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Chapter X. Professional Affairs (Part 2)
Changing U.S. health care system
WHEREAS the health care system in this country has been dramatically transformed in the last decade from a patient-focused system with an emphasis on the provision of adequate services to a market-driven system increasingly concerned about the cost of providing care to the nation's citizenry;
WHEREAS this transformation has been extremely far-reaching in its influence on all aspects of the health care delivery system and on all communities of interest, including health care professionals and purchasers and consumers of health care services;
WHEREAS all aspects of the profession of psychology are being affected by the changing health care system, including its practices, the education and training of psychologists, related research directions and psychology's objective of promoting human welfare;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That APA declares the changing health care system's impact on psychology and the public, with all its resulting challenges and opportunities, to be a matter of the highest priority and concern for the entirety of the Association.
Resolution on stigma and discrimination against people with serious mental illness and severe emotional disturbance
WHEREAS "Serious mental illness" (SMI) has been defined by the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) in accordance with PL 102 321 (1992) to help identify those people who may receive mental health services from states under federal block grants; and that they are people who "have a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified by DSM IV, and that has resulted in functional impairments which substantially interfere with or limit one or more major life activities"; and whereas "severe emotional disturbance" refers to those mental illnesses with similar impact on children and adolescents;
WHEREAS the CMHS definition includes any mental disorders in DSM III or IV with exception of the "T codes, substance use disorders and developmental disorders, unless they co occur with another diagnosable SMI; and that all SMIs have episodic, recurrent or persistent features but vary in terms of severity and disabling effects; and that functional impairment is defined as difficulties that substantially interfere with or limit role functioning in one ore more major life activities including basic daily living skills (e.g., eating, bathing, dressing), instrumental living skills (e.g., managing money, maintaining a household, taking prescribed medication, or functioning in social, family, and vocational/educational contexts) and that adults who would have met the functional impairment criteria during the year without the benefit of treatment or other support services are considered to have a serious mental illness;
WHEREAS the Center for Mental Health Services reports that 5.4 million or 2.7 percent of the adult population have a "severe and persistent" mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression; and that more than 3 million children and adolescents have a severe emotional disturbance that undermines their present functioning and imperils their future (National Advisory Mental Health Council, 1990);
WHEREAS recovery from serious mental illness, once thought impossible, is being documented in research and demonstrated by the productive lives of an increasing number of recovered and recovering people who are open about their experience (Jamison, 1995; DeSisto, Harding, McCormack, Ashikaga, & Brooks, 1995); and there are many diverse paths through recovery (Bassman, 1997; Frese & Davis, 1997; Harding, Brooks, Ashikaga, Strauss, & Breier, 1987); and no one should be excluded from the possibility of a positive outcome or from services or education which would maximize recovery;
WHEREAS stigma and discrimination are most damaging to recovery and can unjustifiably foreclose opportunities for employment, housing, education, and other services;
WHEREAS the tendency of the lay public as well as some mental health professionals to define individuals as an illness or diagnosis and to use pejorative and dehumanizing terms contribute to the loss of hope, dignity, and self respect;
WHEREAS to be effective facilitators of recovery, it is essential for psychologists to understand how stereotypic and stigmatizing language, attitudes, and behaviors can demean and devalue people with mental illness and have an adverse impart on multiple aspects of functioning, such as self concept, relationships, self¬ esteem, self efficacy, and performance;
WHEREAS the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with mental disabilities and covers psychological training and employment; whereas in selecting applicants to psychology training programs and in hiring psychologists with a mental disability, the issue should be whether individuals can perform the work with reasonable accommodation; and whereas psychology training programs should be careful not to discriminate solely based on the fact or suspicion that students carry a diagnosis of mental illness, but rather to consider their potential to become proficient professionals and their possible future contributions to the field, taking note of the special insight, understanding, and practical experience they bring to their work;
that APA support efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people with serious mental illness and children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbance, and to counter the negative attitudes and expectations that are often internalized by clients;
that APA, as stipulated in its Publication Manual, encourage psychologists to maintain the integrity of individuals as human beings by avoiding language that equates persons with their conditions (e.g., "the schizophrenics") and by using person first language in their publications (e.g., "people with schizophrenia");
that APA, in accordance with the spirit and requirements of the ADA, encourage state psychology boards to examine their state licensing requirements for the mental health disciplines to ensure that candidates for licensure are not disqualified solely on the basis of a diagnosis of mental illness;
that APA draft appropriate recommendations to assist psychology programs in screening, training, providing reasonable accommodation as needed, and when necessary, dismissing undergraduate and graduate students with mental disabilities in accord with the spirit and requirements of the ADA.
Bassman. R. (1997). The mental health system: Experiences from both sides of the locked doors. Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, 28, 238 242.
Bedell, J.R., Hunter, R.H. & Corrigan, P.W. (1997). Current approaches to assessment and treatment of persons with severe mental illness. Professional Psychology: Research & Practice. 28, 217 228.
Coursey, R.D., Alford, J., & Safarjan, W. (1997). Significant advances in understanding and treating serious mental illness. Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, 28, 205 216.
DeSisto, M. J., Harding, C.M., McCormack, R.V., Ashikaga, T., & Brooks, G.W. (1995). The Maine and Vermont three decade studies of serious mental illness. British Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 331 342.
Frese, F.J. & Davis, W.W. (1997). The consumer/survivor movement, recovery, and consumer professionals. Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, 28, 243 245.
Harding, C.M., Brooks, G.W., Ashikaga, T., Strauss, J.S., & Breier, A. (1987). The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness, 1: Methodology, study sample and overall status 32 years later. American Journal of Psychiatry. 144, 718 725.
Jamison, K. R. (1995). An unquiet mind: A memoir of moods and madness. NY: Alfred A. Knopf.
Marsh, D.T., & Johnson, D.L. (1997). The family experience of mental illness: Implications for intervention. Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, 28, 229 237.
National Advisory Mental Health Council. (1990). National plan for research on child and adolescent mental disorders (DHHS Publication No. ADM 90 1683). Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office.
WohIford, P. (1994). National perspectives on clinical training for psychological services. In D.T. Marsh (Ed.), New directions in the psychological treatment of serious mental illness (pp. 3 20). Westport, CT: Praeger.
Practice parameter: Screening and diagnosis of autism
Practice Parameter: Screening and Diagnosis of Autism
Criteria for evaluating treatment guidelines
Criteria for practice guideline development and evaluation
Policy on challenges to the doctoral standard for psychology
Encouragement and assistance to State Psychological Associations (SPAs) and state licensing boards to move to single level doctoral licensure.
Active consulting to SPAs in states that have dual level licensure.
Encourage the recognition of individuals holding terminal masters degrees in psychology under existing or new state statutes, provided that such statutes do not recognize, regulate or govern the title or practice of psychology, and do not use the term "psychological" in defining the title or scope of practice for such persons.
Convening exploratory meetings focusing on issues involving education, training and credentialling, at the Consolidated meetings with the Board of Directors, Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice, Board of Professional Affairs, Board of Educational Affairs, American Psychological Association of Graduate Students, the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards and other relevant groups.
Health service psychologists as primary health care providers
APA reaffirms its commitment to the designation of health service psychologists as primary health care providers in relevant federal, state, and local regulations, and in federal funding programs designated for primary care practitioners. APA views this as a long-term goal in pursuit of which a variety of actions have already been undertaken and will continue to be undertaken as strategic openings and opportunities can be made available.
APA resolution on outpatient civil commitment
WHEREAS outpatient civil commitment (OCC) is increasingly used in courts and civil commitment venues across the country (Swartz & Monahan, 2001);
WHEREAS people with serious mental illness and resulting psychological disabilities are the individuals most subject to imposition of involuntary mental health services, including OCC (Swartz & Monahan, 2001);
WHEREAS people with such disabilities have the same rights to personal liberty as other citizens (Stefan, 2001);
WHEREAS psychological disabilities may impair the ability of individuals to appreciate threats to their well-being, placing them at risk for homelessness, incarceration, premature death, suicide, and vulnerability to violence (Swartz & Monahan, 2001);
WHEREAS there is heated controversy about the legitimacy of OCC, the criteria by which it should be applied, the relevant clinical methods and standards of professional practice, and the relative value of alternatives (Petrila, Ridgely & Borum, 2003);
WHEREAS people with behavior disorders severe enough to reach the dangerousness criterion should have access to psychological and behavioral interventions designed to treat the specific behaviors (Spaulding, Sullivan & Poland, 2003);
WHEREAS key issues concerning OCC can be effectively addressed through application of the principles of psychological science and the findings of psychological and psycholegal research (Spaulding, Poland, Elbogen & Ritchie, 2000);
WHEREAS people with serious mental illness have a right to the resources and services generated by psychological research and practice (Van Houton, Axelrod, Bailey & Favell, 1988);
WHEREAS all people have a right to the opportunity for recovery, namely, full participation in society to the best of their ability (Stefan, 2001);
WHEREAS issues regarding OCC, and broader issues of services for people with serious mental illness, will only be resolved in the context of a comprehensive, accessible, and responsive system of care that focuses on improved quality of life rather than mere symptom reduction (Petrila, Ridgely & Borum, 2003);
WHEREAS a key ingredient in recovery from serious mental illness is making choices for oneself and developing skills necessary to make those choices (Anthony and Liberman, 1992);
WHEREAS clinical application of psychological methods (including neuropsychological, behavioral, sociocognitive, and functional assessments and interventions) hold substantial promise for enhancing skill development, including skills relevant to recovery from serious mental illness and skills relevant to making competent personal choices (Spaulding, Sullivan & Poland, 2003);
WHEREAS resolution of controversies regarding OCC will require consideration of people's rights; their uniqueness and diversity; the disabilities associated with serious mental illness; and the sometimes competing values of personal liberty, public safety, and the public's interest in providing for those who cannot provide for themselves (Petrila, Ridgely & Borum, 2003);
WHEREAS women and members of minority racial and ethnic groups are especially vulnerable to discrimination in adjudication and treatment related to involuntary incarceration and treatment (Stefan, 1996);
WHEREAS women and members of minority racial and ethnic groups tend to receive less or lower quality mental health services (Thornicroft, Davides & Leese, 1999);
WHEREAS members of other stigmatized groups may also be vulnerable to discrimination in adjudication and treatment related to involuntary incarceration and treatment;
WHEREAS involuntary treatment raises special concerns about gender, ethnic or minority status, or membership in other stigmatized groups for the practitioner (Mindell, 1993; Baker, 1999);
WHEREAS it is the role of mental health scientists and practitioners to advocate for due process and appropriate legal representation and counsel, to advise the court through briefs or testimony, and to seek therapeutic benefits in application of the law (Daicoff & Wexler, 2003);
