Therapy Tidbits September/October 2016

Course overview

This course is comprised of select articles from the September/October 2016 issue of The National Psychologist, a private, independent bi-monthly newspaper intended to keep mental health professionals informed about practice issues. The articles included in this course are: Cannabis Research Growing - discusses findings from the five sessions devoted to the study of cannabis at the August convention of the American Psychological Association (APA). Why So Much Violence? Take Your Pick - discusses potential causes for the high level of violence in the United States. Vermont Bans Conversion Therapy & Iowa Board Nixes Conversion Ban Therapy - discuss the controversy surrounding conversion therapy and how states are legally battling the topic. U.S. House Approves Mental Health Measure - describes H.R. 2646, the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act 422-2 passed by the House in July and forwarded to the Senate for consideration. CMS Proposes Payment Model for Integrated Care - explains the proposal CMS published in the July 15, 2016 Federal Register that establishes a set of six new billing codes, some of which potentially apply to psychologists who work in collaborative care settings. Direct Secure Messaging is Best Electronic Option for Mental Health Records - explains crucial concepts necessary to understand Electronic Health Record (EHR) coordination of care issues and options. The Down Side of RxP for Psychology - expresses concern that with prescriptive authority, psychologist psychotherapists will put their time and effort into drug prescription instead of plumbing the depths of psychotherapy and of themselves as psychotherapists. Changes Coming to Billing Codes Oct. 1 - discusses the adoption of DSM language into the ICD and how to add diagnostic labels for your documentation. Addressing Boundary Issues - discusses the risks, benefits and ethics of boundary crossings and multiple relationships in therapy. Be Understanding in Treating Obese Patients - discusses mental health issues that can lead to obesity and thoughtful considerations for working with obese clients.