ABPP Certification in Rehabilitation Psychology

1. ABPP Certification in Rehabilitation Psychology www.abrp.org

2. In addition to these slides candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the ABRP website and review American Board of Professional Psychology, American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology Certification Guidelines and Procedures: Candidate’s Manual (2012) And “Examples of Successful Practice Samples” To access them go to: http://www.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3361 Under RELATED DOCUMENTS (right side of the page) click on: ABRP Candidates Manual Under REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY (bottom left side of the page) click on: Examples of Successful Practice Samples

3. ABRP Introductory Track Part I: The Advantages of ABPP Board Certification Application and Credential Review Using ABRP Mentoring Effectively Understanding and Identifying ABRP Competencies Lester Butt, Ph.D., ABPP (RP) Craig Hospital Denver, Colorado Stephen Wegener, Ph.D., ABPP (RP) Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland Michele Rusin, Ph.D., ABPP (RP) Private Practice Atlanta, Georgia Bruce Caplan, Ph.D., ABPP (RP) Private Practice Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

4. Disclaimers • This workshop is for informational purposes • Requirements can change over time • Written policies, procedures, and bylaws of ABPP and ABRP provide the foundation and parameters for our Board Certification process

5. Introductory Fact • ABPP established in 1947 with initial financial support from APA in the form of a loan

6. Overview of ABPP Board Certification: • Whereas the EPPP, required for state licensure, is generic assessment of psychological knowledge, it does not identify a specialty area nor competency within a specific practice domain • Therefore, APA Division membership is solely an expression of interest within a subject area • Board Certification, on the other hand, reflects consolidation of skills earned throughout one’s career, evidences a natural extension of professional development and demonstrates competence within one’s chosen specialty

7. Benefits of ABPP: Credibility • Nationally recognized credentialing body (vs. vanity boards) • Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology (CoS): given potential public confusion surrounding the variety of labels utilized for ‘Board Certification’ and activities of non-psychologists, CoS has addressed this issue; CoS recognizes the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) as the only national organization of specialty boards to certify specialists in professional psychology and urges psychologist who wish to pursue Board Certification to choose the ABPP pathway • Streamlining Licensure: approximately forty states have some degree of reciprocity

8. Benefits of ABPP: Credibility • Florida Legislation and Board of Psychology rules/regulations: ABPP recognized in its entirety, i.e. all specialties, as evidence of valid Board Certification • The Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) indicates that one necessary criterion for member programs is that the program director “…..has expertise in an area of postdoctoral training offered and has credentials of excellence such as the American Board of Professional Psychology diploma…” (2006) • Hospital Bylaws: Board Certification is increasingly an expectation for staff privileges analogous to physician guidelines

9. Benefits of ABPP: Credibility • Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB): accepts ABPP as evidence that the essential criteria for education, training, and experience have been met • IME and forensic considerations • CARF-accredited programs are aware of ABRP • Third party payers are aware of ABPP Board Certification • Most Health Care Providers consider board certification a minimum standard (2011- 85% of physicians were Board Certified in one or more specialties; versus 2007- only 5% of psychologists)

10. Benefits of ABPP: Credibility • Training Programs: • Encourage ABPP Board Certification • Board Certification is one of the goals of professional training with incorporation of specific areas of competency • Assists the field of Rehabilitation Psychology with recognition of a specialty within health care • Raises the bar for heightened consumer protection

11. Benefits of ABPP: Practitioner • Financial: • Department of Veterans Affairs: allows for a one step increase within a GS level with attainment of ABPP Board Certification • U.S. Department of Defense: ‘Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009’ • Given the need for competent and qualified psychologists with the U.S. Armed Forces, there is an accession bonus for ABPP Board Certification • Higher income potential (DVA, DoD, PHS, select academic settings) • Professional liability insurance 20% discount offered by some plans

12. Benefits of ABPP: Practitioner • General: • Heightened credibility with colleagues and referral sources • Distinguishing oneself from other psychologists within the job market • Improve employment possibilities and job security • Renew emphasis upon life-long learning and professional development • Affirmation of one’s professional identity

