Summer 2009

MBPA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Jim Beckett, Ph.D.
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(831) 345-3619

Greetings from your President. The good news is that  we are having a wonderfully active year socially with the book club, the wine tasting party, and the upcoming annual summer party (August 29th). Also your Board of Directors has continued to address various responsibilities with a joyful and cooperative spirit. (Members are encouraged to attend any Board of Directors meeting as an observer/participant; the next meeting is October 16th at 12:15 at Dominican Hospital education building.) Ongoing concern about psychologists' involvement in torture on a national level is also being addressed. Opportunities for continuing education have been created. The next one will be a presentation by our own member Dr. Tom Butz on the subject of Treating Trauma from a Somatic Perspective on October 2nd from 1 to 5:00 pm.

The bad news is that the number of members renewing and maintaining membership has significantly decreased, and it is not clear why. If anyone reading this message has an inkling as to what is going on here and what we might do about it, please give me a call (I don't "text") or e-mail. Meanwhile, may you have a pleasant summer.

Jim Beckett, Ph.D.

Summer 2009

EDITOR'S NOTE

By Jennifer Kaupp, Ph.D.
Editor, The Monterey Bay Psychologist
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831-429-9314

Hello MBPA Members –

I hope this summer note finds you well. In this edition of the newsletter you will notice that APA politics are still in the news. Recent developments in the ethical debate can be found on page 1, with further discussion in the Issues Forum/Social Justice and the Public Service/Education/Outreach Committee reports. If you have thoughts about this important topic, the newsletter staff welcomes your comments. As always, the Forensic committee has submitted an informative article. This is just a sampling of what the MBPA membership has been doing since the last newsletter.

We continue to look for ways to improve our electronic communication with you, via the newsletter and website (www.mbpsych.org), and value your comments and suggestions.

Hope to see you at the MBPA Garden Party on August 29th.

Take care.
Jenny

Summer 2009

Minutes / Highlights from July 10, 2009
Board of Directors Meeting

Cheryl Jacques, Psy.D.
MBPA Secretary
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831-768-7681

Attending:
Jim Beckett, President
Junell Silver, Past President and Technology Chair
Cheryl Jacques, Secretary
Andy Carman, Treasurer
Jenny Kaupp, Newsletter Editor and Social Issues Forum Co-Chair
Jon Girvetz, I&R and Social Forums Co-chair
Cheryl Bowers, CPA Rep and Government Affairs
Ann Bolger, Membership
Michele DeAntoni, Prescription Privileges
Myrna Glick, Forensics
Diane Bridgeman, Disaster Response Co-chair and Public Service
Rick Allen, Disaster Response Co-chair
Cindy Fabry, CLASP

1. MINUTES of 2/6/09 were approved. Minutes of 5/1/09 were approved.
2. PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Jim Beckett, Ph.D. Jon Girvetz gave a wonderful workshop in May. Art Anton has generously donated to our CE workshop series. Tom Butz will provide a workshop in late September also to be held at the Unitarian Church. Jim made a report to Board of Psychology regarding a person in town who is practicing without a license. CASA is an organization that supports foster children in the court system. CASA would like to find a mental health advocate; I&R will take this matter up. We have yet to find a President Elect and an Ethics Chair.
3. PAST PRESIDENT REPORT & TECHNOLOGY CHAIR: Junell Silver will post the Winter Party information on the website.
4. I&R: Jon Girvetz, Ph.d. The I&R suggested that the Board adopt the Santa Clara Psych Association Plan. In order for MBPA members to be included in the online “Find a Psychologist” feature on the website, in addition to the online directory, the following are necessary:

                       1. A copy of current CPA membership (for liability purposes)
                       2. A copy of current CA Psych license
                       3. Proof (copy of face sheet) of current individual malpractice insurance of at least $1,000/$1,000,000
                       4. A signed copies of an "Ethics Statement" (provided by Dr. Girvetz)
                       5. A signed copy of a "Contract For Participation as a Web-Eligible Member of MBPA (Similar to SCCPA's).

           This was passed by the board and will begin with the upcoming renewal. The goal is to revise I & R for 2010.

