April 2016 (Volume23 #2)

REDWOOD PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
A Chapter of the California State Psychological Association
P.O. Box 15209 Santa Rosa, CA 95402
RPA DIALOG
APRIL 2016
VOLUME 23 NUMBER 2
Shollenberger Marsh
Photo: Meg Tippy
www.redwoodpsych.org 1
President’s Column
Katherine Andre, Ph.D.
RPA Executive
Committee officers and
support staff
President:
Katherine Andre, Ph.D.
(707) 263-6360
Past President:
Greg Thigpen, Psy.D.
(707) 494-6462
Vice-President:
Joe Puentes, Psy.D.
(707) 583-9663
Treasurer:
Michael Pinkston, Ph.D.
(707) 575-7230
Secretary and Newsletter
Editor:
Meg Tippy, Psy.D.
(707) 237-5209
CE Coordinator:
Carol Weser, Ph.D.
(707) 526-2288
The Power of Yelp:
What My Rottweiler Taught Me About Professionalism
Katherine Andre, PhD, Redwood Psychological Association Chapter President
Those closest to me in RPA know I have two Rotties, one of which is a
pup named Bay. When she was only 13 pounds, adorable and roly-poly,
I could pick her up and cuddle her, and her little jumps and nips were
harmless. Then one day (actually a speedy 10 months later), her little
nip wasn’t so little anymore and one nip left a large V-shaped gash on
my arm that oozed for days. Upset, I wondered what next? As my
wandering mind considered all possibilities from the simplest remedy
to the most drastic, I mulled over where my behaviorist tools had failed.
I believed that I had done everything even Skinner would have done –
so as a nearly last resort, I turned to everyman's tool for research GOOGLE.
The answer according to a GOOGLE search: Yelp. Not the social media
review Yelp, but a single dog “yelp” sound. As inauthentic as it felt and
as uncertain as I was feeling as I tried it, I let out a “yeeelllP!” with Bay’s
next jump and nip. To my absolute and utter amazement, yelping
worked. She cocked her head, looked at me in surprise, and walked
away.
Disaster Response Committee
Chair:
How did I feel about the yelp idea? Foolish - not authentic, but excited.
Richard Zimmer, Ph.D.
It got results. Even though the idea of yelping hadn’t felt like
(707) 526-7720 x326
something I had wanted to do, once I did it, I saw how it got
Ethics Committee:
Ann Strack, Ph.D.,
Jeff Kahn, Ph.D.,
Michael Pinkston, Ph.D.,
& Juliet Dantin, Ph.D.
professional results even Cesar Millan couldn’t have obtained faster.
There was an authentic “YELP” inside me after all. Result: no more
jump and nips, gashes, or fears that I would have a dangerous and
undisciplined dog, or worse, lose her through some fault of my own.
www.redwoodpsych.org 2
President’s Column continued…
SO what does this yelping communication have to do with RPA and professionalism?
On March 8, our Local Advocacy Network (LAN) representative, Michael Pinkston and I, as your chapter
president, ventured to our State Capitol to see how things are done in our legislative branch of
government. Victor Pacheco joined us. It is an annual event hosted by the California Psychological
Association to teach CPA members how to take care of our profession here in California. I learned that
if we don’t, NO ONE ELSE will since CPA is the only organization that advocates for the practice of
psychology in California.
Of the over 20,000 psychologists in California, only 4000 of us are members of CPA. That means that
4000 of us are taking care of all the other 75 percent.
While we were there at the Capitol, we learned lobbying skills. Then we lobbied for two bills in the
legislature now:
1. AB 2086 to reinstate Clinical Neuropsychology as a Worker’s Compensation designation in
the Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) process;
2. SB 1194 to extend the sunset and operation of the Board of Psychology until 2021.
AB 2086 - We are at risk of losing an important category – neuropsychology - in the Worker’s
Compensation System. So we educated out legislators in our districts why it was important. On April 6,
it passed its first Assembly policy committee, but it still has to go through both houses and then be
signed by Governor Brown.
