FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2009
Contact: Andrew Boucher
Phone: 202-783-7663
Email: andrew@nationalregister.org

TEXAS LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST DENNIS R. COMBS, PHD RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

August 10, 2009. Washington, D.C. - The National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (National Register) Board of Directors today announced the winner of its award for early career psychologists. Dennis R. Combs, PhD of Tyler, TX, was named winner of the 2009 Judy E. Hall, PhD Early Career Psychologist Award. The award is named for the National Register's current Executive Officer, Judy E. Hall, PhD, and recognizes excellence in a nationally credentialed psychologist with less than ten years of postdoctoral experience.

According to Dr. Hall, "The National Register Board of Directors was particularly impressed with Dr. Combs's establishment of the Psychotic Disorder Research Laboratory to facilitate research and training in schizophrenia. We also strongly congratulate his efforts to coordinate pro bono psychological services in a community-based outpatient clinic. The Board was delighted to present this prestigious award to such a deserving early career psychologist."

Dr. Combs plans to use the funds from the Judy E. Hall ECP Award to support his pro bono treatment of lower income persons with schizophrenia, biopolar disorder and major depression. Dr. Combs said, “I am dedicated to conducting treatment research to improve the lives of persons with these conditions.” The funds will allow him, “to purchase much needed tests and equipment to continue our services. The funds will also be used to expand our testing services and allow students and staff to work complete reports in the office instead of at home.”

Dr. Combs received his PhD in clinical psychology in 2002 from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at The University of Texas at Tyler. Dr. Combs has been credentialed by the National Register since 2007.

About The National Register

The National Register is the largest credentialing organization for psychologists. The independent, non-profit organization was created in 1974 with the help of the American Psychological Association and the American Board of Professional Psychology. Today, the National Register is the leading source of information on nationally credentialed psychologists in health care. Psychologists who are awarded national registrant status have achieved the highest educational and professional standards in health care. Early career psychologists can accumulate the necessary credentials during their training so that when they apply for a license to practice, they also are ready to become registrants of the National Register. It is the only independent, credentialing body with a national level standard for verifying education and training qualifications, licensing, and ethical standards with more than 12,000 doctoral level psychologists in its database. The National Register is relied upon by the health care industry, state and provincial licensing boards, and consumers. National Register also provides this valuable information to consumers as a free referral service to top quality psychologists at www.findapsychologist.org.

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