REPORT #1 from the APA CONVENTION
TORONTO 2003
Ethics and Exhibits: Books, Meds, and Nutritional Supplements
From August 7 to 10, 2003, thousands of psychologists came to Toronto
- not to help people de-stress after the SARS scare - but to attend the 111th
American Psychology Association convention. The Convention Centre and four
hotels welcomed 8,000 US and Cdn. mental health professionals. The 484 page
APA Convention Program offered lectures, symposia, addresses, workshops,
films, CE sessions, exhibits and posters.
A session called ‘Getting it Right’ featured the legendary Albert Ellis and
Aaron Beck. Two meetings celebrated Mr. Ellis’ 90th birthday and his rebellious
and revolutionary contributions. Many expert psychologists cooperated to
make the convention a success.
On Friday August 8, back-to-back workshops introduced the APA’s new Code
of Ethics using case studies and a panel of experts who presented the ‘Relationship
Between Ethics and Law From a Practitioner’s Perspective’ followed by ‘Top
Ten Dilemmas Faced by Psychologists.’ The panel advised against sexual intimacies
and other dual relationships with patients however, neither session dealt
with the ethical quagmire facing psychologists who will soon be writing prescriptions
for psychiatric meds.
The new Code does not detail specific practice guidelines or restrict treatment
modalities but sticks to ethical standards. For instance, according to 2.01(a)
“Psychologists provide services ... only within the boundaries of their competence,
based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation,
study or professional experience.” That would seem to preclude psychologists
from prescribing however according to 2.01 (c) “Psychologists planning to
provide services ... new to them ... undertake relevant education, training,
supervised experience, consultation, or study.” To oblige the eager
beavers, a Saturday symposium called ‘Prescription Privileges: Potential
Prospects and Pitfalls’ introduced training programs, the impact on grad
programs and professional identities and pitfalls for prescribers.
The exhibit area had over 200 booths, mostly publishers. Just the place for
browsing a vast selection of current books about talk therapies and mental
disorders. The APA’s at-conference book store had hundreds of titles as well
as a large display booth. Other publishers included Guilford Press, New Harbinger
Publications and New York University Press.
Pharmaceutical manufacturers Lilly, Pfizer and McNeil brought custom displays
and armed their staff with information about medications for ADHD and depression.
McNeil simulators let people experience attention deficit disorder using
visual aids. Thought Technology from Montreal showed their EEG neuro- and biofeedback equipment and two booths had CES cranial electrical stimulators.
Snuggled between Lilly and McNeil, the tiny booth of the International Society
of Orthomolecular Medicine (ISOM) informed visitors about restorative regimens
for mood, thought, attention and pervasive disorders. Who would have thought
that nutritional supplements could help schizophrenics and bipolars? Surely
vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy and enzyme co-factors could not stabilize
sick patients or help them recover and live well? Doubting Thomases were
treated to the film Masks of Madness: Science of Healing featuring
recovered bipolar actor Margot Kidder as host and narrator, six recovered
schizophrenics and six health professionals who successfully use orthomolecular
methods to help mental patients.
Steven Carter, editor of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine explained
how he regularly shares references, articles, books and papers with patients,
families, caregivers and health professionals who call from around the world,
not to mention referring people to orthomolecular health professionals throughout
North and South America, Europe and the Far East. An ISOM flyer mentioned
the next orthomolecular conference - Vancouver, BC - April 29 to May 2, 2004
- Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. www.orthomed.org
by R Sealey, BSc, CA
author of
Finding Care for Depression - Mental Episodes & Brain Disorders and 90 Day Plan for Finding Quality Care
Robert
Sealey, BSc, CA is an independent consultant in North York offering accounting,
tax and planning services. His mental accounting and consulting services
help people cope with depression, mental episodes or brain disorders or care
for family members. Bob authors the SEAR series of layman’s guides.
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