TENNESSEE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN PSYCHOLOGY BOARD MEETING MINUTES DATE: December 16, 2013 TIME: LOCATION: BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: 9:00 a.m., CDT Health Related Boards Iris Room 665 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37243 Pamela Auble, Ph.D., Chair Anita Davis, Ph.D., J. Trevor Milliron, Ph.D. Mark Loftis, Ph.D., Sr. Psychological Examiner George Bercaw, Sr. Psychological Examiner, Vice Chair David C. Mathis, Ed.D. Melissa Gay, Citizen Member Rodney Sullivan, Ph.D. STAFF PRESENT: Teddy Wilkins, Unit Director Melody Spitznas, Board Administrator Jennifer Putnam, Office of General Counsel Dr. Auble, Chair, called the Board meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. Dr. Auble introduced new Board members, Ms. Melissa Gay and Dr. David Mathis. A quorum was present. Each of the Board members introduced themselves for the record. Financial Report Ms. Lisa Tittle was present to review the financial report with the Board. Ms. Tittle stated that the Board has a cumulative carryover of $686,423.20 with total expenditures of $136,940.20. Ms. Tittle stated that the Department will be upgrading the current laptops for Board meeting to IPads. The Board s cost regarding the upgrade of the new computer system is $1,400.00. Ms. Tittle stated that the Board may want to consider a reduction in fees at an upcoming meeting. 1
Discussion regarding Behavioral Analysts Ms. Beth Urbanczyk, Jim Bryan and Dr. Jim Johnston with the Tennessee Association of Behavioral Analysis were present to suggest the creation of the Behavioral Analyst under the umbrella of the Board of Examiners in Psychology. There are two (2) bills being sponsored by Brian Kelsey (SB1047) and Mark White (HB1279) that propose a two-year license. The following states currently certify behavioral analysts: Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, New York, Arizona, Missouri, Nevada, North Dakota, Virginia, Massachusetts, Wisconsin and Ohio. Dr. Johnston stated that the behavioral analyst movement began in Florida in 1998, and then went to a national credential. There are approximately 14,000 behavioral analysts in the United States. Dr. Johnston stated the behavioral analysts are credentialed at three (3) levels - bachelors, masters or doctoral. The coursework requirements consist of two hundred-seventy (270) hours. Dr. Johnston stated there are five (5) universities in Tennessee that have a behavioral analyst program and provide both online and on-site education. Dr. Keith Hulse, Director of Legislative Affairs with the Tennessee Psychological Association (TPA) stated that TPA fully supports the national movement and is also backed by Autism Speaks. Dr. Hulse stated that TPA s concern is not having the behavioral analysts under the Board s purview. Dr. Hulse stated that the APA and the ASPPB would be in agreement that this profession should be under the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology. Dr. Hulse stated the TPA will assist the Board regarding licensure/certification of Behavioral Analysts in order to protect the citizens of the state of Tennessee. Order of Compliance Ms. Putnam presented the Board with an Order of Compliance for Roger Morgan, Ph.D., license number 2187. Ms. Gay made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bercaw to approve the Order of Compliance. Report from the Tennessee Psychological Association Dr. Hulse updated the Board regarding the telepsychology bill. Dr. Hulse stated there have been six (6) meetings regarding telepsychology. Each Board affected will write their own rules and regulations. The APA has a set of guidelines. The Board asked the TPA to write bills regarding forensic psychology, life or executive coaches and patient coordinators. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Dr. Davis to oppose HB 1185. The motion carried. Minutes Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Dr. Mathis, to approve the September 5, 2013 minutes as amended. 2
