](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/covid-19-has-tripled-depression-rate/) - A new study finds that 27.8 percent of U.S. adults had symptoms of depression as of mid-April 2020, compared to 8.5 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic. “This represents a three-fold increase over what it was before COVID,” says lead author Catherine Ettman, a doctoral student at the Brown University School of Public Health and director
- [Practical Practice: Getting people the help they need](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/practical-practice-getting-people-the-help-they-need/) - According to a study published in August by the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. adults have reported three times the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety disorder and four times the prevalence of symptoms of depressive disorder compared with the same time period in 2019. Even if the figures cannot be compared directly, as the CDC
- [Racial disparity in the criminal justice system](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/racial-disparity-in-the-criminal-justice-system/) - According to the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), Southern states, post-Civil War, utilized criminal justice as a way to maintain control over African Americans. A loophole in the 13th amendment, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, enabled these states to pass “Black Codes,” a system that involved the arrest and imprisonment of African
- [National Suicide Hotline soon to become three-digit number: 988](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/national-suicide-hotline-soon-to-become-three-digit-number/) - In two years, the U.S. will have another three-digit emergency code: 988. In a co-sponsored bill proposed last year by Massachusetts State Representative Seth Moulton and Utah State Representative Chris Stewart, that number will directly connect callers with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. In July, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted to designate 988
- [LifeSet Program prepares often troubled youth for successful lives](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/lifeset-program-prepares-often-troubled-youth-for-successful-lives/) - The Youth Villages LifeSet Program, designed to help young people aging out of foster care or juvenile justice custody, has proven a success, according to officials with the program in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. "Our LifeSet program is the bridge to successful adulthood,” said Lori Sustek, state director in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She explained
- [Podcasts can be an option for therapists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/podcasts-can-be-an-option-for-therapists/) - More and more, Americans are turning to online sources for information. From sites that gather top news stories to videos on how to clean dryer vents, the internet has become the go-to for learning just about anything. Serial podcasts, usually found as audio shows, have become one of the most popular ways to get that
- [Could walk and talk therapy become the norm?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/could-walk-and-talk-therapy-become-the-norm/) - Before we all were forced to slow down, most of us tended to think of spending time in nature as a benefit, something we squeeze in between all our running around. But, as studies have shown, getting outside should be considered more than a luxury. We should think of it as a requirement for both
- [FDA ban on shock device affects one school](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/fda-ban-on-shock-device-affects-one-school/) - This past spring, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of electrical stimulation devices (ESDs) because they present an “unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury” to patients with aggressive or self-injurious behavior. The ban is nation-wide but directly impacts one school—the Judge Rotenberg Educational Center (JRC) in Canton, Mass. The device has
- [COVID-19 funds provide financial relief to several residential schools](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/covid-19-funds-provide-financial-relief-to-several-residential-schools/) - Some special education residential schools in Massachusetts received a much-needed fiscal shot in the arm when Governor Charlie Baker announced that $16.1 million would be awarded to certain facilities. Thirty-two special education residential schools were given the funds to help alleviate pandemic-related expenses. Awards ranged from $18,220 to nearly $2 million. Several residential schools received
- [Residential schools adopt safety measures related to pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/residential-schools-adopt-safety-measures-related-to-pandemic/) - In March, states across the region ordered the closure of school systems. While public and many private academic institutions shuttered their doors, residential schools were considered “essential services” and were allowed to remain open. Elizabeth Della Russo Becker, executive director of maaps (Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools), reported that residential schools serve a diverse population
- [Understanding collective trauma](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/understanding-collective-trauma/) - Collective trauma can be understood as a response to a one-time event, or as a response to a long-term event. The first type of collective trauma can occur when a “cataclysmic event that shatters the basic fabric of society” happens, such as a natural or human-caused disaster (1). Collective trauma also occurs because of on-going
- [Woodside’s fate remains up in the air](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/woodsides-fate-remains-up-in-the-air/) - The fate of Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, Vermont’s only juvenile detention facility, is up in the air. While state officials work to figure out what’s next for the embattled facility, there are no children housed at the 30-bed secure facility. “There are no youth being served by the Woodside facility currently,” said Luciana DiRuocco, executive
- [Child abuse reports down; concern is up](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/child-abuse-reports-down-concern-is-up/) - Authorities and medical professionals in Maine are seeing a 30 percent decrease in child abuse reports. The sharp decline began when schools closed in mid-March because of COVID-19. These days, the safety nets that are typically built around children—teachers, friends, neighbors, other family members, doctors and social workers—weren’t there. Calls to the abuse hotline at
- [Study details effects of pandemic on people with eating disorders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-details-effects-of-pandemic-on-people-with-eating-disorders/) - For those with an eating disorder, isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and stress can be major contributing factors. And of course, what are the major factors we all face during a pandemic and related shutdown? Isolation, loneliness, anxiety and stress. A recent study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders shows that, across the board, those
- [Program for educators teaches social and emotional learning](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-for-educators-teaches-social-and-emotional-learning/) - The state of Connecticut is looking to take the lead on creating an emotionally strong educational system. The Department of Education has joined forces with stakeholders across the state to pilot a unique program aimed at giving educators the tools they need to cope and to teach coping skills during the pandemic. The program, "Social
- [Crotched Mountain’s November closure is stopped](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/crotched-mountains-november-closure-is-stopped/) - After almost 70 years, Crotched Mountain Foundation, a rehabilitation center for young children to adults with developmental and behavioral disabilities in Greenfield, NH, was set to close its doors on November 1. After months of scrambling to find suitable options for students and group home residents, it was announced that New York-based Gersh Autism will
- [Uncertainty of pandemic leads to further mental health problems](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/uncertainty-of-pandemic-leads-to-further-mental-health-problems/) - It should be no surprise that after months of shelter-in-place mandates, wearing masks in public, maintaining a six-foot distance from others, and a resurgence in COVID outbreaks in some states, our collective psyche is at the breaking point. Depression, anxiety, and substance abuse have been on the rise in this country, but those issues have
- [Confiding in others identified as the strongest protection against depression](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/confiding-in-others-identified-as-the-strongest-protection-against-depression/) - A new study has found that strong social connections are the strongest protective factor for depression. “Depression is the leading cause of disability world-wide,” said Karmel Choi, Ph.D, an investigator in the department of psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and lead author of the paper. “About
- [How can therapists become more culturally competent?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/how-can-therapists-become-more-culturally-competent/) - As our nation struggles toward building a better society for all races, therapists may find themselves doing some self-reflection on how they handle diversity in their own practices. Cultural competence has become a key phrase within the field. But how does one become culturally "competent?" In its “Guidelines for Providers of Psychological Services to Ethnic,
- [Rhode Island behavioral health centers receive $8 million grant](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/rhode-island-behavioral-health-centers-receive-8-million-grant/) - Funds help create community connections, add services Newport Mental Health and Thrive Behavioral Health, Inc. in Warwick were awarded an $8 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Mental Health Services this past spring. The two organizations will receive $4 million each to enhance programs over the course
- [National survey measures pandemic’s emotional impact](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/national-survey-measures-pandemics-emotional-impact/) - After several months of quarantine, psychologists are eager to assess the emotional repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three psychologists teamed up to create a scale that evaluated mental health during this crisis and found both expected and some surprising results. Sarah Gray, Psy.D, director of outpatient rehabilitation psychology at Spaulding Rehabilitation in Boston, said, “As
- [Psychologists study what inspires protestors](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-study-what-inspires-protestors/) - The most recent Black deaths at the hands of police have fueled protests across the country. But for some psychologists, their interests lie not in what they are protesting, but why they protest in the first place. And when they protest, why does it sometimes turn violent? As we have seen from a few of
- [Black voices working in a predominately white field](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/black-voices-working-in-a-predominately-white-field/) - Within the field of psychology, there are very few Black professionals. According to the American Psychological Association, in 2015, only four percent of all psychologists were Black/African-American. Meanwhile, the general population of this country is just over 13 percent Black. How does that play out for Black psychologists, working in a field that is predominately
- [Racial Identity: Key to self-understanding](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/racial-identity-key-to-self-understanding/) - Recent race-related protests have brought deep-seated inequity and injustice that pervades our national consciousness to the forefront. Those who seek to understand the importance of racial identity aim to bring about change in attitude, reduce racism, and promote equitable public policy. According to Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi, Ph.D, full-time assistant professor at Salve Regina University in Newport,
- [Research on implicit bias is core of John Dovidio's work](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/research-on-implicit-bias-is-core-of-john-dovidios-work/) - Most Americans would reject being labelled racist. Yet, study after study, and incident after incident, show how deeply racism is ingrained in our society, from far higher rates of COVID-19 deaths and fatal police shootings to lower overall college graduation rates for Blacks as compared to whites in this country. At the Yale University Intergroup
- [Working with clients of color requires training, more listening](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/working-with-clients-of-color-requires-training-more-listening/) - In a perfect world, the color of one's skin should not affect a therapeutic relationship. However, this is America 2020 and it apparently does. For instance, studies have shown that therapy dropout rates are significantly higher for Blacks than for whites when they work with white therapists. "In general, African-Americans tend to have higher drop-out
- [States look at mental health beyond the pandemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/states-look-at-mental-health-beyond-the-pandemic/) - To date, the COVID-19 virus has exacted a tremendous toll on the nation’s economy, uncovered serious flaws in the health care systems, brought long-standing systemic racism to the forefront, and disrupted everyday life. Of paramount importance are the potential long-term effects on psychological well-being. The New England states are taking measures to help ameliorate any
- [COVID-19  means different approach to Stress in America survey](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/covid-19-means-different-approach-to-stress-in-america-survey/) - Since 2007, the American Psychological Association (APA) has been gauging the nation’s attitudes and perception of stress with its annual Stress in America survey. “Every year, we take a look at what is causing stress among U.S. adults, how they are managing or failing to manage their stress and how that stress impacts their lives,
- [Research examines link between COVID-19 & racial disparity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-examines-link-between-covid-19-racial-disparity/) - A number of studies have shown a disturbing trend in this pandemic: more people of color have contracted and died from coronavirus than other demographics. In May, a study conducted by Yale School of Medicine parsed the available data on race and ethnicity to show a disparity among people who contract coronavirus. Based on their
- [COVID-19 changes in training lead to access improvement](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/covid-19-changes-in-training-lead-to-access-improvement/) - In late March, the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) decided to revise what counts toward clinical psychology graduate student training hours, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The APPIC change now allows students to include telehealth services, which includes therapy and assessment via video or phone, in their log of hours. Given
- [Domestic violence helpline callers are just trying to manage](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/domestic-violence-helpline-callers-are-just-trying-to-manage/) - Numbers don’t tell the whole story when it comes to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rates of domestic and family violence. Calls to SafeLink — Massachusetts’ statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-877-785-2020 — initially decreased about a third and then ramped back up in April and May to about 90 percent of what
- [Self-care for psychologists in a time of uncertainty](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/self-care-for-psychologists-in-a-time-of-uncertainty/) - Coping with the ongoing uncertainty of the pandemic can lead to a barrage of symptoms most people don't know how to manage. That is where psychologists come in, with advice and guidance on self-care that can help to steady the ship while we all navigate unsettled and unchartered waters. But what about the therapists themselves;
- [Why Suicide Prevention Advocates Right Now Don't Despair](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/why-suicide-prevention-advocates-right-now-dont-despair/) - Mental health infrastructure has come a long way since 1918-1919 influenza pandemic. Social isolation, a key strategy to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 , is considered a significant risk factor for suicidality. So school closures, mandated face masks, and bans on large gatherings along with the most rapid change in the employment sector ever
- [NHPA Educational Foundation presents first award](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/nhpa-educational-foundation-presents-first-award/) - In 2009, the New Hampshire Psychological Association (NHPA) created the NHPA Educational Foundation under the leadership of then-executive director Kathryn E. Saylor, Psy.D and in collaboration with several other psychologists. This entity was designed to educate the public and practitioners, publish educational materials, sponsor quality programs that advance the profession, and recognize student achievement with
- [How to best present yourself while delivering telehealth](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/how-to-best-present-yourself-while-delivering-telehealth/) - Across the country, as we deal with the fall-out from the COVID-19 pandemic, therapists are turning to video platforms for delivering care. For some, it's an extension of what they were already doing, but for others this is a whole new world. "Therapists are quickly shifting their practices online," said Rachel McCrickard, LMFT, CEO &
- [Researchers at UMass Amherst create device to understand schizophrenia](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/researchers-at-umass-amherst-create-device-to-understand-schizophrenia/) - What if there is a way to better understand schizophrenia just by having patients wear a device? Two researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are in the process of finding out. With the help of a $1.15 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, the wireless device is likely to reveal how often
- [Pandemic affects everyone, especially autistic kids](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/pandemic-affects-everyone-especially-autistic-kids/) - Coronavirus, or COVID-19 , has ground most of daily life to a halt for weeks. Small businesses are shut down. Children aren’t going to school. People are confined to their homes clinging tightly to toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Globally, there are more than two million cases of the virus with tens of thousands of
- [Psychologist shares her experiences working in Haiti](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/psychologist-shares-her-experiences-working-in-haiti/) - Like many psychologists now, I am spending my time at home, focused on a computer screen. I am talking with people I know well and care about tremendously, who are at a distance, and am seeing clients via the same small square on my lap or the table. What is a little different for me
- [Mass. AG settles with health plans on mental health parity compliance](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/mass-ag-settles-with-health-plans-on-mental-health-parity-compliance/) - Seven insurers agree to policy changes, including correcting reimbursement disparities Seven health insurance plans are making policy changes and paying a combined total of nearly $1 million to fund initiatives to increase access to behavioral health care under recent settlement agreements with the Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. The policy changes by five
- [Sport psychology: Promoting performance & protecting health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/sport-psychology-promoting-performance-protecting-health/) - The study of sports psychology can be traced to 1925 when Coleman Griffith founded the first American sports laboratory at the University of Illinois, which operated until 1932. Since those early days, the specialty of sport psychology has evolved, involving a significant amount of research, theoretical study, and specialized knowledge. According to John P. Sullivan,
- [Litigation continues in CT couple's discrimination lawsuit concerning parental rights removal](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/litigation-continues-in-ct-couples-discrimination-lawsuit-concerning-parental-rights-removal/) - The American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut will appeal a federal judge’s ruling against a couple who say they were discriminated against because of their mental disabilities when the state’s child welfare agency removed their two infant sons. Joseph Watley and Karin Hasemann are challenging a decision last December by U.S. District Judge Robert N.
- [Report: New England states fare well in national mental health rankings](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/report-new-england-states-fare-well-in-national-mental-health-rankings/) - In 2012, Rhode Island’s youth mental health care system ranked 29th in the nation in a major survey of mental health data indicators. But in six years, the smallest state rocketed to fourth place because of a dramatic performance in getting adolescents and teens into treatment. Rhode Island reduced the rate of untreated youth with
- [Programs seek to address ME youth suicide](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/programs-seek-to-address-me-youth-suicide/) - The suicide rate in Maine has become a major issue. It has one of the highest rates in the nation and it is the second leading cause of death among kids and people between the ages of 10 and 35. According to the 2019 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey, there has been a significant increase
- [Vermont mental health services for children doubles in last two decades](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/vermont-mental-health-services-for-children-doubles-in-last-two-decades/) - In the past two decades, the number of young people 18 and under accessing mental health services has doubled. A recent report showed that one in three children in the state experience at least one “adverse childhood experience” before age nine. The report from Building Bright Futures, a non-profit organization in Vermont that monitors early
- [Bill aims to improve access and boost workforce](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/bill-aims-to-improve-access-and-boost-workforce/) - In a unanimous vote, the Massachusetts Senate recently passed a mental health-focused bill designed to bring sweeping changes to the way care is delivered across the state. Known as the Mental Health ABC Act: Addressing Barriers to Care, the bill outlines new approaches to mental health parity, access to care and to improving, supporting and
- [Pets help as co-therapists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/pets-help-as-co-therapists/) - A cat who knows when someone is distressed. A rabbit who bonds with clients more than its owner. A dog who nudges a child who is panicking during a neuropsychological evaluation. This is the world of the pet co-therapist. From dogs to cats, rabbits, birds, and more, a wide range of animals are being used
- [A review of the less talked about mood disorders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/a-review-of-the-less-talked-about-mood-disorders/) - Depressive disorders represent an extremely broad, heterogeneous group of disorders. These clinical syndromes share some common symptoms (especially dysphoria) but, in fact, reflect a number of disorders that have diverse etiologies: characterological, acute reactive, and biologic. The symptoms, course, prognosis, and response to treatment vary considerably depending on the particular type of depressive disorder seen
- [Working towards cultural competence in therapy](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/working-towards-cultural-competence-in-therapy/) - For the therapist, cultural competence is the ability to provide therapy than can overcome cultural barriers that exist between the patient and the therapist. The more a therapist knows about a patient’s culture, the more likely that person will feel comfortable. In a world where therapists and clients shared homogenous backgrounds, cultural competency would not
- [A help line for new moms & medical professionals](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/a-help-line-for-new-moms-medical-professionals/) - In June 2014, the state launched the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms (MCPAP for Moms) to provide assistance to pregnant women and new mothers who have behavioral health issues. The program also helps medical professionals better address anxiety, depression and other psychological matters. MCPAP for Moms is modeled after the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry
- [Boston Child Study Center had head start in rapid shift to 100% telehealth](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/boston-child-study-center-had-head-start-in-rapid-shift-to-100-telehealth/) - Prep work required for clinicians to deliver remote treatment effectively, founder says The coronavirus pandemic forced the temporary closure of many mental health treatment programs for high risk youth, leaving them without the structure, social interaction, and emotional support essential to recovery. The Boston Child Study Center was in a good position to bridge this
- [How psychologists are helping clients with anxiety disorders cope with Coronavirus concerns](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/how-psychologists-are-helping-clients-with-anxiety-disorders-cope-with-coronavirus-concerns/) - The Coronavirus has sparked widespread concern, particularly now that the World Health Organization has declared it a pandemic. Supplies are flying off the shelves. Conferences, concerts, and sporting events are all canceled. In most areas, school closures are in effect. A travel ban has been instituted, and we’re encouraged to keep our distance from others.