1. Contemporary Issues Forum/Social Justice Committee Report:  Jon Girvetz, Ph.D. The Contemporary Issues in Psychology Forum/Social Justice Committee will be meeting to draft a statement in support of the "Open Letter in Response to the American Psychological Association Board," which was signed by the Coalition for Ethical Psychology, Physicians for Human Rights, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, Amnesty International USA, and many other organizations. This letter is requesting that the APA leadership do 5 things to "repair the harm they have caused the profession, the country, former and current detainees and their families.” The letter from the APA Board to their members acknowledged psychologists' involvement in abusive national security interrogations, the first formal acknowledgement that psychologists were involved in torture and cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment. While the rebuttal to the APA letter welcomed this progress, concerned psychologists and human rights organizations stated that APA’s response was profoundly disappointing, as it continued a "long tradition of APA leaders minimizing the extent of psychologists involvement in state-sanctioned abuse as well as APA's own defense of such involvement." The MBPA statement will address APA directly, request that CPA do the same, invite other CA Chapters to join us in our efforts, and make our stance on the subject clear. MBPA does not condone the behavior of psychologists who took any part in the torture of prisoners, and believes that they should be held accountable for their actions. And APA must ‘clean house’ to ensure this never happens again. This statement will be an extension of the existing ethics statement and the tone of various letters over the years. The meeting is set for Friday, July 31st at Noon. The place is yet to be determined.  Contact Jon Girvetz  425-0272 or online at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in attending.
2. TREASURER’S REPORT: Andy Carman, Ph.D.
3. SUMMER PARTY: to be held at Dr. Junell Silver’s home on August 29th. The increase in membership fees enables us to pay for the party without donations from attendees. The Winter party is scheduled for Saturday December 5, 2009. Holding last year’s Winter party after the first of the year disappointed many members.
4. MEMBERSHIP: Ann Bolger, Ph.D. Four renewals, one postdoc. Renewal applications will be at the Summer party. Now 64 members, last year was 88. For associate members, about 10 have not renewed. Did a paper form make a difference? Ann will send out a snail mail reminder to non-renewals. Why aren’t people renewing?
5. CLASP: Cindy Fabry, Psy.D. Plans include a bonfire and a professional workshop. Cindy will send out applications to be CLASP provider.
6. Public Service/Education/Outreach: Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D. The committee is working with several other MBPA committees on the "Book Discussion Group." She also reported on CLASP efforts. Dr. Jacob Sidman has been volunteering with the Homeless Garden Project, and we commend him. Dr. Andy Carman discussed Catholic Services. This committee is coordinating with our "Contemporary Issues/Social Justice Committee" that Drs. Jon Girvetz and Jenny Kaupp chair. Jenny has been forwarding emails regarding the ongoing ethical debate re APA and torture. For more detail, read Diane’s board report.
7. Disaster Response Committee: Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.  Discussed the National ARC disaster manager conference calls from Washington DC regarding pandemic preparedness and other such major incidents, leadership, and upcoming Red Cross courses. Read more in Diane’s report.
8. NEWSLETTER: Jennifer Kaupp, Ph.D. The online newsletter will be out in 2 weeks.
9. GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, BOARD REP TO CPA: Cheryl Bowers, Ph.D. The Governor’s motive for his efforts to consolidate the mental health boards is about our dues going to the general fund rather than the BOP. Medicare priority proposals – lawmakers are looking at psychology as a legitimate medical issue. Mental health is physical health. We have 150k members in APA, comprised of researchers, students and clinicians. We are having stakeholder discussions with legislators, not lobbyists. Mental health courts show on NPR. Number of people in prisons with MH issues is huge.
10. Prescription Privileges: Michele DeAntoni, Ph.D. See prescribingpsychologists.com for updates on Rx privileges. PRISON: psychiatrists are going in as consultants not as state workers due to cuts.The psychologists are documenting the economic savings. Lots of furlough days and general turmoil. Services to inmates decline.

 
Next Board meeting is October 16, 2009: 12:15-2:00 PM at Dominican Education Building.

Respectfully submitted,

Cheryl Jacques

Summer 2009

MBPA Member Profile

Dr. Cindy Fabry
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(831) 234.8087

I’ve been in Santa Cruz since 2004, a transplant originally from Ohio. I received my Psy.D. degree from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco. I went to CIIS because I was interested in Jungian thought and Eastern religion as well as psychology. Once I was in graduate school I took most of my classes from psychoanalytically-oriented professors and shifted toward that theory. My dissertation was still grounded in the Jungian concept of synchronicity.

My practice primarily serves infants, children, and adolescents. I started working with this population when I was a graduate student at Roosevelt University in Chicago. I was a teacher in a therapeutic preschool, working with 18-month-olds and eventually landing with the pre-kindergarten class. Before this experience I was anxious around children. I’ve had great opportunities to learn about development, attachment, and therapy with these populations of children in my internship, practica, and other trainings that I have sought since becoming licensed.

I’m excited to be a member of the Monterey Bay Psychological Association and to be the CLASP chair. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, watching movies, and sewing. I’m also looking forward to beginning my second year in the Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Training Program through the Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis.

JULY 2009

MBPA DISASTER RESPONSE COMMITTEE REPORT

Submitted by Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.
Co-Chair,  Disaster Response Committee
(831) 420-1109
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We were asked to be on alert for a local fire, but the situation was contained so our committee members did not have to respond.

I continue to be on the National ARC disaster manager conference calls from Washington, DC, regarding pandemic preparedness and other such major incidents.

I gave a presentation at the last APA Leadership conference in Washington on “Leading during Challenging Times,” where we received comments about our local program.

We continue to respond to both local and national disasters and to do post-assignment check-ins for those who have returned from such responses.

Once again, I will be offering courses this Fall and Winter through the Red Cross on the following: Foundations of Disaster Mental Health, Psychological First Aid, Pandemic Flu, and International Humanitarian Law. If you are interested in taking any of these free courses and specifically in joining our combined ARC, MBPA and CAMFT disaster response team, please let me know at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (831) 420-1109.

Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.
Co-Chair

Rick Allen, Ph.D.
Co-Chair, Disaster Response Committee
(831) 429-1340
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Preparing for Swine Flu

Submitted by Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.

