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where MePA members can showcase goods and services.
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Fees: $10 per post for MePA members; $60 per post for non-members.

Postings will be retained for 12 weeks unless removal is requested or a dated event has passed.

Listed Items:



African Refugee Health: Best Practices Conference
Bates College, October 15-17, 2010

The conference includes a variety of presentations and workshops on refugee physical and psychological health, including talks by Heidi Ellis, PhD, and Richard Mollica, PhD. A more complete description of the program and registration materials will be available closer to the conference time, and there will be a poster session call issued before the end of June for local providers and/or researchers who might be interested in presenting. Download save-the-date postcard (PDF).

(posted 06/06/10)

Integrative Medicine for Mental Health: Practical Solutions for
treating Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, OCD & Eating Disorders

     Boston, July 10-11
     CEUs for Psychologists Available

“One of the best conferences I have ever attended . . . This new information has allowed
me to treat my patient’s imbalances and implement individualized, corrective strategies.”

—Richard M. Delany, MD, FACC

Overview:

     These conferences will explore the field of Integrative Medicine as it pertains to the treatment of mental illness and related disorders. The current trial-and-error, poly-pharmacy approach to the treatment of mental illness does not work for everyone. Furthermore, many mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders often have dietary and biological causes. These causes can be successfully addressed through a combination of specialized testing, nutritional therapies, and traditional approaches.

     Topics that will be addressed include: nutritional deficiencies, immune system dysfunction, intestinal dysbiosis, digestive disorders, metabolic imbalances, allergies, environmental toxins, and infectious conditions. A comprehensive overview of biological testing, designed to detect underlying health issues that contribute to imbalanced brain chemistry, will be presented and simplified to enhance clinical practice. Practical clinical applications of nutritional therapies for the treatment of mental illness will be the focus of these conferences.

Who Should Attend:

     Family Physicians, Psychiatrists, Naturopathic Doctors, Nurse Practitioners, Psychologists, Chiropractic Physicians, Social Workers, and Mental Health Professionals

Questions?

     E-mail CRobinson@GPL4U.com or call 1-800-288-0383 or 913-341-8949. See Conferences for Physicians & Mental Health Professionals—Integrative Medicine for Mental Health.

(posted 05/27/10)

Alliance for Affordable Psychology

Download brochure (PDF)

(posted 05/19/10)
Seeking Socially Phobic Teens and Adults

July’s coming, and we’d like to ask a favor. We’d appreciate it if you’d start talking now with your socially phobic clients (or co-workers or friends or family) about joining one of our CBT groups.

Yes, we know it’s a challenge. It’s often a hard sell. The initial reaction that we typically get from our socially phobic clients is a sort of “are you kidding?” After all, joining a group for therapy feels like taking on a huge challenge, because the fear at the heart of social phobia is of being judged, made fun of, and/or rejected by others.

No one joins one of our social phobia therapy groups because it sounds fun or easy. They join because they’re tired of being scared and of avoiding so much of the time and because they want a therapy that works.

And so many have found out when they did join that it did work. They found out that with the support and guidance these groups provide they were able to take that courage and determination they demonstrate every day when they venture into social interactions and use it to promote healing.

So, we’d like to ask a favor. Talk to your socially phobic clients (or co-workers or friends or family) now so when our groups admit new members in July, they’ll have had time to contact us, to find out about our groups, and to decide if they want to give one a try. We think it’s a favor many of them will appreciate, too.

Thanks,

Gordon Street, PhD
Anxiety Solutions of Northern New England, PLLC
104 Webbs Mills Road, PO Box 70
Raymond, Maine 04071-0070
(207) 655-2737
www.anxietysolutions.net

P.S. — Here’s more information for you on our groups in case you’d like to know more.

One is specifically for teens (13–19) struggling with generalized social phobia (GSP) and one specifically for adults (18–98) with GSP. These groups are not intended to be a replacement for individual therapy but as an adjunct to individual therapy, an adjunct that provides members with opportunities and challenges that are not available through individual therapy alone.

By limiting membership to adults or teens who are struggling with GSP (whether solely, primarily, or secondary to co-morbid psychological problems/disorders), these groups are designed to offer an unusually safe social environment in which to practice social skills, build confidence, and ease into challenging their usual tendencies to avoid social interactions. For those who are too anxious/avoidant to consider joining such a group (yet), we offer individual CBT and/or will consult with you about how to prepare your patient/client for joining one of our groups.

Our groups offer psycho-education about a cognitive-behavioral model of the development/maintenance of GSP as well as evidence-guided, cognitive-behavioral therapy (including social skills training, cognitive restructuring, and exposure trials) specifically designed for those struggling with GSP. Because what our groups offer is so hard to find, we’ve had members come to us once (sometimes twice) a week from as far away as the Waterville, Maine, area and the Littleton, NH, area.