WHEREAS mandating involuntary mental health services is a legal, not a clinical process; except in cases of dire emergency, it is never the role of any mental health practitioner, of any discipline, acting in the role of caregiver, to make decisions that infringe upon a person's right to consent to services. Moreover, as specified in the APA Ethics Code, psychologists are required to respect the rights of individuals to self-determination and autonomy, and to act in accordance with the requirements for informed consent to therapy and related procedures.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to promote and engage in development of evidence-based clinical methods for determining risk and dangerousness, including risk associated with accepting or not accepting mental health services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to promote and engage in development of clinical methods for determining competence to make specific judgements and decisions, including decisions about whether to accept and/or participate in mental health services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to promote and engage in development of clinical methods for reversing the disabilities of serious mental illness and enhancing recovery, including those disabilities that incur risk and dangerousness, as well as those disabilities that compromise competent decisions and choices about accepting and/or participating in mental health services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that when people with mental illness exhibit dangerous behavior, psychologists trained in the direct treatment of behavioral dysfunction can enhance positive outcomes by providing consultation and treatment for the specific behaviors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to promote and engage in development of clinical methods that help people participate to the maximum extent in legal processes that affect their lives.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to promote and conduct rigorous research on the interaction of clinical and legal processes, with the objective of making those processes maximally accessible to and beneficial for people with serious mental illness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to promote and conduct rigorous research on the various forms of and alternatives to involuntary commitment, including OCC, limited guardianship, and advance directives, to determine their relative costs, outcomes, and benefits.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to promote and engage in development of clinical assessment methods that address and inform the legal processes that mandate involuntary mental health services, and should promote development of legal processes that make optimum use of information generated by psychological assessments.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to support and promote social policy that ensures accessibility of services that enhance recovery, including comprehensive biopsychosocial rehabilitation, for all people, regardless of gender or membership in racial, ethnic or other stigmatized and vulnerable groups.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to support and promote professional training and education in the treatment of serious mental illness, including the ethical, clinical, and legal considerations involved in involuntary services, and the impact of gender or membership in racial, ethnic or other stigmatized and vulnerable groups.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to support and promote public education and other strategies for eliminating the prejudice and stigmatization of serious mental illness, including public attitudes related to involuntary services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to support and promote consumer empowerment, citizen advocacy, collaboration, and other strategies for enhancing the role of people with serious mental illness in mental health services, policy, and law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to participate, as scientists, practitioners, educators and citizens, in the ongoing public discourse that weighs competing values and imperatives in formulation of law and social policy about involuntary mental health services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists should continue to vigorously promote the view that involuntary services and related infringements on individual liberty can only be mandated through legal processes, not by mental health professionals acting as caregivers. However, psychologists also should assertively provide professional expertise and consultation to legal and judicial authorities in order to ensure that legal processes and decisions are appropriately informed by scientific and clinical considerations.
Allen, M. & Smith, V.F. (2001). Opening Pandora's box: The practical and legal dangers of involuntary outpatient commitment. Psychiatric Services, 52, 342-346.
Anthony, W. A., & Liberman, R. P. (1992). Psychiatric Rehabilitation. In R. P. Liberman (Ed.), Handbook of psychiatric rehabilitation (pp. 95-126). New York: Macmillan.
Baker, K. (1999) The importance of cultural sensitivity and therapist self-awareness when working with mandatory clients. Family Process 38, 55-67.
Daicoff, S. & Wexler, B. (2003) Therapeutic jurisprudence. In A. Goldstein (ed.) Handbook of psychology: Forensic psychology, Vol. 11 (pp. 561-580).
Mindell, J. (1993) Issues in clinical psychology. Madison WI: Wm. C. Brown.
Morse, S. J. (1987). Treating crazy people less specially. West Virginia Law Review, 90, 353-385.
Munetz, M.R. & Frese, F.J. (2001). Getting ready for recovery: Reconciling mandatory treatment with the recovery vision. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 25, 35-42.
Petrila, J., Ridgely, M.S. & Borum, R. (2003) Debating outpatient commitment: Controversey, trends and empirical data. Crime and Delinquency 49: 157-172.
Reisner, R., Slobogin, C., & Rai, A. (1999). Law and the mental health system: Civil and criminal aspects (3rd ed.). St. Paul, MN: West Group.
Ridgely, M.S., Borum, R., & Petrila, J. (2001). The effectiveness of involuntary outpatient treatment: Empirical evidence and the experience of eight states. Santa Monica, CA: RAND.
Saks, E. R., & Behnke, S. H. (1999). Competency to decide on treatment and research: MacArthur and beyond. Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues, 10, pp. 103-129.
Schopp, R. F. (2001). Competence, Condemnation, and Commitment: An Integrated Theory of Mental Health Law. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Schopp, R. F. (2003). Outpatient civil commitment: A dangerous charade or a component of a comprehensive institution of civil commitment? Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 9, 33-69.
Spaulding, W., Johnson, D., & Coursey, R. (2001). Combined treatments and rehabilitation of schizophrenia. In M. Sammons & N. B. Schmidt (Eds.), Combined treatments for mental disorders (pp. 161-190). Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
Spaulding, W., Poland, J., Elbogen, E., & Ritchie, J. (2000). Therapeutic juripsrudence in psychiatric rehabilitation. Thomas M. Cooley Law Review, 17, 135-170.
Spaulding, W., Sullivan, M., & Poland, J. (2003). Treatment and rehabilitation of severe mental illness. New York: Guilford.
Steadman, H.J., Gounis, K., Dennis, D., Hopper, K., Roche, B., Swartz, M., & Robbins, P.C. (2001). Assessing the New York City involuntary outpatient commitment pilot program. Psychiatric Services, 52, 330-336.
Stefan, S. (1996) Issues relating to women and ethnic minorities in mental health treatment and law. In B. Sales & D. Shuman (eds.) Law, mental health, and mental disorder. Belmont, CA: Brooks Cole (pp.240-278).
Stefan, S. (2001) The Americans With Disabilites Act and its impact on mental health systems. In S. Stefan (ed.) Unequal rights: Discrimination against people with mental disabilites and the Americans With Disabilites Act. Washington DC: American Psychological Association.
Swartz, M. & Monahan, J. (2001) Special Section on Involuntary Outpatient Commitment: Introduction. Psychiatric Services 52: 323-324.
Swartz, M.S., Swanson, J.W., Hiday, V.A., Wagner, H.R., Burns, B.J., & Borum, R. (2001). A randomized controlled trial of outpatient commitment in North Carolina. Psychiatric Services, 52, 325-329.
Thornicroft, G., Davides, S. & Leese, M. (1999) Health service research and forensic psychiatry: A black and white case. International Review of Psychiatry 11, 250-257.
Van Houton, R., Axelrod, S., Bailey, J. & Favell, J. (1988) The right to effective behavioral treatment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 21: 381-384.
Wallace, C.J., Liberman, R.P., Kopelowicz, A., & Yaeger, D. (2001). Psychiatric Rehabilitation. In Gabbard, G.O. (Ed.), Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders, 3rd Edition (pp. 1093-1112). Washington: American Psychiatric Publishing Co.
Winnick, B. (2003) Outpatient commitment: A therapeutic jurisprudence analysis. Psychology, Public Policy & Law 9:107-144.
Determination and documentation of the need for practice guidelines
Determination and Documentation of the Need for Practice Guidelines
Evidence-based practice in psychology
Guidelines for psychological practice with girls and women
Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Girls and Women
Record keeping guidelines
Reclaim the distinctiveness of the term "psychology"
Authors of APA communications and publications are strongly encouraged to use the terms "psychology," "psychological" and "psychologists" when referring specifically to the activities of psychologists. However, in many contexts, good judgment may determine that alternative terms be used. The aim of this motion is to reclaim the distinctiveness of the term psychology, not to be divisive with fellow health-care professions. Of course, in other contexts outside of APA, such as clinical work, psychologists may well use generic terms.
Avoid use of generic terms (e.g., clinician, intervention, therapy, assessment) in professional communications when referring to psychologists and psychological activities.
Use generic terms only as necessary in public information publications to introduce concepts to consumers. Use "psychological" terms in subsequent references as often as possible.
Employ generic terms in only those situations referring to the activities of members of multiple mental health professions.
Adopt brand recognition of psychology; for example, "psychotherapy" in place of "therapy," "psychological disorder" in place of "disorder," "psychological assessment" or "neuropsychological assessment" (as appropriate) in place of "assessment," "psychological treatment" in place of "treatment," and "psychological counseling" in place of "counseling."
Use the legally protected terms of "psychology" and "psychologists" when so indicated.
APA principles for health care reform
Everyone should have coverage that provides affordable health care for all basic services.
Basic health care services eliminate the artificial distinction between "mental" and "physical" health, recognize the inseparable relationship between mental and physical well being, and offer access to treatment for "mental health conditions" equivalent in all respects to access for "physical health conditions".
Basic health care services include the psychological treatment of physical conditions in order to maximize rehabilitation and quality of life.
Basic health care services include appropriate prevention services that address the role that behavior plays in seven out of the ten leading causes of mortality and morbidity.
Criteria for the evaluation of quality improvement programs and the use of quality improvement data
Criteria for the Evaluation of Quality Improvement Programs and the Use of Quality Improvement Data
Guidelines for child custody evaluations in family law proceedings
Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Family Law Proceedings
Resolution on APA Endorsement of the Concept of Recovery for People with Serious Mental Illness
INTRODUCTION: The traditional view of serious mental illness, especially psychotic disorders, is that they have at best a stable course with chronic disability and poorer-than-premorbid functioning, and at worst a chronic deteriorating course. As a result, treatment has typically focused on symptom reduction and relapse prevention, and has been characterized by low expectations with little focus on issues such as living environment, relationships, work, and education. This is now changing. A wealth of data now indicate that the majority of people with serious mental illness eventually improve significantly over time, and can have independent lives that include striving for personal meaning and enhanced quality of life through active efforts in the above domains (e.g., relationships, work), regardless of whether symptoms are present or not. Moreover, research indicates that these areas are important sources of self-esteem for consumers, and are some of their most highly rated goals for treatment. In addition, federal and state agencies are now recommending that the paradigm for treatment of serious mental illness shift away from symptom-oriented care, to this more comprehensive view of how treatment can be envisioned. This new vision for foci of treatment, informed by long-term outcome data suggesting that it is realistic, has been labeled recovery-oriented treatment. It is important to note that the concept of recovery-oriented care does not assume a specific etiology for serious mental illness, nor does it recommend or contraindicate any specific treatments. Rather, it is a vision for a person-based approach to treatment, and a method of treatment delivery that is sensitive to consumer-defined goals and recognizes the need to at tend to a range of psychological factors (e.g., identity, self-esteem) as part of an expanded definition of what a positive outcome represents. In the resolution below, a detailed set of points is reviewed to clarify the definition of, and rationale for, the concept of "recovery." This is followed by recommendations regarding how APA can help to promote this concept and thereby influence both how treatment is provided and the outcomes that are achieved.