From the APA Help Center:

Managing Your Anxiety about H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

The international prevalence and ongoing nature of H1N1 Flu (swine flu) together with speculation that it could become a more serious illness later this year can be anxiety producing. At a recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services flu summit, President Obama advised against panic and recommended "vigilance" and "preparation." You can begin to prepare now by taking the following steps to manage your anxiety and maintain a positive outlook.

Keep things in perspective. Government officials are preparing for possible worst-case scenarios in order to protect the public. The public, however, does not need to expect the worst. Studies show that annual seasonal influenza is more severe than the current H1N1 flu. Most people who have contracted the H1N1 flu in the United States have recovered. In the limited number of fatal cases, the people affected were already battling a life threatening illness prior to contracting H1N1.

Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as news from www.flu.gov, a local or state public health agency, or local elected official such as a city mayor or state governor. The situation could evolve rapidly, so gather information at regular intervals in order to help you distinguish fact from rumors. Be wary of unsubstantiated rumors, which can be upsetting and may deter you from taking appropriate action.

Maintain a hopeful outlook. Public health agencies around the globe are working to identify outbreaks of the illness and to ensure the availability of the best medical care to those who are sick. Work has been underway for several months to develop a vaccine. For centuries, people have survived difficult life circumstances and gone on to live fulfilling and productive lives. There is no reason why this situation cannot be similar. Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend watching or listening to sensationalized media coverage.

Stay healthy. A healthy lifestyle—including proper diet, exercise and rest —is your best defense against any disease threat. Adopting hygienic habits such as washing your hands regularly will also minimize your exposure to all types of germs and disease sources. A healthy body can have a positive impact on your thoughts and emotions, enabling you to make better decisions and deal with the flu’s uncertainties.

Build resilience. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, threats or significant sources of stress. Draw on skills you have used in the past that have helped you to manage life’s adversities and use those skills to help you manage concerns about a flu pandemic. See APA’s Road to Resilience brochure.

Have a plan. Think about how you might respond if the flu were discovered in your area. You may want to stock up on non-perishable foods in case officials recommend staying home, consider options for working from home, and caring for sick family members, and establish an emergency family communication plan. Explore how you might spend your time if schools or businesses are closed. Planning some of these scenarios in advance can lessen your anxiety.

Communicate with your children. Discuss the flu with honest and age- appropriate information. If your children have concerns, addressing these together may ease their anxiety and distress. Parents can also help allay distress by focusing children on routines and schedules that remain unchanged despite any changes due to flu preparations. Remember that children will observe adults behaviors and emotions for cues on how to manage their own emotions during this time. Additional information on talking with your children is available from the National Children's Hospital Center.

Keep connected. Maintaining social networks can foster a sense of normality, and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress. If officials have recommended limiting your social contact to contain an outbreak, you can stay connected via social media sites, e-mail and telephone.

Seek additional help. If you have intense feelings of anxiety or hopelessness or are having trouble performing your job or other daily activities, a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist can help you develop an appropriate strategy for moving forward. You can find psychologists near you by contacting your state psychological association or through APA’s psychologist locator.

A special thank you to: H. Katherine O'Neill, PhD; Ester Cole, PhD; and John R. Tassey, PhD for their assistance in preparing this document.
Updated July 2009
© 2009 American Psychological Association

For More on Preparing for a Swine Flu Pandemic

From the American Red Cross:

Preparing for a Swine Flu (H1N1) Pandemic:
Coping and Emotional Well-Being

What is a pandemic? Who is at risk? What will happen? Are my children safe? As the media reports that a swine flu (H1N1) pandemic is imminent, these thoughts may occur to you. Knowing what to expect, how to prepare and where to find needed information and support can increase your resilience, decrease your stress and minimize the impact on you and your loved ones during these difficult times.

What to Prepare For:

The swine flu outbreak has gained prominence since it began in April 2009. A flu pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza virus appears to which people have little or no immunity. It affects people of all ages, backgrounds and locations, causing high numbers of illness and death as wellas social disruption. During a flu pandemic:

• Many people are likely to become ill at the same time.

• People who are infected with swine flu may be isolated, which means that they are separated from healthy people to reduce the chances of spreading the flu.

• People who have been exposed to the flu virus may be quarantined. This means those who have been exposed to the flu virus are physically separated from those who have not been exposed.

• A practice called “social distancing” may be in effect to limit face-to-face interaction in order to prevent exposure and transmission of the flu virus. Many things may be shut down  or be canceled, including public transportation, gathering places, events, schools and businesses.

• Community services and utilities may be disrupted.

• Health care services could become overwhelmed. These circumstances could significantly affect you. You may need to reorganize your life to care for loved ones or to receive care. You may lose income if your workplace closes or you become ill. School closures can result in the need for home-schooling or other activities for homebound children. Access to food and other household goods may become limited. The many changes in day-to-day living can cause anxiety and stress.

To read the entire fact sheet from the Red Cross, click here.