- [Study shows social media isn’t all negative -- or positive](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/study-shows-social-media-isnt-all-negative-or-positive/) - Is social media helpful or harmful to our mental health? So far, the research has been “contradictory and inconclusive,” according to Mesfin A. Bekalu, Ph.D, a research scientist in the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Bekalu noted that this was his inspiration to conduct a study
- [Creating a professional will](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/creating-a-professional-will/) - No one likes to think about dying or becoming unexpectedly incapacitated. Still, as human beings, we all know our time is limited, even if we do not know exactly how long we have. Beyond the frightening prospect of "what comes after," the logical next thought should be, what will we leave behind? Just like for
- [Wild Acre & Mental Health Solutions uses home-based health care for mentally ill](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/wild-acre-mental-health-solutions-uses-home-based-health-care-for-mentally-ill/) - About five years ago, New England Psychologist reported the Wild Acre Inn in Belmont, Mass., was changing hands. The residential treatment program, with several sites located within the Boston area, shuttered all but one by the fall of 2014. Bernard Yudowitz, MD, who ran the program since its founding in 1972, could not continue the
- [When an Asian-American student coughs in class, cue fear and xenophobia](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/when-an-asian-american-student-coughs-in-class-cue-fear-and-xenophobia/) - Since late January when the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency over the coronavirus outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China, members of Chinese communities in the U.S. and elsewhere have reported feeling more pressure and bias toward them. Social media posts have documented incidents of people of Asian descent being harassed in public
- [Mass. Attorney General brings Sandy Hook Promise to schools](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-attorney-general-brings-sandy-hook-promise-to-schools/) - On December 14, 2012, 20 first grade children and six teachers lost their lives in the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Mark Barden lost his son Daniel, age seven, that day. Since then, Barden, along with several of his fellow grieving parents, put together a foundation and service program to
- [Can you gig it?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/can-you-gig-it/) - It depends on the state where a psychologist lives Make your own hours. Choose your own patients. Keep records the way you want to. The advantage of being an independent contractor is maintaining control over the work you do. That’s why the California Psychological Association declared victory when psychologists in that state were exempted from
- [VT legislators seek to close gap in criminal justice, mental health systems](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vt-legislators-seek-to-close-gap-in-criminal-justice-mental-health-systems/) - Earlier this year, three high-profile criminal cases were dropped when Vermont’s attorney general deemed the defendants insane at the time the crimes were committed. The ruling drew questions about the way the state handles criminal cases involving people with mental illness. To address this issue, lawmakers proposed legislation to bridge the gap. State Senator Richard
- [NH’s legislation addresses mental health needs](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/nhs-legislation-addresses-mental-health-needs/) - In 2008, New Hampshire developed a plan to address mental health needs in the state. However, because of the recession, “not a single thing happened,” said Rep. James MacKay (Merrimack, District 14), a retired social worker and chair of the New Hampshire House Subcommittee on Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery. Last January, the Department of
- [Feds investigate data breach at Maine’s Sweetser](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/feds-investigate-data-breach-at-maines-sweetser/) - Hacking incidents on rise in health care in 2019 A week went by before anyone noticed some unusual activity in the email system of a Saco, Maine-based community mental health care agency last June. By the time email accounts were secured and a digital forensics investigation launched, the sensitive personal health information of 22,000 clients
- [Spotting the lie: Study finds a more accurate measure of honesty](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/spotting-the-lie-study-finds-a-more-accurate-measure-of-honesty/) - One of the first patients August Price, M.A., saw at his practicum at the Boston VA was deemed a malingerer by an outside neuropsychologist because he’d failed validity testing. However, after Price conducted an extensive assessment, it turned out that the man actually had early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. “This made me realize that the field could
- [Second coerced suicide case adds urgency to Conrad’s Law passage](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/second-coerced-suicide-case-adds-urgency-to-conrads-law-passage/) - Two recent cases of “coerced” suicide in Massachusetts prompted legislators to file a bill that would criminalize intimidating behavior and strong-arm tactics that cause another to commit suicide. In 2014, Michelle Carter encouraged her boyfriend Conrad Roy to take his own life. More recently, Inyoung You allegedly pressured Boston College student Alexander Urtula to kill
- [Hearing raises issue of parity, insurance rates](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/hearing-raises-issue-of-parity-insurance-rates/) - As required by state law, the New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID) hosts a public hearing each year to talk about health care costs and trends. The 2019 hearing, held in October, focused on the number of residents covered by insurance and the state's progress on mental health parity. Eireann Sibley NHID communications director noted that
- [Urban or rural? Psychologists weigh the pros & cons](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/urban-or-rural-psychologists-weigh-the-pros-cons/) - When looking to set up or join a new psychological practice, there are so many questions to address. Whether it's an early career choice, a move to a new part of the country, or a therapist looking to make major changes, the first hurdle is deciding where to practice. What matters most to you in
- [Struggle to find affordable, in-network mental health treatment is real](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/struggle-to-find-affordable-in-network-mental-health-treatment-is-real/) - Health insurers are failing to comply with mental health parity laws for Americans with employer-sponsored health coverage and their families, according to a recent report. As a result, there are increasing disparities in access to behavioral health services for employees and their dependents who end up having to seek care from out-of-network providers at higher
- [Are more psychologists serving only self-pay patients? Difficulties with insurance companies highlighted](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/are-more-psychologists-serving-only-self-pay-patients-difficulties-with-insurance-companies-highlighted/) - The complaints documented in a 2019 survey released by the Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) illustrate the on-going difficulties that psychologists have with insurance companies. From understanding administrative requirements, to filing claims, following up on reimbursements, submitting further documentation, waiting on telephone hold, and accepting low reimbursement rates, the range of complaints covers just about every
- [Opioid crisis escalates need for foster care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/opioid-crisis-escalates-need-for-foster-care/) - It’s no secret that the opioid crisis has taken a toll in this country. But according to the CDC’s National Center for Health statistics, the New England states have been hit hardest. Fentanyl was the leading cause of overdose deaths in the country in 2017. In New England alone, there were 22.5 fentanyl overdoses per
- [Survey: Mass shootings, healthcare among top stressors](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/survey-mass-shootings-healthcare-among-top-stressors-2/) - Healthcare, mass shootings and the 2020 election are among the top stressors for Americans according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Between August 1 and Sept. 2, 2019, the poll asked 3,617 adults to rate their level of stress as well as identify a variety of potential sources. Concerns about healthcare significantly affect
- [Craig Malkin, Ph.D discusses narcissism, Goldwater Rule](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/craig-malkin-ph-d-discusses-narcissism-goldwater-rule/) - First released in 2017, the book “The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump” (Thomas Dunne Books, 2019) has recently been re-issued with nearly 100 additional pages of essays. The book, which was a New York Times best seller, features 37 mental health experts offering their professional opinions on the state of national politics and the current
- [Survey: Mass shootings, healthcare among top stressors](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/survey-mass-shootings-healthcare-among-top-stressors/) - Healthcare, mass shootings and the 2020 election are among the top stressors for Americans according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Between August 1 and Sept. 2, 2019, the poll asked 3,617 adults to rate their level of stress as well as identify a variety of potential sources. Concerns about healthcare significantly affect
- [Getting inside the consumer’s mind: Specialty examines range of human behavior](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/getting-inside-the-consumers-mind-specialty-examines-range-of-human-behavior/) - Consumer psychology can be defined as the examination of why people buy things, which involves cognitive processes, and response to the influence of marketing, according to study.com. The discipline looks at a wide range of human behavior and refers not only to shopping for tangible goods, but also pertains to the consumption of entertainment and
- [Brown University research aims to tackle opioid crisis](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/brown-university-research-aims-to-tackle-opioid-crisis/) - Brown University’s School of Public Health has an idea that might impact Rhode Island’s opioid crisis. The school’s researchers have received a five-year $6.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for a two-pronged project. The first part will focus on determining at-risk neighborhoods while the second part will be administering test strips to
- [Pro Bono work provides benefits to all](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/pro-bono-work-provides-benefits-to-all/) - The best way to feel good is to do good. Not only does altruism help the world, but it has the added benefit of being therapeutic for oneself. For psychologists, doing pro bono work, sharing both time and expertise, meets both professional ethics guidelines and can contribute to a self-care regimen. "In the general principles
- [Lawsuit against Harvard intensifies focus on role of college mental health services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/lawsuit-against-harvard-intensifies-focus-on-role-of-college-mental-health-services/) - One in four members of Harvard University’s Class of 2023 is Asian-American, according to demographic statistics on the university’s website. So, a recent report by the New England Center for Investigative Reporting that found six of at least nine Harvard undergraduates who died by suicide between the years 2007 and 2017 were of Asian descent
- [Study identifies resiliency strategies for family members of violent patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/study-identifies-resiliency-strategies-for-family-members-of-violent-patients/) - Family members of people with severe mental illness and violent tendencies often feel confused and isolated. Mental health professionals can help them by increasing their knowledge of mental illness and introducing them to strategies to ease the burden. That conclusion came from research led by Karyn Sporer, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology at the University
- [Maine and Conn. make top 10 list for best mental health care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-and-conn-make-top-10-list-for-best-mental-health-care/) - States with a high rate of access to mental health care tend to have low prevalence of mental illness, according to a new report ranking which states had the best overall mental health care in the country. QuoteWizard, a LendingTree company, analyzed data from Mental Health America to rank each state one to 50 as
- [Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Often unrecognized and difficult to treat](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/body-dysmorphic-disorder-often-unrecognized-and-difficult-to-treat/) - Sleek physiques, flawless skin, and perfectly symmetrical facial features. For some individuals, achieving physical perfection becomes an obsession. This atypical behavior may be an indication of body dysmorphic disorder. Rachel Simmons, Ph.D, defines BDD as an intense focus on one or more aspects of appearance with the belief that they are abnormal, although in most
- [Study: Young Puerto Ricans experience higher rates of depression on U.S. mainland than at home](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/study-young-puerto-ricans-experience-higher-rates-of-depression-in-u-s-than-home-country/) - Puerto Ricans experience higher rates of depression and anxiety on the U.S. mainland than when at home. After nearly 20 years of research and about 2,000 people interviewed, the Boricua Youth Study discovered that fact. The study compared kids ages five to 13 as they transitioned to early adulthood from 15 to 29 under similar
- [Commonwealth Fund Scorecard: New England states ranked in top 12](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/commonwealth-fund-scorecard-new-england-states-ranked-in-top-12/) - The New England states have earned a reputation for providing health care services that outrank much of the rest of the country. The Commonwealth Fund recently released the 2019 Scorecard on State Health System Performance. Massachusetts ranked No. 2; Connecticut and Vermont, No. 5; Rhode Island, No. 7; New Hampshire, No. 10; and Maine, No.
- [Maine cracks down on vaping at schools](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/maine-cracks-down-on-vaping-at-schools/) - A new law in Maine is cracking down on vaping by prohibiting tobacco, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes on school grounds. The law went into effect on September 19. One day later, the Bangor Daily News reported that the state had its first reported case of vaping-related illness. And, Centers for Disease Control Director Nirav Shah, MD,
- [New bill proposes 988 as the national crisis number](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-bill-proposes-988-as-the-national-crisis-number/) - If someone is breaking into your home, you’ve witnessed a car crash, or a friend is having a heart attack, you know to dial 911. But if you or a loved one is having a mental health crisis, what number do you call? Most people have to look it up. In August, Rep. Seth Moulton
- [Psychologist Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin weighs in on vaping](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologist-suchitra-krishnan-sarin-weighs-in-on-vaping/) - E-cigarettes were originally introduced as a tool to help cigarette smokers quit. It was probably a sign of things to come, though, when retailers set up booths in shopping malls to reach clients. Flash forward 13 years from when the products were introduced to the United States, to where the market for e-cigarettes has seen
- [ACLU-NH lawsuit seeks due process for ER patients waiting for beds](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/aclu-nh-lawsuit-seeks-due-process-for-er-patients-waiting-for-beds/) - According to state law in New Hampshire, individuals held against their will because of a mental health crisis must be provided a hearing before a judge to determine if they present a risk to others or themselves. That hearing must happen within three days of the signing of an Involuntary Emergency Admission. However, because of
- [How to choose what age group with which to work](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/how-to-choose-what-age-group-with-which-to-work/) - For a psychologist just starting out or an established clinician looking to expand her practice or switch focus, the prospect of working with a different age group can be daunting. But, of course, there are plenty of others who have taken the path ahead of you and advice to follow. The first step is to
- [Evidence doesn’t support claim linking mental illness, mass shooters](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/evidence-doesnt-support-claim-linking-mental-illness-mass-shooters/) - The evidence suggests mass shootings perpetrated by individuals with mental illness account for less than one percent of gun-related homicides. But you wouldn’t know it from President Donald Trump’s comments after a pair of mass shootings during the first weekend in August killed more than 30 people in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. Among
- [Conrad's law](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/conrads-law/) - A proposed law in Massachusetts would make it illegal to coax someone to commit or attempt suicide. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Barry Finegold (D-Second Essex and Middlesex) and Rep. Natalie Higgins (D-4th Worcester District) would make this type of coercion punishable by up to five years in jail and has been dubbed, “Conrad’s Law.”
- [Psychologist disseminates autism research, best practices](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologist-disseminates-autism-research-best-practices/) - According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 59 children will be diagnosed with autism, many by age four. This number has grown over the past few decades, perhaps because of greater recognition or to changes made in the diagnostic criteria. And, right along with the increase in prevalence, the amount of research being
- [Adventure programs: Learning to confront and overcome fears](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/adventure-programs-learning-to-confront-and-overcome-fears/) - The benefits of engaging in outdoor activities have been well documented. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that play in an outdoor environment enables children “…to explore both their world and their own minds.” AAP adds that outdoor activity can enhance “…creativity, curiosity and associated developmental advances.” Some residential schools are embracing this message
- [Connecticut organization runs work-based learning program for teens](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/connecticut-organization-runs-work-based-learning-program-for-teens/) - This summer, Waterbury high school students got a chance at real-life skill building and resume development thanks to grants from the American Savings Foundation, the Frederick W. Marzahl Memorial Fund and other in-kind contributions given to the Connecticut Junior Republic (CJR). The organization’s combined programs annually serve approximately 1,500 boys and girls. In their summer
- [Different theories examine causes of pedophilia](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/different-theories-examine-causes-of-pedophilia/) - According to the DSM-5, the criteria to diagnose Pedophilia (Pedophilic Disorder) is defined as recurrent experiences of intense sexual arousal, fantasies, sexual urges or behaviors involving sexual activity with a prepubescent child or children, usually under the age of 14. The person has acted on these sexual urges or these sexual urges or fantasies cause
- [Kurn Hattin celebrates an historical milestone](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/kurn-hattin-celebrates-an-historical-milestone/) - In 1849, when Boston clergyman Charles Albert Dickinson started Kurn Hattin on a pristine Vermont hillside overlooking the Connecticut River Valley, the school consisted of two students, one teacher and two house parents. Fast-forward to 2019 and approximately 85 students are now enrolled and staff has increased as the school celebrates its 125th anniversary. In
- [Link between video games, violence again examined](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/link-between-video-games-violence-again-examined/) - Following recent mass shooting tragedies that killed 31 people in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, President Trump condemned the "glorification of violence in our society," specifically "the gruesome and grisly video games that are now commonplace." This claim of a link between the tragedies and the use of video games was repeated by other
- [Wayside launches new program for children impacted by opioid crisis](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/wayside-launches-new-program-for-children-impacted-by-opioid-crisis/) - In response to the devastating effects of the opioid crisis on kids’ mental health, the non-profit service agency Wayside Youth & Family Support Network recently launched the Children Impacted by Substances (CIS) program. The program is part of Wayside’s Trauma Intervention Services in Milford. The CIS program serves clients in Middlesex, Norfolk, and Worcester counties,
- [The Walker School completes extensive renovations](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/the-walker-school-completes-extensive-renovations/) - This past summer, the Walker School completed an extensive renovation to its campus, creating new classrooms, a gym, and other improvements to benefit its students who have various behavioral, emotional, and social challenges. Located in Needham, Mass., the Walker School is a private special education school for students ages five through 13. Previously, the Walker
- [New England’s last holdout to limit clawbacks finally passes law](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/new-englands-last-holdout-to-limit-clawbacks-finally-passes-law/) - Health insurance companies now have a 12-month window to retroactively deny claims they already paid for mental health and substance abuse services in Massachusetts. Language imposing the time restriction on so-called clawbacks was included in the final fiscal 2020 state budget signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker on July 31. The budget incorporated language
- [Practical Practice: Continuing ed can provide learning, networking opportunities](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/practical-practice-continuing-ed-can-provide-learning-networking-opportunities/) - Nearly every state in the U.S. requires continuing education (CE) for renewing a psychology license. The requirements vary from Idaho's 30 hours every three years to 60 hours every two years in Vermont, Arizona, and Washington. There are a few states that have no required amount of continuing ed credits and South Dakota inexplicably asks
- [Study: Physical limits hurt mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/study-physical-limits-hurt-mental-health/) - Children and young adults with physical conditions like diabetes, ADHD, and asthma are more likely to develop mental health problems according to a U.S. study. The study, led by John Adams, MD, of the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts, followed 48,572 young people ages 6 to 25 over a two-year-period. The individuals followed did not
- [Even providers need help overcoming addiction stigma](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/even-providers-need-help-overcoming-addiction-stigma/) - The instructor is explaining what addiction is to a group of health care providers at the Veterans Administration Connecticut Healthcare System campus in West Haven. But while the instructor talks, all of the physicians, nurses, administrators, psychologists, chaplains, social workers, and others assembled in the conference room are holding their breath. Fifty seconds into the
- [Dismissal of three legal insanity cases causes stir in VT](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/dismissal-of-three-legal-insanity-cases-causes-stir-in-vt/) - Three cases—two murder and one attempted murder—were dismissed in Vermont’s Chittenden County by State’s Attorney Sarah George as a result of legal insanity defenses. Some called her decision to dismiss into question, specifically Governor Phil Scott who asked Attorney General T.J. Donovan to review these cases. George, however, felt the governor’s reaction was insulting and
- [Research: Number of suicides continues to rise](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-number-of-suicides-continues-to-rise/) - Surge seen especially in young males New research found that suicide rates reached their highest recorded levels in adolescents and young adults, particularly males aged 15 to 19. Appearing in the medical journal JAMA, the research analyzed data on U.S. deaths between 2000 and 2017 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Underlying
- [Involuntary shock therapy court-ordered for Connecticut man](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/involuntary-shock-therapy-court-ordered-for-connecticut-man/) - This past spring, a probate court ordered a 26-year-old man in Connecticut to undergo electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and involuntary medication at Yale New Haven Hospital. The man, identified only as John Doe, secured the Connecticut Legal Rights Project (CLRP) for his defense in the appeal. The hospital’s attorneys argued for a dismissal, citing the patient
- [Shifting cultural patterns challenge therapists who specialize in addiction](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/shifting-cultural-patterns-challenge-therapists-who-specialize-in-addiction/) - The Addiction Center reports that nearly 21 million Americans have at least one addiction; and drug overdose deaths have tripled since 1990. Furthermore, alcohol and drug addiction cost the economy more than $600 billion annually. As addiction continues to take a physical, social and financial toll, mental health professionals strive to help those who struggle.
- [Cancer in the LGBTQ community: RI summit addresses treatment barriers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/cancer-in-the-lgbtq-community-ri-summit-addresses-treatment-barriers/) - This June, the 13th annual summit, Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island, focused on “…significant disparities in awareness, prevention and treatment” for those in the LGBTQ community. While cancer may induce mental health challenges in any patient, those in the LGBTQ community experience increased psychological stress and face unique barriers to appropriate care. Don
- [APA calls on CMS to revise auditing practices after notices alarm psychologists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/apa-calls-on-cms-to-revise-auditing-practices-after-notices-alarm-psychologists/) - The letters psychologists starting receiving last fall from a Medicare contractor stated they were for “educational purposes.” No reply was necessary. But they alarmed many who provide mental health care for those aged 65 and over and people with disabilities enrolled in Medicare, the federally-funded health insurance program overseen by the Centers for Medicare and
- [New Hampshire expands MAT program](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/new-hampshire-expands-mat-program/) - Since 2015, the New Hampshire Department of Corrections (NHDOC) has had a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program in place in its facilities to help those with substance and alcohol use problems maintain abstinence. The success of that program, as well as others in New England, prompted the department to expand its existing coverage. Laura Montenegro, NHDOC’s
- [Mt. Ascutney Hospital adopts program to benefit families](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mt-ascutney-hospital-adopts-program-to-benefit-families/) - Like the rest of the U.S., Vermont has been hit hard by the opioid crisis. Windsor County has seen a steady increase in heroin- and fentanyl-related deaths, according to Jill Lord, RN, MS, director of community health at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor. “Our families are grappling with the impact of both
- [New Maine law requires a mental health evaluation to remove weapon](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-maine-law-requires-a-mental-health-evaluation-to-remove-weapon/) - Maine Governor Janet T. Mills recently signed a bill into law that requires a medical professional to confirm a person is a danger to themselves or others in order to temporarily take away their weapons. The bill passed in the Maine Senate 32 to 0, and 135 to 9 in the House of Representatives. This
- [An introduction to dual diagnosis for the new therapist](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/an-introduction-to-dual-diagnosis-for-the-new-therapist/) - When I was newly licensed and newly in private practice, a patient told me at intake he had to have therapy before he could be granted visits with his young daughter. He seemed heartsick that he couldn’t see her. He said he wanted to be a good dad. He wanted to pay for her braces.