WHEREAS as noted in the APA Resolution on Stigma and Discrimination against People with Serious Mental Illness and Severe Emotional Disturbance (1999), the Center for Mental Health Services reports that 5.4 million or 2.7 percent of the adult population has a "severe and persistent" mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression;
WHEREAS the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS, 1993), in accordance with PL 102 321 (1992), has defined serious mental illness (SMI) as "a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic criteria specified by DSM-IV, and that has resulted in functional impairments which substantially interfere with or limit one or more major life activities;"
WHEREAS, as stated in the APA Resolution on Stigma and Discrimination against people with Serious Mental Illness and Severe Emotional Disturbance (1999), the CMHS definition further notes that "functional impairment is defined as difficulties that substantially interfere with or limit role functioning in one or more major life activities including basic daily living skills (e.g., eating, bathing, dressing), instrumental living skills (e.g., managing money, maintaining a household, taking prescribed medication, or functioning in social, family, and vocational/educational contexts) and that adults who would have met the functional impairment criteria during the year without the benefit of treatment or other support services are considered to have a serious mental illness;"
WHEREAS, APA has previously endorsed a resolution on Stigma and Discrimination against People with Serious Mental Illness and Severe Emotional Disturbance (1999);
WHEREAS, a proficiency which contains language clearly expressing a recovery orientation in the Assessment and Treatment of Serious Mental Illness has been recognized by APA;
WHEREAS the concept of "recovery" is a core theme in the President's New Freedom Commission Report (2003), which states that: 1) "the system is not oriented to the single most important goal of the people it serves-the hope of recovery;" 2) "the system should foster recovery, resilience, and independence;" and 3) "Research and personal testimony confirm that "recovery from mental illness is real: there are a range of effective treatments, services, and supports to facilitate recovery;"
WHEREAS recovery has been defined as "A deeply personal, unique process of changing one's attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills and/or roles. It is a way of living a satisfying, hopeful, and contributing life even with limitations caused by the illness. Recovery involves the development of new meaning and purpose in one's life as one grows beyond the catastrophic effects of mental illness" (Anthony, 1993);
WHEREAS the process of recovery includes "that people overcome the effects of being a mental patient - including rejection, poverty, substandard housing, isolation, unemployment, loss of valued social roles and identity, loss of sense of self and purpose in life, and the iatrogenic effects of involuntary hospitalization, medication and other treatments - in order to retain, or resume, some degree of control over their lives" (Davidson, O'Connell, Tondora, Staeheli, & Evans, 2005);
WHEREAS recovery involves "a redefinition of one's illness as only one aspect of a multi-dimensional sense of self capable of identifying, choosing, and pursuing, personally meaningful goals and aspirations despite continuing to suffer the effects and side effects of mental illness" (Davidson, et al., 2005);
WHEREAS the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a National Consensus Statement on Mental Health in which it defined recovery as a "journey of healing and transformation enabling a person with a mental health problem to live a meaningful life in a community of his or her choice while striving to achieve his or her full potential" (SAMHSA, 2005);
WHEREAS the Department of Veterans Affairs is changing its regulations and practice standards to implement recovery-oriented care;
WHEREAS the Department of Justice is promoting recovery-oriented care;
WHEREAS the Joint Commission has incorporated standards that address recovery oriented services for persons with severe mental illness;
WHEREAS the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) issued a report supporting recovery-oriented care in 2004 (NASMHPD/NTAC, 2004);
WHEREAS states, agencies, and other organizations have published guidelines for recovery-oriented care (e.g., Connecticut DMHAS, 2006; Onken, Dumont, Ridgway, Dornan, & Ralph, 2002; Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health, 2004; Young, Forquer, Tran, Starzynski, & Shatkin, 2000);
WHEREAS, as noted in the APA Resolution on Outpatient Civil Commitment (2004), all people have a right to the opportunity for recovery, namely, full participation in society to the best of their ability;
WHEREAS numerous longitudinal research studies indicate that the majority of people with SMI can improve their functional status and move into valued social roles (e.g., spouse, employee, student) over time (e.g., Bleuler, 1978; Ciompi, 1980; DeSisto, Harding, McCormick, Ashikaga, & Brooks, 1995a,b; Harding, Brooks, Ashikaga, Strauss, & Breier, 1987; Harrow et al., 2005; Huber, Gross, & Schuttler, 1975; Huber, Gross, Schuttler, & Linz, 1980; Jablensky, Sartorius, Ernberg, Anker, Korten, Cooper et al., 1992; Ogawa, Miya, Watarai, Nakazawa, Yuasa, & Utena, 1987; Sartorius, Jablensky, & Shapiro, 1977; Tsuang, Woolson, & Fleming, 1979);
WHEREAS these longitudinal data supporting recovery from SMI are consistent with findings that even people diagnosed with schizophrenia who have spent years in state hospitals and are considered treatment-refractory can be discharged to live back in the community after receiving intensive social-learning based inpatient services (Corrigan & Liberman, 1994; Paul & Lentz, 1977; Silverstein, Wong, Wilkniss, Bloch, Smith, Savitz, et al., 2006);
WHEREAS short term outcome data (1-2 years) also support the idea that recovery is possible (Edwards, Maude, McGorry, Harrigan, & Cocks, 1998; Gitlin, Nuechterlein, Subotnik, Ventura, Mintz, Fogelson, et al., 2001; Maslin, 2003; Loebel, Lieberman, Alvir, Mayerhoff, Geisler, & Szymanski, 1992; Whitehorn, Richard, & Kopala, 2004);
WHEREAS converging data on positive long-term outcomes of people with serious mental illness, and on the personal meanings of recovery have come from countries all over the world (Cohen, Patel, Thara, & Gureje, 2008; Jablensky et al. 1992; Ng, Pearson, Lam, Law, Chiu, & Chen, et al. 2008; Sartorius et al. 1977; Warner, 1983);
WHEREAS despite the general similarities in outcomes and subjective experiences related to recovery in different countries, cultural variation in the expression of serious mental illness and attitudes towards serious mental illness exist, and these must be taken into account in conceptualizing and implementing recovery-oriented care for individual persons;
WHEREAS recovery for some individuals or groups involves religious coping as a way to maintain control of their lives (Yangarber-Hicks, 2004). Research has shown that patterns of religious coping differ between ethnic groups (Bhui et al., 2008);
WHEREAS life challenges associated with recovery are common human experiences that require resilience. Resilience across cultures involves resolving tensions in relationships and cultural adherence (Ungar et al., 2007). Resilience is "...both a characteristic of the individual…and a quality of …environment which provides the resources necessary for positive development despite adverse circumstances" (Ungar et al., 2007);
WHEREAS the "research and clinical literature on resilience has focused largely if not exclusively on individual personality traits and coping styles, and has neglected to explore all possible sources and expressions of resilience in individuals and groups. For many ethnic minorities, traditional notions of resilience, shaped largely by middle class European and North American values, may not capture culturally more familiar modes of positive adaptation to adverse and traumatic experience" (Tummala-Nara, 2007);
WHEREAS research indicates that recovery is not an inevitable outcome of SMI, but that it is a function of the availability of comprehensive and coordinated psychological interventions (e.g., Harding et al., 1987b);
WHEREAS despite the existence of evidence-based practices, there are often environmental barriers to accessing potentially beneficial services. Moreover, the research literature suggests that these disparities are more severe for minorities and people of lower socioeconomic status, and that general disparities in health care lead to people with SMI dying, on average, 25 years earlier than expected. In addition, women with schizophrenia are more likely to have experienced severe trauma (e.g., physical or sexual abuse) and to have comorbid post-traumatic stress disorder, and therefore to be at risk for especially poor outcomes and further comorbidity (e.g., substance abuse) if this is not diagnosed and treated;
WHEREAS although most people with SMI will experience a significant improvement in functioning over the long term, some people will need long-term intensive treatment and supports and continue to experience significant disability; even in these cases, however, recovery-oriented principles, such as shared decision making, and a focus on multiple dimensions of outcome may improve quality of life;
WHEREAS most discussions of recovery focus on subjective experience as the domain that is most critical for promoting recovery, the extent of recovery is likely to be significantly affected by community and societal values regarding mental illness, and the extent to which people undergoing a process of recovery are accepted as valued members of their communities and the society at large.
WHEREAS as noted in the APA Resolution on Outpatient Civil Commitment (2004), a key ingredient in recovery from serious mental illness is making choices for oneself and developing skills necessary to make those choices (Anthony & Liberman, 1992);
WHEREAS as noted in the APA Resolution on Outpatient Civil Commitment (2004), clinical application of psychological methods (including neuropsychological, behavioral, sociocognitive, and functional assessments and interventions) holds substantial promise for enhancing skill development, including skills relevant to recovery from serious mental illness and skills relevant to making competent personal choices (Spaulding, Sullivan, & Poland, 2003);
WHEREAS recovery-oriented interventions such as supported employment, supported housing, and supported education have demonstrated greater effectiveness than traditional interventions for people with SMI (Drake & Bellack, 2005; Mueser, Clark, Haines, Drake, McHugo, Bond, et al., 2004);
WHEREAS the integration of psychological interventions with interventions seen as paradigmatic of recovery can lead to outcomes that are superior than with either intervention alone (e.g., cognitive rehabilitation, when added to supported employment, significantly improves vocational outcomes for people with SMI compared to supported employment alone) (McGurk, Mueser, Feldman, Wolfe, & Pascaris, 2007);
WHEREAS recovery-oriented care is consistent with evidence-based treatment (Bond, Salyers, Rollins, Rapp, & Zipple, 2004; Frese, Stanley, Kress, & Vogel-Scibilia, 2001);
WHEREAS psychologists are well qualified by training and experience, as well as well positioned in both service delivery and policy development roles, to promote such transformation and champion the adoption of recovery-oriented services, including training staff in, and delivery of recovery-oriented interventions in mental health settings;
WHEREAS research conducted by psychologists has identified psychological constructs that are involved in the recovery process (e.g., hope, self-efficacy, self-determination, empowerment, changing personal narratives) (e.g., Lysaker, Lancaster, & Lysaker, 2003; Roe 2001, 2003), and that can form the basis for more effective psychological therapies;
WHEREAS reliable and valid assessment instruments to assess individual staff members on the extent to which they have adopted a recovery orientation, and to assess agencies' growth towards recovery oriented services, are now increasingly used (e.g., Campbell-Orde, Chamberlin, & Leff, 2005; Chinman, Young, Rowe, Forquer, Knight, & Miller, 2003; O'Connell, Tondora, Croog, Evans, & Davidson, 2005; Ridgway & Press, 2004);
WHEREAS recovery is now routinely the subject of books; articles in scientific journals in the fields of psychology, nursing, and psychiatry, articles in consumer-oriented publications such as Schizophrenia Digest, and papers given at local, national, and international conferences;
WHEREAS the American Psychological Association has yet to develop or issue a position on the concept of recovery as it applies to SMI;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Psychological Association (APA) endorses the concept of recovery as it applies to SMI.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that APA will issue a position statement noting this endorsement, and that this statement will be actively promulgated to the public and appear on the APA website.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that APA will work toward increasing the attention to promoting data-driven views on the realities of long-term outcomes for people with serious mental illness, and to the importance of consumer-defined and community reintegration-centered goals in conceptualizing treatment, in graduate and post-graduate training.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists be encouraged to continue to promote the development, implementation, and rigorous evaluation of recovery-oriented services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, consistent with the principles of recovery, that these efforts involve consumer input and other forms of active collaboration with consumers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists be encouraged to support and promote staff training and public education efforts designed to increase awareness of recovery-oriented concepts and treatment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists be encouraged to support and promote efforts at stigma reduction, with the understanding that the extent of recovery is partly a function of the degree to which people with SMI are accepted as valued individuals in their communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that psychologists be encouraged to conduct further research on the outcomes of recovery-oriented interventions.