Who are (and/or have been) our members? Teen members have ranged from self-described “geeks”/“nerds” to athletes, cheerleaders, and class presidents to trouble-makers (e.g., aggressive, oppositional, scary). Adult members have included electricians, bus drivers, secretaries, team supervisors, business executives, college students, stay-at-home moms/dads, scientists, artists, musicians, politicians, salesmen, and medical assistants.

Severity has ranged from:
  • those who are moderately distressed and/or avoidant but quite functional in many situations to
  • those who are intensely distressed in many situations but manage to function successfully and/or appear outgoing/gregarious by “white-knuckling it” to
  • those who are selectively mute; afraid/“unable” to go to work, go to school, or leave home alone; etc.

The groups meet on Thursdays here in our waiting room at Anxiety Solutions in Raymond, ME. The teen group meets weekly from 4 PM to 6 PM (and also offers some weekend social activities outside our offices), and the adult group meets two to three Thursdays a month from 7 PM to 9:30 PM. Both groups are closed for at least 6-session cycles with new members typically allowed to join at breaks between cycles.

(updated 05/18/10)

CBT for Insomnia Clinical Training
Sept. 25, Sudbury, MA, 9am–5pm

Conducted by Gregg D. Jacobs, Ph.D., and Philip R. Burke, MD, sleep specialists at UMass Memorial Medical Center Sleep Disorders Center, based on CBT insomnia program developed and tested at Harvard and UMass Medical Schools. Includes detailed training manual for use in clinical practice. $225 before July 25, $275 after July 25, no CE Credits. Contact 978-460-1610.

Dr. Gregg D. Jacobs
Sleep Specialist, Sleep Disorders Center, UMass Memorial Medical Center
www.cbtforinsomnia.com
978-460-1610

(posted 05/12/10)

Psychologist Sought by Health Psych Maine in Waterville

Health Psych Maine (HPM) in Waterville is looking for a psychologist. We have a long waiting list and are looking for a long-term colleague who is oriented to empirically based treatment or has a sincere interest in learning that approach. We provide primarily anxiety and behavioral medicine services and are well integrated into the medical communities here. We generally see well-functioning clients who are looking for assistance with a particular health or anxiety issue.

The psychologists at HPM support each other in professional growth and would love to have a new team member. Psychologists at HPM: Jonathan Borkum, Ph.D., Laura Holcomb, Ph.D., and Stacy Whitcomb-Smith, Ph.D. Beginning in May, part-time pediatric services will be provided by Farhana Shah, Ph.D.

There is a seasoned support staff that takes care of insurance verifications/authorizations, scheduling, reception, billing, and collections so that the psychologist can spend their time with clients as a psychologist versus on the phone with insurance companies. We own our own building which is 3 years old; your office has a beautiful 15-mile view of Colby College and beyond.

If you are interested or would like to explore this opportunity further, please contact me.
Sincerely,

Jeff Matranga, Ph.D., ABPP
Board Certified in Clinical Health Psychology
M.S. in Clinical Psychopharmacology
Health Psych Maine
2 Big Sky Lane
Waterville, ME 04901
jeff@hpmaine.com
www.hpmaine.com
Office: (207) 872-5800
Fax: (207) 872-5888
Cell: (207) 692-4194

(updated 05/01/10)

Past-Present-Future CANEP Evaluators — Save the Date

The Child Abuse and Neglect Evaluation Program (CANEP) will be hosting a day-long workshop on Wednesday, June 9, 2010. Conference topics will include the utility of CANEP evaluations, tests and measures, risk and needs assessment, treatment recommendations, and 3 hours focusing on ethical issues.

More information and details about the workshop be posted when available. We are in the process of applying for CEUs. I hope you will be able to attend!

     Sue Righthand, Ph.D.
     CANEP Clinical Consultant

(posted 03/16/10)


Level 1: An Integration of Story, Sandtray and Play Therapies

Located in the remote and beautiful coastal town of Perry, Maine, this intensive workshop will introduce the Moving Stories Method developed by Sue Carroll Duffy, Psy.D., RPT-S. This method integrates therapeutic storytelling, sandtray therapy and play therapy. Participants will experience the method in a “Wonder Room,” a special kind of playroom that houses the three dimensional therapeutic library. CEUs may be earned for most helping professionals and for those working towards registration as Play Therapists. With advanced notice, application will be made to your licensing board. The workshop will teach skills as well as offer an opportunity for personal growth and renewal. There are lovely bed and breakfast options in nearby Eastport. The workshop is limited to 6 participants.

     For more information go to: By The Sea Seminars
     Dates: August 7–10, 2010, 9 AM–1 PM
     Location: Perry, ME
     Contact: Sue Carroll Duffy, Psy.D., (207) 853-2774

(posted 03/11/10)

Board of Examiners of Psychologists List of Pre-approved Sponsors and Providers

(Effective October 6, 2009.) Download CE Board Pre-approved List (PDF).