- [Q&A with Robert Jamison, PhD](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/qa-with-robert-jamison-phd/) - With the crusade against the over-prescription of opioids, medical professionals are finding it difficult to ascertain if and when they should ever prescribe the medications to clients. The chief psychologist at the Pain Management Center of Chestnut Hill, Mass., Robert Jamison,Ph.D has worked with pain management for close to 30 years and has witnessed the
- [ME legislation seeks community-based mental health task force](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/me-legislation-seeks-community-based-mental-health-task-force/) - Mentally ill patients often end up in emergency rooms, homeless shelters, or even jails instead of getting much needed psychiatric care. Senator Cathy Breen (D- ) Recently proposed legislation to address that problem. Breen’s bill calls for a community-based task force that would assess mental health needs before a patient ends up in a place
- [Psychologist focuses on reproductive, infertility issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologist-focuses-on-reproductive-infertility-issues/) - The images are everywhere. The perfect little family, in a magazine article, on a sitcom, or peering out from every celebrity Twitter post. But for up to 15 percent of couples, those images are a reminder of just how difficult it can be to start a family of their own. From infertility to failed in
- [Specialists address the complexities of treating women’s emotional health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/specialists-address-the-complexities-of-treating-womens-emotional-health/) - Statistics show that women are twice as likely as men to experience depression and several types of anxiety; females are also approximately nine times more likely to have eating disorders than males. But women may present with complexities that require therapy from psychologists who specialize in treating this population. Wendy F. Habelow, Ph.D, owner of
- [Mass. Nurses Association wants say in dealing with problems at Worcester Recovery Center](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-nurses-association-wants-say-in-dealing-with-problems-at-worcester-recovery-center/) - The Massachusetts Nurses Association is demanding information on staffing and policies at the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital (WRCH) after a lack of progress by the state Department of Mental Health in addressing dangerous conditions for both patients and staff that have been going on for years there. “"No longer are we going to accept
- [Research: Patients gain benefits from exercise program](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-patients-gain-benefits-from-exercise-program/) - Inpatients with a range of mental health disorders reported improvements in mood and self-image following participation in an exercise and nutrition program at the University of Vermont Medical Center. Lead author David Tomasi, Ph.D., Ed.D-Ph.D, said that implementation of the research program was a natural progression of the “integrative modalities,” UVMC has used before in
- [Rhode Island Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations focused on behavioral health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/rhode-island-foundation-awards-grants-to-non-profit-organizations-focused-on-behavioral-health/) - In May, the Rhode Island Foundation awarded $2.6 million in grants to six non-profit organizations to fund behavioral health care services in the state. According to Jenny Pereira, vice president of the grant program at the R.I. Foundation, behavioral health is a high priority. In August 2018, the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner created
- [NH aims to reduce emergency boarding](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/nh-aims-to-reduce-emergency-boarding/) - As part of a much broader plan to institute changes to a mental health care system that has seen serious degradation over the past three decades, the New Hampshire legislature recently passed a bill aimed at addressing the issue of emergency room boarding for men and women facing mental health crises. The bill was signed
- [What is the meaning of patient silence?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/what-is-the-meaning-of-patient-silence/) - Midway through a session, Grace, age 24, says she just doesn’t want to talk anymore – and doesn’t. Joe, age 15, enters your office and slumps in a chair, legs spread apart, arms crossed, head down, hidden under the hood of his sweatshirt. “Hello,” you say. He grunts. You are in a couple’s session. The
- [CT bill holds insurance companies accountable](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/ct-bill-holds-insurance-companies-accountable/) - Connecticut’s House of Representatives recently approved a bill requiring insurers to cover mental health and substance abuse treatment at the same level as physical health. Taking a step further, House Bill 7125, known as An Act Concerning Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits, also requires insurance companies to submit annual documentation to prove their
- [Flaws in healthcare system outlined in book](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/flaws-in-healthcare-system-outlined-in-book/) - There is no such thing as a perfect system and in the case of the mentally ill, nothing could be truer. People with mental illness face an uphill battle to secure appropriate services, avoid being caught up in the criminal justice system, and most of all, steer clear of the revolving door that has become
- [New APA guidelines for girls and women put focus on strengths](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/new-apa-guidelines-for-girls-and-women-put-focus-on-strengths/) - The empowering #MeToo hashtag didn’t exist yet when the American Psychological Association (APA) issued its first practice guidelines for treating girls and women in 2007. Now, the updated version of these APA guidelines acknowledges the strength and resilience many girls and women possess to overcome adversity from the effects of sexism, oppression, discrimination, and prejudice. Released
- [Mental health courts offer alternative path to recovery](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/mental-health-courts-offer-alternative-path-to-recovery/) - In 2007, Judge Kathleen Coffey sought a way to help those with mental health disorders who were facing imprisonment. Mental Health Court offers an alternative path to recovery while avoiding incarceration. Joan Taglieri, senior director of clinical operations for the Boston Medical Center Department of Psychiatry, explained that the Mental Health Court is a specialized
- [R.I. bill to mandate suicide prevention training for school staff faces quiet hurdles](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/r-i-bill-to-mandate-suicide-prevention-training-for-school-staff-faces-quiet-hurdles/) - On the first day of spring, they came to the Rhode Island Statehouse. Many were students from Portsmouth High School who formed the suicide prevention group Every Student Initiative. They were there to support a bill before the House Committee of Health, Education and Welfare. The bill was called The Nathan Bruno and Jason Flatt
- [CT bill supporting prescriptive authority fails; to be re-submitted](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ct-bill-supporting-prescriptive-authority-fails-to-be-re-submitted/) - David Greenfield’s office manager called 19 psychiatrists before she found one to return her call. This situation is not uncommon, according to Greenfield, Ph.D, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and founder and medical director for The Center for Internet and Technology Addiction in West Hartford. “We
- [New Hampshire organization uses peer approach to provide kinship, hope](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/new-hampshire-organization-uses-peer-approach-to-provide-kinship-hope/) - One of the worst parts about struggling with mental illness is the loneliness. You feel like you’re the only person on the planet to suffer with these symptoms or stressors. You feel like you’re abnormal, inherently wrong, or “other.” So, when someone truly listens to you, cares, and says “me, too,” it can be transformative.
- [Treating mind and body at the heart of rehabilitation psychology specialty](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/treating-mind-and-body-at-the-heart-of-rehabilitation-psychology-specialty/) - Individuals across the spectrum require care from a rehabilitation psychologist. Tim Belliveau, Ph.D., ABPP, director of postdoctoral training & research at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Connecticut said pediatric patients with pervasive mental disabilities, individuals who suffered traumatic brain injuries, stroke or spinal cord injuries, and athletes with torn muscles are among
- [Massachusetts bans conversion therapy for minors](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/massachusetts-bans-conversion-therapy-for-minors/) - Massachusetts became the 16th state to ban conversion therapy, a method attempting to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity by treating it as if it’s a mental illness. Sometimes referred to as “reparative therapy,” tactics range from shaming the person to using painful physical stimulation like electric shocks. In early April, Governor Charlie
- [Assessment teams factoring into Rhode Island, ME health care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/assessment-teams-factoring-into-rhode-island-me-health-care/) - Patients with mental health issues too often end up in emergency rooms with nowhere else to go. ERs in Maine reported approximately 16 patients per 1,000 had mental health issues between 2011 and 2014, according to the latest statistics. “We know people are waiting in ERs from seven to 14 days for a bed rather
- [Psychologist delves into emotion, brain development](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologist-delves-into-emotion-brain-development/) - In one of the most watched TED talk videos of 2018, Northeastern University Professor of Psychology Lisa Barrett, Ph.D explained how the jury who condemned the surviving Boston Marathon bomber to death was working from a false premise. The jury, she said, passed the sentence, in part, because they felt they couldn't read remorse in
- [Weighing the pros and cons of insurance is crucial](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/weighing-the-pros-and-cons-of-insurance-is-crucial/) - Setting up a new practice, while potentially rewarding in many ways, can also be stressful and overwhelming. There are decisions to be made, from location and staffing to marketing, hours, and when to open your doors. One of the most important decisions to make for anyone starting out, changing locations, or moving into solo or
- [Vermont's medication assisted treatment program shows encouraging results](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermonts-medication-assisted-treatment-program-shows-encouraging-results/) - For the first time since 1918 during WWI when a flu pandemic swept the nation, life expectancy in the U.S. has dropped for each of the last three years. Suicide and drug overdose are edging the country downward. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 72,000 drug overdoses in 2017, up from 63,000
- [Millenials have more health issues, according to Blue Cross Blue Shield Survey](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/millenials-have-more-health-issues-according-to-blue-cross-blue-shield-survey/) - A survey by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association shows that millennial Americans are experiencing double-digit increases in eight of 10 health conditions, including behavioral health issues like major depression, substance and alcohol abuse, and hyperactivity. Brian Harvey, executive director, strategy at BCBSA explained that the organization creates an annual index, analyzing more than 200 conditions
- [Hebrew Senior Care's expansion hopes to address psychiatric needs of elderly](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/hebrew-senior-cares-expansion-hopes-to-address-psychiatric-needs-of-elderly/) - People are living longer and as a result, rates of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related issues continue to increase, impacting not only families, but the greater medical community. According to AARP, 10,000 Baby Boomers are reaching retirement every day and the U.S. Census Bureau’s assessments bear those figures out. They predict that by 2030, “one in
- [North Shore Medical Center project underway to increase number of psychiatric beds](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/north-shore-medical-center-project-underway-to-increase-number-of-psychiatric-beds/) - North Shore Medical Center received approval from Massachusetts state regulators to increase its number of psychiatric beds. Plans for what will be called the Epstein Center for Behavioral Health include a total of 120 adult, geriatric, and pediatric beds. The facility is slated to open this fall. The expansion project had a few glitches after
- [Psychologists find inpatient autism treatment complex, challenging](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-find-inpatient-autism-treatment-complex-challenging/) - Growing awareness, mandatory early screening and changes to the diagnostic criteria have collectively contributed to an increase in the number of autism diagnoses. For the most part, patients with a diagnosis on the autism spectrum are managed on an outpatient basis. But, in some cases, hospitalization is necessary. Barbara Tylenda, Ph.D, ABPP, chief psychologist to
- [Butler Hospital research seeks to identify people in pre-clinical stage of Alzheimer's](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/butler-hospital-research-seeks-to-identify-people-in-pre-clinical-stage-of-alzheimers/) - Currently, 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, that total is expected to increase to nearly 14 million. Between 2000 and 2017, deaths from heart disease decreased by nine percent; deaths from Alzheimer’s increased by 145 percent.Butler Hospital in Rhode Island is among the institutions working to shrink those statistics. Butler has
- [Telepsychology: Is it the future of treatment?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/telepsychology-is-it-the-future-of-treatment/) - Technology has become an integral part of our daily world. We ask Alexa about the weather, tell Siri to place a phone call and use voice recognition software to write emails. How far a step is it, then, to reach out to a therapist via technology? Telepsychology, or telehealth, the practice of providing psychological services
- [Study finds lack of data a barrier to systems-level research on patient safety](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-finds-lack-of-data-a-barrier-to-systems-level-research-on-patient-safety/) - Morgan Shields admits she was naive in the summer of 2017 when she first submitted an online public records request for all substantiated complaints against inpatient psychiatric facilities in Massachusetts. The paralegal from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) who called her told her it would cost more than $100,000 to provide the records.
- [Walden's CEO combines clinical background with business skills](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/waldens-ceo-combines-clinical-background-with-business-skills/) - In the country's convoluted health care system, forging a path towards recovery can be frustrating at best and a setup for failure at worst. A patchwork system, grown organically over the years as need arises or funding is available, US health care encompasses a wide variety of services, both public and private, for and not-for-profit.
- [United Behavioral Health case shines light on parity violations](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/united-behavioral-health-case-shines-light-on-parity-violations/) - While an attempt by the Senate Finance Committee to unmask secretive drug industry pricing has been in the news lately, another case that could have far-reaching results for insurance company procedure was recently decided in a federal court in California. In March, a federal judge issued a ruling in a class-action case brought by several
- [Study attempts to identify at-risk babies for autism treatment](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-attempts-to-identify-at-risk-babies-for-autism-treatment/) - Babies who are at risk of developing autism have better outcomes if they are identified early and given intensive treatment. That's the premise of the Infant Sibling Project, spearheaded by Rebecca MacDonald, Ph.D., BCBA-D, director of that initiative at The New England Center for Children in Southborough, Mass. MacDonald explained that her work attempts to
- [Baystate Health, US HealthVest to build hospital](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/baystate-health-us-healthvest-to-build-hospital/) - In February, Baystate Health, a not-for-profit integrated healthcare system that serves more than 800,000 people across western Massachusetts, announced plans to construct and operate a new behavioral health hospital in this region of the Commonwealth. The project is a joint venture between Baystate Health and US HealthVest, a nationally known for-profit behavioral health care company
- [Latham Centers offers unique program for kids with Prader-Willi Syndrome](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/latham-centers-offers-unique-program-for-kids-with-prader-willi-syndrome/) - Most people have heard of equine therapy, but the term asinotherapy probably would draw many blank stares. Originally developed in Germany, this lesser-known therapy is actually a successful program that uses miniature donkeys. Since 2009, it’s been an integral part of Latham Centers, a residential care, education, and treatment center for children and adults with
- [Vermont's new mental health commissioner Sarah Squirrell ready to face challenges](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/vermonts-new-mental-health-commissioner-sarah-squirrell-ready-to-face-challenges/) - Like many states, Vermont is in dire need of mental health reform. Sarah Squirrell, Vermont’s newest mental health commissioner, said there are no easy answers to the complex challenges. However, Squirrell welcomes the opportunity to address these issues, which, she said, require collaboration, innovation, and commitment. “Our communities and service delivery systems must commit to
- [Couples face challenges but long for love, security](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/couples-face-challenges-but-long-for-love-security/) - Healthy marriages are good for everyone involved - the couple, of course, but also the rest of the family, the community, colleagues… everyone benefits. But, with a reported 50% of marriages ending in divorce, the on-going need for couples therapists seems like a niche that will never be fully filled. Just in time for Valentine’s
- [Gen Z's worries highlighted in annual stress survey](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/gen-zs-worries-highlighted-in-annual-stress-survey/) - Generation Z, individuals ages 15 to 21, feel stressed out about ripped-from-the- headlines topics like school and mass shootings, sexual assault, and immigration according to the annual Stress in America™ survey by the American Psychological Association. The Harris Poll was conducted last summer online among 3,458 adults and 300 15 to 17-year-olds in all 50
- [Setting boundaries: an essential practice for psychologists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/setting-boundaries-an-essential-practice-for-psychologists/) - We live in a time where boundaries, between people, between cultures, between sexes, are crashing down all around us. Boundaries are the walls that keep us from fulfilling our destiny or getting close to another human or limit freedom of speech and exchange of ideas and information. In the world of therapy, however, setting boundaries
- [Draft of 10-year mental health plan release](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/draft-of-10-year-mental-health-plan-release/) - New Hampshire may soon see a major overhaul geared toward bringing the state’s mental health care system back to its former glory. For a system that has gone from being second in the country in 1990 as rated by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), to earning a D in a revised rating
- [Q & A with Laurie Santos, Ph.D, Yale associate professor of psychology](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/q-a-with-laurie-santos-ph-d-yale-associate-professor-of-psychology/) - Research in happiness attracts attention from wide audience. Today’s young adults are experiencing stress and mental health problems at levels we haven't seen before. The good news is that they seem to be reaching out for answers and help. According to the Center for Collegiate Mental Health, counseling centers at colleges saw a 30-40 percent
- [Survey: Access to mental health, substance use disorder care is a challenge for Massachusetts adults](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/survey-access-to-mental-health-substance-use-disorder-care-is-a-challenge-for-massachusetts-adults/) - Data from the 2018 Massachusetts Health Reform Survey showed that 56.8 percent of adults ages 19 to 64 who sought help for mental health or substance abuse disorders experienced difficulties obtaining care. The problems included finding a provider who would see them at all or getting an appointment in a timely manner when it was
- [Closing a practice requires thoughtful planning](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/closing-a-practice-requires-thoughtful-planning/) - Shuttering a psychological practice is not a step to be taken lightly. It’s not like one can simply hang a “Closed” sign on the door and turn off the lights. In reality, there are many issues to be taken into consideration, including the ethical, legal, financial, and practical aspects of ending relationships with patients, colleagues,
- [Physician burnout not as prevalent for psychologists?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/physician-burnout-not-as-prevalent-for-psychologists/) - In January, several healthcare organizations in Massachusetts took the unusual step of declaring a public health crisis over the rising rates of “burnout” among physicians. In a paper published by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the Harvard Global Health Institute, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association, the group
- [Legislation provides mental health support for first responders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/legislation-provides-mental-health-support-for-first-responders/) - First responders to emergencies have a heavy burden to bear and often do not ask for emotional support. Massachusetts recently passed a law specifically to help this population. Senator Michael Moore (D-Second Worcester District) was instrumental in passing legislation for mental health services for first responders. It highlights the mental trauma related to specific events
- [RI summit addresses student mental health issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/ri-summit-addresses-student-mental-health-issues/) - In January, government and local college and university leaders met to discuss the prevalence of stress and anxiety on college campuses. Governor Gina Raimondo called for the summit to help identify opportunities and strategies for collaboration among the counseling centers on Rhode Island’s college campuses, according to Nicole Shaffer-Thomas, director of communications and outreach, RI
- [Numerous deficiencies reported at CT juvenile centers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/numerous-deficiencies-reported-at-ct-juvenile-centers/) - The Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) published a report citing several areas needing significant improvement after examining conditions at juvenile centers in Bridgeport and Hartford. The centers are operated by the Court Support Services Division (CSSD). The report also included data collected from the Manson Youth Institution for Boys and York Correctional Institute
- [Letter to the Editor: MPA responds to editorial on compensation](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/letter-to-the-editor-mpa-responds-to-editorial-on-compensation/) - To the Editor, We appreciate your raising the issue of compensation to Massachusetts psychologists and its direct impact on behavioral health and substance use services in your recent editorial (December, 2018). Restricted access to mental health treatment for Massachusetts residents has been central to the advocacy efforts of the Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) for many
- [Political Psychology: A discipline of borrowers](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/political-psychology-a-discipline-of-borrowers/) - Unlike other niche areas, political psychology eludes precise definition. Rather, the practice could probably best be described as a smorgasbord of disciplines that includes anthropology, psychology, sociology, economics, communications, and political science. And within the realm of political psychology, practitioners engage in a wide range of research projects, depending on their particular interests. The terrorist
- [New APA guidelines for boys and men sink in after making a splash](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/new-apa-guidelines-for-boys-and-men-sink-in-after-making-a-splash/) - It took the American Psychological Association (APA) 13 years to issue professional practice guidelines for clinical psychologists who work with a demographic badly in need of care and attention. It’s a subpopulation with higher rates of substance abuse, death by suicide, disciplinary action and school suspensions, learning disabilities and behavioral disturbances, and problems with family
- [Outreach program assists children exposed to trauma](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/outreach-program-assists-children-exposed-to-trauma/) - Realizing that more must be done to reach out to children who have witnessed traumatic events, representatives from several agencies joined in Manchester NH to craft a unique outreach program. Launched two years ago, ACERT, or the Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team, has experienced some amazing results. Several times each week, a member of the
- [Long-time columnist shares insight, experiences in new book](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/long-time-columnist-shares-insight-experiences-in-new-book/) - They say that it's best to write what you know and let the bigger truths come from the personal ones. When Alan Bodnar, PhD, began writing for this publication's predecessor, Massachusetts Psychologist in 1993, the plan was to shine a light on the life of a practicing psychologist and his relationships with his clients at
- [Forensic psychologists bring psychological science to court](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/forensic-psychologists-bring-psychological-science-to-court/) - Television shows give the impression that forensics involves allure and excitement while specially trained professionals unravel subtle clues to track down serial killers. But those who are in the field of forensic psychology tell a different story. Shannon Bader, Ph.D, ABPP, chief of forensic evaluations for the state of New Hampshire, dismissed the notion of
- [Debate over effectiveness of skin shocks continues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/debate-over-effectiveness-of-skin-shocks-continues/) - When the Food and Drug Administration will finally issue its final ban on electrical stimulation devices for treating self-injurious and aggressive behaviors is anyone’s guess. But there is no doubt about how firmly a Massachusetts school embraces using a device to deliver either 15.25 or 44 millilamps of electric current to the arms or legs
- [Connecticut ranks high on study of psychopathy by location](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/connecticut-ranks-high-on-study-of-psychopathy-by-location/) - Washington D.C. has the highest number of psychopaths, according to a nation-wide study. But Connecticut ranked second overall and first per capita. The research, conducted by Ryan Murphy, Ph.D., research assistant professor at Southern Methodist University, also showed the states with the most psychopaths were clustered in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Murphy said that
- [Networking still relies on personal interaction](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/networking-still-relies-on-personal-interaction/) - Networking once meant going golfing with the sales team or chatting with local bank executives at a Chamber of Commerce event. But how has it changed in the technological age? In many ways, it hasn’t. While there are countless options for on-line networking through apps like “Linked-In,” a good old-fashioned handshake and shared lunch should
- [Yale report shows corrections agencies are reducing use of solitary confinement](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/yale-report-shows-corrections-agencies-are-reducing-use-of-solitary-confinement/) - The total number of people spending time alone in a U.S. prison or jail cell for an average of 22 hours or more per day for 15 continuous days is decreasing. So is the number of those with serious mental illness (SMI). That’s according to the most comprehensive study of national data on the number
- [Maine to assess behavioral health services for children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/maine-to-assess-behavioral-health-services-for-children/) - Looking to address issues of long wait times and limited access to mental health care, the state of Maine has initiated a system-wide assessment of its behavioral health services for children. With a series of surveys geared towards stakeholders including children and families, providers, law enforcement and corrections personnel, advocacy service providers, educators and behavioral
- [Market conduct review leads to new fund to supplement behavioral health care system in RI](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/market-conduct-review-leads-to-new-fund-to-supplement-behavioral-health-care-system-in-ri/) - Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island stopped requiring prior approval for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services on Aug. 1, a move the state’s largest health insurer said was part of a larger focus on improving access to care. Out-of-network services will still be subject to what’s known as utilization review for behavioral
- [UNICEF report: Peer-to-peer violence in schools is pervasive around the world](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/unicef-report-peer-to-peer-violence-in-schools-is-pervasive-around-the-world/) - School is a safe place — but only for half of the world’s students. A new UNICEF analysis finds that half of students aged 13 to 15 globally report experiencing peer-to-peer violence in and around school. That’s about 150 million teens, according to the report “An Everyday Lesson: #ENDviolence in Schools,” which outlines a variety
- [Study gives insight into how people experience emotion](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/study-gives-insight-into-how-people-experience-emotion/) - Emotions run the gamut, from sadness and grief to happiness and euphoria and many others in between. But little is known about how and why those emotions change at different times and during different stages of life. A team of researchers at Harvard University recently conducted a study to explore these questions. Leah Somerville, Ph.D,
- [In the #METoo era, psychologists adopt various strategies to assist victims of sexual abuse](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/in-the-metoo-era-psychologists-adopt-various-strategies-to-assist-victims-of-sexual-abuse/) - The #MeToo movement opened a floodgate, giving a voice to victims of sexual abuse and harassment. While public revelations have empowered some women, others are reliving past sexual abuse incidents, leading to recurrence of psychological issues. In recent years, stigma surrounding sexual abuse has decreased somewhat, according to New York psychologist Julia Vigna Bosson, Ph.D.