August 2009

DIVERSITY COMMITTEE REPORT

Submitted by Dr. Max Camarillo, Ph.D.
Chair, MBPA Diversity Committee
(831) 429-5826
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The APA Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs (OEMA) is pleased to announce the availability of the newest publication of the Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Interests (CNPAAEMI):  Psychology Education and Training From Culture-Specific and Multiracial Perspectives: Critical Issues and Recommendations

This booklet illustrates the importance of infusing ethnic/culture-specific perspectives into psychology education by describing the social-historical context of major contemporary psychological challenges and strengths of ethnic minority and biracial populations. Related implications for psychological research and practice are identified, and additional information sources are provided.

The booklet is available at:

http://www.apa.org/pi/oema/education-training.pdf

A limited number of printed copies will be available at the Public Interest booth at the 2009 APA Toronto convention.
Good reading – and help us spread the word!

Bertha Garrett Holliday, Ph.D., Senior Director, Office of Ethnic Minority Affairs Public Interest, Directorate American Psychological Association

Maximiliano Camarillo, Ph.D.

July 2009

MBPA PUBLIC SERVICE/OUTREACH/EDUCATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.
Chair, Public Service/Outreach/Education Committee
(831) 420-1109
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We received two calls for pro bono therapy recently. Please contact Anita Whalen, MFT (831-539-3192), or myself (831-420-1109) if you are available to take on an occasional, time-limited pro bono client.

This committee is working with several other MBPA committees on the “Book Club Discussion Group.”

As chair of APA’s Colleague Assistance Committee (ACCA), I am overseeing a survey of approximately 5,000 APA psychologists. If you are randomly selected to complete the questionnaire on colleague assistance support, needs, and self-care, please do complete the 20-minute survey. Thanks.

This last item is related to the work this committee is doing with our “Contemporary Issues/Social Justice Committee” that Drs. Jon Girvetz and Jenny Kaupp coordinate. I believe Jenny forwarded emails on the topic below to those on the committee, including copies of the two New York State bills that I sent out and refer to below, and Drs. Stephen Soldz and Steven Reisner’s recent continuing work with "The Coalition for an Ethical Psychology." Most importantly, most of you probably received the June 19, 2009 letter that I emailed to the committee from the APA Board of Directors. Finally and very long overdue, the APA has adopted the ethical stance we have all been advocating with respect to psychologists’ role in interrogation. See letter below.

I met two weeks ago with Dr. Gerald Gray who is a psychologist and founder of Survivor’s International. He is attempting to follow what psychologists in New York are doing with introducing a bill to prevent any further involvement of psychologists in interrogations. He met with California State Senator Leno on June 19 and feels it is promising. Jerry wants the California bill to go one step further, if at all possible, to include holding responsible any psychologist who previously participated in the interrogation process. I have inquired with Drs. Soldz, Reisner and Gray where, if at all and if MBPA is so inclined, we can contribute to any of these ongoing efforts. Dr. Gray is specifically asking that at some point our MBPA name might be added to the bill as a supporting organization, as groups have done so with the NY Assembly bill. He is also inquiring if any of us know of specific names of those psychologists involved in the interrogation process. Let me know and I can forward them to Dr. Gray or you can contact him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.

June 18, 2009

An Open Letter from the Board of Directors of the American Psychological Association

Dear Colleague,

As a psychologist and member of the American Psychological Association (APA), you no doubt share our serious concerns about reports regarding the involvement of psychologists in torture and abusive interrogations as part of the Bush administration’s “war on terror.” We recognize that the issue of psychologist involvement in national security-related investigations has been an extremely difficult and divisive one for our association. We also understand that some of our members continue to be disappointed and others angered by the association’s actions in this regard. Although APA has had a longstanding policy against psychologist involvement in torture, many members wanted the association to take a strong stand against any involvement of psychologists in national security interrogations during the Bush administration.

Information has emerged in the public record confirming that, as committed as some psychologists were to ensuring that interrogations were conducted in a safe and ethical manner, other psychologists were not. Although there are countless psychologists in the military and intelligence community who acted ethically and responsibly during the post-9/11 era, it is now clear that some psychologists did not abide by their ethical obligations to never engage in torture or other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The involvement of psychologists, no matter how small the number, in the torture of detainees is reprehensible and casts a shadow over our entire profession. APA expresses its profound regret that any psychologist has been involved in the abuse of detainees.

This has been a painful time for the association and one that offers an opportunity to reflect and learn from our experiences over the last five years. APA will continue to speak forcefully in further communicating our policies against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment to our members, the Obama administration, Congress, and the general public. In so doing, we will continue to highlight our 2008 petition resolution policy, Psychologists and Unlawful Detention Settings with a Focus on National Security. APA will ensure that association communications convey clearly that the petition resolution is official association policy and must be central to psychologists’ assessment of the appropriateness of their roles in specific work settings related to national security. Our association’s governing body, the Council of Representatives, will soon be receiving guidance from various governance groups regarding further steps to implement this resolution. The history of APA positions and actions related to detainee welfare and professional ethics can be found at http://www.apa.org/releases/timeline.html.

On a closely related matter, the Ethics Committee and APA governance as a whole are focused intently on Ethics Code Standards 1.02 and 1.03, which address conflicts between ethics and law and between ethics and organizational demands, respectively. In light of Bush administration interrogation policies and uncertainty among our membership, the Ethics Committee has issued the attached statement, “No defense to torture under the APA Ethics Code” (http://www.apa.org/releases/ethics-statement-torture.pdf ). Invoking language from the U.N. Convention Against Torture, this statement clarifies that the Ethics Committee “will not accept any defense to torture in its adjudication of ethics complaints.”

