Expert: Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist - 12/30/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Juriaan,

I was searching for some info on drug use and found this site which is really interesting.  I am a psych student in Qld and we recently had an ethics lecture which was really interesting.  I was a bit confused about what a nutritional psychologist was and thought I would check your details with the NSW psych reg board (because you said you were in NSW and when I googled your name something came up about NSW).  I couldn't find you though.  Then I looked on the APS and also couldn't see you listed.  Our lecturer was really full on about not saying you are a psych if not you are not registered as one, and I think some of your stuff is a bit whacky.  I am open to being corrected if you are indeed a registered psychologist.  Could you let me know where you are registered?  

I am happy to stand corrected if you are registered as a psychologist somewhere ...

Regards,

Philip (who by the way does use drugs from time to time, but thinks that drug use is much more complex than low blood sugar)

PS.  I am not, by any means, saying that you have really good intentions in your work, and it seems that people really value your advice.


ANSWER: Hi Philip,

You are right I am not a registered Clinical Psychologist, nor do I want to be. I don't want to be associated with Clinical Psychology. Clinical psychology is a completely different area of psychology. Most Clinical psychologists appear to have no clues about the connection between nutrition and human behaviour. You need to be trained in  Nutritional Biochemistry to be able to understand the principles of Psychonutritional therapy. I have explained some of this in articles at our web site. See for instance:

Assumptions in Psychotherapy at:
http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/psychotherapy/assumptions.html

My profile is at:

My profile at:
http://curezone.com/m/profile.asp?un=jurplesman

It is my hope that in future psychologists are going to be trained in Nutritional Biochemistry in addition to conventional psychology and take an independent stand against drug-pushing psychiatrists. Future, psychologists may have to work with Nutritional Doctors, rather than with psychiatrists.

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychologist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jurriaan,

I think you misunderstood my question.  I didn't assume you were a clinical psych.  I was just saying that it is illegal to state you are a "psychologist" - any kind of psychologist,when you are not.  As far as I know, it is a reasonably serious offence.  If you are a psychologist (of whatever persuation, nutrician, org, sports, etc) you HAVE to be registered with a state body in Australia.  Are you registered as a psychologist with a state body?  If not, take the word "psychologist" off your listing.  
Philip


Answer
I am not a Clinical Psychologist but a Nutritional Psychologist. I am not aware that this is an offence. I wonder what your interest is in this matter. My qualifications are clear to anybody. I can understand that some "psychologists" view me as dangerous competition. What do they have to fear?

It  is my hope that ALL psychologists will include psychonutritional medicine in their curriculum, to make the art of Clinical Psychology more effective. At present, the success rate of psychiatric and psychological counselling leaves about 60% of patients with mood disorders with "treatment resistant  depression"  This is because present Mental Health Services are in denial about Nutritional Influences on Mental Health.( See book by that title by Dr. MR Werbach) See:

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/research_hypoglycemia.html#SSRIs

_______________________________________________
Jurriaan Plesman, Nutritional Psychotherapist
Hon. Editor of
The Hypoglycemic Health Association of Australia.
www.hypoglycemia.asn.au
Author of "Getting off the Hook"
Freely available at Google Book Search
Skype: jurplesman