American Psychiatric Association. (2005). Use of the concept of recovery: A position statement. Retrieved from http://www.psych.org/edu/other_res/lib_archives/archives/200504.pdf, February 1, 2008.
Anthony, W. A. (1993). Recovery from mental illness: The guiding vision of the mental health service system in the 1990s. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Journal, 16, 11-23.
Anthony, W. A., & Liberman, R. P. (1992). Psychiatric rehabilitation. In R. P. Liberman (Ed.), Handbook of psychiatric rehabilitation (pp. 95-126). New York: MacMillan.
Bleuler, M. (1978). The Schizophrenic Disorders: Longterm Patient and Family Studies (trans. S. M Clemens). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Bond, G. R., Salyers, M. P., Rollins, A. L., Rapp, C. A., & Zipple, A. M. (2004). How evidence-based practices contribute to community integration. Community Mental Health Journal, 40, 569-588.
Bhui, K., King, M., Dein, S., & O'Connor, W. (2008). Ethnicity and religious coping with mental distress. Journal of Mental Health, 17, 141-151.
Campbell-Orde, T., Chamberlin, J. C., Carpenter, J., & Leff, H. S. (2005). Measuring the promise: A compendium of recovery measures, Volume II. Cambridge, MA: Evaluation Center @ Human Services Research Institute. Retrieved from http://www.tecathsri.org/product_description.asp?pid=129, February 1, 2008.
Center for Mental Health Services. (1993, May). (Available from Office of Consumer, Family and Public Information, CMHS, Rockville, MD). Federal Register 58, 96.
Chinman, M., Young, A. S., Rowe, M., Forquer, S., Knight, E., Miller, A.. (2003). An instrument to assess competencies of providers treating severe mental illness. Mental Health Services Research, 5, 97-108.
Ciompi, L. (1980). Catamnestic long-term study on the course of life and aging of schizophrenics. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 6, 606-618.
Cohen, A., Patel, V., Thara, R., & Gureje, O. (2008). Questioning an axiom: better prognosis for schizophrenia in the developing world? Schizophrenia Bulletin, 34, 229-244.
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. (2002). In Connecticut DMHAS Digest. Retrieved from http://www.das.state.ct.us/Digest/Digest_2002/Mental%20Health%20&%20
Addiction%20Svcs,%20Dept%20of.htm, February 1, 2008.
Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (2006). Practice guidelines for recovery-oriented behavioral health care. Retrieved from http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/lib/dmhas/publications/practiceguidelines.pdf, February 1, 2008.
Corrigan, P. W., & Liberman, R. P. (1994). Behavioral therapy in psychiatric hospitals. New York: Springer.
Davidson, L., O'Connell, M., Tondora, J., Staeheli, M.R., & Evans, A.C. (2005). Recovery in serious Mental illness: Paradigm shift or shibboleth? In Davidson, L., Harding, C.M., & Spaniol, L. (eds.), Recovery from severe mental illnesses: Research evidence and implications for practice. Boston, MA: Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation of Boston University.
DeSisto, M., Harding, C. M., McCormick, R. V., Ashikaga, T., & Brooks, G. W. (1995a). The Maine and Vermont three-decade studies of serious mental illness. II. Longitudinal course comparisons. British Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 338-342.
DeSisto, M. J., Harding, C. M., McCormick, R. V., Ashikaga, T., & Brooks, G. W. (1995b). The Maine and Vermont three-decade studies of serious mental illness. I. Matched comparison of cross-sectional outcome. British Journal of Psychiatry, 167, 331-338.
Drake, R.E., & Bellack, A.S. (2005). Psychiatric rehabilitation. In B.J.Sadock & V.A. Sadock (Eds.). Kaplan & Sadock's Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry (pp. 1476-1487). Baltimore: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
Edwards, J., Maude, D., McGorry, P. D., Harrigan, S. M., & Cocks, J. T. (1998). Prolonged recovery in first-episode psychosis. British Journal of Psychiatry (Suppl.), 172, 107-116.
Frese, F. J., Stanley, J., Kress, K., & Vogel-Scibilia, S. (2001). Integrating evidence-based practices and the recovery model. Psychiatric Services, 52, 1462-1468.
Gitlin, M., Nuechterlein, K., Subotnik, K. L., Ventura, J., Mintz, J., Fogelson, D. L., Bartzokis, G., & Aravagiri, M. (2001). Clinical outcome following neuroleptic discontinuation in patients with remitted recent-onset schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158, 1835-1842.
Harding, C. M., Brooks, G. W., Ashikaga, T., Strauss, J. S., & Breier, A. (1987). The Vermont longitudinal study of persons with severe mental illness, II: Long-term outcome of subjects who retrospectively met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144, 727-735.
Harrow, M., Grossman, L. S., Jobe, T. H., & Herbener, E. S. (2005). Do patients with schizophrenia every show periods of recovery? A 15 year multi-follow-up study. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 31, 723-734.
Huber, G., Gross, G., & Schuttler, R. (1975). A long-term follow-up study of schizophrenia: psychiatric course of illness and prognosis. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 52, 49-57.
Huber, G., Gross, G., Schuttler, R., & Linz, M. (1980). Longitudinal studies of schizophrenic patients. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 6, 592-605.
Jablensky, A., Sartorius, N., Ernberg, G., Anker, M., Korten, A., Cooper, J. E., Day, R., & Bertelsen, A. (1992). Schizophrenia: manifestations, incidence and course in different cultures. A World Health Organization ten-country study. Psychological Medicine Monograph Supplement, 20, 1-97.
Loebel, A. D., Lieberman, J. A., Alvir, J. M., Mayerhoff, D. I., Geisler, S. H., & Szymanski, S. R. (1992). Duration of psychosis and outcome in first-episode schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 1183-1188.
Lysaker, P. H., Lancaster, R. S., & Lysaker, J. T. (2003). Narrative transformation as an outcome in the psychotherapy of schizophrenia. Psychology and psychotherapy: theory, research, and practice, 76, 285-299.
Maslin, J. (2003). Substance misuse in psychosis: Contextual issues. In H.L. Graham, A. Copello, M. J. Birchwood, M. J., & K. T. Mueser (Eds.). Substance misuse in psychosis: Approaches to treatment and service delivery (pp.3-23). West Sussex, England: Wiley,
McGurk, S. R., Mueser, K. T., Feldman, K., Wolfe, R., & Pascaris, A. (2007). Cognitive Training for Supported Employment: 2-3 Year Outcomes of a Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164, 137-141.
Mueser, K. T., Clark, R. E., Haines, M., Drake, R. E., McHugo, G. J., Bond, G. R., Essock, S. M., Becker, D. R., Wolfe, R., & Swain, K. (2004). The Hartford study of supported employment for persons with severe mental illness. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 479-490.
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC). (2004). Implementing recovery-based care: tangible guidance for SMHAs. Retrieved from http://www.nasmhpd.org/general_files/publications/special%20e-reports/01-fall-04/full%20report.pdf, February 1, 2008.
Ng, R. M., Pearson, V., Lam, M., Law, C. W., Chiu, C. P., & Chen, E. Y. (2008). What does recovery from schizophrenia mean? Perceptions of long-term patients. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 54,118-130.
O'Connell, M., Tondora, J., Croog, G., Evans, A., & Davidson, L. (2005). From rhetoric to routine: assessing perceptions of recovery-oriented practices in a state mental health and addiction system. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 28, 378-386.
Ogawa, K., Miya, M., Watarai, A., Nakazawa, M., Yuasa, S., & Utena,H. (1987). A long-term follow-up study of schizophrenia in Japan, with special reference to the course of social adjustment. British Journal of Psychiatry, 151, 758-765.
Onken, S.J., Dumont, J.M., Ridgway, P., Dornan, D.H., & Ralph, R.O. (2002, October).
Mental health recovery: What helps and what hinders? A national research project for the development of recovery facilitating system performance indicators.Phase one research report: A national study of consumer perspectives on what helps and hinders mental health recovery. Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) National Technical Assistance Center (NTAC).
Paul, G. L., & Lentz, R. J. (1977). Psychosocial treatment of chronic mental patients : Milieu versus social-learning programs. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health . (2003). Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America. DHHS publication number SMA-03–3832. Washington, DC: President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003. Available at www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/reports/finalreport/fullreport-02.htm
Ridgway, P., & Press, A. (2004). Assessing the recovery commitment of your mental health service: A user's guide for the Developing Recovery Enhancing Environments Measure (DREEM). Retrieved from http://188.8.131.52/search?q=cache:mB9Ag810-SMJ:
+DREEM,+ridgway,+press&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=us, February 1, 2008.
Roe, D. (2001). Progressing from patienthood to personhood across the multidimensional outcomes in schizophrenia and related disorders. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 189, 691-699.
Roe, D. (2003). A prospective study on the relationship between self-esteem and functioning during the first year after being hospitalized for psychosis. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 191, 45-49.
Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health (2004) Ten Essential Shared Capabilities. A Framework for the Whole Mental Health Workforce. London. Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health.
Sartorius, N., Jablensky, A, & Shapiro, R. (1977). Two-year follow-up of the patients included in the WHO International Pilot Study of Schizophrenia. Psychological Medicine, 7, 529-541.
Silverstein, S. M., Wong, M-H., Wilkniss, S. M., Bloch, A., Smith, T. E., Savitz, A., McCarthy, R., & Terkelsen, K. (2006). Behavioral rehabilitation of the "treatment-refractory" schizophrenia patient: conceptual foundations, interventions, interpersonal techniques, and outcome data. Psychological Services, 3, 145-169.
Spaulding, W., Sullivan, M., & Poland, J. (2003). Treatment and rehabilitation of severe mental illness. New York: Guilford.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2005). National Consensus Conference on Mental Health Recovery and Systems Transformation. Rockville, MD: Department of Health and Human Services.
Tsuang, M. T., Woolson, R. F., & Fleming, J. A. (1979). Long-term outcome of major psychoses. I. Schizophrenia and affective disorders compared with psychiatrically symptom-free surgical conditions. Archives of General Psychiatry, 36, 1295-1301.
Tummala-Narra, P. (2007). Conceptualizing trauma and resilience across diverse contexts: A multicultural perspective. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma, 14, 33-53.
Ungar, M., Brown, M., Liebenberg, L., Othman, R., Kwong, W. M., Armstrong, M., & Gilgun, J. (2007). Unique pathways to resilience across cultures. Adolescence, 42, 287-310.
Warner, R. (1983). Recovery from schizophrenia in the Third World. Psychiatry, 46, 197-212.
Whitehorn, D., Richard, J. C., & Kopala, L. C. (2004). Hospitalization in the first year of treatment for schizophrenia. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 49, 635-638.
Yangarber-Hicks, N. (2004). Religious coping styles and recovery from serious mental illnesses. Journal of Psychology & Theology, 32, 305-317.
Young, A., Forquer, S., Tran, A., Starzynski, M., & Shatkin, J., (2000). Identifying clinical competencies that support rehabilitation and empowerment in individuals with serious mental illness. Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 27, 321-334.
Practice Guidelines Regarding Psychologists' Involvement in Pharmacological Issues
Practice Guidelines Regarding Psychologists' Involvement in Pharmacological Issues
Model Act for State Licensure of Psychologists
Model Act for State Licensure of Psychologists (PDF, 111KB)
Guidelines for psychological evaluations in child protection matters
Guidelines for Psychological Evaluations in Child Protection Matters
Guidelines for psychological practice in health care delivery systems
Guidelines for psychological practice in health care delivery systems
Guidelines for the evaluation of dementia and age-related cognitive change
Guidelines for the evaluation of dementia and age-related cognitive change
(Also included in Section XII: Public Interest.)
Guidelines for the practice of parenting coordination
Recognition of Psychotherapy Effectiveness
Resolution on the Recognition of Psychotherapy Effectiveness
Also see the in-progress clinical treatment guidelines development.
Guidelines for prevention in psychology
Guidelines for prevention in psychology (PDF, 142KB)
Guidelines for psychological practice with older adults
Guidelines for psychological practice with older adults
Guidelines for the practice of telepsychology
Guidelines for the practice of telepsychology
Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology
Resolution in support of education and implementation of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
Resolution in support of education and implementation of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)
About the Council Policy Manual
This is Chapter X (Part 2) of the Council Policy Manual, which contains the current policies of the American Psychological Association. The organization of the manual follows the same major subject headings and sequence that is used in the agenda books of the Council of Representatives. Council actions are listed in chronological order with the earliest dated policies coming first. For more information, visit the Council Policy Manual table of contents.