APA will continue to monitor material in official reports related to psychologist mistreatment of national security detainees, will investigate reports of unethical conduct by APA members, and will adjudicate cases in keeping with our Code of Ethics. The association’s focus on these ethical standards is consistent with its position that no psychologist involved in detainee abuse should escape accountability.

In conclusion, as part of APA’s elected leadership, we have an obligation to protect and further psychology’s longstanding commitment to the highest standards of professional ethics–including, and especially, the protection of human welfare.

Respectfully,

American Psychological Association 2009 Board of Directors James H. Bray, PhD, Carol D. Goodheart, EdD, Alan E. Kazdin, PhD
Barry S. Anton, PhD
Paul L. Craig, PhD
Norman B. Anderson, PhD
Rosie Phillips Bingham, PhD
Jean A. Carter, PhD
Armand R. Cerbone, PhD
Suzanne Bennett Johnson, PhD
Melba J.T. Vasquez, PhD
Michael Wertheimer, PhD
Konjit V. Page, MS

To read "An Open Letter in Response to the American Psychological Association Board" from Steven Reisner, Ph.D., Stephen Soldz, Ph.D., and other signatories, click here.

july 2009

FORENSICS COMMITTEE REPORT

Myrna J. Glick, Ph.D.
Forensic Chair
831.646.9330
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A Champion for the Voiceless

Rita Ann Yazzie, J.D., is a Native American attorney and Tribal Advocate. Since November, I have been commuting back and forth to Yuma, AZ, to work with her as an expert witness. Because the Tribe is spread across both the California and Arizona sides of the Colorado River, my California license is applicable. In any case, each Tribe is its own Nation. While the case itself is very important on many dimensions, under court order, it is not open for discussion. The judge too is notable, for her background, knowledge of the nuances of law, and the dignity with which she conducts herself. She is a retired Federal judge who is an expert on Native American law in the U.S. and abroad.

Because of the need to maintain confidentiality, this article is specifically about Rita as I have come to know her. With her long black hair and large eyes, Rita is a striking and exotic-looking woman. From the beginning, it was obvious that she exudes excellence. A proud member of the Navajo Nation, also known as Dine’ or Dineh, she carries herself with dignity, warmth and respectful assurance. She often gets up at 1:00 A.M. in order to head out across the desert by car in the very early morning. Rita travels throughout Arizona, as well as into California and Utah. She generally returns to her home in Phoenix the same night, often very late. On the way, she keeps in touch with her family and clients by hands-free wireless phone.

Rita makes it a point to be the first person at court. She wants to maximize her chances of taking the seat that best commands the courtroom. In the Native American Tribal Court where she and I have worked, the judge sits on an elevated dais, but everyone else is at ground level, with a designated seat for witnesses. Around the corner is a desk for the trained and certified Clerk of the Court. She takes responsibility for the recorded transcript and general management. Around the next corner is a mini-police station with one or more Tribal policemen and a lockup. The Court has just been rebuilt, so it may be different when I return.

If there is a specific victim, Rita tries to seat that person where it is hard for the prosecutor or alleged perpetrator to stare that person down. Her cases are divided among family law, property law and criminal issues. Personally, she prefers property disputes, as they are not so emotionally draining. With some clients, she works overtime not to intimidate.

Rita earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University in Tempe. In 2007, she completed a J.D. degree at the University of New Mexico School of Law, but she has done this type of work for the past ten or fifteen years. Perhaps, she has done it all her life. Even as a child, she had a great deal of feeling for those who were disadvantaged, yet lacked the means to speak for themselves. She just naturally became their advocate.

When Rita became a mother, the job of spokeswoman became more personal. She found it necessary to advocate for one of her four children. Originally a “community college junkie,” Rita went on to paralegal training, then kept pushing her education to higher and higher levels, earning a Master’s degree in Education in the process. She always knew she had a calling to serve in the legal arena. Eventually, she hopes to add a Ph.D., probably in education. She would like to study Native American issues and develop curriculum tailored specifically to the needs of her people. She hopes to attend either Harvard or Stanford, and it is evident that she has what it takes.

Rita pointed out that her people had to fight to be called Native Americans. Originally referred to as Indians, that term confuses them with Asian Indians from India and East Indians from the Caribbean. In contrast, Native Americans are the original Americans. When she began her education, Rita felt challenged by being both a woman and a Native American. However, she never let that stop her. Because she works primarily from her home office, she can do a great deal “in my pajamas.” However, that is dependent on a satellite that connects the family to the outside world. When the satellite is down, Rita is electronically marooned. One of the techniques she uses to be able to work from anywhere is to scan all the papers connected to each case into her computer. This way, no matter where she is, she can keep on top of all her far-flung cases.

Rita has to adapt to many different environments and jurisdictions. Most of the tribes provide training for their judges. However, in some situations, the formal schooling is minimal. The judge presiding over our case is rather special because of her high level of training, experience, and international renown, but some have minimal formal training. The same is true of Tribal Advocates. They are not all at Rita’s level.

