American Board of Professional Psychology ABPP Board Certification

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP): Board Certification Culture in Academic and Training Settings Nadine J. Kaslow, Ph. D, ABPP Past-President, ABPP nkaslow@emory. edu Greg Lee, Ph. D, ABPP President, ABPP glee@georgiahealth. edu

? ? ? If your primary care doc said “You need to see a Cardiologist, ” would you want to see a Board Certified Cardiologist or a Non-Board Certified Cardiologist? Answer: X Board Certified Cardiologist ____ Non-Board Certified Cardiologist

? ? ? If your primary care doc said “You need to see a Psychologist, ” would you want to see a Board Certified Psychologist or a Non-Board Certified Psychologist? Answer: X Board Certified Psychologist ____ Non-Board Certified Psychologist

The Credentialing Continuum Accredite d Doctoral Program Accredite d Internshi p Postdoctoral Residenc y (optional) Licensed by State or Province Identified as Health Service Provider ? Board Certified in Area of Specialty Practice

Specialty Certification in Psychology § § A specialty is a defined area in the practice of psychology that connotes specialty competency acquired through an organized sequence of formal education, training, and experience The practice activities in any specialty seldom are exclusive to the specialty and most practice activities are shared with the general practice of professional psychology

Specialty Certification in Psychology § The pattern of practice activities, including limiting the scope of practice, and focusing upon more complex or unique problems or technologies is more relevant in defining a specialty together with advanced education, training, and experience

Why is Certification Necessary and Essential in Psychology? § § § The exponential growth of psychological knowledge leaves no alternative but specialization Our work environments impel us to specialize Our professional context reinforces the need for specialization

Why is Certification Necessary and Essential in Psychology? § § The generic nature of psychology licensing in North America presumes additional professional selfregulation of specialty practice Most important, protecting the public from charlatans and the ill-prepared requires personal and professional self-regulation

What is ABPP • • A non-profit, unitary • governing body Coordinates 14 affiliated psychology specialty examining boards • Certifies psychologists competent to deliver high quality services in specialty areas of psychology Recognizes new • specialties and subspecialties Requires self-study and comprehensive periodic site review of its member boards Conducts exams and certifies specialists in accordance with established professional standards, policies, and procedures Lists and verifies board certified specialists in its public directory

ABPP Mission Statement • The mission of ABPP is to increase consumer protection through the examination and certification of psychologists who demonstrate competence in approved specialty areas in professional psychology

Value of ABPP § § Board Certification by ABPP provides peer and public recognition of demonstrated competence in an approved specialty area in professional psychology In addition, ABPP board certification provides the professional with increased opportunities for career growth, including employability, mobility, and financial compensation

Recognized Specialties in ABPP 2012 • Clinical Child and Adolescent • Clinical Health • Clinical Neuropsychology • Cognitive and Behavioral • Counseling • • Couples and Family Forensic Group Organization and Business Police and Public Safety Psychoanalysis Rehabilitation School

Benefits of Board Certification • What’s in it for you as a psychologist?

Benefits of Board Certification • Practitioner § Increase pay potential – Enhance job satisfaction – Distinguish you from other psychologists in the job market – Improve job security and employability – Renew emphasis on life-long learning and professional development – Affirm your professional identity

Benefits of Board Certification § Practitioner – Increase interaction with outstanding and distinguished psychologists – Experience greater credibility in eye of colleagues and referral sources – Gain more prestige in the profession – Strengthen potential for meaningful contributions to the profession

Benefits of Board Certification • Practitioner – Streamline credentialing process at state licensing boards, insurance companies, professional practice networks, and medical staff – Facilitate inter-jurisdictional license and practice mobility

Benefits of Board Certification § Profession – Set standards for competence – Guide uniform training models for competence – Increase breadth and depth of knowledge base, skills, and attitudes of practitioners – Ensure intra-professional regulation – Allow for public recognition of a brand name

Benefits of Board Certification § Public § Protect consumers § Assure quality § Reduce confusion § Increase likelihood of being viewed by consumers, professionals, employers, insurers, credentialing organizations, legal systems, and licensing boards as the most competent

10 Reasons to Specialize in the Current Healthcare Climate § Consumers want it § Healthcare systems expect it § Policy calls for it § Quality improvement programs demand it § Pay is linked to quality

10 Reasons to Specialize in the Current Healthcare Climate § The workforce needs us § Integrated health care teams respect us § Health care homes have a place for us § Parity is in our favor § Access for all in need for all of services

Competency-Based Approach § The competencies are categorized into foundational and functional competencies that are applicable to ALL specialties and specialty practice

Competency-Based Approach § The foundational and functional competencies constructs are applicable to all specialties and specialty practice § They run throughout the ABPP board certification process

ABPP Specialty Certification

Which Board Do I Get Certified In? § What is your primary self-identification § How do you want others to see you

Application Process § Generic application § Specialty application § CV, Professional Statement § Work Sample § Written Exam (Forensics, Clinical Neuropsychology) § Oral Exam

Senior Psychologist Option § Many, but not all, of the specialty boards have a senior option for individuals who have met the degree, internship, and postdoctoral criterion, AND have 15 years or more of postdoctoral experience following licensure § Senior option typically does not require the work sample, but requires all other elements of the application process

Early Entry Program § ABPP Early Entry Option Value Statement § In addition to saving $100 on the application fee, participation in the Early Entry Program demonstrates an early commitment to lifelong professional development and identification with a specialized area of practice in professional psychology § Graduate students, interns, and residents are eligible to start the board certification process through the ABPP Early Entry Program

Early Entry Program § Here’s how it works § § Complete an application and submit the $25 fee Option about whether or not to identify a specialty Access mentoring early on to facilitate progress Submit credentials as complete each phase of training § Training programs can pay the application fee for their students § Recommend seminars on board certification that include individuals who are board certified

Quote From a Recent Candidate “I can unequivocally state that it was a very enriching process. . . The process provides you with a sense of validation by your peers and helps the public clearly identify who has met the requirements of certification. . . When I finished I did not feel like I had passed one test—I felt I had completed a comprehensive process designed to assess my competence. There were anxieties along the way– “what if I fail”—but then I decided I would just take what I learned and build on it to improve myself. I highly suggest going for the boards. ”. . . Dominic A. Carone, Ph. D, ABPP (recent ABCN board-certified specialist)

“Take-Home Message

The “Take Home” Message § As specialization becomes more defined and as the field continues to expand, board certification may not only be necessary but may be imperative as a way to defined advanced qualifications and standards of excellence § Board Certification is important to protect the public and promote the profession of psychology § In this evolving health care climate, specialization has considerable value and may increasingly become an expectation

The “Take Home” Message § ABPP is a gold standard for board certification in psychology § ABPP will continue to be at the forefront of specialty competency board certification in professional psychology

The “Take Home” Message § ABPP is a large umbrella for psychology specialty § ABPP subspecialties offer exciting new opportunities for current ABPP Boards

The Expected…not the Exceptional It is not the exceptional specialist who should be board certified, but the specialist who is not board certified who should be the exception Russ Bent, Ph. D, ABPP

ABPP Resources • American Board of Professional Psychology – www. abpp. org – Nezu, Finch, and Simon (Eds. ) (2009), Becoming board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology. New York: Oxford. – Nezu and Nezu Oxford book series

Closing § Contact: Nadine Kaslow, Ph. D. , ABPP (nkaslow@emory. edu) with questions § Good luck and enjoy the process!!! American Board of Professional Psychology 600 Market Street Suite 300 Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 537 -8031 Voice (919) 537 -8034 Fax