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For free.. you can join some webmaster forums and put the link of your site in your signature !
Along with that you can also do some social bookmarking for free.
- Digital -
My first goal is to make $20 a day with adsense. So far, I'm not even close. Some days I earn nothing, others I earn $2-$5. My traffic is just as weird too. Some days I get tons, other days, nothing!
What are some things I can do that are *free* to potentially boost both traffic and adsense earnings? I really want to reach this goal before the end of the year!
For free.. you can join some webmaster forums and put the link of your site in your signature !
Along with that you can also do some social bookmarking for free.
- Digital -
you have need to build or sharing something new and unik.
and keep building links, and you will automatically start getting lot of money from adsense.
Premium Directory :: PR4 Submit Your Link
Lamrod.org :: Best Product Review and Price Comparison Site One LD :: PR1 Directory
If your sites are about the Wii Fit and Nintendo DS, then you would post on gaming sites to gather interest, not webmaster sites.
You might also write articles and submit them to article directories to gain backlinks to your sites.
There are so many options for site promotion!
Of course, the most simple way to double your income is to double the number of pages you have in production.
Submit Your Webmaster Related Sites to the NB Directory
I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.
The following are the principle ways that you can improce site traffic.
1) Marketing & Site Promotion
2) Advertisements and PPC
3) Link Building for traffic
4) Link Building for seo
I tend to prefer Marketing and Link Building for traffic which are the best methods for webmasters that plan to be around 5 years from now. It's really important to build links for traffic and not the search engines. Every link that you build is a potential vistor. The nice thing is that your link traffic is not dependent on the search engines. Which is very important to your survival should you loose your rankings.
A Marketing Campaign is another great way to build traffic and the best part is that you can shape the image that you are projecting for your site. Some of the things that you can do are article marketing, press release, post on relevant forums and blogs. Newsletters and email opt ins are also great ways to market your site.
Of course you need to do what you need to do. SEO is probably the best way to get tons of traffic. A lot of the things that you need to do to obtain good organic search listings run contrary to what would be considered good marketing practices. But organic listings are the mpst powerful traffic and of course they are essentially free ads. The search engines give away the oragnic listings. So why not take advantage?
PPC and Paid Ads will depend on your budget and (ROI). At the least consider creating some banner ads.
Search high PR do follow blogs comments related to your niche and start commenting on them. Remember your comments should be spam, they should be on the topic and enough attractive to attract readers mind to your site.