Inasmuch as there are over five hundred different tribes, each with its own legal code, Rita has to be flexible. She has familiarized herself with the separate codes and also the cultural norms of each tribe. Because of these issues, the quality of Tribal Courts may vary from one group to another, but each must be respected. Rita pointed out that the American judicial system was modeled on that of the Iroquois. However, today there are constant jurisdictional disputes between the Indian Nation and both federal and state governments.

Rita feels that it helps her to be a Native American, but still she has to extend herself to understand the culture of each tribe, especially in custody cases. Within the tribes, it is important to have children understand their native culture and language, although there are large differences from one tribe to another. For Native Americans in general, it is very important to keep the culture alive and vibrant. In most Native American groups, the Circle of Life is a concept that emphasizes the interconnected nature of everything. Respect for the environment is another important value. In general, tribes tend to be very protective of their children. Rita observes that the most rewarding part of her work is when a case is over. She then gets to see the client smiling, satisfied and secure, instead of worried and apprehensive. In turn, she is assured that, through her efforts, they are have secured their rights, safety, and deserved place in the world.

Medical care is generally provided through Indian Health Services. Respect for the value of psychological services is steadily growing. Rita emphasizes that any psychologist working with a Native American client should be sensitive to the client’s cultural background and beliefs. Rita made it clear that, both as a woman and an American Indian, she has had to cope with her share of prejudice.

Rita, her husband, their youngest son, and their extended family, live in Phoenix. On weekends, they repair to their larger home on a reservation north of the city, where Rita can attend to her beloved horses and other livestock. When she is away, her father takes care of the animals. From time to time, the Tribe holds a Pow-Wow where Rita gets to sport her extensive collection of turquoise.

For my part, exposure to the tribal life in southern California and Arizona has changed my mind completely about gambling. Previously, I only saw the negative aspects. However, there are several casinos in the Yuma area, all owned by Native American tribes, and it is obvious that the proceeds from gambling have been plowed back into the needs of the Native American community. While there are major problems with methamphetamine use, diabetes and employment, everywhere we have traveled there is evidence of growing and highly effective remedial programs. Gambling provides a solid means of employment, training for higher-level occupations, and funds to improve housing, health and education. The children are schooled in their heritage and language.

So far, I have not seen a single tepee. While most of the buildings are simple but very nice, others are rather beautiful. Homes, which are mostly owned by the Tribe, have granite countertops and large-screen television sets, as it were windows on the outside world. I especially admire a newly completed Administrative Center, complete with a gorgeous white sculpture that soars on a rise overlooking the desert. There are also lovely schools and a well-designed walking park along the bank of the Colorado, with shading and playgrounds. The Museum is still under construction.

I look forward to my next visit, even though it will be in the August heat. I hope that it will see the successful culmination of our case, and I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the life of the first Americans. Furthermore, working with Rita has been a true pleasure. I hope that we get to share her greatest satisfaction in her professional life: that a wrong has been righted, a person’s safety assured, and the litigants freed to pursue a peaceful, productive life.

Myrna Glick

July 2009

MBPA INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICE REPORT

By Jon Girvetz, Ph.D.
I & R Chair
831.425.0272
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The MBPA Information and Referral Service is recommending to the Board that they adopt the Santa Clara County Psychological Association model to allow all full members of the organization to be on the “Find a Therapist” list on the MBPA website. This would require all psychologists to submit a copy of their license and a malpractice insurance face sheet, and sign two forms similar to those required by insurance companies. The Board voted to do this, and it will be in place by next year. This would provide enough time for members to submit the necessary forms and information as they renew their membership.

SUMMER 2009

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FORUM/SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE REPORT

Submitted by Jon Girvetz, Ph.D.
(831) 425-0272
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Co-chair, MBPA Contemporary Issues  & Social Justice Committee

All members of APA received “An Open Letter from the APA Board of Directors” dated June 18, 2009 [see APA Letter], stating, “you no doubt share our serious concerns about reports regarding the involvement of psychologists in torture and abusive interrogations as part of the Bush administration’s ‘war on terror.’” Acknowledging that this has been a divisive issue within the APA membership [see MBPA Ethics Statement] and "Torture and the Strategic Helplessness of the American Psychological Association"] and that there is now evidence that there were psychologists who played a part in the mistreatment and interrogation of prisoners [see Social Issues Forum Report, Spring 2008 and a History of the APA Ethics Debate], this letter falls short in some significant respects. As a result, an “Open Letter in Response to the American Psychological Association Board” has been written and signed by thirteen organizations, including Amnesty International, Coalition for an Ethical Psychology, and Psychologists for Social Responsibility to mention a few. It highlights five actions that APA needs to take to “clean the slate.” The full letter follows.

The MBPA Contemporary Issues Forum/Social Justice Committee will be meeting July, 31, from noon to 2:00 to draft a statement of support for the Open Letter Response to the APA board. This will be submitted to the MBPA Board for approval. The goal of this statement is to pressure APA to take stronger actions in both in pursuing those psychologists who acted in opposition to the APA’s Code of Ethics, as well as to employ an “independent investigatory organization to study organizational behavior at APA.”   We also hope to encourage CPA and other Chapters to join MBPA. Anyone interested in joining the Contemporary Issues Forum/Social Justice Committee in this effort contact Jon Girvetz (425-0272) or Jenny Kaupp (429-9314).

