Sign on the Dotted Line: No-Harm Contracts in the Clinical Setting

by Tim Shea, M.S.
SDN Staff Writer

When working with a depressed patient the risk of suicide is a very real and present concern. Health care professionals need to be prepared to respond swiftly and effectively. The literature suggests a multi-faceted approach to assess and address the self-harm risk, with one element being the implementation of a “no-harm contract”. The document in its simplest form is a written agreement between the patient and the health care professional that states the patient’s willingness and commitment to notifying a relative or healthcare professional of their intent to harm themselves, instead of engaging in harmful behavior. Read more »

Student Loan Crunch: Time for Action!

by Megan Hansell Henderson
SDN Contributor

On September 7, 2007, the House and Senate approved the Conference Report (100-317) for H.R. 2669, also known as the “College Cost Reduction and Access Act”. This Act was signed into law by the President of the United States on September 27, 2007 with an effective date of October 1, 2007.

Why should you care? The Act, while providing additional benefits to undergraduate students, eliminated the economic hardship deferment qualification known as “20/220”, used by many health profession students to delay loan repayment while in residency or fellowship. Read more »

20 Questions: Kenneth Kirsh, Ph.D. [Medical Psychology]

by Sarah Markham Lawrence
SDN Staff Writer

Dr. Kirsh, assistant professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science at the University of Kentucky, is a licensed clinical psychologist. His particular areas of interest include chronic pain management, pain and its interface with abuse and addiction, and palliative care issues in cancer populations. He was recently kind enough to sit down with SDN and give some perspective into clinical psychology as a career choice.

1.Tell us about your educational background.
I attended a rather unique doctoral program at Indiana University – Purdue University in Indianapolis. The program was entitled ‘Clinical Rehabilitation Psychology’ and I was drawn to it as it was basically one of the few dedicated, medical psychology programs in the country. Read more »

Volunteer Profile: Tim Shea, M.S.

by Sean Parrish
SDN Staff Writer

SDN contributor Tim Shea (Therapist4Chnge) is currently in his fourth year of a PsyD in Clinical Psychology and his second year of a MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Tim received a BA in Psychology from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD and an MS in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. When not dividing his time between his studies, providing mentoring to the SDN community or indulging in his love of piano and photography, Tim also hosts a website - Struggling With Food (www.strugglingwithfood.com) - that provides information about eating disorders.

In a recent interview, Tim spoke about his life, the challenges of clinical psychology, and the need for education about eating disorders. Read more »

20 Questions: Eva Markham, Ed.D.

Eva R. Markham, Ed.D. is a psychologist with the Weisskopf Child Evaluation Center of the University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. Dr. Markham is also assistant professor of pediatrics in the University of Louisville School of Medicine. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville and her Masters degree from the University of Evansville. In 2000, she completed her doctorate from the University of Louisville. Dr. Markham is also an ordained minister and assistant rector of Resurrection Episcopal Church in Louisville.

1. What is your primary area of practice?

I now primarily work with children and adolescents and their families. The focus of our center is on individuals with developmental disabilities such as autism and tourette’s disorder, but much of our practice also deals with complex emotional and behavioral disorders. Read more »

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