subset: commoncrawl


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Competition to win clients is brutal, despite recovery for professional services
Posted: January 23, 2014|
The economic picture for lawyers, accountants and investment specialists in the West Country is rosier than a year ago, reports Natalie Birrell. However, competition to win contracts and clients is tougher than ever
Competitive pressures are increasing significantly for professional services firms which are working harder than ever to grow their market share despite signs of economic growth and renewed confidence.
A survey of almost half of the UK's top 250 law firms reveals that 81 per cent believe the environment has become more competitive in the last 12 months.
Almost nine in every ten respondents expect to see greater competition as a result of the Legal Services Act.
The research published earlier this month was commissioned by accountancy and investment management group, Smith & Williamson. Partner Ian Cooper, who heads the firm's professional services practice in Bristol, said: "This is a very interesting time for professional practitioners and law firms in particular.
"While the Legal Services Act may create more business opportunities, it has also achieved its aims of increasing competition.
"The growing challenge is how firms respond and grasp new opportunities for themselves.
"Our survey indicates that confidence has returned to pre-recession levels although, in my view, we are looking at a longer-term recovery. Many firms have recovered profitability through cost-cutting and internal efficiencies.
"The focus now is on achieving sustainable growth in a climate fraught with uncertainty.
"One of the major developments of 2014 which is due to take effect on April 6, is the way in which partners of Limited Liability Partnerships are taxed.
"We are looking very carefully at the legislation and the eligibility criteria in particular, which are more onerous than originally thought. The cash impact on firms and individuals is potentially significant."
Despite increasing competition and other challenges, some of the West's law firms have not only survived but are emerging as even stronger players in their various markets.
UK law firm TLT, with its headquarters in Bristol, and Withy King, which has offices in Bath and Swindon, are two very different firms which have expanded rapidly in recent years.
David Pester, managing partner at TLT, believes firms need to work out what they want to be famous for and tailor their delivery model to suit. "In a market which is as mature and heavily fragmented as legal services, firms have to be absolutely clear about their offering.
"In the last 12 months we have seen a greater rush towards specialisation and consolidation, driven as much by economic challenges and increasingly discerning buyers of legal services than by regulatory changes.
"Our strategy over the last few years has been to build specific areas of expertise in response to client demand.
"This industry focus has allowed us to develop a national reputation for our work in specific areas of the law while maintaining our local services.
"While we will never be complacent, our strategy continues to have traction in the market. This has taken us from a single office in Bristol to a UK-wide firm, and seen turnover triple since 2002."
Withy King is on track to achieve its 20 per cent growth target in two rather than three years.
Managing partner Graham Street said: "We do not set out to follow or copy our competitors. We stick to what we do well and then work hard to do it even better. Over the last few years we've invested considerable time and resource in identifying and understanding what our clients and our people want and then going all out to deliver it. Our rebrand played a big part in that.
"The legal services market is vast and the issues facing small, mid-tier and large firms are very different.
"We are all experiencing unprecedented levels of change which make it difficult to predict the future, particularly when it comes to consumer buying behaviour, the role of technology and the nature of client communications.
"Retaining and developing the best people to respond to these challenges will be a key issue, even more so now that economic conditions are improving.
"We are pleased to have been ranked in the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies to Work For and will continue to motivate, recognise and reward our staff for the integral role they play in our success."
One of the many changes facing professional services firms is the introduction of Alternative Business Structures (ABS).
Over 200 ABS licences have been granted so far, most of them in the last 12 months, allowing non-lawyers to own and run legal businesses.
Co-operative Legal Services in Bristol is one of them. Blackstar Legal, trading as legalmatters and run by former Clarke Willmott chief executive, David Sedgwick, is another.
This market expansion is fuelling competition in the private client and insurance sectors, causing some law firms to re-evaluate their position. Lyons Davidson, which has a large office in Bristol, recently announced its intention to form an ABS joint venture with insurer Admiral.
ABS are also giving accountancy firms food for thought with at least one of the Big Four raising the possibility of offering legal services to its clients. This follows the announcement that the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) will be allowed to grant ABS licences.
Mergers are an ongoing feature of the professional services landscape and this trend looks set to continue. Geoff Gollop, president of the West of England Society of Chartered Accountants, merged his practice Geoff Gollop & Co with Milsted Langdon in 2013.
He said: "Keeping on top of the economic cycle is likely to be the biggest concern in 2014 with recruitment and growth issues dominating the agenda.
"With capital and cash often difficult to come by, careful business modelling will be more important than ever.
"Bristol fared much better than anywhere else outside of London during the recession so in many ways, is better placed to capitalise on the recovery.
"Bristol has always been very competitive for accountants and is becoming even more so.
"Clients are more discerning and aware of their options which means firms are looking at service in new and innovative ways.
"The market remains fluid and we continue to see people leaving top 20 practices to set up on their own, ensuring high standards of professional advice and service are maintained."
Chartered accountant Ed Corrigan, who runs Corrigan Associates, agrees that the market is highly competitive but believes this is positive for clients wanting to get the most value from their professional relationships.
He said: "Businesses are increasingly looking for practical advice and support rather than a policeman to regulate their activities.
"Advances in IT have had a significant impact on the way in which legal and accountancy professionals are able to work with their clients. The development of cloud-based accounting systems, for example, makes it easier to collaborate on the same platform and means both parties can work on the same set of books at the same time.
"There are still accountants who take a more traditional approach which may work well for certain types of businesses.
"We know that clients do not change their accountants lightly and place great value on personal relationships.
"However, it's important they don't lose out to more forward-looking practices who are embracing new technologies and different ways of communicating.
"We work with a lot of technology businesses, many of whom are run by young graduate entrepreneurs who expect their accountants to talk their 'language' and operate in the same space they do."
Desmond Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, said legal practitioners in the West were also taking a more creative and innovative approach to business.
He said: "We are seeing a significant change in the way businesses engage and communicate with their clients.
"The use of social media for example, has increased exponentially over the last 12 months.
"Whether they are using it in the right way and achieving the desired outcomes remains to be seen but it does show that firms are adapting to changing technological circumstances.
"Despite unprecedented changes and increasing competition, the legal services market in the West remains extremely strong with a national and international standing.
"We saw some significant mergers in 2013 as well as consolidation, diversification and outsourcing.
"There are more challenges ahead, particularly for law firms specialising in crime and working with legally aided clients, but I believe we will see further growth in 2014 and can look forward to a positive evolution, rather than the 'big bang' which many had feared."


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An air-chilled grilled chicken, avocado and jack cheese sandwich is served at the Whole Foods Tap Room inside Whole Foods Market. The Tap Room also offers oysters on the half shell, wings and fries, plain and topped soft pretzels, fish and chips, burgers and pizza slices, each less than $10.
- Filed Under
THE PLACE: Whole Foods opened its Tap Room in July in the store's former open kitchen set up for cooking classes. The Tap Room serves multiple purposes: Buy a beer to sip while shopping, order food and drinks to have at the Tap Room, bring in a salad or other Whole Foods prepared items to eat at the bar while indulging in a midafternoon beer. It's the "have it your way" philosophy of Burger King without everything else about Burger King.
For lovers of suds, there are 14 beers on tap in 16- or 20-ounce pints or in tasting flights, as well as bottled selections. The Tap Room also offers beer in a 64-ounce ...


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What is the problem with the United States using drones against the Muslim bad guys?
They are doing the job of putting away the bad guys, and the fact that there is some collateral damage must be registered under "War is hell," and not that we are killing innocent men, women and children. War is not a pleasant thing, nor should we rejoice in the killing of innocents.
What we are doing is punishing the enemy without putting one of our own in mortal combat, and that is a good and positive thing for our side.
W.A. Rex


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Tennessee defensive coordinator's name surfaces; Nothing imminent so far in Texas search
Another day, another name emerges for the Texas defensive coordinator job.
First was can't-miss frontrunner Randy Shannon. Then Teryl Austin became the guy, no doubt about it, from on-line reports. DeWayne Walker surfaced as a possibility, a front-runner and then an apparent non-candidate – all in the span of a couple of hours in the Twitterverse.
The new hot name Sunday night is Tennessee defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox, in reports that seem to have originated around the Volunteers program. First FootballRumorMill.com suggested Wilcox was in "serious discussions" with Texas. Then other sites joined the party, with Rivals affiliated VolQuest.com indicating Wilcox was a "viable candidate of interest." Next step: mad message board panic.
Here's what we know from the Texas standpoint: Mack Brown is still keeping his own counsel and nothing appears imminent. Everything indicates that Brown will not be raiding staffs of teams before bowl games and Tennessee is playing in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30. Plus, the Texas coordinator jobs will attract a lot of highly qualified candidates, many of whom may be with teams in bowls. For agents, it's a dream situation to create leverage for clients.
Anybody not named Mack Brown who claims to know exactly what's happening is probably wrong.
That said, Wilcox is an intriguing name with an interesting resume.
Wilcox, 34, is finishing his first season at Tennessee as the successor to Monte Kiffin. The Vols weren't as good defensively (70th nationally) as in 2009, mainly because the talent wasn't as good with players like Eric Berry departing.
Wilcox spent four seasons as defensive coordinator at Boise State, compiling a nice track record with the Broncos. His father, Dave, was a Hall of Fame linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers.
He made $600,000 in the first season of a three-year contract and has a $300,000 buyout, which should not be stumbling block if Texas and Brown is truly interested. As we've learned in the past week, the "if" is a crucial factor.


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She wrote "I was asked", and she says the suggestions were from Google. She doesn't mention "pressure" from her editor, or anyone else.
If you have any actual information you may want to provide a link to it, or you can leave your claim unsupported as mere conjecture, whichever you prefer.
bullshit. headlines and text copy are changed by editors. "was asked" is not how she would say "Google asked me." she means her boss. the rest of her comment, here, makes it clear she does not agree with the change:
"For the people asking how the story was amended: Despite the fact that Google refused to comment on the record, I was asked to change the headline (both the homepage headline and SEO headline inside the story), as well as the standfirst and lead (first paragraph). Google's issue was with the use of the word "flaw". Apparently a system that is designed to share users information with developers without their knowledge or permission and without explicitly saying so in any terms of service is not considered to be a flaw. I have no problem amending stories if they are factually incorrect but the fact is neither developers nor customers were aware of this information sharing and Mr Nolan is not the only developer to express concern over having this information at his disposal. There's little reason app developers should have this information. If Google was going to share this information they should have been clear about this from the start. Hope this clears things up."
you have polluted this thread with your petty nit-picking argumentative Google apologia. like the guy in a bar who will never shut up. go home, it's closing time.


