Mission
The mission of the OPA Prevention and Wellness Program seeks to support Ohio psychologists and OPA members to engage in healthy lifestyle choices that will protect, promote and maintain our physical, emotional, spiritual health and well-being. We seek to help prevent impairment in our professional functioning, through providing educational workshops, self-help columns in OPA publications, and when necessary, we will also provide assistance in accessing services to restore professional functioning and to protect client welfare through referral to a network of providers.
Philosophy and Purpose
The OPA PWP is based on principles of self-care, prevention, early intervention and psychological care to Ohio psychologists. We seek to create a climate which normalizes self-care and help-seeking behaviors. Our goal is to promote wellness and utilizing coping mechanisms to deal with stressful situations in and out of work. Furthermore, the OPA PWP hopes to help impaired psychologists by referring them to providers for treatment.
History
In 2006, the Ethics Committee of the Ohio Psychological Association formed a subcommittee to investigate the feasibility of a Colleague Assistance Program for Ohio Psychologists. Subcommittee members were chosen and Michael Schafer, PhD was appointed chair. The Ohio CAP subcommittee has consulted with APA, other state CAPs, the State Board of Psychology, and the Ethics Committee in development of this program. A formal proposal to establish a CAP for psychologists was submitted to and approved by the OPA Board in 2010. In 2019, the Colleague Assistance Program, chaired by Howard Fradkin, PhD, was renamed the Prevention and Wellness Program.
Description
The OPA Prevention and Wellness Program provides Ohio psychologists with assistance in accessing needed services in order to restore optimal professional functioning and to eliminate risk to the general public. OPA-PWP also provides educational programs and articles/resources about self care and recognition of problems before impairment occurs.
The OPA-PWP program will serve as a clearinghouse of information as opposed to a direct provider of services. Services provided include education, prevention activities, resources, and referrals. Psychologists seeking assistance, who contact the program, are referred to a network provider for ongoing care.
The OPA-PWP program will serve Ohio licensed Psychologists who are voluntarily referred or self-referred, regardless of their membership in the OPA.
The OPA-PWP committee has developed a list of approved “OPA-PWP network providers”. These providers are licensed psychologists who hold an unrestricted license to practice Psychology in Ohio, maintain current malpractice coverage, have completed the OPA-PWP training, and agree to adhere to policies and procedures of OPA-PWP. The Ohio Psychological Association, Ethics Committee, and PWP subcommittee do not endorse network providers nor guarantee the outcome of PWP services.
Confidentiality and “Safe Passage”
We understand that psychologists will feel more comfortable seeking early intervention if they know their request will be kept confidential. You may seek a referral for any type of challenges you are facing personally or professionally, even if the presenting problem is a violation of APA ethical standards or Ohio Board of Psychology rules regarding professional conduct. In order to assure confidentiality, an interested party can call OPA and make a request for a referral. No information about the reason for your need for help should be communicated to OPA, and OPA staff members will not seek such information. OPA will connect you with the Prevention and Wellness Program Chair or Committee Member. The PWP representative will ask only general questions about your need for help and then work to provide an appropriate referral. Once you become a client, you will then be eligible for the confidentiality protections afforded to any consumer of psychological services. These protections are spelled out in Ohio Administrative Code 4732-17-01 (G)(2). These include keeping confidential any violations of APA ethical standards or Ohio Board of Psychology rules regarding professional conduct. However, mandatory reporting requirements pertaining to the abuse of children or vulnerable adults would still apply.
Read articles published by OPA's Prevention and Wellness Program Committee.
Procedure to Request Assistance
Interested psychologists may contact the OPA office at 614-224-0034 to request a referral to PWP Provider Network; no additional information is needed. They will connect with a member of PWP who will contact you and take some basic information about your request, and work to connect you with a member of our provider network as quickly as possible.
OPA PWP Approved Network Providers
Applications are being solicited and reviewed. As network providers are approved, their contact information will be noted below.
Cost
The fee structure for visits will be negotiated between the client and the provider.
What Does the Law Say?
Licensing Laws which address self care and/or impairment
Interested in becoming a OPA-PWP network provider?
The OPA-PWP maintains a network of licensed Ohio psychologists who agree to accept at least one new referral per year. An OPA-PWP network provider agrees to abide by all policies and procedures promulgated by the subcommittee, including requirements for provider eligibility and participation in ongoing continuing education. Providers warrant that all work will be consistent with the highest ethical and professional practice standards and with pertinent laws and regulations.
Eligibility Requirements
- Acceptance as Network Provider:
- Maintenance of status as Network Provider:
- Current unrestricted license to practice psychology in Ohio
- Current malpractice coverage
- Submission of required reports to OPA-CAP on a timely basis
- Adherence to Ohio CAP policies and procedures
- Attendance at annual meeting of OPA-CAP providers (conference call participation acceptable)
Please fill out the Network Provider Application, Referral Network Provider Agreement, and Provider Professional Reference Release of Information. Submit completed forms to:
OPA-PWP Dustin McKee, OPA Executive Director 395 East Broad Street, Suite 310 Columbus, Ohio 43215
The professionals you have provided as references will receive the appropriate forms to complete.
If accepted as a PWP Network Provider, you will be contacted by a member of the OPA-PWP committee regarding training information. Questions can be directed to OPA at 614-224-0234.
Resources
Disclaimer
The OPA-PWP lists licensed psychologists in Ohio who are OPA members, who have completed three hours of specialized training concerning colleague assistance, and have met the minimum requirements of the OPA-PWP provider determination process. OPA does not warrant the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information contained in the OPA-PWP provider determination. OPA does not endorse or rate any of the psychologists listed. You should verify any information with the psychologist’s office and make a determination as to whether a particular psychologist is appropriate for you.
Ohio PWP Sub-Committee Members
Jennifer Duncan, PsyD | Chair
Shalonda Brooks, PhD
Howard Fradkin, PhD
Joseph A. Grochowski PsyD MDiv
Cathy McDaniels Wilson, PhD
Emily Minarchek, PhD
Carl Tishler, PhD, ABPP
Staff: Dustin McKee
New committee members are always welcome. If you are interested in learning more about this committees, please contact the OPA office at 614.224.0034.
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