- [Avoidance of triggers may have negative consequences](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/avoidance-of-triggers-may-have-negative-consequences/) - With the public testimony and accusations around sexual assault in the national spotlight in recent months, there has been increased attention paid to how these reports may be triggering psychological responses in the general public. Reportedly, reading about or hearing testimony from Christine Ford Blasey, Ph.D, a professor of clinical psychology at Palo Alto University
- [The dilemma: to join a group practice or go solo](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/the-dilemma-to-join-a-group-practice-or-go-solo/) - It is perhaps the most important question to answer for anyone just starting out in a clinical practice. Does it make sense to take a “safe” position in a group practice or would it be wiser in the long run to set out on your own, rent an office, and start building your brand? There
- [Despite lack of attention, cults continue on](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/despite-lack-of-attention-cults-continue-on/) - Texting and driving, opioids, vaping: these are the dangers facing young people that rule the media today. But take a look at a newspaper from 30 years ago and you’ll find a different danger constantly in front of parents’ faces - the prevalence and peril of cults. These stories don’t seem to grip the nation
- [To overcome the mental health bias, clinicians must serve as examples](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/to-overcome-the-mental-health-bias-clinicians-must-serve-as-examples/) - In the middle of labor with my second child, I had a panic attack. It happened when my epidural kicked in and I realized I couldn’t feel my body. I panicked. After spending hours in excruciating pain of back labor and feeling the sweet sensation of the pain subsiding, I realized I couldn’t move. I
- [Psychologist Ashley Warhol, Psy.D finds job at Devereux fulfilling](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologist-ashley-warhol-psy-d-finds-job-at-devereux-fulfilling/) - As the saying goes, find a job you like and you will never work a day in your life. Psychologists, more than most people, are aware of the need to find meaning in the day to day. For some, however, finding their passion generally takes a long time. For others, it comes more quickly. For
- [Residential schools: Helping students get back on track](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/residential-schools-helping-students-get-back-on-track/) - Residential, or boarding, schools serve different populations and have different goals. Schools that address behavioral issues in children admit students with a variety of diagnoses. Those diagnoses include a number of psychological and emotional issues that range from anxiety, mood and eating disorders, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) to fire
- [Benton Center retrofitted for psychiatric patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/benton-center-retrofitted-for-psychiatric-patients/) - In 2009, the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) opened the Roosevelt Benton Center and the Thomas C. Slater Training School (also called the Youth Development Center) as an “intake and assessment center for non-adjudicated youth,” according to Kerri White, MA, Rhode Island’s DCYF communications director. Last year, Eleanor Slater Hospital acquired
- [Behavior analysts must be licensed in Connecticut](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/behavior-analysts-must-be-licensed-in-connecticut/) - On July 1, Connecticut became the 30th state in the country to require behavior analysts to obtain a license to practice what has become the best-known approach to treating children with autism. Behavior analysts help individuals change behaviors associated with negative consequences to improve outcomes. Being licensed will allow behavior analysts to be reimbursed by
- [Collaboration results in enrichment program for kids](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/general/collaboration-results-in-enrichment-program-for-kids/) - Shortridge Academy, a private co-ed therapeutic boarding school in Milton, New Hampshire, recently announced a unique enrichment program being offered to its students. As part of a community outreach effort, the school has partnered with Granite State Adaptive Sports, a non-profit organization that provides a variety of physical activities for people with disabilities. In the
- [Youth Villages closes residential program for girls in Mass.](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/youth-villages-closes-residential-program-for-girls-in-mass/) - A residential treatment program for girls with emotional and behavioral problems in Arlington, Massachusetts, shut down in September after a decision by its parent organization to shift focus to community-based services. That decision impacted 150 staff members at the Germaine Lawrence campus on Claremont Avenue operated by the national private non-profit Youth Villages. The vast
- [School psychologists: In a class of their own](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/school-psychologists-in-a-class-of-their-own/) - According to the American Psychological Association (APA), school psychology has “…evolved as a specialty area with core knowledge rooted in psychology and education.” Once focused primarily on assessments, today’s school psychologists undergo advanced training, leading to deeper knowledge and understanding of developmental stages, culture, environment, and social emotional issues as they currently apply to school
- [Isolation and LGBTQ youth: Social, psychological and financial implications](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/isolation-and-lgbtq-youth-social-psychological-and-financial-implications/) - This project was supported by a grant from the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). In a 2017 Washington Post article, former Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy cited emotional well-being and loneliness as one of today’s big public health worries. While the average American might experience isolation and disconnectedness at various times during their
- [Treatment resistance is challenge for practitioners](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/treatment-resistance-is-challenge-for-practitioners/) - Patient X doesn’t show up for an appointment--again. He calls and explains that his dog was sick/mother needed a ride/ car broke down. Client J is late for nearly every appointment. Patient K offers every excuse she can think of for why a particular solution will not work for her--no matter the solution. Patient N,
- [Conversion therapy ban passes in New Hampshire, fails in Massachusetts and is vetoed in Maine](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/conversion-therapy-ban-passes-in-new-hampshire-fails-in-massachusetts-and-is-vetoed-in-maine/) - In a movement that seems to be growing, a ban on mental health professionals providing conversion therapy for people under 18 has been signed into law in 15 states. There have been five bans this year alone. In June, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu signed a bill banning the practice in that state. “There has
- [Border separation takes emotional toll on children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/border-separation-takes-emotional-toll-on-children/) - Reports of family separation at the Mexican border set off a firestorm. Video and audio demonstrated the conditions in which the more than 3,000 children lived. An estimated 1,600 parents are still in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. With reunification underway, the Trump administration recently admitted that more than 450 immigrant parents separated
- [Developmental trauma disorder is focus of research](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/developmental-trauma-disorder-is-focus-of-research/) - It would surprise no one that children who have been mistreated or have been subjected to another form of trauma would experience repercussions. It makes sense that trauma can result in symptoms that look like behavioral disorders, oppositional defiant disorders, anxiety, depression, or ADHD. Yet, for many children the symptoms are treated as not being
- [Goldwater Rule is re-visited](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/goldwater-rule-is-re-visited/) - In 1964, presidential candidate Barry Goldwater issued some alarming “extremist” statements, drawing criticism from the general public and some mental health professionals. The uproar prompted FACT magazine to survey 12,356 psychiatrists regarding Goldwater’s mental health status. While none of the respondents had personally spoken with or examined Goldwater, they provided negative opinions on his psychological
- [CDC report shows challenge facing public health campaign goals to prevent suicide](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/cdc-report-shows-challenge-facing-public-health-campaign-goals-to-prevent-suicide/) - The World Health Organization wants to reduce the suicide rate by 10 percent by 2020. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Project 2025 wants to reduce it 20 percent by 2025. The Zero Suicide movement aims to prevent 100 percent of suicides in the first 30 days after a patient is discharged from inpatient or
- [Gender identity added to NH anti-discrimination law](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/gender-identity-added-to-nh-anti-discrimination-law/) - Discrimination in employment, housing, or places of public accommodation on the basis of gender identity is now prohibited in New Hampshire. House Bill 1319 was signed into law in June and added gender identity to the state’s existing anti-discrimination legislation, along with age, sex, race, color, marital status, physical or mental disability, religious creed, national
- [RI police group concerned about mental health training](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ri-police-group-concerned-about-mental-health-training/) - The Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association backed late-session legislation in June that attempted to overturn a 2016 law requiring mental health training for police officers. Complying with the National Council of Behavioral Health’s flagship program, Mental Health First Aid USA, it teaches the skills to recognize mental illness, helps assess the risks, and connect individuals
- [Retirement planning: Pay yourself first](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/retirement-planning-pay-yourself-first/) - When someone suggested I start thinking about setting up an account for my retirement, I put it on my list for “later.” Later didn’t come until much, much later when I finally woke up to the fact that unless I prepared for a retirement someday, I’d be working until the day I died. Actually, even
- [ME Gov. LePage continues push for step-down unit in Bangor](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/me-gov-lepage-continues-push-for-step-down-unit-in-bangor/) - Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s effort to build a privately run 21-bed stepdown unit for Augusta’s Riverview Psychiatric Center on state land in Bangor has quietly resumed with a developer’s permit application filed with the Bangor Planning Board. Bangor Holdings LLC in Hermon submitted an application and site development plan on May 30 to build
- [Researcher Nicole Overstreet, Ph.D., focuses on concerns of women, marginalized groups](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/researcher-nicole-overstreet-ph-d-focuses-on-concerns-of-women-marginalized-groups/) - Until recently, medical and psychological research was done with a “one-size-fits-all” approach - white men around the age of 35 made up the majority of research subject pools and findings were then extrapolated to apply to women, other ethnic groups, children and the elderly. Researchers began to question standard practices as concerns rose around the
- [CARE Act would allow involuntary commitment for addicts](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/care-act-would-allow-involuntary-commitment-for-addicts/) - As part of an effort to combat the drug overdose epidemic, a new law, known as the CARE Act, currently in the Massachusetts legislature would allow certain medical professionals to hospitalize people addicted to drugs for up to 72 hours while waiting for a court order. The law would give physicians, psychiatric nurses, qualified licensed
- [William James College acquires Teachers21: Aims to make schools a better place for students](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/william-james-college-acquires-teachers21-aims-to-make-schools-a-better-place-for-students/) - Four years ago Teachers21, Inc., a 30-year old organization that offers customized professional development for academic leaders, began renting space on the campus of William James College where it also drew upon the school’s experienced faculty to spearhead various programs. Last year, an opportunity arose and the two entities joined forces. Nicholas A. Covino, Psy.D.,
- [School Based Health Care may be the only care some kids receive](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/school-based-health-care-may-be-the-only-care-some-kids-receive/) - The turn of the 20th century saw the advent of school nurses. Since then, school-based health care has grown. Mental health and substance abuse counseling, case management, nutrition, immunizations, health education, even regular dental check-ups with fluoride treatments are available during school hours. “It’s not just medical. It’s from dental to mental.” said Ellen Carroll,
- [Connecticut's troubled adolescents lack coverage](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/connecticuts-troubled-adolescents-lack-coverage/) - One in every five children between 13 and 18-years-old have or will have a serious mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Based on its statistics in 2015, only a little over half of children aged eight to 15 received mental health services.
- [Vaping: More than just blowing smoke](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vaping-more-than-just-blowing-smoke/) - In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a National Youth Tobacco Survey and found that 2.39 million teens are “vaping” (i.e., using an electronic smoking device). As this trend continues to grow, parents, schools and health professionals figure out how to address the problem.
- [Mindful Teen program a 'hub of care' for adolescents](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mindful-teen-program-a-hub-of-care-for-adolescents/) - In 2012, Bradley Hospital launched its Mindful Teen program, which teaches teens the skills needed to manage a myriad of psychological challenges. Two years later, the program moved to a stricter, full dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) model and in 2016, the program became a hub for care.
- [VT braces for loss of psychiatric bed Medicaid funding](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vt-braces-for-loss-of-psychiatric-bed-medicaid-funding/) - Vermont is exempt from a longtime restriction prohibiting states from using Medicaid funds to cover services for non-elderly adults with mental health conditions in hospital settings with more than 16 beds. This exemption is set to expire starting in 2021 and phase out completely in 2025.
- [Helping others with personal growth is at core of Randy Kamen's career](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/helping-others-with-personal-growth-is-at-core-of-randy-kamens-career/) - Randy Kamen, Ed.D., a psychologist, educator, author and speaker, has held positions at Boston University’s School of Medicine and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She has turned her own career from clinical psychology and education towards running online group sessions on personal growth.
- [Marketing is key to building practice but must be done with careful planning](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/marketing-is-key-to-building-practice-but-must-be-done-with-careful-planning/) - If a psychological practice is also a business, with rent to pay, staff to hire, and a “product” to sell, does it follow that psychologists should also consider instituting a marketing plan? The answer is, yes, but also…within certain parameters and with careful planning.
- [Revenue to focus on increasing inpatient capacity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/revenue-to-focus-on-increasing-inpatient-capacity/) - The Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) gave the go-ahead for the University of Vermont (UVM) Health Network to move forward on a project that would use the Network’s extra revenue from 2017 to increase inpatient mental health capacity in Vermont.
- [Maine Gov. LePage continues push for step-down unit in Bangor](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-gov-lepage-continues-push-for-step-down-unit-in-bangor/) - Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s effort to build a privately run 21-bed stepdown unit for Augusta’s Riverview Psychiatric Center on state land in Bangor has quietly resumed with a developer’s permit application filed with the Bangor Planning Board. Bangor Holdings LLC in Hermon submitted an application and site development plan on May 30 to build
- [New behavioral units designed to enhance care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-behavioral-units-designed-to-enhance-care/) - St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, Maine, opened its new pediatric behavioral unit in early 2018 and is on track to open a new adult behavioral unit in 2019, as part of a three-year, $12 million improvement project. Project funding was partially funded through a capital campaign.
- [Brattleboro Retreat expands telepsychiatry services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/brattleboro-retreat-expands-telepsychiatry-services/) - Following the successful launch of a pilot inpatient telepsychiatry program, the Brattleboro Retreat in Vermont — a not-for-profit specialty psychiatric and addiction treatment hospital — has expanded its telepsychiatry services.
- [Mass. increases beds, facilities while other states remain stable](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mass-increases-beds-facilities-while-other-states-remain-stable/) - The psychiatric care landscape has shifted in recent years from an inpatient setting to community placement and back to in-hospital treatment. New England Psychologist surveyed the New England states to assess the current inpatient situation.
- [Psychologists weigh benefits, challenges of working in inpatient hospital settings](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-weigh-benefits-challenges-of-working-in-inpatient-hospital-settings/) - Psychologists today have opportunities to pursue several different professional career paths. New England Psychologist spoke to psychologists who practice in inpatient settings and found that this venue offers both rewards and challenges.
- [Vermont searches for solutions to increase bed capacity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-searches-for-solutions-to-increase-bed-capacity/) - The Vermont House of Representatives Committee on Health Care has come out against funding a temporary 12-bed forensic unit at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in Gov. Phil Scott’s proposed fiscal 2019 state budget. Adding Psychiatric inpatient capacity to the state’s mental health system is complicated.
- [Plymouth's Child and Family Services re-design creates stir](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/plymouths-child-and-family-services-re-design-creates-stir/) - The Emergency Services Program (ESP) operated by Child and Family Services in Plymouth is about to change. Executive Director Anne Sampaio, LICSW, noted that people feared the closure of the current office space on Long Pond Road in June would mean that people in 10 communities would be left without `walk-in' aid.
- [Book on play is research-based, practical](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/book-on-play-is-research-based-practical/) - In "Play and Creativity in Psychotherapy," Terry Marks-Tarlow, Marion Solomon, and Daniel J. Siegel demonstrate that play can have a significant role in the healing process. Taking the time to relearn how to play as an adult can help build resilience, creativity, and spontaneity for both clients and therapists. As children, it is natural to
- [Transitional housing bridges gap for people with mental illness](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/transitional-housing-bridges-gap-for-people-with-mental-illness/) - For a number of years, New Hampshire Hospital, the only psychiatric hospital in the state, has been massively overcrowded with too many patients and not enough beds. Patients had little choice but to leave the hospital only to find themselves living on the streets or seeking treatment in crowded emergency rooms.
- [Vertical development: How to grow personally, professionally](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vertical-development-how-to-grow-personally-professionally/) - With the required continuing education for practitioners, a great deal of the available offerings focus on ethics, skills, modalities, or new information gleaned from research. One’s professional development can resemble graduate course work, and this learning can be informative or horizontal in nature.
- [Psychologists at odds over science in Mass. high court case](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-at-odds-over-science-in-mass-high-court-case/) - Twelve days after Massachusetts’ Concord District Court put Julie Eldred on probation for a larceny charge in the summer of 2016, she tested positive for fentanyl and was sent to MCI Framingham without bail for violating a condition that she “remain drug free.” But Eldred suffers from opioid use disorder, said her lawyer Lisa Newman-Polk,
- [In law and language, gun control talk raises red flags](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/in-law-and-language-gun-control-talk-raises-red-flags/) - Calls for limiting the right to bear arms for people with mental health issues increased after the Parkland shooting, especially for red flag laws that would allow police to take firearms away from people suspected of being a danger to themselves or others.
- [Helping to manage fear and anxiety](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/helping-to-manage-fear-and-anxiety/) - The recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida rocked the country and launched calls for stricter gun laws and better security measures in the nation’s schools. While such events are rare, all schools experience their share of crises on a smaller scale that challenge students’ well-being.
- [Lawsuit challenges unlimited civil commitments in Connecticut](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/lawsuit-challenges-unlimited-civil-commitments-in-connecticut/) - Two psychiatrists testified last fall that Gloria Drummer, who attacked a 27-year-old woman at random with a large knife outside a West Hartford CVS, is no longer a danger to herself or others. Yet she remains held at the medium security inpatient psychiatric facility.