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The satnav is good once you get used to it, the only problem is it can only take you to postcodes or points of interest, not to an exact address. It's great that it has a home button though, if you're coming back from somewhere unfamiliar one button press and you're on your way.
If yo try typing the street instead of postcode it'll bring it up and ask for the number.
Sent from my iPad using Ford OC


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Michael Ramirez
Sen. Pat Roberts gives the Weekly Republican Party Remarks
This is Senator Pat Roberts. I am honored to represent the people of Kansas in the United States Senate. Let me be the first to wish you and your family a happy Independence Day as our nation recognizes our hard won freedoms.
As we celebrate the fourth, it will be a mere 89 days until the October first deadline when millions of Americans are forced to purchase health insurance in a special marketplace or 'exchange' overseen by the federal government. (Scroll down for video of these full remarks.)
Health care as you know it will change. Do you know how much your new plan will cost? Do you know what it will cover? Will you be able to see your family doctor? Will your personal health information remain private? Private and safe? Will you lose the health insurance plan you like? Will the high costs force your employer to make you a part-time employee, change your plan or just drop your coverage altogether?
Simply put, will you and your family have the health insurance you need to ensure your well-being?
Right now, you can't answer these questions and neither can the Obama Administration.
The Government Accounting Office found problems with the exchanges and could not ensure they would be up and running by the October first deadline. Time is running out. As one of the Democrat authors of the bill said, American families are facing 'a train wreck.'
Well, who is going to answer these questions? How will this massive federal government takeover of health care work? Even President Obama says there may be some 'bumps' and 'glitches.'
Well, in California those bumps and glitches are all too real for the 50,000 patients who will lose their coverage. Aetna, a major national insurer, will no longer offer individual market plans there. Those 50,000 people are expected to turn to the exchange. Well how many more insurers will follow suit?
Too little is known about the exchanges. The fear is that only the sick will pay to join the exchange without young healthy people to foot the bill, then all costs will further skyrocket.
Young healthy people find the exchanges so costly and objectionable that the administration is drafting the NBA and the NFL to pitch ObamaCare. Good grief!
Already we know premiums for many Americans will rise. Some estimates have found they will double, triple or even quadruple.
Twitter: @AHMalcolmFacebook: Andrew MalcolmGoogle+: Andrew Malcolm
Investor's Business Daily provides exclusive stock lists, investing data, stock market research, education and the latest financial and business news to help investors make more money in the stock market. All of IBD's products and features are based on the CAN SLIM® Investing System developed by IBD's Founder William J. O'Neil, who identified the seven common characteristics that winning stocks display before making huge price gains. Each letter of CAN SLIM represents one of those traits.


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- secure locking
- precision control
- 40 inch long extension
Excellent performance: robustness, lightness and versatility. These are the features of the new double articulated arm range. The 396 family has been developed to provide greater robustness than the 196 range and to support heavier loads (up to 5kg), though keeping versatility thanks to its e


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November 25, 2015
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton, entering the home
stretch of her own close political horse race, is hoping Girl Power
prevails in the Kentucky Derby as well.
During a visit Thursday to the Derby's hometown, the Democratic
presidential hopeful revealed her sentimental choice for Saturday's
Run for the Roses - the filly Eight Belles.
"I want everybody to place a little money on the filly,"
Clinton told cheering supporters at her campaign headquarters in
Kentucky's largest city.
Clinton is trying to become the nation's first woman president.
She said she wished she could attend the Derby, but noted that her
daughter, Chelsea, will be at Churchill Downs for the famed race.
Clinton took a short break from campaigning in Indiana to cross
the Ohio River into Kentucky, which holds its primary election on
May 20.
Clinton met with the editorial board at The Courier-Journal of
Louisville, then took time to thank her supporters and volunteers
at her campaign headquarters in the city.
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- Filed Under
Reaction to news of eight Catholic schools closing in Westchester and Rockland counties in June:
"I believe that the Archdiocese fully intended to close these schools from inception and only made the schools go through the exercise of presenting alternative plans just so they can save face."
- Sam Sola (via LoHud.com)
"Not only did the Archdiocese close St. Augustine in spite of being presented with an alternative financial plan that would have allowed the school to remain open and viable, they also took the step of closing St. Peter's school, a wonderful school that has provided so much opportunity for the children in North Rockland, particularly those in our minority communities and families facing overwhelming economical challenges. One wonders exactly what mission the Archdiocese subscribes to. For shame."
- Ed Day (via LoHud.com)
"As an alumna of St. Peter's, I feel as if I'm losing my school. Same with St. Augustine's. I have never been so upset with the Archdiocese. I hated it when they closed Immaculate Conception in Stony Point and now two more. I thought politics was shady, but this is worse."
- Kathryn McCartin (via LoHud.com)
"My heart goes out to the families of the children."
- Lynn-Marie Schnalzer (via LoHud.com)
"This weakens the Roman Catholic religion. It is appalling."
- Helen Carlson Del Vecchio (via Facebook)
"The more this Diocese closes schools, the more I don't want my daughter to continue through high school in a Catholic school. It's not the strong institution it once was."
- Karen Chapman (via LoHud.com)
"They lied ... period."
- Michael Mcmanamon (via LoHud.com)
"They should be ashamed of themselves. As far as I'm concerned, that's just another straw on the camel's back to push people farther away from the Catholic church."
- Gina Lombardo Nowicki (via LoHud.com)
"This is a real shame for all these poor parents who tried their best to get the best education for their children. I think that Cardinal Dolan would be better off taking the millions of dollars that he is spending on St Patrick's Cathedral and invest it in his students instead."
- Phil Foley (via LoHud.com)
Reaction to the two minority members of the East Ramapo Board of Education resigning Tuesday evening amid a multimillion-dollar deficit, lawsuits and state demands:
"Their votes have not counted for a long time now because they are always in the minority. ? There is nothing to be done except for the state to come in and save this district."
- Lisa House Cornell (via LoHud.com)
"I can remember when the East Ramapo School District was one of the finest in the country and I was proud to say my children were students. I even bragged about it. Sad, very sad, how it has been destroyed."
- Norman Jacobs (via LoHud.com)
"The East Ramapo School District has been destroyed. It's time for New York state to take over and give the students in the East Ramapo School District the proper education they deserve."
- Frank Mark Granata (via LoHud.com)
"Wonder if the state even cares. Democracy at work!"
- KBuck @Buck_Hello (via Twitter)
"I am deeply saddened by this. My heart breaks for my kids and the public school children in East Ramapo. It is time for us to mourn our loss and disband this school district. Send our kids to the five surrounding school districts so they can have the education that they deserve without it being stolen out from under them. This cannot wait a day longer."
- Lisa Goldberg (via LoHud.com)
"Taxation without representation. Haven't we been there before?"
- Carol Lindemann Durfee (via LoHud.com)
"A blight on the public school governance. #edreform"
- David A. Singer @DavidASinger (via Twitter)
"I'd say the beginning of the end but it really is the end the end of our county, the end of our kids having a school to go to, the end of many many BOCES classes where my daughter goes. Good-bye, East Ramapo. I remember when you were No. 1. So sad to know my parents moved here just for the district."
- Andrea Nicole Simon (via LoHud.com)
"The fact of the matter is Mr. [Stephen] Price is and always will be an advocate for all children and has always served with dgnity and honor. Best of luck, Mr. Price."
- Robert Pantale (via LoHud.com)
"All we can hope for is that some true advocates for all children in this district step up to the plate to serve with dignity and honor and work to restore the peace that once existed in this great community."
- Sheva Krinski (via LoHud.com)