13. Benefits of ABPP: Practitioner • General: • ABPP Board Certification streamlines credentialing process within state licensing boards, insurance companies, professional practice networks and medical staff • As previously stated, Board Certification facilitates inter-jurisdictional licensure and practice mobility • Confirmation by respected colleagues/peers • Sense of personal achievement and satisfaction

14. Benefits of ABPP: Profession • Establishes standards for competence • Helps guide training models for mandated areas of competence • Increases breadth and depth of knowledge base, skills and attitudes of practitioners • Ensures intra-professional regulation • Allows for public recognition of Rehabilitation Psychology

15. Benefits of ABPP: Public • Reduces consumer confusion among practitioners • Protects consumers • Assures quality

16. 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

17. The ABRP Board of Directors thank you for your interest in Board Certification and wish you the very best of success

18. Overview of the ProcessStephen Wegener, Ph.D., ABPP • Application • ABPP Review • ABRP Review • Practice Sample Submission & Review • Oral Exam

19. Application Process: Part 1 Initial application is to ABPP Central Office Applications are available online at www.abpp.org

23. Communicating with ABRP Ellen Snoxell, Ph.D., ABPP (RP) Secretary, American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology EllenBSnoxell@gillettechildrens.com

24. Application Process: Part 1 • Initial application is to ABPP Central Office • ABPP Central Office verifies information • ABPP verifies licensure • ABPP Central Office may request additional information

25. Application Process: Part 2 • Specialty credentials review • Specialty = Rehabilitation Psychology • Specialty office may also request additional information

26. Basic Requirements: ABPP • A doctoral degree from a recognized program in psychology • Appropriate supervised experience and internship • Licensure or certification at the independent practice level as a doctoral-level psychologist in the state in which the applicant currently practices (note Federal exceptions) • Post-doctoral training which requires at least two years of supervised practice in the specialty, or one year of pre-doctoral and one year of post-doctoral supervision, or the successful completion of a recognized post-doctoral program in the applicant’s specialty

27. Basic Requirements: ABRP After general credentials are approved by ABPP Central Office, the ABRP Credentials Committee establishes the following specialty qualifications: Two years of supervised practice in Rehabilitation Psychology which can be satisfied by: • Two years of post-doctoral supervision, or • One year of pre-doctoral and one year of post-doctoral supervision, or • Completion of a recognized post-doctoral program in Rehabilitation Psychology

28. Basic Requirements: ABRP • Three years of experience in Rehabilitation Psychology, two of which must be supervised, which can be satisfied by: • Three years of clinical experience, one of which may be pre-doctoral internship with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Psychology, or • One or two years of pre- and/or post-doctoral experience and successful completion of a recognized post-doctoral program in Rehabilitation Psychology • Unique aspects of training/experience are always considered

29. Basic Requirements: ABRP • Two supervisor endorsements, at least one of which must attest to the candidate’s abilities as a Rehabilitation Psychologist • Two other professional endorsements, which must attest to the candidate’s abilities as a Rehabilitation Psychologist • Total of 4 endorsement forms (2 supervisor, 2 other)

30. Basic Requirements: ABRP Membership in professional organizations which have identifiable purposes and policies that are congruent with those of ABRP is desirable, but not required

31. Senior Application Process Requirements: • Applicant must first meet the ABPP general requirements (e.g., doctoral degree in psychology; license to practice psychology in one’s state independently) • Doctoral degree must have been received at least 15 years prior to application

32. Senior Application Process • The applicant must have had a recognized, distinguished career in the field of Rehabilitation Psychology. • Supervisor verification of training may be waived due to length of time since training and increased likelihood that supervisors may not be available.

33. Senior Application Process • Because senior candidates may have difficulty obtaining clinical practice cases, other evidence of competency in the specialty may be used (e.g., documentation of program development, articles, chapters, books, syllabi, supervising or consulting).

