CRSPPP 1998 Annual Report

• CRSPPP reviews petitions to APA for the recognition and continued recognition of specialties and proficiencies in professional psychology.
• CRSPPP consults with external groups having a shared interest in issues associated with recognition, accreditation, and credentialing in professional psychology.
• CRSPPP has a responsibility to encourage public communications about the APA specialty and proficiency recognition process and actions taken by the Association in this regard.
• CRSPPP reports periodically to the APA Council and the membership about the changing landscape of professional psychology and the evolution of areas of practice in psychology.
• CRSPPP maintains archival descriptions of specialties and proficiencies in the public interest.

Since its establishment in February 1995, CRSPPP recommended and the APA Council recognized the following new specialties in professional psychology:

1. Clinical Neuropsychology
2. Clinical Health Psychology
3. Psychoanalytic Psychology
4. Clinical Child Psychology

In addition, CRSPPP recommended and the APA Council affirmed the continued recognition of the following specialties in professional psychology:

5. Clinical Psychology
6. School Psychology

CRSPPP recommended and the APA Council recognized the following proficiencies in professional psychology:

1. Biofeedback: Applied Psychophysiology
2. Clinical Geropsychology

CRSPPP archived descriptions of the six specialties and two proficiencies (named above) as well as descriptions for the currently recognized specialties of Counseling and Industrial/Organizational Psychology, all of which have been affirmed by Council.

CRSPPP contributed to resolution of the problem associated with use of the term "clinical" in specialty and proficiency titles through consultation with the Presidential Task Force appointed to address this issue at the request of Council.

CRSPPP has taken every opportunity to facilitate open and public communications with various constituencies about the specialty and proficiency recognition process though the following means:

1. Written communications and consultation with petitioning organizations and those submitting public comment on petitions
2. Presentations at the consolidated board meetings
3. Participation in the Division Leadership Conference
4. Sponsorship of APA convention presentations including an open forum and a workshop on preparing petitions for recognition of specialties and proficiencies in professional psychology
5. Preparation of written announcements published in the APA Monitor and press releases
6. Initiated plans for a CRSPPP web site

As part of a package of financial cutbacks recommended for 1999, meetings for CRSPPP will be suspended for one year, with other activities attenuated. CRSPPP will continue its work through the use of e-mail, faxes, and telephone conference calls as the need arises. CRSPPP has been informed about the possibility that a number of organizations in psychology may complete and submit petitions for recognition of specialties or proficiencies. Should this be the case in 1999, staff will conduct the administrative review and initiate the public comment in order for CRSPPP to consider such petitions at the earliest possible time allowed by budget.