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Check out the new High Line park for great views, gardens and strolling
Jul. 17, 2009
Most people who climb the Gansevoort Street stairs to see the new High Line park for the first time are instantly enthralled with the wide-angle views of the Hudson and New York Harbor. They see a
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Blank Hang Tags
It may be easy to find a supplier for blank tags, but it's not so easy to find one that can supply the exact blank hang tag that fits your needs. St. Louis Tag can manufacture blank hang tags in a large selection of colors and sizes and with a variety of fasteners and reinforcements, but we also offer standard or custom blank hang tags with extra finishing options. CONTACT US FOR PRICING.
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November 30, 2015
The numbers are in for the United Way of Mesa County's 2005–2006 campaign and to the delight of those in the organization, for the second straight year more than $1M has been raised.
Last year's campaign was the first time the United Way topped the million dollar mark and with a 6-percent increase in funds raised, a total of nearly $1.2M, according to United Way, the numbers indicate the compassion of the entire community.
While the United Way's campaign for next year doesn't get started until September, those interested in getting involved are always encouraged to contact the United Way, the number is 243–5364.
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Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home, Inc. has been serving the Dawson area since 1915. We provide all facets of death care services and are pledged to serve all faiths, customs and desires. We have established this site to enable you to find out as much information as you want in an user-friendly form. If you should have questions, or would like additional information, always feel free to contact us.
Each family's needs are different and special. We listen with sensitivity, answer all questions and respect your choices. Then, we take care of all the details.
We will help create a meaningful ceremony that celebrates the life of your loved one and brings comfort and healing to the living.
We are a member of the following associations:
We are proud to be associated with:
Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home, Montevideo, MN
Copyright © 2015 Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home, Inc.. All Rights Reserved.
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Petrology Activities and Examples Collection
This is a collection of educational resources used in igneous and metamorphic petrology courses. The collection includes lab exercises, classroom activities, problem sets and more. The purpose of this collection is to allow for the sharing of materials within the community of petrology teachers. You can
- Add your teaching materials to the collection.
- Browse the entire collection of teaching activities by topic, using the Table of Contents.
- Search the collection of teaching activities by typing text into the search box below or by selecting a topic or activity type from the boxes on the right.
Show all pages
Resource Type: Activitiesshowing only Activities > Project Show all Resource Type: Activities
Subject: Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology
- 8 matches General/Other
- Volcanology 7 matches
- Geochemistry 8 matches
- Igneous Processes 9 matches
- Igneous Associations and Tectonic Settings 12 matches
- Metamorphic Processes 6 matches
- Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria 4 matches
- PTt Relationships 2 matches
- Metamorphic Rock Suites and Facies 3 matches
- Igneous Rocks 3 matches
- Metamorphic Rocks 2 matches
Resource Type: Activities Show all Resource Type: Activities
Activities > Project33 matches
Results 1 - 15 of 33 matches
Scientific debate: Mantle plumes part of Cutting Edge:Deep Earth:Activities
Brennan Jordan, University of South Dakota
A structured format for a debate of the mantle plume hypothesis and alternative hypotheses with supporting materials.
Learn more about this review process.
Historical Volcanic Eruptions part of Cutting Edge:Introductory Courses:Activities
Jeffrey Nunn, Louisiana State University
Students are asked to individually research and write a paper on a historical volcanic eruption and then are formed into groups to create a 10 minute stand-alone PowerPoint presentation which is shown and discussed ...
What does the core/mantle boundary look like? part of Cutting Edge:Deep Earth:Activities
Suzanne Baldwin, Syracuse University
This activity explores how earth scientists infer what materials are present at the core mantle boundary and what this boundary might look like. It provides students with the opportunity to contribute to the ...
Weathering of Igneous, Metamorphic, and Sedimentary Rocks in a Semi-Arid Climate - An Engineering Application of Petrology part of Teaching Examples
Wendy Harrison, National Science Foundation; Ric Wendlandt, Colorado School of Mines
Students examine soils developed on igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks near Denver, Colorado. The 2-week exercise includes sample collection, description, and preparation, determining clay mineralogy by ...
Learn more about this review process.
Extending Mineralogy by Electron Microprobe Analysis part of Teaching Examples
John Goodge, University of Minnesota-Duluth
This lab is designed to be a highly interactive lab session for a petrology course, where instructors provide a minimal level of essential background and then the entire group works together to explore mineral ...
Learn more about this review process.
Pet Rock Project: A Semester-long Exercise for Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology part of Teaching Examples
Darrell Henry, Louisiana State University
The pet rock project is a semester-long project in which each student randomly selects an igneous or metamorphic rock from the instructor or brings in a rock from an appropriate locality, and follows all of the ...
Learn more about this review process.
Calculating Pressures and Temperatures of Petrologic Events: Geothermobarometry part of Teaching Examples
Donna Whitney, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
In this lab exercise, students examine one or more metamorphic rocks and use various approaches to estimating and calculating the pressure-temperature conditions at which the rocks equilibrated. The exercise ...
Learn more about this review process.
Theriak-Domino Exercise part of Teaching Examples
Dexter Perkins, University of North Dakota-Main Campus
This multidimensional project involves using several different computer programs to calculate and interpret phase diagrams and pseudosections. So, students learn lots of skills at the same time. But, an overarching ...
Learn more about this review process.
Petrographic Problem Solving Assignments part of Teaching Examples
Jeffrey Templeton, Western Oregon University
Petrographic problem-solving (PPS) assignments are a series of mini-projects in which students conduct two-week scientific investigations on thin sections and hand samples selected by the instructor. For each PPS ...
Learn more about this review process.
Chemical Differentiation in the Palisades Sill part of Teaching Examples
Matthew Gorring, Montclair State University
The purpose of this assignment is for students to synthesize field observations, petrography, and whole-rock chemical analyses in order to investigate chemical differentiation processes in a basaltic magma chamber. ...
Magma Modification in the central Sierra Nevada Batholith part of Teaching Examples
Jennifer Wenner, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
This exercise is centered around a suite of rocks from the Sierra Nevada batholith. The activities are designed to give petrology students a capstone experience for the igneous portion of the upper-level Petrology ...
Exploring lithological assemblages and structural styles of granite-greenstone belts part of Cutting Edge:Topics:Early Earth:Activities
Dyanna Czeck, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
In this 1 week module, students use primary literature to study structural and tectonic styles within Archean granite-greenstone belts.
A Term Research Project Focused on Electron Microprobe Studies of Unknowns in a Junior-Level Mineralogy/Petrology Course part of Cutting Edge:Develop Program-Wide Abilities:Undergraduate Research:Case Studies
Jeff Ryan, University of South Florida
Jeff Ryan, University of South Florida Summary Two students using the FCAEM Electron microprobe via remote operation in Jeff Ryan's GLY 3311C course. DetailsAs the core activity of petrology portion of a ...
Tectonics of Fiction part of Cutting Edge:Courses:Structural Geology:Structure, Geophysics, and Tectonics 2012:Activities
Kyle Fredrick, California University of Pennsylvania
This writing project of our Tectonics course is assigned at the start of the semester and due near the end. It is a group project that encourages creativity, cooperation, and synthesis of an entire ...
Learn more about this review process.
Granitic Rocks and Geologic History of the Idaho Batholith part of Teaching Examples
Elizabeth King
This is a lab/project in which the students not only name and identify a suite of granitic rocks but try to piece together the tectonic and geologic history of the Idaho batholith. This activity brings together the ...


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I want her to keep whatever's natural to her and whatever's FUNCTIONAL for her - my idea isn't to change her feet, but to make them strong enough to keep up.
Barefoot for Soundness
Although it is a barefoot-promoting site, it has loads of info about correct shape, parts of the hoof and their function, faults in the hoof, etc. and I think it's educational relevant to everyone.
And Eve is gorgeous as always!


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POSTED: 10:38 a.m. HST, Jan 28, 2011
LAST UPDATED: 12:45 p.m. HST, Jan 28, 2011
Matson Navigation Co. said it will raise its shipping fuel surcharge next month for the first time in more than a year.
The state's largest shipping company said the fuel surcharge will increase by 4.75 percentage points to 26.5 percent for its Hawaii service effective Feb. 27.
For a container of mixed produce shipped from the West Coast to Hawaii the fuel surcharge will rise to $1,217 from $999, an increase of $218 dollars.
It is the first increase in the surcharge since Feb. 7, 2010. The last two adjustments in the surcharge were downward.
"Unfortunately, fuel prices have been rising dramatically over the past several months, necessitating this new upward adjustment," said Dave Hoppes, Matson senior vice president of ocean services.
He said the company's fuel costs are approaching the last high experienced in early 2008 when the fuel surcharge was in excess of 30 percent.


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©2015 General Mills, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information will only be used to send an email to your friend(s) and will not be saved. Please read our Privacy Policy
Pancakes for four without griddle gridlock? Impress family and friends with a puffy oven pancake that holds all the berries you want.
You can use your favorite fruit. Sliced peaches or a mixture of berries and peaches makes a tasty combo.
© 2015 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved


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Current Research
Neoinstitutional theory has become a popular explanatory tool for analysts seeking to understand the hows and whys of a wide variety of institutional changes in organizations like corporations, hospitals, and educational institutions. Evidence from prior research suggests that at least some of the time, such explanations are useful ways to understand curricular change--particularly for advanced and institutionalized disciplines. But when, exactly, are neoinstitutional explanations useful? What sorts of institutions are likely to serve as innovators, and what sort as imitators? What does the path of institutional isomorphism look like? I will answer these questions with a longitudinal study of higher education institutions that takes into account a variety of types of peer relationships to trace change over time and across the institutional field using network analysis techniques. In particular, I look at the emergence and spread of curricular programs in women's studies, Asian American studies, and queer/LGBT studies across North American undergraduate degree-granting colleges and universities. As of fall 2011, I am working on wrapping up data collection with a great team of undergraduate research assistants, who are helping me build a large-scale networked dataset.
I have begun preliminary analysis on a portion of this dataset while participating in a Coursera course on social network analysis. Preliminary datasets for this portion of the analysis are available in Gephi and SPSS formats.
Selected Publications/Presentations
"Who are the Insiders? Faculty and Students as Activists." Presented at the Thematic Session on Campus Activism at the Making Connections: Movements and Research in a Global Context" workshop of the American Sociological Association Section on Collective Behavior and Social Movements, University of Nevada Las Vegas, 2011.
"No Emperor Lives Here: Teaching about Racialization and Statelessness in the Context of the Japanese Internment Camps and Julie Otsuka's When the Emperor Was Divine. In the Open Books-Open Minds Faculty Teaching Guide, Rhode Island College, 2011.
"The Neglected Virtues of Comparative Historical Methods." In Zake and DeCesare, New Directions in Sociology: Essays on Theory and Methodology in the 21st Cenury, 2011, McFarland. For more information or to buy online, see the McFarland book profile.
"Change the World--Start at School." In Korgen, White, and White, Sociologists in Action, 2010, Pine Forge Press. For more information or to buy online, see the Pine Forge book profile.
"Reloading the Canon: The Timing of Diversification in American Literature Anthologies" with Adam Clark, Roger Clark, and Jennifer Racine. In Clark and Adler, An Invitation to Social Research, 2011, Thomson. For more information or to buy online, see the Cengage book profile.
"The Spectre of Class: Educating and Advising for Self-Efficacy," Issues in Teaching and Learning 6. Read online.
"Resurrecting Smelser: Collective Power, Generalized Beleif, and Hegemonic Spaces." Theory in Action 2:4, 2009. Abstract available.
"The Not-So-Invisible Hand: Understanding the Dynamics of Curricular Change in Higher Education." Presentation at the National Summer Data Policy Fellowship Program of the Association for Institutional Research, June 21-27, 2009. (The presentation PowerPoint is available).
"Thinking Outside the Master's House: New Knowledge Movements and the Emergence of Academic Disciplines." Social Movement Studies 8:1, 2009. (Available to subscribers from InformaWorld).
"Conflict, Controversy, and Collective Actionin the Collegiate Curriculum," Cornell University Institute for the Social Sciences Textbook Controversies Workshop, Feburary 8, 2008 (conference paper available).
"Social Movements in Organizations." Sociology Compass 2:3, 2008.
Prior Research
|Copyright 2009-2013 Mikaila Mariel Lemonik Arthur