(posted 02/09/10)

Bangor Office Spaces Available

Beautiful office spaces available in large, character-filled professional building near downtown Bangor. Our neuropsychology practice is moving to a second-floor suite (ADA compliant) there, and we are interested in subletting one or two of our office spaces to one or more psychologists or compatible professionals. Spaces available on a daily or weekly basis. Perfect for a small therapy or assessment practice, though many other possibilities (e.g., speech therapy, health psychology) would also work well. Each office space is bright with large windows; some furnishings are available if necessary. The suite includes a waiting area, private restroom, small kitchen area, large conference room, and reception area. The building is equipped with central air conditioning and is wired for high-speed internet access. Plenty of on-site parking is available. Please contact Larissa Mead-Wescott at 990-2580 for additional information.

(renewed 10/08/09)



 Testimony to the Board of Examiners of Psychologists

Presented by MePA President John O’Brien on October 6, 2009

Download PDF

(posted 10/06/09)



 Licensed Psychologist Opening

Deer Oaks, a multi-site psychology practice, has an opening for a licensed (eligible) psychologist in Bennington, Vermont.  The position is full-time and the individual selected would work in a long term care facility for our nation’s veterans. Services provided would include psychological assessment, individual therapy, family therapy and staff consultation. The position would require licensure in Vermont by start date. Vermont licensure is easily obtained in 6-8 weeks and assistance with the licensure process is provided. Salary 62K–80K with point based bonus system plus the following benefits: Relocation Assistance, Paid Holiday, Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental and Vision benefits. Please send extended resume or CV to Jennifer Wilson, Corporate Recruiter, via email at jwilson@deeroaks.com. For more information about Deer Oaks, please visit our Web site, www.deeroaks.com.

(posted 09/09/09)



 Licensed or Licensed Eligible Adult and/or Child/Adolescent Psychologist Sought

Full Time to join growing multi-disciplinary outpatient practice. Opportunity to provide treatment employing individual, family and/or group therapy to patient population with varying clinical presentations with an emphasis on health psychology and integrated behavioral medicine with a large and robust referral base. Very collegial practice with an emphasis on peer supervision and encouragement for professional development and growth. The provider will work closely with mental health care agencies and medical providers in the community, and will enjoy an affiliation with Southern Maine Medical Center. Located 1½ hours from Boston, 30 minutes to Portland Maine and 30 minutes to Portsmouth New Hampshire on the seacoast of southern Maine. Multiple compensation models are available. Compensation is highly competitive and offers the opportunity for unlimited earning potential depending on clinician’ s energy and initiative. Benefits include health and malpractice insurances. Immediate opening available. Send Curriculum Vitae to: Mari Jo Allen, 3 Webhannet Place, Suite 2, Kennebunk, Maine 04043; fax: 207-467-8216; or email mjallen@bridges4me.org

(posted 09/01/09)



 MePA Home Study

The Maine Psychological Association is now offering a new, easy way for Maine psychologists to get continuing education credits. MePA Home Study will provide you with the convenience and affordability of getting CE credits by mail without leaving home. See MePA Home Study Offerings (PDF).

(posted 07/26/09)



 MePA Speaker’s Bureau

If you are looking for a speaker who is knowledgeable about the practice of psychology, check out our MePA Speaker’s Bureau (PDF). Originally developed as a way to connect students interested in psychology with practicing psychologists, the list has grown and now includes psychologists across the state that are willing to provide talks to the public. Speaker contact information and topics of expertise are included.

(posted 07/07/09)



 Handouts and Presentations from MePA’s June 19 Insurance Forum
Note: PowerPoint presentations require Microsoft PowerPoint to open and view.

(posted 07/07/09)
Maine Psychological Association, Continuing Education (CE) Changes Highlighted, New Licensing Regulations, Effective August 5, 2008

Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists: Continuing Education requirements for psychologists were changed in the recent update of the rules regarding licensing of psychologists. The highlights of the new CE guidelines are summarized below.

  1. All psychologists must have 40 hours of continuing education every two years.
  2. All hours are in the same category. There is no longer a distinction between Category One and Category Two.
  3. All licensed psychologists must have three (3) hours of continuing education in ethics.
  4. All licensed psychologists must have twenty (20) hours of continuing education in their current or anticipated area of practice.
  5. Licensed psychologists who perform any form of supervision must have three (3) hours of continuing education in supervision every two years.
  6. The dates within which these credits must be earned are May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2010 (instead of the calendar year as in previous requirements.

(posted 06/29/09)

Board of Examiners of Psychologists Rules Effective September 2008

These Rules include, but are not limited to changes that include supervision standard for unlicensed personnel, global qualifications standard for all psychologists who serve as superviors, and substantial changes to continuing education requirements including 3 hours of ethics, 20 hours in the licensee’s current areas of practice or anticipated areas of future practice and for supervisors, 3 hours in skills and principles of supervision. In addition, record-keeping guidelines are now included in the practice requirement section. For all the rules go to: State of Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists Rules (PDF)

(posted 06/24/09)