Jon Girvetz, Ph.D.
831-425-0272
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Co-Chair, Contemporary Issues & Social Justice Committee

Jennifer Kaupp, Ph.D.
831-429-9314
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Co-Chair, Contemporary Issues & Social Justice Committee

An Open Letter in Response to the American Psychological Association Board

Steven Reisner, Ph.D., Stephen Soldz, Ph.D., and signatories

June 29, 2009
 
On June 18, 2009, the American Psychological Association [APA] Board issued an Open Letter on the subject of psychologists' involvement in abusive national security interrogations. The letter is among the first formal acknowledgements from APA leadership that psychologists were involved in torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. We welcome this progress.

Similarly, the letter acknowledges APA’s member-initiated referendum prohibiting psychologist participation in detention centers that are in violation of international law and overturning APA Council’s repeated refusals to do so. This is an improvement over very recent messages from APA officials that characterized press descriptions of APA policy as supporting psychologist participation in such interrogations as "fair and balanced."

Nevertheless, the letter is profoundly disappointing. It continues the long tradition of APA leaders minimizing the extent of psychologists’ involvement in state-sanctioned abuse as well as APA’s own defense of such involvement. The authors speak as though the information about psychologist’s involvement in torture is fresh news even though it has been available for a long time. Even now, the Board relies on the Bush Administration tactic, employed in the Abu Ghraib debacle, of blaming the abuse on a "few bad apples." This minimization of the greatest ethical crisis in our profession's history by those who claim to lead the profession is unacceptable. Similarly the APA Board continues to take no responsibility for its own grievous mismanagement of this issue. Instead, the tone of the letter suggests we should all come together and “reflect and learn,” because this has been difficult for all of us, collectively. The Board also presumes the authority to continue to speak for psychologists in the future with neither redress nor evidence of remediation for what they have done:

This has been a painful time for the association and one that offers an opportunity to reflect and learn from our experiences over the last five years. APA will continue to speak forcefully in further communicating our policies against torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment to our members, the Obama administration, Congress, and the general public. [Board letter, June 18, 2009.]

Any meaningful approach to this issue must start by acknowledging the fact that psychologists were absolutely integral to our government's systematic program of torture. When the Bush administration decided to engage in torture, they turned to psychologists from the military's SERE [Survival, Evasion, resistance, and Escape] program for help in designing and implementing the torture tactics. This fact was first reported in 2005, within days of the release of the APA's PENS [Psychological Ethics and National Security] report and was officially acknowledged by the Defense Department in its Inspector General's Report, declassified in May 2007. Other psychologists monitored torture to calibrate how much abuse a detainee could tolerate without dying. Nonetheless, APA leaders continued, and still continue, to pretend that psychologists' participation in abuse was the behavior of rogue members of the profession.

Similarly, the APA Board still refuses to acknowledge the evidence of apparent collusion between APA officials and the national security apparatus in providing ethical cover for psychologists’ participation in detainee abuse. This collusion was most notable in the creation of the military-dominated PENS task force. Only a policy that comes to terms with this APA collusion can begin to reduce the furor among APA members, psychologists, and the general public.

APA leadership has much work ahead to begin to repair the harm they have caused to the profession, the country, former and current detainees and their families. At a minimum the APA leadership should do the following:

1. Fully implement the 2008 referendum as an enforceable section of the APA Code of Ethics. This entails a public announcement that APA policy and ethical standards oppose the service of psychologists in detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp, Bagram Air Base, CIA secret prisons, or in the rendition program.

2. Annul the June 2005 PENS Report due to the severe and multiple conflicts of interest involved in its production.

3. Bring in an independent body of investigative attorneys to pursue accountability for psychologists who participated in or otherwise contributed to torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. APA should also: (a) clarify the status of open ethics cases and (b) remove the statute of limitations for violations involving torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, so as to allow time for information on classified activities to become public.

4. Develop a clear and rapid timetable to remove Sections 1.02 and 1.03 [the "Nuremberg defense" of following orders] from the APA Code of Ethics. [We note that the APA Ethics Committee has stated that they will not accept a defense of following orders to complaints regarding torture; this statement is a welcome improvement but it is clearly inadequate as it is not necessarily binding on future committees nor does it cover abuses falling under the category of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.] Revoke the equally problematic Section 8.05 of the Code, which dispenses with informed consent "where otherwise permitted by law or federal or institutional regulations," and Section 8.07, which sets an unacceptably high threshold of "severe emotional distress" for not using deception in the ethics of research design.

5. Retain an independent investigatory organization to study organizational behavior at APA. Due to potential conflicts of interest, independent human rights organizations should be enlisted to select this investigatory entity. The study should address, among other things, possible collusion in the PENS process and the 2003 APA-CIA-Rand Conference on the Science of Deception, attended by the CIA's apparent designers of their torture program [James Mitchell and Bruce Jessen] during which "enhanced interrogation" techniques were discussed. The study should explore how the APA governance system permits the accumulation of power in the hands of a very small number of individuals who are unresponsive to the general membership. It should also propose measures to return the APA to democratic principles, scientific integrity, and beneficence, including restructuring for greater transparency and the assimilation of diverse viewpoints.