34. Senior Application Process Please note that the full oral examination (i.e., all 4 parts) is required in the ABRP senior process, and is identical to the oral examination for any candidate.

35. Outcome of Credentials Review • Specialty office will request additional information if needed. • Once credentials review is complete, the specialty office notifies ABPP Central Office of the outcome. • ABPP Central notifies candidate.

36. Communicating with the Specialty Office • Initial contact with specialty office is typically after ABPP credentials review • Ongoing contact is mostly with specialty office until after the oral exam • Practice sample process • Scheduling and notification of oral examination

37. Assignment / Selection of MentorMichele Rusin, Ph.D., ABPP • Candidate may choose a mentor (in collaboration with the ABRP Mentor Chair), or a mentor can be assigned • Mentorship is voluntary, but is highly advisable

38. ABPP and ABRP Competencies2 Competency TypesBruce Caplan, Ph.D., ABPP • Foundational Competencies • Required for all ABPP Board Certifications • Reflect skills in establishing and maintaining professional relationships • Functional Competencies • Reflect skills that meet the specific needs of persons with disabilities and their families

39. ABPP Foundational Competencies • Interpersonal Interactions • Individual and Cultural Diversity • Ethical and Legal Foundations • Professional Identification

40. ABPP Foundational Competencies Interpersonal Interactions • Sensitivity to welfare, rights and dignity of others • Capacity to empathically relate to clients and team members to enhance effectiveness of service delivery • Awareness of effect of personal interactions on others • Maintaining appropriate boundaries

41. ABPP Foundational Competencies Individual and Cultural Diversity • Awareness of diversity and multicultural factors as relates to disability • Awareness of interaction between one’s own diversity characteristics and functioning as a Rehabilitation Psychologist

42. ABPP Foundational Competencies Ethical and Legal Foundations • APA Ethical Principles and Practice • Current statutory and state laws applicable to practice of Rehabilitation Psychology • Issues related to patient confidentiality (e.g., HIPPA)

43. ABPP Foundational Competencies Professional Development • Participation in professional activities relevant to Rehabilitation Psychology • Awareness of current issues facing the profession • Seeks and utilizes consultation/supervision • Pursues continuing professional education for licensing and professional development in the field of Rehabilitation Psychology in last 2 years.

44. ABRP Functional Competencies • These competencies define Rehabilitation Psychology • These must be kept in mind when applying, when selecting case material for the practice sample, when writing up the practice sample, and when preparing and taking the oral exam. • Required competencies are exactly that - required. There are multiple ways, however, to demonstrate competencies. • The competencies discussed today apply to applicants effective January 1, 2011

45. ABRP Functional Competencies • Scientific Base and Application • Assessment • Intervention • Consultation • Consumer Protection

46. ABRP Competencies Scientific Base and Application • Knowledge of theory and research (T&R) that informs practice • Ability to critically evaluate T&R in Rehabilitation Psychology • Coherent explanation of candidate’s approach to their practice based on T&R • Awareness of T&R on interpersonal interactions, diversity (esp. disability status), professional identification and ethics.

47. ABRP Competencies Assessment • Adjustment to Disability: Patient • Adjustment to Disability: Family • Extent and nature of disability and preserved abilities • Educational and vocational capacities • Personality and emotional functioning • Cognitive abilities • Decision making capacity • Sexual functioning • Pain • Substance use/abuse identification • Social and behavioral functioning

48. ABRP CompetenciesINTERVENTION • Individual therapeutic interventions as related to adjustment to disability • Family/couples therapeutic interventions as related to adjustment to disability • Behavioral management • Sexual counseling with individuals and partners who have disabilities

49. ABRP Competencies Consultation • Behavioral functioning improvement • Cognitive functioning • Vocational and/or educational considerations • Personality / emotional factors • Substance abuse identification and management • Sexual functioning and disability

50. ABRP Competencies Consumer Protection • Laws related to and including ADA • Awareness and sensitivity to multicultural and diversity factors