The general meeting of the New Jersey State Board of Psychological Examiners was held at the Board office, 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey. The meeting was called to order at 11:30 A.M. by Victoria Jeffers, Chair.

PRESENT:

Victoria W. Jeffers, Ph.D., Chair
Nancy E. Friedman, Ph.D., Secretary
Loretto A. Brickfield, Ph.D.
Evelyn A. Orozco, Ph.D.
Marina Maier, Public Member
T. Stephen Patterson, Government Member

ABSENT:

Kenneth G. Roy, Ed.D., Vice Chair

ALSO ATTENDING:

J. Michael Walker, Executive Director
Carmen A. Rodriguez, Deputy Attorney General, Counsel to Board
Wanda Smith, Secretarial Assistant
Carmella Volz, Assistant to the Executive Director

MINUTES: Upon motion made by Dr. Orozco and seconded by Dr. Brickfield, the Board approved the public session minutes of June 5, 2006, with corrections. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

CLOSED SESSION AND RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

The Board voted unanimously to go into closed session for discussion of the oral examinations. The Board returned to open session.

CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE REPORT:

TEMPORARY PERMIT–NOT TO EXCEED THREE YEARS The following candidates were approved for a three-year temporary permit for the supervised practice of psychology:

Rayzel Kinderlehrer, Ph.D. Michael Likier, Ph.D.
Richard Gaudet, Psy.D. Norine Mohle, Ph.D.
Tara Smith, Ph.D. Steven Moraca, Psy.D.
Robert Zambrano, Psy.D. Joshua Massler, Psy.D.
April Perrymore Sharese Dawes, Ph.D.
Suzanne Porrecca, Psy.D.

LICENSED BY EXAMINATION Upon motion made by Dr. Orozco and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board determined that the following candidates have satisfied the requirements for licensure. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Arthur Hochberg, Ph.D.
Elizabeth Frenkel, Ph.D.
Jennifer A. Cole, Ph.D.
Erika E. Ryan, Ph.D.
James Conneran, Ph.D.
Rose Anne Turiano, Psy.D.

CORRESPONDENCE

John J. McGinley, Ph.D.

Dr. McGinley wrote requesting an extension of his three-year temporary permit that expires on August 26, 2006. Dr. McGinley is in the process of submitting his work sample to the Board office for the oral examination. Upon motion made by Dr. Friedman and seconded by Dr. Orozco, the Board voted to extend Dr. McGinley’s permit for an additional year contingent upon the submission of his work sample in the Board office on or before September 30, 2006. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards

The Board reviewed the April 20, 2006 Open Session Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting held in Sandestin Florida. The Board accepted the minutes as informational.

Paul Kesselman, Psy.D.

Dr. Kesselman wrote requesting an extension of the 90-day limit to submit his work sample for the oral examination and also requesting an extension of his three-year temporary permit that expires on August 6, 2006. Upon motion made by Dr. Friedman and seconded by Dr. Orozco, the Board voted to extend Dr. Kesselman’s permit for an additional year contingent upon him submitting his work sample in the Board office on or before October 6, 2006. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Lisa Marie Angello, Ph.D.

Dr. Angello wrote requesting that the Board retroactively accept supervision hours she accrued working in New Jersey beginning October 2004 to November 15, 2005, before the issuance of her three-year temporary permit. Dr. Angello stated that she was under the supervision of Marcie Handler, MA (Massachusetts licensed psychologist) at the May Institute in New Jersey and Jane Barbin, Ph.D. (Maryland licensed psychologist). Upon motion made by Dr. Friedman and seconded by Ms. Maier, the Board voted to deny Dr. Angello’s request for retroactive approval of supervision hours with Ms. Handler because the supervision was accrued in the State of New Jersey without approved supervision under a three-year temporary permit. However, the Board did vote to accept the supervision hours accrued under the supervision of Dr. Bardin because they were accrued in the State of Maryland. Additionally, the Board voted to send Ms. Handler a copy of the Board’s current statute and regulations and direct her attention to N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6(d) and N.J.A.C. 13:42-4.1. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

The License Commission of the Americas

The Board reviewed a memo from The License Commission of the Americas stating that they will start licensing qualified aromatherapy, biofeedback, homeopathic, hypnotist, naturopathic, neurotherapy, nutritional and reflexology professionals in North, Central and South America starting on July 1, 2006: The Board accepted the memo as informational.

REVIEW OF EXEMPTION NOTICE FORMS

Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Michael Blatt, COO.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board determined that Preferred Behavioral Health of New Jersey continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Mr. Blatt will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Deborah L. Hartel.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board determined that St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Ms. Hartel will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Janet DiGiorgio-Miller, Ph.D., #3469.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board determined that Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Dr. DiGiorgio-Miller will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Children’s Specialized Hospital

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Jill Harris, Ph.D., #1977.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board determined that Children’s Specialized Hospital continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Dr. Harris will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Center for Family Services

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Nancy Kline Gold, LPC, #1509.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board determined that Center for Family Services continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Ms. Gold will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Douglas Susan, Esq.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board determined that Catholic Charities Diocese of Metuchen continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Ms. Susan will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

New Bridge Services, Inc.

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from L. Michelle Borden, LCSW, CSWM.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Orozco, the Board determined that New Bridge Services, Inc. continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Ms. Borden will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Family & Children’s Services

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Debra A. Vizzi, LCSW.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Orozco, the Board determined that Family & Children’s Services continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Ms. Vizzi will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

JFK Medical Center/Johnson Rehabilitation Institute

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Keith Cicerone, Ph.D., #2130.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Orozco, the Board determined that JFK Medical Center/Johnson Rehabilitation Institute continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Dr. Cicerone will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Healthcare System

The Board reviewed a continuation of exemption status request from Anita C. Holland, Executive Director.

Pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 45:14B-6 (a)3, after review of the information provided in the continuation request and upon motion made Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Orozco, the Board determined that Mount Carmel Guild Behavioral Healthcare System continues to qualify as an exempt facility. Ms. Holland will be reminded that, in order to continue exempt status, the agency is required to confirm annually that it continues to meet the qualifications for exempt status. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

REVIEW OF LEGISLATION

Assembly, No. 452–An Act making it a crime of the third degree to practice psychology without a license and prohibits certain unlicensed employees of nonprofit community agencies, businesses and government agencies from using the title psychologist. Upon motion made by Dr. Friedman and seconded Dr. Orozco, the Board voted to support the intent of the original law. However, the Board expressed concerns with the possibility of funding of government agencies being adversely affected by elimination of the title, "psychologist." The Board did suggest that the term "staff psychologist" be used. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Assembly, No. 3063–An Act proposing to amend the Open Public Meetings Act

Upon motion made by Dr. Patterson and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board voted in opposition to the proposal. The Board stated that the necessity to release draft minutes within five business days before they are approved by the Board/Committee would have the potential of releasing misleading information to the public. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

PUBLIC DISCIPLINARY MATTERS

I/M/O Thomas V. Merlo, Jr., Ph.D., #3840

An Administrative Action Consent Order was filed jointly with the State Board of Psychological Examiners and the State Board of Marriage and Family Therapy Examiners on June 8, 2006. Upon motion made by Dr. Brickfield and seconded by Dr. Friedman, the Board voted to approve A. Johan Noordsij, M.D., licensed psychiatrist, as Dr. Merlo’s therapist to engage in weekly psychotherapy for a minimum of twenty-four (24) months. Dr. Merlo will be advised that should he seek to change therapists, he must first notify the Board in writing and obtain Board approval in writing before commencement of therapy with a new therapist. Voting in favor of the motion: all.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________
Nancy E. Friedman, Ph.D.
Secretary

APPROVED BY:

___________________________________
Date: Victoria W. Jeffers, Ph.D.
Chair

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