These five steps will not remove the terrible stain on the reputation of American psychology. However, by taking these steps the APA leadership would make both symbolic and substantive progress toward accountability for psychologists' contributions to detainee abuse and the APA's failure to adequately respond to the public record. These actions would constitute an important step toward rehabilitating the Association and restoring the good name of the profession itself.

Signed by:
Coalition for an Ethical Psychology
Physicians for Human Rights
Psychologists for Social Responsibility
Center for Constitutional Rights
Bill of Rights Defense Committee
Network of Spiritual Progressives
National Lawyers Guild
Amnesty International USA
Program for Torture Victims, Los Angeles
American Friends Service Committee, Pacific Southwest Region
Physicians for Social Responsibility, Los Angeles
Massachusetts Campaign Against Torture (MACAT)
New York Campaign Against Torture (NYCAT)

History of the APA Ethics Debate

Psychologists Involved in Detainee Torture and MistreatmentAPA Policy, Procedures Contribute to Scandal

US Government investigations confirm that from 2002 psychologists have overseen abusive detainee interrogations and detention methods at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, and CIA “black sites.” This is how the American Psychological Association has responded to the scandal:

• 2002-2004: APA officials confer with intelligence and military personnel about an expanded role for psychologists in national security investigations. Abu Ghraib scandal breaks.
• 2005: APA Board appoints Task Force on Psychological Ethics and National Security. Six of nine members work for US military or intelligence services. Ethics Director helps appoint TF member despite interrogation abuse complaint against him. PENS Task Force concludes that psychologist involvement in detainee interrogations is ethical. APA Board of Directors approves PENS Report, bypassing Council of Representatives vetting and approval.
• 2005-2009: APA Ethics Director is chief spokesperson for PENS policy, claiming that psychologists insure interrogations are “safe, ethical and effective.”
• 2005-2009: APA minimizes reports of psychologists' role in torture and growing opposition to the PENS policy by health professions and human rights organizations. Ethics Committee dismisses or stalls review of detainee abuse complaints against psychologists.
• 2005-2009: Council of Representatives directs Ethics Committee to amend Ethics Code 1.02 that asserts psychologists “may follow orders” of governing legal authority in an orders/ethics conflict. Four years later Ethics Committee recommends no change in Code 1.02.
• 2008-2009: APA members vote to ban psychologists from working with detainees at detention sites that violate International law unless working for the detainees independently .Implementation of the members' referendum stalls in committee.

CALL FOR ACTION! Write This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tell the APA to immediately

1. rescind PENS interrogation policy;
2. delete 1.02 and other “may follow orders” ethics clauses;
3. agree to an independent investigation of the PENS process and conflicts of interest of the Ethics Director and other APA officials;
4. implement the referendum;
5. notify President Obama, CIA and DoD directors of policy change.

For more info: www.psysr.org, psychoanalystsopposewar.org, www.ethicalAPA.com

SUMMER 2009

TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Submitted by Junell Silver, Ph.D.
(831) 688-1645
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We continue to add new features to our website, www.mbpsych.org, thanks to our web designer Charlie Kaupp. A PayPal system will soon be available for paying dues and training program fees online. Dr. Ann Bolger, our membership chair, plans to begin use of the system during the fall membership drive.

Another new change on our website involves its search capabilities. We currently have a search capability using member profiles from our online directory, but in the fall we will have "Find a Psychologist" with profiles of licensed psychologists with malpractice insurance. All members will be provided the necessary forms along with the 2010 MBPA membership renewal forms. At our last meeting the BOD voted to implement the Santa Clara online system.

It seems that our website has not yet become a helpful or familiar place to obtain news about our organization’ programs, membership, events and newsletter. If you have ideas about how to make our website more useful to you, please let me know. 

Junell Silver, Ph.D.

Monterey Bay Psychological Association
BOOK GROUP

Save the Date!
October 22, 7-9 pm
Location TBA

The next book club meeting will be on Thursday evening, October 22nd, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, in a location as yet to be determined. We will discuss the book entitled A Shining Affliction, by Annie Rogers. We had a wonderful book club meeting on July 17th at the home of Ann Bolger, where we discussed Peter Kramer's book Against Depression. About 10 people participated in a lively discussion.

--Jim Beckett, Ph.D.

The first MBPA Book Group was made possible through the collaborative efforts of members of CLASP, Public Service/Education, and Contemporary Issues Forum/Social Justice Committees. With several committees coming together, we shared the time and effort such gatherings entail for a successful, enjoyable group. We view these opportunities as a way to provide the development of protective, resilient-like factors that mitigate the isolation that can be typical among independent practitioners. At times, such activities can provide a consultative environment, relaxing and enjoyable moments, and general collegiality among our membership.

--Diane Bridgeman, Ph.D.

Dr. Cheryl Bowers suggests we offer small lunchtime book club activities that include CE credits. This has been met with a positive response from members. She is interested in a small discussion group focused on one of the home CE courses. The group would share the cost of a program from The Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge or other company that offers interesting courses. Anyone interested in creating a group like this can contact her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .