Psychologist plans rural outreach
Reprinted with permission of
The Herald Journal
By Kim Burgess
Published:
Sunday, July 26, 2009 3:03 AM CDT
A Utah State University psychologist was recently appointed president of the Utah Psychological Association, a position he'll use to strengthen mental health services in rural areas.
Robert Cook, coordinator of Clinical Services at the Center for Persons with Disabilities and also coordinator of the center's Bear River Activity and Skills program, began his term with UPA on July 1.
The UPA is a professional organization of psychologists, educators and students that offers support and information and encourages legislative action.
To help improve psychology offerings outside the Wasatch Front, he plans to offer UPA conferences and workshops to professionals through video streaming and other distance education technology.
"Seeing how the CPD tries to reach out through things such as virtual home visits helps me to understand what we need to do with the Utah Psychological Association in order to be successful," Cook said.
People with psychological needs can have a hard time accessing services if they live in small towns. Obtaining services often requires a long drive to see a professional. Sometimes, even if local professionals are available, they are not on insurance companies' lists of preferred providers.
"They feel very isolated," said Teresa Bruce, UPA's executive director.
Bruce noted that Cook has already helped by ensuring a slot on the UPA board for a rural member.
She also praised Cook's dedication to service.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Cook volunteered to assist 700 evacuees from the New Orleans area who found shelter at Camp Williams, a National Guard training site south of Salt Lake City.
"Obviously, there was a great need for psychologists to be on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Bruce said. "Robert was always there."