Investigative Report Ms. Stone informed the Board that several of the cases in the Offices of Investigations have been closed. Disciplinary Report Ms. Stone stated that four (4) practitioners are on probation, eight (8) practitioners have had their licenses suspended/revoked, nine (9) practitioners are under Board orders and one (1) licensee was reprimanded. OGC Report Ms. Putnam stated there is currently no pending legislation regarding the Board of Examiners in Psychology. Ms. Putnam stated there will be two (2) Consent Orders for the Board s consideration at the next Board meeting. Ms. Putnam stated that the rules from the September 5, 2013 rulemaking hearing have gone through the Department s legal counsel. From there the rules were forwarded to the Governor s office, then to the Attorney General s office and lastly to the Secretary of State s office. Once the Secretary of State s office approves, the rules become effective within seventy (70) days and will be posted on the Board s website. Administrative Report There are currently 1,359 active licensed psychologists, 477 active licensed psychological examiners/senior psychological examiners and 34 active certified psychological assistants. From August 28, 2013 to December 6, 2013, ninety (90) psychologists, forty-three (43) psychological examiners, and no certified psychological assistant renewed their license online. Ms. Spitznas asked the Board to encourage its colleagues to utilize the online renewal process, as it cuts costs and is an efficient way for licensees to renew their license. Ms. Spitznas stated that the continuing education audit is ongoing. Ms. Spitznas stated that most licensees who are audited have been compliant; however, there are a few that are deficient regarding the Tennessee Rules and Jurisprudence requirement. Board Policy allows those found to be deficient to make up the hours within three (3) months without penalty. Ms. Spitznas stated that all those found to be non-compliant have made up the hours very quickly after being notified of their deficiency. 3
New Licenses Ms. Gay made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bercaw, to approve the following newly licensed psychologists: Melissa Anderson Kathleen Aspiranti Jennifer Lynne Beeghly Lindsey K. Colman Susan Douglas Mara Fleischer Leticia Y. Flores Alden E. Gaertner Julie A. Gallagher Angela Hilton-Prillhart Kathryn H. Howell Steven E. Hurley Aida Jimenez Divya Kannan Amy Karbasi Claudia McCausland Tara Mehta Sara Joy Park Julie R. Price Bea D. Puncochar Stephani Sawyer Aaron Sayers Erin C. Shannon Ms. Gay made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bercaw, to approve the following newly certified psychological assistants: Christa Jane Casey Leigh E. Nevil Katie B. Price Reinstatements Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve the following reinstated psychological examiner: Angela Broyles Tolley 4
EPPP Examination Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Dr. Davis, to approve the passing scores of the EPPP examination for the following candidates: Jennifer Caldwell Kathleen Aspiranti Julie Hamrick George Mitzner Kimberly Pratt Erin Armour Julia Mayer Scott Swan Ethics and Jurisprudence Examination Ms. Gay made a motion, seconded by Dr. Milliron, to approve the passing scores of the ethics and jurisprudence examination for the following candidates: Tara Mehta Kathryn Howell Julie Gallagher Leticia Flores Bea Puncochar Angela Tolley Julie Hamrick-Price Mara Fleischer Stephani Sawyer Angela Hilton-Price Steven Hurley Erin Shannon Percy Beasley Erin Armour Jennifer Beeghly Andrew Bloch Jennifer Caldwell Lindsey Colman Susan Douglas Policy Statement 5
The Board considered a Policy Statement to limit the ethics and jurisprudence examination testing and review to once a month and allow the Board administrator discretion as to when the exam will be scheduled and reviewed. Dr. Mathis made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay to accept the Policy Statement. Correspondence The Board reviewed a letter from Dr. Audrey Elion requesting an extension to take the EPPP due to several recent deaths in her family. Ms. Gay made a motion, seconded by Dr. Milliron to grant Dr. Elion an extension of six (6) months in order to take the EPPP. The Board reviewed a letter from Dr. Rex Cannon requesting the Board to reconsider the decision to deny his application for licensure as a psychologist. The Board stated they stand by their original decision to deny Dr. Cannon s application based on the following: 1) the doctoral degree does not meet the academic requirements as outlined in Rule 1180-2-.02(1) (a) and (b). 