LICENSING BOARD BLUES: 
FACT OR FICTION?


As President of Division 31, The Division of State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs, I have tried to create Presidential Initiatives that are relevant, if not critical to SPTAs. I realized that one of these issues has to involve licensing boards because there seems to be so many discrepancies, inconsistencies and inequities throughout the states, provinces and territories. For example, if a psychologist is found guilty of violating confidentiality in one state, he or she might be given a 5 year probation, while in another state, the psychologist will merely be given an educative letter…for the very same violation!

As I was thinking about what to do for my Presidential Address, I felt that what would be very relevant to our membership would be to have a Presidential Panel speak on various licensing board issues. These presentations are written by top experts and reproduced below. Dr. David Shapiro’s article is on due process issues. Dr. Terry Koller’s article addresses immunity for custody experts. Dr. Lenore Walker’s article discusses training for licensing board members and Dr. Barbara Van Horne’s article presents on the realities of licensing board complaints. I hope you find these articles informative, interesting and provocative. There is much to do to establish more equity and fairness in licensing boards and Division 31 is proud to be a part of this initiative.

Best wishes,

Lisa Grossman, J.D., Ph.D.
President, Division 31 (2005)

Resources:
(Click on the title below to download the article.)