SB 1194 - Without the passing of the sunset bill, we risk being patrolled by a board composed of nonpsychologists. So we educated our legislators why we don’t want that to happen.
(For more legislative bills that CPA is watching, go to the CPA website. There are a large number of them.)
At first, when we were lobbying, I was uncomfortable and not feeling so authentic. But as the legislator
or member of his/her staff asked perceptive questions about mental health issues, I relaxed. What
would have happened if information had come from an uninformed source? Each seemed genuinely
interested in psychology as a profession and in each of us psychologists as individual constituents.
There was an authentic Lobbyist inside me who wanted to protect our profession the way I wanted to
protect my dog from becoming an undisciplined and possibly dangerous Rottweiler! I was beginning to
understand that I was personally responsible for knowing how to communicate with our legislators just
as I was personally responsible for communicating NO to an unruly dog and I was equally thankful I had
not abandoned her to another owner in hopes that she would become all she could be in someone
else’s hands.
Legislators hear individuals, but usually not when they are alone. They hear individuals when the
individual is part of a larger group, like our CPA.
When you join CPA, you are not only an individual with a voice, you are also protecting:
 your personal interests as they relate to psychology;
 your patients and clients well-being;
 your profession and livelihood.
www.redwoodpsych.org 3
President’s Column continued…
I’ve been reading Charles Duhigg’s books: Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in
Life and Business and The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business. I learned
about this New York Times reporter and author and friend of Atul Gawande, author of The Checklist
Manifesto, on the CPA website. Our inspiring CPA-CEO Jo Linder-Crow, PhD, mentioned him in an
article. Duhigg’s Smarter, Faster Better is a quick read about the “easy goals we ignore...that separate
the merely busy from the genuinely productive.” One chapter deals with how we “link small tasks to
larger aspirations” to enhance productivity. Here’s an example:
If you are always behind at work,
because you arrive late,
because you drop your kids off at school,
just before the tardy bell,
because they are rushing around frantically
getting ready before they leave for school…,. Then,
have them lay their clothes out the night before.
It’s a small task that results in the ability for you to get to work earlier, before colleagues, so you can
take care of tasks before the day gets rolling, so you are not always feeling behind all day. Making a
small adjustment in the nightly routine can yield big returns at the office the next day just by knowing
what environment you want to create.
So with apologies to Duhigg, in an attempt to apply his concept to our chapter:
1. I believe that the small adjustment for each one of us is to:
 join CPA; or
 reach out to a non-CPA member and explain what and why CPA membership is
important.
2. The larger aspiration is that our specialized skill sets:
 remain protected, vital and available to patients and clients, and
 distinguish us from other mental health disciplines;
 flourish as a specialized protected discipline called psychology,
 and provide the best possible care to those who need us.
3. The enhanced productivity is that we are taking better care of ourselves, which results in
better patient and client care.
Are you going to join CPA and invest in and protect your future? Maybe even make it a habit?
It might be as simple as this small adjustment and as powerful a return as a YeeelllP!
www.redwoodpsych.org 4
New Member Introductions
My name is Dylon Helene and I recently
joined a private practice in Santa Rosa. I
conduct neuropsychological evaluations as
well as offer individual and group therapy.
I have experience working with clients with
neurological impairments, gender
identity/trans issues, PTSD, mood and
anxiety disorders. I work with adolescent,
adult, and geriatric clients. I am also being
trained in EMDR and am excited to offer
that treatment to my clients as well. I love
neuropsychology and am delighted to have
the opportunity to follow my passion. I
look forward to meeting more members of
RPA during CE trainings and meet-ups!
Dylon Helene, Psy.D.
Welcome to Other New RPA Members
Karen DeVaney, Psy.D.
