A Technical and Almost Never Invoked Rule

Last month, I wrote to the NJ State Board of Psychological Examiners because I found something strange when I read their Laws out loud.

The way I read it, if a person is allowed to practice psychology under the authority of a license given to them by the State of New Jersey, their treatment of patients must be "usual, customary and reasonable", but law 45:14B-31 states:

In applying the standards of "usual, customary, and reasonable," the following guidelines are applicable: If a psychological treatment is "usual" or "customary," an inference that the treatment is also "reasonable" is warranted. If the treatment is neither "usual" nor "customary," then it shall satisfy the criterion of "reasonable."

This law confuses me. I am afraid that it is a permissive statute, allowing psychologists whose practice is unreasonable a get out of jail free card. If I complain to the State Board of Psychological Examiners about my doctors' unreasonable treatment of me - like for example, when a doctor insists that I take psychiatric medication but adamantly refuses to tell me why, and then becomes abusive and insulting when I refuse to put something in my mouth against my will - then this law will let him get away with it.

I got a letter back from the Executive Director of the State Board of Psychological Examiners the other day. I think it means my fears are confirmed:

Click Here to Read This a Statement from the
NJ State Board of Psychological Examiners

I wrote another letter to J. Michael Walker asking what the purpose of this law is. I also spoke to Ed Smith, State Senator Michael Doherty's Chief of Staff. He could not tell me the purpose of it. In fact, he agreed with me that Psychologists have a lot of power and this kind of thing should be carefully examined. My state Assemblymen are both aware of the situation as well.

This matter is not resolved. I will report back when J. Michael Walker writes back to me.

In the meantime, ask yourself: What is the purpose of this law?

Warm Regards,

Erik B. Anderson

I'm a human being...my life has value!

For the Larouchites at the Hackettstown Post Office Today

My Therapists' Office

So I'm walking along Macculoch Avenue in Morristown this afternoon and this guy trying to sell me a historic walking tour points across the street and says: "That's Thomas Nast's house! He was the cartoonist who created the democratic donkey and the republican eleph-" I said, "Yeah, yeah, I know who he is." He created Uncle Sam and made Santa Claus jolly image famous.He brought down the Tweed ring, and the Nast in Conde-Nast Publishing (i.e. The New Yorker, Harpers Magazine, Atlantic Monthly I think, etc.) is named after him. And do you know what house this guy was pointing at?

My first therapists' office. That made my day.

What kids need these days is a sense of place, a sense of belonging.

Not medication. Not mandatory therapy.

Warm Regards,

Erik B. Anderson
Independence Township, New Jersey

Check out The Nast Collection at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum!

Does this look right to you?

Could there be a typo in the NJ State Board of Psychological Examiners Laws?

45:14B-1. Short title
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Practicing Psychology Licensing Act."
L.1966, c. 282, s. 1.

...

45:14B-31. Definitions

As used in this act:

a. "Administrative information" means a patient's name, age, sex, address, educational status, identifying number, date of onset of difficulty, date of initial consultation, dates and character of sessions (individual or group), and fees;

b. "Diagnostic information" means therapeutic characterizations which are of the types that are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM III), of the American Psychiatric Association, or other professionally recognized diagnostic manual;

c. "Disclose" means to communicate any information in any form;

d. "Independent professional review committee" means that group of licensed psychologists established pursuant to section 14 of this act by the State Board of Psychological Examiners;

e. "Third-party payor" means any provider of benefits for psychological services, including but not limited to insurance carriers and employers, whether on an indemnity, reimbursement, service or prepaid basis, but excluding

governmental agencies;

f. "Usual, customary or reasonable." In applying this standard the following definitions are applicable:

(1) "Usual" means a practice in keeping with the particular psychologist's general mode of operation;

(2) "Customary" means that range of usual practices provided by psychologists of similar education, experience, and orientation within a similar geographic or socioeconomic area;

(3) "Reasonable" means that there is an acceptable probability that the patient will realize a significant benefit from the continuation of the psychological treatment.

In applying the standards of "usual, customary, and reasonable," the following guidelines are applicable: If a psychological treatment is "usual" or "customary," an inference that the treatment is also "reasonable" is warranted. If the treatment is neither "usual" nor "customary," then it shall satisfy the criterion of "reasonable."

L. 1985, c. 256, s. 1.

Read it out loud. At the risk of sounding crazy, I want to say publicly that I think you'll agree with me that the last sentence of 45:14B-31 f. (3) should read:

"If the treatment is neither "usual" nor "customary," then it shall not satisfy the criterion of "reasonable."

Source: State Board of Psychological Examiners Laws - PDF file - posted 1/8/09 page 7-8

WNTI Studios - 4/27/10

Cable Man Dan's Reggae & World Rhythm Show - Tuesdays 8 to 10 pm


April 27, 2010 - The Pledge Show
Guests: Ashley, Dan, Erik (pictured)


Other guests: Rasta Steve, Seth (Steve's Son), Donna and David

We made $346 for the night. Thanks to everyone, including Dan's daughters and my Aunt.

I rang my Ghanaian Atoke Bell for all of the pledgers.

Warm Regards,

Erik B. Anderson
Independence Township, New Jersey

-there will be a video posted tomorrow

Listen to WNTI on Tomorrow Night

Cable Man Dan asked me to help him answer phones in the studio for WNTI public radio's fundraising drive.

Listen to WNTI- FM- Public Radio from Centenary College - Where Great Music Lives!

Cable Man Dan's show is the Reggae and World Rhythm Show.

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I hope to tell a story or two about my experiences in Ghana and Jamaica.

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