- [Record keeping, licensing issues among legal concerns](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/record-keeping-licensing-issues-among-legal-concerns/) - Legal issues can be overwhelming for anyone without a law degree but they can’t always be avoided. Questions that need to be answered correctly may include: When do confidentiality laws apply? How should a contract be terminated? What happens when one partner in a practice retires or dies?
- [Psychologist strives to help others find 'true' life paths](https://www.nepsy.com/interviews/psychologist-strives-to-help-others-find-true-life-paths/) - In a conversation with New England Psychologist's Catherine Robertson Souter, Lisa Manzi Lentino lays out the basics of her three-phase plan for helping people to find their true path in life, the life they were destined to live.
- [Parting words from our legal columnist](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/parting-words-from-our-legal-columnist/) - In 2001, I began writing this legal column. Over the years, I've written fewer and it is likely this one is the last. I am very appreciative of the opportunity to write and express views in this space, but now it is someone else's turn with new energy and, perhaps, new viewpoints.
- [Proposal to tax video games dropped by legislator](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/proposal-to-tax-video-games-dropped-by-legislator/) - With every school shooting, the conversation linking violence and video games resurfaces. The latest incident in Parkland, Florida was no exception. In some circles, video games were once again the suspected culprit. But, are they inextricably intertwined with violent crime?
- [Violence and Video Games: Are They Linked?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/violence-and-video-games-are-they-linked/) - Contentious debate continues over whether video games and other forms of media promote violent behavior, particularly in the wake of the Parkland, Fla., school shooting. Games like “Resident Evil,” “Manhunt,” and “Mortal Kombat” top the list. But, is there a one-size-fits-all answer to the question? “I don’t think you are going to find any media
- [Vermont prison complex meant to accommodate multiple populations](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-prison-complex-meant-to-accommodate-multiple-populations/) - Fixing the mental health system is a key part of a plan Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s administration introduced to the State Legislature to build a 925-bed prison complex in northwest Vermont over 10 years. Fifty forensic beds are part of the $150 million corrections campus outlined in the AHS Report on Major Facilities.
- [DMH initiative aims to expedite psychiatric inpatient admissions](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/dmh-initiative-aims-to-expedite-psychiatric-inpatient-admissions/) - People with mental health conditions routinely experience long wait times in hospital emergency departments. A task force comprised of insurance carriers, psychiatric and medical hospital providers, hospitals, professional associations, and state agency representatives will develop a plan to address the issue.
- [Report: Massachusetts is healthiest state](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-massachusetts-is-healthiest-state/) - Massachusetts jumped up a spot and is now designated as the healthiest state, according to a report from America's Health Rankings. The overall rankings for the other New England states are as follows: Vermont, third; Connecticut, fifth; New Hampshire, eighth; Rhode Island, eleventh; and Maine, twenty-third.
- [In-service training to focus on police officers' mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/in-service-training-to-focus-on-police-officers-mental-health/) - There were 19 deaths of police officers by suicide in Massachusetts in 2016 and 2017, the fourth highest number of suicides in the country. Jeffrey Zeizel, LICSW, a clinical social worker in Woburn, Mass., says that officers are afraid to lose their badge if they admit they are having problems.
- [Lawmakers seek to strengthen parity in Rhode Island](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/lawmakers-seek-to-strengthen-parity-in-rhode-island/) - Rhode Island lawmakers are considering several proposals to strengthen mental healthcare and substance use disorder treatment, including creating an acute mental health crisis center for urgent mental health and substance use disorder crises and facilitate better connections to ongoing mental healthcare resources.
- [Causes of disenfranchised grief: A reminder for therapists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/causes-of-disenfranchised-grief-a-reminder-for-therapists/) - “Disenfranchised grief” is a term used to name grief and mourning that society as a whole and/or a person’s immediate family and friendship circle don’t recognize as legitimate. The relationship to the person they lost isn’t acknowledged or the impact of the loss is minimized.
- [Interview with Katie Lewis, Ph.D., recipient of the Robert S. Wallerstein Fellowship in Psychoanalytic Research](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/interview-with-katie-lewis-ph-d-recipient-of-the-robert-s-wallerstein-fellowship-in-psychoanalytic-research/) - Katie Lewis, Ph.D., a research psychologist at the Austen Riggs Center in Mass., is the recipient of the Robert S. Wallerstein Fellowship in Psychoanalytic Research. The San Francisco Center for Psychoanalysis chose to support Lewis’ research on the impact of interpersonal relationships on suicidal ideation and urges.
- [New Hampshire to develop 10-year mental health plan](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-hampshire-to-develop-10-year-mental-health-plan/) - New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) awarded a contract to Keene University’s Center for Behavioral Health Innovation to develop a 10-year mental health plan for the state. The report will offer a roadmap for the state’s mental health services moving forward.
- [Mental health, harassment among Vermont's priorities](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mental-health-harassment-among-vermonts-priorities/) - In the wake of rampant opioid addiction and the #MeToo movement, the two relevant issues are mental health and sexual harassment. Politicians are in favor of legislation that not only addresses the high cost of prescription drugs but also limits prescription pain killers.
- [Psychologists grapple with issues of racism, diversity in therapy](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-grapple-with-issues-of-racism-diversity-in-therapy/) - As the world becomes more diverse, it's a good time for psychologists to have a social justice philosophy for their practices, according to Charmain F. Jackman, Ph.D. Everybody benefits when we’re all working toward cultural competency,” said Jackman, a licensed clinical/forensic psychologist.
- [Rural Massachusetts experiences psychiatric bed increase](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/rural-massachusetts-experiences-psychiatric-bed-increase/) - Across the Commonwealth, particularly in rural areas, the need for more inpatient care for patients with mental health issues continues to grow. Small towns in the central part of the state have seen an uptick in the number of psychiatric inpatient beds and services.
- [Psychologists help people navigate life transitions](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-help-people-navigate-life-transitions/) - Psychological intervention can help ease life's transitions-from marriage, a new baby or career advancement to divorce, chronic illness, injury or the death of a loved one.
- [Grants to NAMI Rhode Island fund youth programs](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/grants-to-nami-rhode-island-fund-youth-programs/) - Two grants will help NAMI Rhode Island, the state chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, continue to grow mental health education programs for young people. A $15,000 Rhode Island Foundation grant will allow NAMI to increase training opportunities and add presenters for Ending the Silence.
- [Trauma training, reality TV all in a day's work for Jessica Griffin, Psy.D](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/trauma-training-reality-tv-all-in-a-days-work-for-jessica-griffin-psy-d/) - Jessica Griffin, PsyD, interviews NEP’s Catherine Robertson Souter about the experience and about her work with trauma and families in her “day job.”
- [Report documents problems at Maine detention center](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-documents-problems-at-maine-detention-center/) - Understaffing has contributed to “dangerous and unhealthy conditions for both youth and staff” at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland - Maine’s only state juvenile detention center - where employees were forced to work overtime last year.
- [More work to be done to meet need for child mental health services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/more-work-to-be-done-to-meet-need-for-child-mental-health-services/) - As many as one in five children in the U.S. experience a mental disorder in a given year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- [Treatment varies for sexual offenders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/treatment-varies-for-sexual-offenders/) - Clinicians who treat sexual offenders tailor treatment to the offense. Throughout her career Susan Rudman, Ph.D., Northern Regional representative for the Massachusetts Psychological Association, member of the MPA board of directors, forensic psychologist and private practitioner in Salem, Mass., has treated hundreds of males, and a handful of females, who present with various underlying reasons
- [Anti-clawback bill makes progress in legislature](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/anti-clawback-bill-makes-progress-in-legislature/) - A proposed six-month limit on the ability of insurance companies to retroactively deny claims for mental health and substance abuse services has advanced in the Massachusetts Legislature. Language to impose the limit was included in an amendment in the comprehensive health care control bill that passed the Senate in early November 2017. The measure seeks
- [‘Weinstein effect’ comes to campus](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/weinstein-effect-comes-to-campus/) - He was once one of the most powerful men in Hollywood. Then allegations of decades of sexual assault and harassment dethroned film producer Harvey Weinstein last fall, rocking not just the film industry but news outlets and politics as well. As the list of high-profile men dismissed from their jobs after being accused of sexual
- [Minors can be treated without permission](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/minors-can-be-treated-without-permission/) - Vermont minors can now consent to receive outpatient treatment from a mental health professional without the consent of a parent or legal guardian. Newly enacted legislation, “An act relating to consent by minors for mental health treatment” went into effect Jan. 1. “Outpatient treatment” in the context of the act refers to psychotherapy and other
- [Harrington Health Care System to open behavioral health clinic in CT](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/harrington-health-care-system-to-open-behavioral-health-clinic-in-ct/) - Harrington Health Care System, based in Southbridge, Mass., has recently been extending its reach, particularly in the area of behavioral health services. Early in 2018, the hospital system will establish an out-of-state presence in Putnam, Connecticut when it opens a behavioral health clinic there. According to Caitlin Adams, LICSW, director of mental health for the
- [Grant to track prison-based treatment program](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/grant-to-track-prison-based-treatment-program/) - As the country continues to deal with an on-going battle against drug addiction and overdose fatalities, the National Institutes of Health has announced the funding of a study of an opioid addiction treatment program in the prison systems of Rhode Island. The $215,157 grant, awarded to Miriam Hospital, a teaching hospital affiliated with the Warren
- [N.H. seeks funding for opioid crisis](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/n-h-seeks-funding-for-opioid-crisis/) - New Hampshire needs help. That is the message put out by US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) in a recent release decrying the Trump administration’s decision not to increase funding for the state’s battle against the opioid crisis. While the problem has reached every state in the country, New Hampshire has been
- [Grant to enhance rural services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/grant-to-enhance-rural-services/) - Clinical & Support Options (CSO), a comprehensive behavioral health agency that serves residents in western Massachusetts, recently received a federal grant that provides $450,000 over a three-year period. The grant is one of three given by the Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime and is designated to support the Rural Access Project. According
- [Emergency Department visits for behavioral care on the rise](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/emergency-department-visits-for-behavioral-care-on-the-rise/) - The number of Massachusetts patients seeking Emergency Department (ED) care for behavioral health conditions increased, as did the proportion of those patients who boarded and the length of boarding, according to data from 2011-2015 that was recently released by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC). The data from HPC – an independent state agency that
- [Future of Nation is top stressor](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/future-of-nation-is-top-stressor/) - The future of the country is the largest source of stress according to a report from the American Psychological Association. The APA released the results of its annual “Stress in America,” survey in November, with the country’s future topping the results at 63 percent, followed close behind by money at 62 percent and work at
- [Does preventative fencing curb suicide attempts?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/does-preventative-fencing-curb-suicide-attempts/) - Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in this country. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, men die from suicide three and half times more than women while women attempt suicide two and half more times than men. Of the more than 40,000 people who commit suicide every year, less than 10
- [Clinician works with traumatized, abused children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/clinician-works-with-traumatized-abused-children/) - The heightened awareness around issues of sexual abuse and trauma in the public forum helps shine a light on the prevalence of the issue in all age groups. As the country goes through what feels like a domino effect of sexual harassment and abuse allegations, public awareness helps victims to come forward for treatment and
- ["Interviewing Children: The Science of Conversation in Forensic Contexts"](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/interviewing-children-the-science-of-conversation-in-forensic-contexts/) - "Interviewing Children: The Science of Conversation in Forensic Contexts By Debra Ann Poole American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Book on interviewing is `top of the line' Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D This book is an in-depth examination of forensic interviewing with children, written by a psychologist who specializes in eyewitness testimony
- [“Emotion-Focused Therapy For Generalized Anxiety”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/emotion-focused-therapy-for-generalized-anxiety/) - “Emotion-Focused Therapy For Generalized Anxiety” By Jeanne C. Watson & Leslie S. Greenberg American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2017 Book provides novel approach to treating GAD Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. According to Watson & Greenberg, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a serious disorder that impairs functioning and quality of life for between 1.9-5.4 percent
- [Treating sexual abuse/harassment  with therapy and support](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/treating-sexual-abuseharassment-with-therapy-and-support/) - Recently, print, broadcast and social media sites have been reporting sexual abuse, harassment, and misbehavior allegations on a daily basis. While this news has focused on the entertainment industry and corporate America, such behavior also occurs in the workplace, at home and in public venues. Carlos A. Cuevas, Ph.D., associate professor, co-director, Violence & Justice
- [Judge allows Affordable Care Act subsidies to end](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/judge-allows-affordable-care-act-subsidies-to-end/) - A week before the 2018 open enrollment period began, a federal judge rejected an emergency motion filed by a coalition of Democratic state attorneys general – including four New England states – to stop the Trump Administration from ending cost-sharing subsidies to insurers required by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Insurance regulators in many states
- [Grant helps people who disclose assault](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/grant-helps-people-who-disclose-assault/) - Researchers at the University of New Hampshire’s Prevention Innovations Research Center are evaluating a strategy they created to help keep on campus incidents of intimate partner violence or sexual assault from leading to problem drinking and/or mental health issues. Katie M. Edwards, Ph.D., principal investigator and associate professor of psychology and women’s studies at the University
- [Full-service VA Hospital still possible in New Hampshire](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/full-service-va-hospital-still-possible-in-new-hampshire/) - After a Boston Globe Spotlight report in July on the poor state of care at the Manchester, N.H., VA Medical Center, the Veteran’s Administration reacted swiftly to address issues. Within 24 hours of the report, which included “whistle-blower” accounts from current and former staff members, VA Secretary David Shulkin removed two top officials and sent
- [URI offers Mental Health First Aid training](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/uri-offers-mental-health-first-aid-training/) - When it comes to accidents or physical illness, First Aid training can help minimize the damage and speed up healing time. The University of Rhode Island is taking a similar approach to mental health, adopting Mental Health First Aid training, an eight-hour program that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of
- [Study: panic doesn’t increase adverse effects for pregnant women](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-panic-doesnt-increase-adverse-effects-for-pregnant-women/) - Neither panic disorder nor generalized anxiety disorder increased adverse birth outcomes for pregnant women, according to a recent Yale study. However, women who used antidepressants and benzodiazepines to treat those conditions saw a slight increase in some adverse outcomes, according to the study, which appeared in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. Lead author Kimberly Yonkers, M.D.,
- [Role of ‘bystanders’ to abuse examined](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/role-of-bystanders-to-abuse-examined/) - With multiple stories in the press and on social media around accusations of sexual abuse, harassment, and assault, a renewed focus has been placed on strengthening support for victims and changing attitudes towards abuse. As expected, the emphasis in the ongoing discussion has been on the perpetrator and on the victims. There is another angle
- [Transforming Long-Term Care: Expanded Roles for Mental Health Professionals](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/transforming-long-term-care-expanded-roles-for-mental-health-professionals/) - Transforming Long-Term Care: Expanded Roles for Mental Health Professionals By Kelly O’Shea Carney and Margaret P. Norris American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2017 Book explores long-term care's challenges, opportunities Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Historically, mental health professionals, including psychologists, have had limited roles in long-term care settings for older adults.
- [Weight-based bullying can lead to psychological distress](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/weight-based-bullying-can-lead-to-psychological-distress/) - Fashion magazines, television shows, movies and other media have promoted the idea that “thin is in” for decades. While there has been a slight shift in thinking recently, bias against larger individuals continues to be an issue that can have medical and psychological consequences. According to Joan C. Chrisler, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Connecticut
- [“Managing Therapy-Interfering Behavior: Strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/managing-therapy-interfering-behavior-strategies-from-dialectical-behavior-therapy/) - “Managing Therapy-Interfering Behavior: Strategies from Dialectical Behavior Therapy” By Alexander L. Chapman and M. Zachary Rosenthal American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Navigation of therapy impasses is focus of ‘helpful' volume Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. Authors Alexander L. Chapman and M. Zachary Rosenthal address a topic with which many therapists are quite familiar:
- [Psychologist management jobs are highest paid](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologist-management-jobs-are-highest-paid/) - The median annual salary for full-time psychologists holding doctorates or highest professional degrees in the United States was $85,000 in 2015, up from $80,000 in 2013, according to a recent report from the American Psychological Association. Management positions had the highest median salary among all position types ($110,000), followed by research positions ($95,000) while teaching
- [Union wants metal detectors at Department of Mental Health sites](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/union-wants-metal-detectors-at-department-of-mental-health-sites/) - Representatives of workers at inpatient mental health facilities around Massachusetts fear that it’s inevitable people will be seriously injured or killed if action is not taken to ensure their safety. They’ve taken their concerns to the governor’s office. Earlier this year, officials from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) hand-delivered a
- [Online program to address insomnia in young cancer survivors](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/online-program-to-address-insomnia-in-young-cancer-survivors/) - Pediatric cancer survivors suffer the effects of insomnia even after treatment has ended. Untreated, lack of sleep can cause an array of physical problems as well as impact behavior, social relationships, school performance, mood and more. Eric Zhou, Ph.D., instructor at Harvard Medical School and staff psychologist at Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s
- [Virtual reality: a clinically useful tool for psychologists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/virtual-reality-a-clinically-useful-tool-for-psychologists/) - Middle-school children from a rural school in Vermont recently “connected” with peers in South Sudan. Some younger students studying ancient civilizations “traveled” to Mayan ruins where they witnessed sacred ceremonies firsthand. Both of these groups engaged in virtual reality (VR) experiences that immerse the individual in a scenario through sight and sound. VR is slowly
- [Grant to fund integrated care delivery system in Vermont](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/grant-to-fund-integrated-care-delivery-system-in-vermont/) - The Vermont Department of Mental Health was recently awarded a five-year, $9.9 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to establish the Vermont Family Centered Healthcare Home Project (VFCHP). VFCHP is an integrated care delivery system – including mental, emotional and physical health – for children who have been diagnosed
- [Prediction shows drop in opioid fatalities](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/prediction-shows-drop-in-opioid-fatalities/) - There may be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel for the New Hampshire opioid crisis. At the very least there is some positive news coming from the state’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner which released statistics for the number of drug overdose deaths in 2016 along with a prediction for 2017.