Melissa Mathis, M.S.
www.redwoodpsych.org 5
RPA Calendar of Events
Continuing Education Event:
Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 6:30pm - Osake Restaurant, Santa Rosa
“Is it Normal Aging, or Something Else?” Nancy Hoffman, Ph.D.
Sign up now!
The next RPA CE presentation will be: “Is it normal aging, or something else?” a subject that either
we are dealing with in our patients, our parents, or even ourselves. The presenter will be Nancy
Hoffman, PsyD,, on Thursday April 21, at Osake restaurant. CEs (optional) are $15.
Arrive at 6:00 to network, sign in at 6:30 and the dinner and presentation start at 7:00 and end at 8:30.
Early registration (more than a week in advance of the presentation) cost is cost $30, late registration
is $38.
“Standard Dinner” is a bento box with Shumai: steamed shrimp dumplings prawn yakisoba: Sautéed
Shrimp & Vegetables With Japanese Thin Noodles; “Vegetarian” dinner is a bento box with Crispy
tofu w tempura sauce, seaweed (no flaked bonito for vegetarian); Steamed Vegetables With Tofu In
A Light Brown Sauce
Nancy Hoffman PsyD is a geriatric neuropsychologist. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in
neuropsychology at Kaiser Medical Center in San Francisco. She has an interest in behavioral
neurology with a focus on the diagnosis of the different types of dementia as well as their effect on
capacity. If you have any questions about April 21, please email Carol Weser back channel at
[email protected].
Register on the RPA webpage: http://redwoodpsych.org/calendarDetail.aspx?eid=146
www.redwoodpsych.org 6
RPA Calendar of Events continued...
SAVE THE DATE!
Spring Social:
Thursday, May 19, 2016
6:00-7:30pm
La Rosa Tequileria & Grille
500 4th Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Join your fellow RPA Members for an evening of fun!
Mingle, network, get to know one another!
Hors d’oeuvres provided, no-host bar. Members only.
PLEASE COME!
RPA Ethics Committee Offers Consultation
Our Ethics Committee welcomes questions about ethical issues in your
practice. Ann Strack, Ph.D. is your consultant for May and June of 2016. Jeff
Kahn, Ph.D., will be available during the months of July and August to
consult with you about any ethical concerns you may have.
Ann Strack, Ph.D. (762-6216) – May/June
Jeff Kahn, Ph.D. (546-4349) – July/Aug.
Michael Pinkston, Ph.D. (575-7230) – Sept./Oct.
Juliet Dantin, Ph.D. (829-5355) – Nov./Dec.
www.redwoodpsych.org 7
Recent RPA Events
Members of RPA attended Lobby Day in
Sacramento on March 8, 2016.
Victor, Michael,
Katherine, and new RPA
member Melissa Mathis,
with colleagues from
across the state
They aren't extinct after
all!
Melissa Mathis
from Kelseyville,
Nancy Piotrowski, PhD
from Napa Solano
Chapter; and
Katherine.
www.redwoodpsych.org 8
Recent RPA Events continued…
RPA Birding Event
The RPA Birding Event was hosted on a sunny Saturday in February at Shollenberger
Marsh. A large group of RPA members, friends, and families (dogs included!) took a
slow easy hike while being treated to the expertise of local birding experts, led by RPA
member and birder extraordinaire Jeff Martin, Ph.D. The walk commenced with a
discussion regarding identification and categorization in birds, and how this is similar to
and different from categorization of behavior, emotions, and people in Psychology.
Members and friends enjoyed one another's company while out in nature, all working
together to identify, learn about, and observe 41 bird species in about 2 hours!
Birding Event Guide Jeff Martin, Ph.D.
www.redwoodpsych.org 9
Recent RPA Events
continued…
www.redwoodpsych.org 10
Recent RPA Events continued…
www.redwoodpsych.org 11
Announcements and Ads
NEW GIRLS’ GROUP: Beacon and Low Fee accepted
Girls Group (11-14 years) Forming: Addressing the
specific needs of young adolescent girl and their
families
Referrals also being accepted for individual/family
treatment of children, adolescents, adults, and
families. Medi-Cal/Beacon provider. Low-cost
services available.