2) the internship is not APA or APPIC listed as outlined in Rule 1180-2-.02(2)(b) (1) & (2), nor did you submit evidence that his internship is equivalent to an APA or APPIC approved program; and 3) the postdoctoral supervised experience does not meet the Board s requirements as outlined in Rule 1180-2-.02(d)1, nor did he hold a provisional license at the time he completed the postdoctoral supervised experience. The Board suggested Dr. Cannon consider a formal respecialization program in clinical psychology. The Board reviewed an email from Kathryn Perkel. Ms. Perkel states she is a student at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles, CA and is completing her pre-doctoral internship at a non-apa accredited site (it is CAPIC accredited). Ms. Perkel also is inquiring if Tennessee has specific requirements regarding the types of sites postdoctoral fellows can secure employment at in order to complete their postdoctoral supervised experience. The Board instructed Ms. Spitznas to send Ms. Perkel a letter stating that she must document that her internship is equivalent to that of an APA or APPIC approved internship; demonstrate that her school is equivalent to the school in Chicago. The Board stated that there are no specific guidelines regarding the postdoctoral site other than being supervised by a psychologist with HSP designation. The Board reviewed correspondence from Dr. Claude J. Robinson asking for another temporary license in order to take and pass the EPPP. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Dr. Davis to extend Dr. Robinson s temporary license until April 1, 2014 in order to take and pass the EPPP. File Review Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Dr. Davis, to approve Cheryl Smith to sit for the ethics and jurisprudence examination pending receipt of her predoctoral internship 6
director filling in the number of hours completed on the Predoctoral Internship Form. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Rebecca Trupe for a provisional license and to sit for the EPPP pending receipt a final transcript indicating her doctoral degree has been conferred. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Dr. Mathis to approve Gary Junker for a temporary license and to sit for the ethics and jurisprudence examination. The motion carried. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Ashley Dillon for a provisional license and to sit for the EPPP. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Joan Frye for a provisional license and to sit for the EPPP. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Alida Gage for a provisional license and to sit for the EPPP. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bercaw, to approve Stephen Lange to sit for the ethics and jurisprudence examination. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Dr. Mathis, to approve Giovani Billings to sit for the ethics and jurisprudence examination. Dr. Mathis made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Alison Bigelow for a provisional license and to sit for the EPPP. Dr. Mathis made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bercaw to approve Marie Crawford to sit for the EPPP, pending receipt of documented hours on the pre-doctoral internship form, show that the internship is equivalent to that of an APA or APPIC approved internship and a letter of recommendation. Upon receipt of these items, Ms. Spitznas will inform Dr. Mathis that these deficiencies have been completed and request approval to schedule Dr. Crawford for the EPPP. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Andrew Jones to sit for the ethics and jurisprudence examination. Dr. Davis made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Kristin Canavera for a provisional license and to sit for the EPPP. Mr. Bercaw made a motion, seconded by Ms. Gay, to approve Eboni Winford for a provisional license and to sit for the EPPP. 7
Mr. Bercaw made a motion, seconded by Dr. Davis, to approve Lindsay Pate for a provisional license and to sit for the ethics and jurisprudence examination pending receipt of her EPPP score. Dr. Davis made a motion, seconded by Dr. Mathis, to approve Erin Hardin to sit for the ethics and jurisprudence examination pending receipt of documentation of her postdoctoral supervised experience hours. The Board reviewed the senior psychological examiner application of Laura Berrier. Dr. Milliron made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bercaw, for Ms. Spitznas to send Ms. Berrier a letter requesting the following information: letter from Ms. Berrier s supervisor attesting that she has been supervising Ms. Berrier for at least five (5) years and copies of the certificates regarding her 200 hours of continuing education. Other Board Business With no other Board business to conduct, Ms. Gay made a motion, seconded by Dr. Milliron to adjourn the meeting at 4:41 p.m. on December 13, 2013. Ratified by the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology on June 12, 2014 8