- [Walden tackles LGBTQ eating disorders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/walden-tackles-lgbtq-eating-disorders/) - The statistics for eating disorders in the LGBTQ community are unsettling. According to the International Journal of Eating Disorders, 42 percent of men with this issue identify as gay or bisexual. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) states that gay, lesbian, and bisexual people report binge-eating and purging as young as 12-years-old. Many seeking treatment
- [Program to focus on social justice, human rights](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-to-focus-on-social-justice-human-rights/) - After spending nearly a decade fighting for a change in how psychologists work with the Department of Defense around torture techniques, Stephen Soldz, Ph.D., a professor at the Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis (BGSP), decided to put everything he learned to use in teaching others how to work for social justice. Between 2006 and 2015,
- ["Psychoeducational Assessment and Intervention for Ethnic Minority Children”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/psychoeducational-assessment-and-intervention-for-ethnic-minority-children/) - "Psychoeducational Assessment and Intervention for Ethnic Minority Children” Edited by Scott L. Graves, Jr., and Jamilia J. Blake American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Authors compare standards, offer historical perspective Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Public schools within the United States continue to embrace racial and ethnic diversity among the student
- [Behavioral disorders: accurate diagnosis proves challenging](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/behavioral-disorders-accurate-diagnosis-proves-challenging/) - Children placed in residential care present with a variety of behavioral disorders, sometimes with more than one. Determining a specific diagnosis can be daunting for the clinician. Ashley Warhol, Psy.D is director of clinical services and internship training at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health – MA & RI. She said that the two most common diagnoses
- [Debate heats up over Trump’s mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/debate-heats-up-over-trumps-mental-health/) - If he had to do it all over again, John Gartner, Ph.D., would have asked mental health professionals to state their degree when he launched an online petition drive last February collecting their signatures to request that President Donald Trump be removed from office. So, there’s really no way to tell how many of the
- [Program integrates physical, mental health](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-integrates-physical-mental-health/) - Patients with serious mental illness who participated in a Behavioral Health Home (BHH) program saw reductions in emergency department (ED) visits and psychiatric hospitalizations, along with more preventive screenings for diabetes, according to a study conducted by researchers at Cambridge Health Alliance and published by Psychiatric Services. The Cambridge Health Alliance – an academic community
- [Report seeks to increase information sharing](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/report-seeks-to-increase-information-sharing/) - i-FamilyNet, the case management system that Massachusetts Department of Children and Families partner providers use, has information in narrative form. But the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (ESE) uses a system that relies more on data elements and fields for users to search and collect data. Different systems in the same state pose
- [Adolescent suicide rates on the rise](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/adolescent-suicide-rates-on-the-rise/) - Suicide rates among adolescents have shown a steady increase over the past decade, according to a report put out by the Centers for Disease Control. The rates among girls ages 15-19 rose more substantially than those of boys, more than doubling between 2007 and 2015. Rates for teen boys increased during the same period by
- [Study: Smartphone use linked to mental health distress](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-smartphone-use-linked-to-mental-health-distress/) - College students with high smartphone use report higher levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness, poorer sleep quality and difficulties fulfilling their obligations as a student, according to a study at Assumption College, a small liberal arts school located in Worcester, Mass. Lead authors Adam Volungis, Ph.D. and Maria Kalpidou, Ph.D., emphasized that while the research
- [Educational Treatment Center uses animals to reach teens](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/educational-treatment-center-uses-animals-to-reach-teens/) - Six years ago, Wes and Sue Horton, LMFT were looking for a change. They found it at Ironwood, a residential treatment center and private, co-educational school for teens in Morrill, Maine. With professional backgrounds in therapy and healthcare, the Hortons took over the facility adding more professional staff and revamping the program for families in
- [Brattleboro Retreat approves strategic plan](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/brattleboro-retreat-approves-strategic-plan/) - Responding to challenges facing mental health and addiction treatment providers nationwide, Brattleboro Retreat of Vermont has approved a three-year strategic plan. President and CEO Louis Josephson, Ph.D., said Brattleboro Retreat is facing increasing demand for services in an era of falling or flat reimbursement rates. The new strategic plan takes on these and other challenges
- [Crotched Mountain after-school program designed to engage students](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/crotched-mountain-after-school-program-designed-to-engage-students/) - This past July, Crotched Mountain School launch-ed a carefully thought out after-school program for its students, designed to engage them physically, emotionally, socially and psychologically. The program offers structure and predictability for both residential and day students, while preparing them for life beyond the classroom. David Johnson, director of marketing communications, explained that Crotched Mountain
- [School emphasizes closeness, mentoring](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/school-emphasizes-closeness-mentoring/) - A fresh start can do wonders. For children with a history of behavioral or mental health issues, accumulated diagnoses can seem like a heavy weight to carry. The opportunity to start anew in a residential program like the Wediko School in Windsor, New Hampshire, may feel like a lifeline. Set on an idyllic 450-acre, lakeside
- [“Innovative Investigations of Language in Autism Spectrum Disorder”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/innovative-investigations-of-language-in-autism-spectrum-disorder/) - “Innovative Investigations of Language in Autism Spectrum Disorder” Edited by Letitia R. Naigles American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2017 Authors provide insights about language's role in ASD Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. As any clinician can attest, the diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been on the rise for
- [ACO program aims to integrate healthcare](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/aco-program-aims-to-integrate-healthcare/) - Massachusetts is readying for a major restructuring of the current fee-for-service payment system for MassHealth, the state’s combined Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program. MassHealth’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO) program begins in January 2018 and 18 healthcare organizations across the state were recently selected to participate. The 18 ACOs – networks of physicians, hospitals, and
- [Starting Your Career in Academic Psychology](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/starting-your-career-in-academic-psychology/) - "Starting Your Career in Academic Psychology" By Robert J. Sternberg American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2017 Book full of practical advice Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Psychologist and author Robert J. Sternberg is the perfect person to write a book about starting a career in academic psychology. Currently a professor of human
- [Demand exists for multicultural care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/demand-exists-for-multicultural-care/) - After Congress passed the Refugee Act of 1980, which created the Federal Refugee Resettlement Program, three million refugees came to this country. Additionally, 43.3 million immigrants were settled in the U.S. in 2015, according to American Community Survey data. This influx of individuals from other countries is creating awareness within the psychological community for a
- [Disability benefits rate exceeds national average](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/disability-benefits-rate-exceeds-national-average/) - One New England state is not like the others when it comes to the percentage of their populations receiving benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program for mental disorders in 2015. Maine led the nation with 3.4 percent of its 18- to 65-year-olds receiving SSDI benefits because of a mental disorder diagnosis, such
- [Support increasing for children who witness violence](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/support-increasing-for-children-who-witness-violence/) - Rhode Island is now the second state in New England after Connecticut to cover expenses for psychiatric care and mental health counseling for children who witness homicides or domestic violence, regardless of whether or not they are a family member of the victim. On June 27, the General Assembly passed legislation introduced by House Majority
- [Law would shift ‘medically necessary’ determinations to clinicians](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/law-would-shift-medically-necessary-determinations-to-clinicians/) - Efforts to increase coverage for behavioral health services have been an on-going struggle for patients, families and advocates in recent years. Some politicians have stepped into the fray and have filed legislation that benefits patients with mental health issues. On January 19, 2017, Massachusetts State Rep. Kay Khan (D-11th Middlesex) and Sen. Jennifer Flanagan (D-Worcester
- [Ban proposed on conversion therapy](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/ban-proposed-on-conversion-therapy/) - In June, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing to consider legislation (S.62/H.1190) that would ban conversion therapy, i.e., therapy aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Rep. Kay Khan (D-11th Middlesex) filed the original bill in 2015; she and Sen. Mark C. Montigny (D-2nd
- [UMaine athletes to get mental health resources](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/umaine-athletes-to-get-mental-health-resources/) - The University of Maine (UMaine) is adding a mental health program to its athletic department. UMaine is receiving $640,000 in a one-time distribution from the NCAA, which this spring distributed funds to nearly 350 Division I schools for the purpose of providing better support to student-athletes. The money had to be used for new programs
- [Study looks at connection between mental illness, opioid addiction](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-looks-at-connection-between-mental-illness-opioid-addiction/) - As the country reels under the spread of opioid addiction and overdosing, a recent study conducted by Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the University of Michigan has brought a new focus to a possible connection between mental illness and addiction. According to the study, the rate of opioid prescriptions in the United States has quadrupled in the past
- [Vermont to compensate for first responders’ mental health issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-to-compensate-for-first-responders-mental-health-issues/) - Although one of the smallest states, especially by population, Vermont has taken the lead in mental health public policy. With a multi-partisan bill that was signed into law by Gov. Phil Scott, (R), the state became the first in the nation to provide coverage under workers’ compensation for mental health issues and illnesses. First introduced
- [Clark team committed to address disparity issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/clark-team-committed-to-address-disparity-issues/) - For minorities and the poor in this country, the rates of access to and use of mental health care services remain far lower than those of majority whites. At Clark University, Esteban Cardemil, Ph.D., and his team of undergraduate and graduate students in the Mental Health, Culture and Community Research Program are working to shine
- [Trauma-Informed Treatment & Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/trauma-informed-treatment-prevention-of-intimate-partner-violence/) - “Trauma-Informed Treatment & Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence.” By Casey T. Taft, Christopher M. Murphy, and Suzannah K. Creech American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Book examines the impact of trauma Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. Trauma, especially childhood trauma, is life altering. It has pervasive effects on all spheres of functioning and relationship development.
- [State auditor’s office cites issues with MassHealth payments](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/state-auditors-office-cites-issues-with-masshealth-payments/) - In April, the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) released a report that evaluated payments MassHealth made for mental health services rendered between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2015. The report cited improper or questionable payments in the amount of $193 million. Mike Wessler, director of communications, Office of Auditor Suzanne Bump, provided a
- [Creativity: The path to identity](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/creativity-the-path-to-identity/) - Museums house innumerable works from masters such as Renoir, Monet, Rodin and Jackson Pollock. But creativity doesn’t stop there. The family refrigerator might feature the creative renderings of a three-year old mind. And the fields of technology, science, health, education and more have produced their share of creative geniuses and innovation. Area psychologists helped to
- [Dept. of Public Health approves bed closure](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/dept-of-public-health-approves-bed-closure/) - The Department of Public Health conditionally approved UMass Memorial Medical Center’s plan to eliminate 13 of 27 inpatient psychiatry beds as part of a $30 million renovation project designed to increase the number of medical/surgical beds instead. In late April, hospital officials responded to a DPH request to outline how it would accommodate the region’s
- [Shortage of prompt care for children highlighted](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/shortage-of-prompt-care-for-children-highlighted/) - Appointment availability is low – and wait times, long – for a family seeking care for a child with depression, according to a recent study. The study, published by the International Journal of Health Services, from Harvard Medical School researchers and others, found that access to outpatient pediatric mental health care, whether with a child
- [“13 Reasons Why” sparks controversy](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/13-reasons-why-sparks-controversy/) - Mental health professionals have expressed concern about “13 Reasons Why,” the Web television series on Netflix that tells the story of Hannah, a teen who leaves behind tapes outlining 13 reasons why she committed suicide. The National Association of School Psychologists issued guidance for educators and families about the series and said in a statement,
- [New Hampshire legislation expands mental health care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-hampshire-legislation-expands-mental-health-care/) - On May 11, the New Hampshire Senate unanimously passed an amendment to House Bill (HB) 400, which is intended to significantly improve access to beds for psychiatric patients and reorganize the state’s Division for Children, Youth and Families. Senate President Chuck Morse (R-Salem) and Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro) originally brought the mental health
- [Study: Military with mental issues discharged for misconduct](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-military-with-mental-issues-discharged-for-misconduct/) - According to a federal study, a high number of military personnel are given less-than-honorable discharges in spite of the fact that they had been diagnosed with conditions such as PTSD and traumatic brain injury. In 2010, Congress passed a law requiring the military to assess the impact of a PTSD or TBI diagnosis before separation
- [Teen’s viral Facebook post could be useful to therapists](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/teens-viral-facebook-post-could-be-useful-to-therapists/) - "I brushed my hair today” begins a Facebook post that appears at first glance to be the sharing of ordinary and otherwise unremarkable information. Except that the young author reveals it’s the first time in four weeks she attended to her own personal care and hygiene. The author is Katelyn Marie Lesho and her May
- [Study: Facebook makes you feel bad](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-facebook-makes-you-feel-bad/) - Nearly 1.3 billion daily active Facebook users around the world spend an average of 50 minutes each day using the social media network or one of its apps, according to the company. But they might be using Facebook at the risk of their own health and happiness. A recent study documented a negative association between
- [Depression decreases after intervention](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/depression-decreases-after-intervention/) - A five-year study, recently published in JAMA Psychiatry, showed that a brief depression intervention could reduce symptoms among mothers by 40 percent. Women with lower depressive symptom levels at the start had even more of a decrease at 61 percent. Boston Medical Center and collaborator Action for Boston Community Development’s Head Start screened more than
- [Area of brain impacts anxiety about the future, study says](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/area-of-brain-impacts-anxiety-about-the-future-study-says/) - A group of researchers at Dartmouth College have found a connection between an area of the brain, the striatum, and a person’s intolerance of uncertainty – anxiety or worry about the unknown. “We were interested in how uncertainty and ambiguity of potential future threat contribute to the generation of anxiety and how that might be
- [Psychologist’s work centers on children, parenting](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologists-work-centers-on-children-parenting/) - Parenting is tough. But, is it tougher than it used to be? Is there better information out there for parents… or just more information that can become overwhelming? Robert Pressman, Ph.D., ABPP, director of research for the New England Center of Pediatric Psychology, has worked with families and children for several decades. He has seen
- [Empirically Based Play Interventions for Children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/empirically-based-play-interventions-for-children/) - “Empirically Based Play Interventions for Children” Edited by Linda A. Reddy, Tara M. Files-Hall, and Charles E. Schaefer American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Book on play therapy filled with advice, direction Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Play therapy is perhaps the oldest and most popular therapeutic approach with children. Importantly,
- [Paraverbal Communication in Psychotherapy: Beyond the Words](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/paraverbal-communication-in-psychotherapy-beyond-the-words/) - “Paraverbal Communication in Psychotherapy: Beyond the Words.” By James M. Donovan, Kristin A. R. Osborn and Susan Rice Rowman & Littlefield New York, N.Y. 2017 Book explores significance of non-verbal communication Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D Paraverbal communication includes voice tones, posture, gestures, facial expression and silences. We are embodied speakers. As therapists, we’ve learned
- [Psychologist shortage: factors affect access to care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologist-shortage-factors-affect-access-to-care/) - The Kaiser Family Foundation issued a report in January citing a significant shortage of mental health care practitioners nationwide. In New England, the “percent of need met” ranged from 34.26 percent in Connecticut to 61.17 percent in Rhode Island. According to regional psychologists, a variety of reasons, from an aging profession and inadequate training/education programs
- [Push for prescribing privileges fizzles in Vermont](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/push-for-prescribing-privileges-fizzles-in-vermont/) - With the stroke of Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter’s (R) pen on April 4, Idaho became the fifth U.S. state to permit clinical psychologists with advanced specialized training to prescribe medications to treat mental health disorders. So, expect to see continuing momentum for what the American Psychological Association maintains will improve access to mental health
- [Vacant building in Westborough to become behavioral hospital](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vacant-building-in-westborough-to-become-behavioral-hospital/) - Later this year, Westborough will become the site of a new behavioral health care hospital. In April, selectmen in the town gave approval for the construction of a facility that will better serve the mental health care needs in Central Massachusetts. Francisco Torres, Westborough’s economic development coordinator, reported that Signature Healthcare, which is based in
- [Lawsuits address segregation of mentally ill prisoners](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/lawsuits-address-segregation-of-mentally-ill-prisoners/) - Concern over the use of solitary confinement for inmates who suffer from mental illness has propelled a spate of lawsuits over the past few years in the state of Vermont. In one case, settled last August, a prisoner known as Patient A was held in segregation for nearly seven months. The settlement included reforms to
- [Bill seeks to address gap in services for veterans](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/bill-seeks-to-address-gap-in-services-for-veterans/) - Legislation introduced in Maine aims to help the state bridge a gap for mental health services for military veterans. “An Act Regarding Mental Health Care for Maine Veterans,” currently in the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, directs the Director of the Bureau of Maine Veterans’ Services within the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
- [Vermont moves to cover PTSD for first responders](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/vermont-moves-to-cover-ptsd-for-first-responders/) - Legislation to provide workers compensation benefits for first responders who suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder in the line of duty has passed both the Vermont House of Representatives and Senate. Now awaiting Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s signature as of New England Psychologist’s press deadline, the effort has made its way further than similar proposals that
- [Office building to become new psychiatric hospital](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/office-building-to-become-new-psychiatric-hospital/) - In April, UMass Memorial Health Care partnered with US HealthVest to build a new 120-bed psychiatric hospital in the Burncoat section of Worcester. US HealthVest currently operates psychiatric hospitals in Georgia, Illinois and Washington State. The partnership between UMass Memorial and US HealthVest is the indirect result of an existing relationship. Richard A. Kresch, M.D.,
- [Program connects veterans with resources](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-connects-veterans-with-resources/) - A Military Liaison Initiative, said to be the first of its kind in the nation, helps connect New Hampshire veterans and military service members to the most appropriate mental health treatment and resources. The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Military Liaison Initiative (MLI), launched in August 2015 as part of a larger
- [Agencies investigate Whiting Forensic Division](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/agencies-investigate-whiting-forensic-division/) - There are several ongoing investigations into allegations of patient abuse at the Whiting Forensic Division of Connecticut Valley Hospital, a public hospital in Middletown, Conn., for the treatment of people dealing with mental illness. Connecticut’s Department of Public Health, the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, and the Office of Protection and Advocacy for
- [Interventions decrease post emergency room suicidal behavior](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/interventions-decrease-post-emergency-room-suicidal-behavior/) - Providing a range of interventions for suicidal patients beyond the standard care in emergency rooms lowered the risk of repeat attempts by 30 percent. That result came out of a large clinical trial led by Brown University and Butler Hospital psychologist Ivan Miller, Ph.D. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, involved 1,376 patients in eight
- [Mindfulness study examines gender coping strategies](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mindfulness-study-examines-gender-coping-strategies/) - Gender is a potential factor in measuring the effectiveness of mindfulness but individual differences are equally as important, according to Rahil Rojiani, co-lead author of a Brown University study that tracked student outcomes in a 12-week scholarly course on mindfulness. Data was collected over several semesters from 2008-2011, about 77 university students (36 women) enrolled
- [New director discusses binge eating, support services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-director-discusses-binge-eating-support-services/) - Recognizing the need for a greater focus on binge eating disorder treatment, Walden Behavioral Care recently named Kate Craigen, Ph.D., to a newly created position as clinical director, binge eating and bariatric support services. While Walden has been offering specialized binge eating disorder treatment throughout its eight locations in New England since 2003, the organization
- [“When an Adult You Love Has ADHD: Professional Advice for Parents, Partners, and Siblings”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/when-an-adult-you-love-has-adhd-professional-advice-for-parents-partners-and-siblings/) - “When an Adult You Love Has ADHD: Professional Advice for Parents, Partners, and Siblings” By Russell A. Barkley, Ph.D. American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2017 Invaluable advice given about adult ADHD Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Russell A. Barkley is a clinical neuropsychologist with more than 40 years of experience as
- [New England battles opioid epidemic](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-england-battles-opioid-epidemic/) - A 2014 Health and Human Services report issued some troubling statistics for four New England states: Massachusetts leads the nation with most opioid-related visits to hospital emergency rooms – 450 for every 100,000 residents – out of 30 states providing data. Rhode Island had 298 visits; Connecticut, 255; and Vermont, 224. Efforts to address the
- [New England states limit painkiller prescriptions](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-england-states-limit-painkiller-prescriptions/) - In March 2016, Massachusetts became the first state in the nation to enact a law limiting first-time opioid medication prescriptions for adults and all opioid prescriptions for minors to a maximum of seven days, with certain exceptions. That was the same month the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published national standards recommending doctors
- [Bed reduction plan at UMass Memorial Medical Center causes outcry](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/bed-reduction-plan-at-umass-memorial-medical-center-causes-outcry/) - UMass Memorial Medical Center’s plan to convert 13 of 28 psychiatric beds to medical surgery beds has met with widespread opposition. Eric W. Dickson, M.D., president/CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care said that the hospital serves a critical role as a trauma center for patients with life threatening illnesses who are shipped there from "less
- [Alita Care, LLC acquires Bournewood Health Systems](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/alita-care-llc-acquires-bournewood-health-systems/) - Bournewood Health Systems of Brookline, Massachusetts, will broaden its continuum of care as a result of its recent acquisition by Alita Care, LLC, of Phoenix, Arizona, a national provider of behavioral health services with 16 differentiated programs across the country. Alita Care announced its acquisition of Bournewood in March. In addition to Bournewood, Alita also
- [Portsmouth Regional Hospital expands involuntary admissions beds](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/portsmouth-regional-hospital-expands-involuntary-admissions-beds/) - Responding to a greater need for inpatient services and prolonged wait times for emergency psychiatric care across the state of New Hampshire, Portsmouth Regional Hospital has expanded its number of beds for involuntary admissions. The hospital has a 30-bed Behavioral Health Unit. "About three years ago, we expanded our overall physical beds from 22 to
- [App designed to predict aggressive behavior](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/app-designed-to-predict-aggressive-behavior/) - In 2014, a group of parents in California sued a neighbor over the problem behaviors of their autistic child. According to one report, the plaintiffs claimed that they were "not upset about him being autistic" but about his violence towards other children, claiming it made the neighborhood unsafe and even affected home sales. A lawsuit
- [Bill would allow supervision-free practice under Medicare](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/bill-would-allow-supervision-free-practice-under-medicare/) - Federal legislation introduced in the House and Senate in February would allow psychologists to practice independent of physician supervision under Medicare. The bipartisan legislation (S.2597 or H.R. 4277) would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act, treating psychologists as physicians providing clinical psychology services under the Medicare program, the Medicare Mental Health Access Act
- [Study: patients prefer psychotherapy over drugs](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-patients-prefer-psychotherapy-over-drugs/) - Add one more piece of data to the on-going debate about the efficacy of pharmaceutical medication versus therapy to treat mental illness. In a decision about the best form of treatment, patient compliance should play a role, according to Roger Greenberg, Ph.D, distinguished professor and head of the psychology division at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
- [Study: Tablet use reduces agitation in dementia patients](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-tablet-use-reduces-agitation-in-dementia-patients/) - The idea of using tablet devices as an intervention for older adults, including those with severe dementia, was partially born at a restaurant dinner table, according to Ipsit Vahia, M.D.. He observed that his friends’ boisterous four-year-old, when handed an iPhone, was able to calm down enough so that everyone could enjoy their meals. Vahia,
- [UVM study links childhood emotional abuse to adult opioid use](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/uvm-study-links-childhood-emotional-abuse-to-adult-opioid-use/) - Researchers at the University of Vermont (UVM) have found a correlation between emotional abuse endured during childhood with future opioid use as an adult. Matthew Price, Ph.D., professor in the department of psychological science at UVM and lead author, explained that the study involved 84 Vermont adults who presented with substance use problems. The researchers
- [“Practical Psychology in Medical Rehabilitation”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/practical-psychology-in-medical-rehabilitation/) - “Practical Psychology in Medical Rehabilitation” Edited by Maggi A. Budd, Sigmund Hough, Stephen T. Wegener, and William Stiers Springer International Publishing Switzerland, 2017 Breadth of topics makes compilation impressive By James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Rehabilitation psychology has a long tradition in medical settings serving people with complex physical and cognitive impairments. This
- [Austen Riggs CEO talks about future of hospital, health care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/austen-riggs-ceo-talks-about-future-of-hospital-health-care/) - When he came on board at the Austen Riggs Center, a psychiatric hospital and residential treatment program in Stockbridge, Mass., as medical director and CEO two years ago, Andrew J. Gerber, M.D., Ph.D., had big plans for the nearly 100-year-old facility. Coming from a post at Columbia University Medical Center’s Department of Psychiatry where he
- [“Trauma, Meaning and Spirituality: Translating Research into Clinical Practice”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/trauma-meaning-and-spirituality-translating-research-into-clinical-practice/) - “Trauma, Meaning and Spirituality: Translating Research into Clinical Practice.” By Crystal L. Park, Joseph M. Currier, J. Irene Harris and Jeanne M. Slattery American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2017 Book looks at incorporating spirituality into trauma treatment Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. Trauma itself can be experienced as an assault on one’s spirituality or
- [Mobile psychologists: House calls making a comeback](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mobile-psychologists-house-calls-making-a-comeback/) - In the 1930s, approximately 40 percent of all patient encounters happened in the home, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. By 1950, that number had dropped to 10 percent and 30 years later, the practice was almost non-existent. Recently, however, house calls have been making a comeback, but with a twist. In some
- [Advocates worry about Medicaid reforms](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/advocates-worry-about-medicaid-reforms/) - The state of Maine is seeking federal permission to limit the eligibility of "able bodied" adults for Medicaid benefits to five years among other coverage restrictions designed to lower costs. Maine Commissioner of Health and Human Services Mary C. Mayhew announced the state’s intention to seek demonstration waivers from the federal government in a Jan.