Meg Tippy, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist, CA #27044, NY #014821
(707) 237-5209.
Collaborating with referring professionals, Bob
Casanova, Psy.D. is a nationally respected
educational consultant who specializes in
providing recommendations for students with
special needs of an emotional, behavioral or
psychological nature.
Bob travels extensively throughout the year and
has personally toured over two hundred schools
and programs. As a Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist, Bob credits his clinical training and
experience in deepening his understanding of the
student’s needs.
Bob Casanova, Psy.D., (LMFT37137)
707-544-7000, bobcasanova.com
-----------------------------------
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High Performance Neurofeedback
Trauma-Focused Seeking Safety Group Forming
Welcoming child, adolescent, and adult referrals for
HPN, a highly effective approach for symptoms of
PTSD, anxiety, panic, OCD, AD/HD, depression,
mTBI, emotional dysregulation, insomnia, chronic
pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. HPN helps
the brain adopt more flexible brainwave patterns,
which leads to optimal nervous system functioning,
and a reduction in symptom “volume.” Clients find
relief quickly, often within the first two sessions. I
am glad to collaborate with other primary therapists
with clients struggling to engage in psychotherapy
due to overwhelming symptoms.
Sil Machado, Ph.D. (PSY 20503)
www.SilMachadoTherapy.com
(707) 529-3021
Welcoming referrals for our Seeking Safety group.
Seeking Safety is a highly effective, evidencebased group intervention for trauma survivors.
The focus of Seeking Safety is on stabilization and
symptom management. Group sessions directly
address the effects of trauma, without going into
the trauma narrative, and include topics such as
coping with triggers, boundary setting, healthy
relationships, self-nurturing, and more. The group
is appropriate for motivated men, women, and
gender variant clients looking to overcome
trauma symptoms in a supportive group
environment.
Sil Machado, Ph.D. & Associates
www.SilMachadoTherapy.com
(707) 529-3021
www.redwoodpsych.org 12
Announcements and Ads continued…
Beautiful Furnished Therapy Office
Available - Novato
$170/day /192 ft2
• Rates starting at $170/day.
• Two minutes from Hwy 101, San Marin
Dr. exit. Terrific location for clients coming
from Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Novato, San
Rafael, Vacaville, Fairfax, Woodacre etc.
• Five-office suite with waiting room.
• New paint and carpet.
• Large office can accommodate moderate
sized families or groups.
• Waiting room has call light system and
screened small fridge and microwave area.
• Beautiful, natural setting.
• Rent includes all utilities, cleaning,
Internet.
• If interested, contact Andrea Pinkerton,
PsyD, at 415-686-7364 or email
[email protected].
Bill McCausland, Ph.D.’s book: In the Mouth of
the Wolf is available on Amazon.com.
The story shows people in desperate search of
love and oblivion in equal measure. The layered
set of characters, each with his or her own
personal questions, confronts their past as it
bears on their present behavior if they are to
survive. Three men in the novel have varying
degrees of war trauma; their wives display
different ways of absorbing the war experience
upon the men’s arrival home. The book
principally encompasses the impact on marital
relationships and other human connections
when soldiers return from war.
Submitting Ads and Announcements to the RPA Dialog:
Items are free to members and cost non-members $40. Each item is limited to 100 words or less.
Our next newsletter will be delivered in August. Deadline for submissions is July 31st. Send your ad in
the body of an email (no attachments). Submissions will be confirmed with a return email. Please
submit items to the Newsletter Editor: Meg Tippy, Psy.D., at [email protected]
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 21, 2016
CE Event: Is it Normal Aging or Something Else?
May 19, 2016
Member Spring Social
www.redwoodpsych.org 13