- [Health care economic changes on the horizon](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/columnists/health-care-economic-changes-on-the-horizon/) - An interesting circumstance is happening in health care. The government, including state and federal entities and private enterprises are both funding health care and providing health care. The funding and provision of health care are two entirely separate issues and, although inter-related, should not be confused with each other. As the federal government appears to
- [Task force studies custody status of voluntarily admitted children](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/task-force-studies-custody-status-of-voluntarily-admitted-children/) - Under proposed Connecticut legislation, a task force will study voluntary admissions to the Department of Children and Families and determine whether general law amendments are needed to prohibit DCF from requesting or requiring that the parent or guardian of voluntarily admitted children terminate parental rights or transfer legal custody of the child to DCF. The
- [Executive orders raise fears](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/executive-orders-raise-fears/) - The Massachusetts Psychological Association (MPA) strongly condemned President Trump’s executive orders related to refugees, immigrants and other visitors to the United States. In a statement, the MPA said President Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order, which created extensive and in some cases indefinite, limitations on the admission of refugees and other visitors from specific countries, and
- [Connecticut report assesses coverage rates](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/connecticut-report-assesses-coverage-rates/) - Connecticut’s top insurers denied fewer claims for mental health services in 2015 than the year before even as they continued to reject claims for residential care at high rates, according to a recent state report. Eight managed care insurance companies rejected about 6.4 percent of claims for mental health services, an analysis of the 2016
- [School culture change is goal of Commission](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/school-culture-change-is-goal-of-commission/) - A Massachusetts commission of educators and mental health leaders is helping schools create safe and supportive learning environments for students. The 19-member Safe and Supportive Schools Commission was created as part of the Safe and Supportive Schools Framework through An Act Relative to the Reduction of Gun Violence in 2014. The law directed the Department of
- [Americans’ stress levels on the rise, survey says](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/americans-stress-levels-on-the-rise-survey-says/) - For the first time in a decade of surveys, the American Psychological Association has seen a significant rise in stress levels in America. In 2016, after hearing from APA members that the 2016 presidential election was a growing issue for clients, the organization decided to address the elephant/donkey in the room and add a question
- [Electronic ties increase stress levels](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/electronic-ties-increase-stress-levels/) - Although election stress runs high, the highest amount of stress is with Americans who are too tied to their electronic devices. According to the American Psychological Association’s Stress in America Survey, people who constantly check email, texts and social media accounts report stress levels of 5.3 out of 10. Those who check less frequently reported
- [Court decision prompts bill on disclosure](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/court-decision-prompts-bill-on-disclosure/) - Legislation introduced in the Vermont Legislature this session is meant to provide clarity on what a mental health professional’s duty is to disclose information concerning a client. A Vermont Supreme Court decision in 2016 made it unclear. The Vermont Supreme Court was asked to rule on the case that stemmed from an assault in 2011
- [Study: Psychopaths feel fleeting regret](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-psychopaths-feel-fleeting-regret/) - A Yale study concludes that psychopaths can feel regret but it doesn’t affect their future choices. The research, published in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was led by Arielle Baskin-Sommers, Ph.D., assistant professor at Yale University and Joshua Buckholtz, Ph.D., assistant professor at Harvard University. Baskin-Sommers explained that they recruited a
- [Research focuses on self-injury](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/research-focuses-on-self-injury/) - Cutting, burning, scratching or biting the skin as way to regulate negative emotions is on the rise, according to experts, especially among adolescents. Using physical pain to reduce emotional pain is not a new phenomenon and, with the inclusion of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a "condition for further study" rather than as only a symptom
- [“Core Principles of Meditation for Therapy: Improving the Outcomes for Psychotherapeutic Treatment.”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/core-principles-of-meditation-for-therapy-improving-the-outcomes-for-psychotherapeutic-treatment/) - “Core Principles of Meditation for Therapy: Improving the Outcomes for Psychotherapeutic Treatment.” By Annellen M. Simpkins & C. Alexander Simpkins John Wiley & Sons Hoboken, N.J 2016 Book offers techniques to improve client well-being Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. In the last decade, the psychotherapy world has been excited about using mindfulness
- [“Celebrity & Entertainment Obsession: Understanding Our Addiction”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/celebrity-entertainment-obsession-understanding-our-addiction/) - “Celebrity & Entertainment Obsession: Understanding Our Addiction” By Michael S. Levy Rowman & Littlefield Lanham, MD, 2015 Author explores celebrity worship Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Believe it or not, some psychologists have coined the term Celebrity Worship Syndrome to describe a person’s obsession and life-dominating fascination with movie stars, musicians,
- [Integrated practices: Moving toward comprehensive health care](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/integrated-practices-moving-toward-comprehensive-health-care/) - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and Health Resources and Services Administration report that some primary care offices are becoming a “gateway” for individuals who have a combination of behavioral and physical health needs. The growing prevalence of co-existing physical and behavioral challenges is prompting a closer look at integrated practices. Corey D.
- [What will ACA replacement mean for mental health?](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/what-will-aca-replacement-mean-for-mental-health/) - Uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s often repeated campaign promise to dismantle the Affordable Care Act has changed the way Republicans talk about it: Instead of “repeal,” the emphasis is now on “repair.” Even so, mental health advocates are worried that any fix to the 2010 federal health care law might mean the loss of historic
- [Wait times still long in EDs](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/wait-times-still-long-in-eds/) - Patients having mental health emergencies who require hospital admission wait nearly four times longer for an inpatient bed than their medical counterparts, according to a study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine. Additionally, mental health patients waited more than five times as long for transfer to another facility, according to the study, “Analysis of Emergency
- [Safe rooms at EDs provide temporary respite](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/safe-rooms-at-eds-provide-temporary-respite/) - The signing of the Community Mental Health Act in 1963 introduced a major shift in mental health care. Signed by President John F. Kennedy, the act initiated a shifting of federal resources away from large institutions with the goal of increasing community-based mental health treatment programs. Flash forward more than 50 years later to find
- [Reimbursement for telehealth still an issue ](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/reimbursement-for-telehealth-still-an-issue/) - In Massachusetts, Blue Cross and Blue Shield announced that it would add coverage for telehealth services early last year. While the coverage was expanded, however, BCBS limited its reimbursement rates, falling short of parity with face-to-face services. That announcement triggered questions for many psychologists in the Commonwealth. What other insurance companies provide coverage and at
- [DSM-5 open to suggested updates](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/dsm-5-open-to-suggested-updates/) - The world of information has changed since 1952. That was the year that the American Psychiatric Association released the first version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or DSM. A listing of diagnostic criteria and codes used by mental health professionals, across the country and around the world, the current DSM-5 was
- [APA: 21st Century Cures Act promises to reform system](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/apa-21st-century-cures-act-promises-to-reform-system/) - In December 2016, the Senate passed the 21st Century Cures Act, a law that, according to the American Psychological Association, promises to reform the mental health system nationally. The law emphasizes research, education, changes to the criminal justice system, coordination between state and federal government on mental health matters and a focus on children. Three
- [Study: Mindfulness programs prevalent](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-mindfulness-programs-prevalent/) - More than 60 percent of all U.S. medical schools have a mindfulness program to support students, residents or providers, according to a study by researchers at Cambridge Health Alliance and the University of Southern California, published in the journal, Mindfulness. Mindfulness was most commonly integrated into medical schools as an option for health care providers
- [‘Deconstructing Stigma’ project unveiled at airport](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/deconstructing-stigma-project-unveiled-at-airport/) - When Nathaniel Van Kirk, Ph.D., administrative director of research at McLean Hospital’s OCD Institute, learned of the “Deconstructing Stigma: A Change in Thought Can Change a Life” project, he was quick to volunteer. Diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder, he hopes his story will help break down stereotypes, misinformation and stigma through this public education campaign.
- [Study: Lying with the truth is risky ](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/study-lying-with-the-truth-is-risky/) - During the Sept. 26, 2016, presidential debate, Donald Trump responded to a question about a 1973 federal lawsuit charging his family’s company with housing discrimination this way: “We settled the suit with zero – no admission of guilt. It was very easy to do. But they sued many people.” The U.S. Justice Department had charged
- [Extreme form of picky eating is a disorder on the rise](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/xtreme-form-of-picky-eating-is-a-disorder-on-the-rise/) - While it is not uncommon for children to have a limited palate when it comes to food, (heck, restaurants have special menus just for this segment of the population) when does food aversion become pathological? When does the self-restriction to certain textures, colors, tastes or smells necessitate further intervention? In 2013, with the release of
- ["Confidentiality Limits in Psychotherapy: Ethics Checklists for Mental Health Professionals"](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/confidentiality-limits-in-psychotherapy-ethics-checklists-for-mental-health-professionals/) - "Confidentiality Limits in Psychotherapy: Ethics Checklists for Mental Health Professionals" By May Alice Fisher American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Manual’s checklists ideal for peer discussion Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Psychologists, counselors and other mental health professionals must adhere to codes of ethics in delivering therapeutic services. Ethical principles dictate
- [“Working with Students with Disabilities: A Guide for School Counselors”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/working-with-students-with-disabilities-a-guide-for-school-counselors/) - “Working with Students with Disabilities: A Guide for School Counselors.” By Theresa A. Quigney and Jeannine R. Studer Routledge New York, N.Y., 2016 Book examines vital role of school counselors Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. Our public schools are obligated to educate all students including those with disabilities and to help them realize their
- [Repairing, rebuilding and restoring at heart of psychology of relationships](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/repairing-rebuilding-and-restoring-at-heart-of-psychology-of-relationships/) - According to the American Psychological Association, healthy marriages can be beneficial for physical and mental health and for offspring’s well-being. Unfortunately, the APA also reports that 40 to 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. For any couple facing rocky times, professional intervention might help get the relationship back on track. The grand themes that
- [Massachusetts high court upholds privatization plan](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/massachusetts-high-court-upholds-privatization-plan/) - A recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decision clears the way for replacing the last state-run mental health crisis teams with staff employed by two private vendor human service agencies, a move projected to save the state more than $7 million. On Dec. 9, 2016, the state’s high court upheld State Auditor Suzanne Bump’s March 2016
- [R.I.’s legislative focus includes telehealth services](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/r-i-s-legislative-focus-includes-telehealth-services/) - The Rhode Island Psychological Association 2017 legislative agenda will include a focus on telehealth services as well as the goal of improving the ability of the Board of Psychology to investigate and adjudicate disciplinary complaints faster. Peter M. Oppenheimer, Ph.D., chair of the RIPA Legislative Committee, said for the second consecutive year, RIPA will introduce
- [Maine Gov. LePage intends to move stepdown unit to Bangor](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/maine-gov-lepage-intends-to-move-stepdown-unit-to-bangor/) - Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) has moved on after abandoning plans to build a proposed 21-bed stepdown unit next to the Riverview Psychiatric Recovery Center in Augusta. As in nearly 80 miles to the north. Two days before last Christmas, the LePage administration revealed it had picked a site in Bangor to build the psychiatric
- [Possible rate cuts of concern in Maine](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/possible-rate-cuts-of-concern-in-maine/) - The Maine Psychological Association’s (MePA) top legislative priority for 2017 can be found on page two of a consultant’s report studying reimbursement rates for mental health services through the state’s Medicaid program. The hourly reimbursement rate for neuropsychological and psychological testing through publicly funded MaineCare health insurance would decrease from $79.20 to $60.41 under a
- [William James College announces availability of scholarships](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/william-james-college-announces-availability-of-scholarships/) - William James College in Massachusetts announced its Multicultural and Veterans Mental Health Scholarships, aimed at increasing the number of individuals trained and committed to providing mental health treatment for underserved minorities and military veterans, who experience complex mental health issues but often are reluctant to seeking treatment if they feel disconnected from those providing services,
- [Four New England states among nation’s healthiest](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/four-new-england-states-among-nations-healthiest/) - Massachusetts ranked second after Hawaii as the healthiest overall state in the nation in the latest America’s Health Rankings Annual Report released in December 2016. Connecticut ranked third, Minnesota fourth, Vermont fifth and New Hampshire sixth in the 27th annual assessment of the country’s health on a state-by-state basis. The report published by the United
- [ICD-11 release delayed until 2018](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/icd-11-release-delayed-until-2018/) - In 2015, the United States belatedly joined the rest of the world in implementing the most updated version of the World Health Organization’s coding system for medical diagnoses, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, usually referred to as the ICD-10. Although nearly every other country in the world had been using the system since
- [Addiction Campus opens in Massachusetts](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/addiction-campus-opens-in-massachusetts/) - Addiction Campuses, a company based in Brentwood, Tenn., offering comprehensive drug and alcohol treatment programs at facilities around the country has opened its fourth national location in Cummington, Mass., called Swift River. The company, which specializes in alcohol, illegal drug and prescription drug addiction treatment, has three other facilities in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas, according
- [APF names Terence Keane, Ph.D., to top post](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/apf-names-terence-keane-ph-d-to-top-post/) - After nearly 17 years under the same leadership, the American Psychological Foundation (APF) recently announced that Terence M. Keane, Ph.D, was elected to assume the organization’s top post as of January 1. Keane, who is professor of psychiatry and assistant dean for research at Boston University School of Medicine, stepped in as APF president at
- [“A Practitioner’s Guide to Telemental Health: How to Conduct Legal, Ethical, and Evidence-Based Telepractice”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/a-practitioners-guide-to-telemental-health-how-to-conduct-legal-ethical-and-evidence-based-telepractice/) - “A Practitioner’s Guide to Telemental Health: How to Conduct Legal, Ethical, and Evidence-Based Telepractice” By David D. Luxton, Eve-Lynn Nelson, and Marlene M. Maheu American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Telehealth `how to’ resource is impressive Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Telecommunication technologies have greatly enhanced the delivery of mental health
- [“Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/mindfulness-based-therapy-for-insomnia/) - “Mindfulness-Based Therapy for Insomnia” By Jason C. Ong American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2017 Prevalence of insomnia makes book a valuable resource Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D Interest in mindfulness and mindfulness-based practices have increased in recent years. Some of the earliest mindfulness applications, with good evidence support, are mindfulness-based
- [“Supervision Essentials for the Integrative Developmental Model”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/supervision-essentials-for-the-integrative-developmental-model/) - “Supervision Essentials for the Integrative Developmental Model.” By Brian W. McNeill and Cal D. Stoltenberg. American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 Volume is useful resource for supervisors Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. Most professionals would agree that the overall goals of clinical supervision in psychotherapy are to monitor the quality of services while
- [Prescriptive authority among VPA legislative initiatives](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/prescriptive-authority-among-vas-legislative-initiatives/) - The Vermont Psychological Association has three main areas of focus for the 2017 state legislative session: healthcare reform, insurance coverage of telehealth services and prescriptive authority for psychology doctorates. Healthcare Reform The nonprofit professional association founded in 1950 that represents psychologists in the state of Vermont is working to make sure psychologists and other mental
- [Election prompts anxiety, confusion](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/election-prompts-anxiety-confusion/) - In the wake of what many print, broadcast and social media outlets have called one of the “most divisive” political campaigns in recent memory, a mixture of emotions ranging from anger to confusion are impacting the country’s psychological health. Some clinicians are seeing an increase in calls for help, while research psychologists attempt to explain
- [APA president-elect named](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/apa-president-elect-named/) - Near the end of the monthly psychology training committee meeting at Boston Children’s Hospital last November, Jessica Henderson Daniel, Ph.D., ABPP, gave the floor to a senior supervising psychologist who said her patients and those of her interns seemed especially anxious after the presidential election a week earlier. The 25 people in the conference room
- [New Hampshire prepares bills for filing](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/new-hampshire-prepares-bills-for-filing/) - While other New England states may have their legislative agenda set for the coming year, things work slightly differently in New Hampshire. With the third largest legislative body in the world, behind only the British Parliament and the U.S. Congress, the state’s constitution has had to create a unique system for creating bills because of
- [Budget climate defines legislative agenda](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/budget-climate-defines-legislative-agenda/) - With a projected $1.3 billion deficit in the fiscal 2018 state budget, Connecticut lawmakers will again face the prospect of raising taxes and fees and cutting services when they convene in Hartford Jan. 4 for the General Assembly’s 2017 session. So, it’s on purpose that the Connecticut Psychological Association has not developed a long list
- [Former hotel becomes recovery center ](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/former-hotel-becomes-recovery-center/) - On October 17, Recovery Centers of America (RCA), based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, opened a 48-bed drug and rehabilitation facility in the former Wachusett Village Inn in Westminster, Mass. According to Brad Greenstein, New England regional director and CEO, the facility, which is called the New England Center for Addiction, a Recovery Centers of
- [Internship program eliminated](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/internship-program-eliminated/) - The Connecticut Psychological Association is asking the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) to reconsider its decision to eliminate the Connecticut Valley Psychology Internship Program, which was first established in 1947. Clinical psychologist Traci Cipriano, JD, Ph.D, CPA’s director of professional affairs and a graduate of the internship herself, said that the
- [Jane Tillman, Ph.D., ABPP, explores impact of client suicides](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/jane-tillman-ph-d-abpp-explores-impact-of-client-suicides/) - When someone dies by a person’s own hand, the loss deeply affects each of those closest to him or her. What may often be missed, however, is how that loss also affects the therapist trained to keep this suicide from happening. In the popular mind, it may seem inappropriate to be concerned with the professional
- [“The Brain’s Way of Healing”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/the-brains-way-of-healing/) - “The Brain’s Way of Healing” By Norman Doidge, M.D. Viking, Penguin Group New York, N.Y., 2015 Cutting edge information included in book about brain Reviewed by Kerry Morrison, Psy.D. Scientists have recently documented that the brain is plastic. Neuroplasticity is a property of the brain that enables it to change its own structure
- [Clinicians help adults with ADHD ](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/clinicians-help-adults-with-adhd/) - Attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactive disorder is most often associated with young children and adolescents. But symptoms that manifest in childhood sometimes persist into adulthood and, in other cases, signs first initiate well past the early years. The Anxiety and Depression Society of America reports that approximately 60 percent of children with ADHD
- [MPA sets legislative agenda](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/mpa-sets-legislative-agenda/) - Anti-clawback legislation, telehealth parity and protecting continuity of care will be the top three priorities for the Massachusetts Psychological Association when the next session of the State Legislature begins Jan. 4, 2017. Legislative sessions run for two years in Massachusetts. At the beginning of each new session, legislators file bills to be considered during that
- [Initiative brings services to young children with trauma](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/initiative-brings-services-to-young-children-with-trauma/) - A new grant will help bridge a gap for services to very young children in Connecticut suffering from exposure to trauma. The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) was awarded a five-year, $2 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand services to young children in Connecticut suffering from exposure
- [Program helps military families cope with alcohol abuse](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/program-helps-military-families-cope-with-alcohol-abuse/) - Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass., are in year three of a four-year grant to study and provide military couples with alcohol and relationship counseling. “We took an alcohol couple behavioral therapy treatment model that we developed at Rutgers [University] over 25 years with civilian samples and got funding from
- [Diabetes: Research shows increased risk for mental health issues](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/diabetes-research-shows-increased-risk-for-mental-health-issues/) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that in 2014, diabetes affected approximately 29.1 million people or 9.3 percent of the United States population. Additionally, another 86 million Americans suffer with pre-diabetes, a condition that increases the risk of developing diabetes. While the condition imposes some medical challenges, it has also been found to
- [Psychologist helps families cope with childhood illnesses](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/leading-stories/psychologist-helps-families-cope-with-childhood-illnesses/) - When a child has medical issues complicated by psychological ones, a family may find themselves with limited skills to cope with an escalating situation. A serious affliction like chronic pain, diabetes, asthma, or seizures can be terrifying to both the child and to the adults trying to support him and, for many families, the illness,
- [“College Teaching: Practical Insights from the Science of Teaching and Learning”](https://www.nepsy.com/articles/book-reviews/college-teaching-practical-insights-from-the-science-of-teaching-and-learning/) - “College Teaching: Practical Insights from the Science of Teaching and Learning” By Donelson R. Forsyth American Psychological Association Washington, D.C., 2016 ‘Compelling’ book offers no-nonsense directives, recommendations Reviewed by James K. Luiselli, Ed.D., ABPP, BCBA-D The author biography accompanying this book explains that Donelson R. Forsyth, a social and personality psychologist, “has taught thousands

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- [Continuing Education for Psychologists](https://www.nepsy.com/continuing-education/) - New England Psychologist lists continuing education conferences and workshops for psychologists here, updated monthly. Workshops must offer CE credits to psychologists in order to be included here. CE workshop information may be submitted by email: ce@nepsy.com. Need CE credits today? In the dynamic field of psychology, continuing education is both a requirement and an
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- [Austen Riggs Center](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/austen-riggs-center/) - Austen Riggs Center www.austenriggs.org 25 Main StreetStockbridge, MA 01262 A private and completely open psychiatric residential treatment center and continuum of care. ADMISSIONS: Admissions Dept. 800-51-RIGGS. ADULT: 18 years and older with a continuum of care: residential, group living to day treatment, all within an open setting. SPECIALTIES: Intensive four times/week individual psychotherapy by doctors
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- [McLean Hospital](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/mclean-hospital/) - McLean Hospital Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Inpatient Program 115 Mill Street Belmont, MA 02478 ADMISSIONS: 24 hours, 7 days a week, 877.964.5565. SPECIALTIES: The Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Inpatient Program provides comprehensive treatment for adults who live with the effects of childhood abuse or other painful traumatic events. INSURANCE: Most HMOs, Medicare, Medicaid, and
- [League School for Autism](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/league-school-of-greater-boston/) - League School for Autism (Formerly the League School of Boston) https://leagueschool.org/ 300 Boston Providence Turnpike Walpole, MA 02032 ADMISSIONS: 508-850-3900, ext 171. AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 3-22 in 12 month program; both day and residential available. Year round, full day programs with open enrollment. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Individual and group services in speech, OT
- [Middlebridge School](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/middlebridge-school/) - Middlebridge School 333 Ocean Rd. Narragansett, RI 02882 ADMISSIONS: Shannon Leventhal or John J. Kaufman, 401-788-0800. AGES/GRADES: Coeducational, ages 13-18, plus postgraduates. Boarding and day college preparatory school, 10 months per year; highly individualized education. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Relationship based program that offers all students daily Emotional Intelligence classes and daily 1:1 Tutorials and Executive
- [The Wediko School](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/wediko-childrens-services-wediko-school/) - The Wediko School The Home for Little Wanderers 11 Bobcat Blvd. Windsor, NH 03244 ADMISSIONS: 603-478-5236 AGES/GRADES: Males, primarily 11-18, grades 6-12. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Individual, group, and family therapy with psychiatric consultation; milieu treatment plans designed to capture success and limit problematic behaviors; special education (approved for ED, OHI, ASD, SLD). THERAPEUTIC ORIENTATION: Therapeutic
- [Judge Rotenberg Center](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/judge-rotenberg-educational-center/) - Judge Rotenberg Center www.judgerc.org 250 Turnpike St. Canton, MA 02021 From the school: The Judge Rotenberg Center (JRC) is a day and residential school located in Canton, Massachusetts, licensed to serve ages five through adult. Since 1971, JRC has provided very effective education and treatment to both emotionally disturbed students with conduct, behavior, emotional,
- [Stevens Treatment Programs](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/stevens-treatment-programs/) - Stevens Treatment Programs 24 Main St. Swansea, MA 02777 ADMISSIONS: Clark Lamboy, 508-679-0183. AGES/GRADES: Youth born biologically male, ages 11-22 in a special education 5th – 12th grade school. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Academic experience incorporates a comprehensive educational curriculum, a pre-vocational experience and recreational activities to develop the mind, physical fitness and confidence of each youth,
- [Kurn Hattin Homes for Children](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/new-england-kurn-hattin-homes/) - Kurn Hattin Homes for Children P.O. Box 127Westminster, VT 05158 ADMISSIONS: Kim Pronesti, Admissions Coordinator, 802-721-6925 or kpronesti@kurnhattin.org AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 5-15, grades K-8, in 7 day per week, 12 month per year program; summer program also available. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Individual and group counseling services available. THERAPEUTIC ORIENTATION: Children within 2-3 years of
- [Cambridge Health Alliance](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/cambridge-health-alliance/) - Cambridge Health Alliance 1493 Cambridge StreetCambridge, MA 02139 A Harvard teaching hospital. ADMISSIONS: 617-665-1372 CHILD: 3-12 years old on locked unit. ADOLESCENT: 13-17 years old on locked unit. ADULT: 18 years and older on locked unit. GERIATRIC: 55 years and older on locked unit. SPECIALTIES: Affective and psychotic disorders; psychiatric manifestations of medical illnesses, geriatric patients, and
- [Residential Schools](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/) - New England Residential School Directory There are a great number of residential schools in the New England region. Residential schools are places where children and teenagers can go to school full-time in a supportive, caring environment to meet their unique psychiatric and mental health challenges. We've compiled this directory to make it easier to find
- [The Groden Network](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/the-groden-center/) - The Groden Network www.grodennetwork.org Groden Center Day School 86 Mount Hope Ave.Providence, RI 02906 From the school: Providing a continuum of care for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities since 1976. ADMISSIONS: School & Youth Residential programs: Peggy Stocker 401-274-6310 x 1125 Adult Programs: Kerri Donecker 401-751-0459 x 1423 AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages
- [Pine Haven Boys Center](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/pine-haven-boys-center/) - Pine Haven Boys Center P.O. Box 162Suncook, NH 03275 ADMISSIONS: Joyce Pollinger, 603-485-7141. AGES/GRADES: Males ages 6-15 in grades 1-8, in 7 day per week, 12 month per year program; summer program also available. Day students also accepted. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Individual, group, and sibling/family therapy, special education and in-home family support services. Assessment and treatment
- [Stetson School](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/stetson-school-inc/) - Stetson School https://www.sevenhills.org/affiliates/stetson-school An Affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation 455 South St.Barre, MA 01005 From the school: Stetson School is a nationally accredited, fully licensed, Chapter 766-approved Residential and Education Treatment program for male youth, young men, and transgender individuals, aged 9-22, who have experienced severe trauma; physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse; and who
- [Melmark New England](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/melmark-new-england/) - Melmark New England www.melmarkne.org 461 River Rd.Andover, MA 01810 From the school: Melmark is a multi-state human service provider with premier special education schools, professional development, training, and research centers. ADMISSIONS: 978-654-4300 AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 3-21 in a 365-day, 12 month a year residential program; also males and females ages 3-21 in a 237-day,
- [May Center Schools](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/the-may-center-for-child-development/) - May Center Schools www.mayinstitute.org From the school: Creating meaningful change for students with autism and neurobehavioral disorders. May Center School for Autism and Developmental Disabilities 41 Pacella Park Dr.Randolph, MA 02368ADMISSIONS: Melissa Scarry, 781-437-1281. AGES/GRADES: Ages 2.9-22 in a year-round program offering both day and residential services. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Behavioral and educational services are
- [JRI](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/justice-resource-institute-berkshire-meadows/) - JRI 7 Massachusetts Campuses Administrative offices:160 Gould St. Ste 300Needham, MA 02494 From the school: Providing supportive, trauma-informed educational opportunities to nurture growth, learning and independence. Find your path at one of JRI’s eight residential schools serving ages 5-22 in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Berkshire Meadows 249 North Plain Rd.Housatonic, MA 01236ADMISSIONS: Liisa Kelly, Director, 413-528-2523
- [Ivy Street School](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/ivy-street-school/) - Ivy Street School www.ivystreetschool.org 200 Ivy St.Brookline, MA 02446 From the school: Our clinical, educational, vocational, day, and residential therapeutic school provides year-round programming and family support for adolescents age 13-21. Community-based programming available through Skills for Life. LGBTQIA+ ADMISSIONS: Tunzel Hayes, 617-620-7779. AGES/GRADES: Males and females and gender diverse students ages 13-21 in ungraded
- [Evergreen Center](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/evergreen-center-inc/) - Evergreen Center www.evergreenctr.org 345 Fortune Blvd.Milford, MA 01757 From the school: Since 1982, The Evergreen Center’s Approved Residential Education program has provided community based living and learning environments for persons with autism, developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, physical disabilities, severe maladaptive behavior and complex health needs ADMISSIONS: Admissions Office, 508-478-2631, ext. 401. AGES/GRADES: Males and females
- [College Internship Program](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/the-college-internship-program-berkshire-center/) - College Internship Program 40 Main St., Suite 3 Lee, MA 01238 From the school: Empowering young adults with learning differences to succeed in college, employment, and independent living. ADMISSIONS: For more information, visit www.cipworldwide.org or call 877-566-9247. AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 18-26 in a year-round residential transition program for young adults with autism, ADHD, and
- [Chamberlain International School](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/chamberlain-international-school/) - Chamberlain International School www.chamberlainschool.org 1 Pleasant St. Box 778Middleboro, MA 02346 From the school: At Chamberlain, we work with students through individual attention and help them to achieve goals they never thought possible. Let us help your client reach their full potential. Helping students facing learning and emotional challenges for 40 years. ADMISSIONS: Admissions Director,
- [Wayside Academy](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/wayside-academy/) - Wayside Academy 1 Frederick Abbot WayFramingham, MA 01701 ADMISSIONS: Phillip Ekberg, M.Ed, Principal, 508-561-1814 or https://www.waysideyouth.org/aboutus/ourservicesoverview/services/special-education-wayside-academy/ AGES/GRADES: Male and female presenting and non-binary clients ages 12-18 in 12 month residential program, 220 school days. Male and female presenting and non-binary students ages 12-19 in grades 6-12 in a 220-day day school program. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Access to
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.nepsy.com/privacy-policy/) - Privacy Policy The Short Version We do not share any of the personally identifiable information you voluntarily provide to us with any third-party for any reason whatsoever. We would do so only if we were legally obligated to do so, and then we’d notify you if that was the case. (We’ve never had to do
- [Pembroke Hospital, Universal Health Services](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/arbour-health-system-pembroke-hospital/) - Pembroke Hospital Universal Health Services 199 Oak StreetPembroke, MA 02359 ADMISSIONS: 781-829-7121 ADOLESCENT: Ages 13 to 17. YOUNG ADULT: Ages 18 to 30 on a young adult unit. ADULT: 18 years and older. OLDER ADULT: 50 years and older on an older adult unit. PARTIAL HOSPITAL: Available for adolescents and adults at 20 Winter St.,
- [Arbour Counseling Services, The Boston Center](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/arbour-health-system-the-boston-center/) - Arbour Counseling Services The Boston Center www.arbourhealth.com 14 Fordham RoadAllston, MA 02134 A freestanding center for PHP services. ADMISSIONS: 855-575-2273 PARTIAL HOSPITAL: Day programs for children and adolescents including those with psychiatric and dual diagnosis (co-occurring addictions) disorders. INSURANCE: Aetna, BC/BS, BMC HealthNet, Cigna, Fallon, Group Insurance Commission, HPHC, MBHP, Magellan, Medicaid, Neighborhood Health Plan, Network
- [HRI Hospital, Universal Health Services](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/arbour-health-system-arbour-hri-hospital/) - HRI Hospital Universal Health Services 227 Babcock StreetBrookline, MA 02446 ADMISSIONS: 833-468-2531 ADULT: 18 years and older. DUAL DIAGNOSIS: Psychiatric issues with co-occurring substance abuse for adults. Primary substance abuse services offered for adults. WOMEN’S UNIT: 18 years and older with specialization in trauma-related and dissociative disorders. PARTIAL HOSPITAL: Available for adults with psychiatric
- [Fuller Hospital, Universal Health Services](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/arbour-health-system-arbour-fuller-hospital/) - Fuller Hospital Universal Health Services 200 May StreetSouth Attleboro, MA 02703 ADMISSIONS: 508-761-8500 ADOLESCENT: Ages 13 to 17. ADULT: Ages 18 years and older. ACUTE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT: Dual Diagnosis Acute Residential Treatment/Enhanced Acute Treatment Services offered to adults with co-occurring psychiatric and/or addictions disorders. PARTIAL HOSPITAL: Available for adults including those with psychiatric and dual
- [Arbour Hospital, Universal Health Services](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/arbour-health-system/) - Arbour Hospital Universal Health Services www.arbourhospital.com 49 Robinwood AvenueBoston, MA 02130 ADMISSIONS: 833-227-2687 ADULT: 18 years and older. The Quincy Center, a satellite of Arbour Hospital, offers inpatient services for adults. ADOLESCENT: 13 to 17 years. DUAL DIAGNOSIS: Psychiatric issues with co-occurring substance use disorders offered for adolescents and adults on inpatient units. Primary substance
- [Cornerstones of Maine](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/cornerstones-of-maine/) - Cornerstones of Maine PO Box 1834 Kennebunkport, Maine 04046 ADMISSIONS: Aaron Rumsey, 800-588-6898 or https://www.cornerstonesofmaine.com/admissions AGES/GRADES: Ages 18 - 28. COMMENTS: Cornerstones of Maine is a clinically-driven transitional living program designed to assist men, women, and gender nonconforming young adults in their journey to becoming independent. Our program provides a therapeutic, resident-centered approach that
- [New England Center for Children](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/new-england-center-for-children/) - New England Center for Children 33 Turnpike Road Southborough, MA 01772-2108 ADMISSIONS: (508)481-1015 or https://www.necc.org/admissions-inquiry-form/ AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 10-18. COMMENTS: Students in our residential program receive intensive, positive, behavior-oriented treatment individualized to address challenging behaviors. Students work on coping skills and appropriate behaviors with the goal of adapting to a less staff-intensive setting,
- [Perkins School for the Blind](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/perkins-school-for-the-blind/) - Perkins School for the Blind 175 North Beacon St.Watertown, MA 02472 ADMISSIONS: Amy Fox Ferreira, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, 617-972-7476. AGES/GRADES: Day students 3 to 22 years of age; Residential program for students with vision impairments, ages 12 to 22 years; Residential school for students with Deafblindness may enroll younger than 12 years based
- [VPI Bennington](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/bennington-school-inc/) - VPI Bennington 192 Fairview St. Bennington, VT 052012 Programs New England School for Girls Program ADMISSIONS: Lisa Smith, Admissions Director, 802-681-7103 or lisa.smith@becket.org AGES/GRADES: Girls ages 13-19. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Provide individualized treatment, promoting trauma-informed care and inclusive education. THERAPEUTIC ORIENTATION: The intensive phase-based trauma treatment center has the capacity to offer an individualized continuum of
- [Harmony Hill School](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/harmony-hill-school/) - Harmony Hill School 63 Harmony Hill Rd. Chepachet, RI 02814 ADMISSIONS: Don Jackson, Admissions Director, 401-949-0690, ext. 3357. AGES/GRADES: Youth ages 13-18 who require residential treatment and education. Also a Day treatment program for youth ages 8-18 in grades K-12 who require regular or special education. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Individual, family, and group therapy; specialized assessments;
- [Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities at Bradley Hospital](https://www.nepsy.com/psychiatric-hospitals/center-for-autism-developmental-disabilities-at-bradley-hospital/) - Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities at Bradley Hospital Residential Treatment Program 1011 Veterans Memorial Pkwy. East Providence, RI 02915 ADMISSIONS: Arthur Mercurio, M.A., Director of Residential Services, 401-432-1189. AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 8-21 in 7 day per week, 12 month per year program. Four community based residences with 8 residents per home. All
- [YOU, Inc.](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/you-inc-cottage-hill-academy/) - YOU, Inc. An Affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation Locations throughout Greater Worcester, MA ADMISSIONS: Central referral, 855-496-8462 or centralreferral@sevenhills.org AGES/GRADES: A variety of programs are offered, including Congregate Care options for girls ages 12-18 (Grafton House) and boys ages 11-18 (Oxford House). THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Individual, group, family, OT, substance abuse therapies; CBT; DBT skills; adventure-based
- [Saint Vincent's Home](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/saint-vincents-home-corp/) - Saint Vincent’s Home 2425 Highland Ave.Fall River, MA 02720 ADMISSIONS: 508-236-3470 AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 14-22 in high school, 7 day a week, 12 month a year Residential Education Program and 12 month Therapeutic Day School. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Diagnostic assessment; milieu, individual, group and family therapies; psychiatric assessment and medication management; psychological testing; outpatient
- [McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/mcauley-nazareth-home-for-boys-inc/) - McAuley Nazareth Home for Boys 77 Mulberry St. Leicester, MA 01524 ADMISSIONS: Kim Pare, Executive Director, 508-892-4886. AGES/GRADES: Males residential, ages 6-18 in co-educational day school grades K-8 in a 7 day a week, 12 month a year program. THERAPEUTIC SERVICES: Individual, group and family therapy available on site and in the community. Group,
- [Doctor Franklin Perkins School](https://www.nepsy.com/residential-schools/perkins/) - Doctor Franklin Perkins School 971 Main St.Lancaster, MA 01523 ADMISSIONS: Deanna King, 978-368-4904 or 978-368-6512. AGES/GRADES: Males and females ages 5-22 in grades K-12 in either residential or day program; residential is 365 days a year and day program