Commission for Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP) 2001 Annual Report

Current membership of CRSPPP for 2002: Arthur Kovacs (Chair), Elena Eisman, Raymond Folen, Patricia Hollander (Public Member), John Linton, Lisa Porche-Burke, Lynn Rehm, Reuben Silver, Reiko True, Laura Barbanel (Board of Directors Liaison).

The following activities were conducted in 2001:

CRSPPP held its annual meeting, April 27-29, 2001, where it acted upon a petition for recognition of a proficiency in Psychopharmacology and petitions for recognition of specialties in Forensic and Family Psychology. In addition, CRSPPP reviewed a petition for the continued recognition of the Psychological Treatment of Alcohol and other Psychoactive Substance Disorders as a proficiency. CRSPPP forwarded to the Board of Directors and the Council of Representatives motions to formally confirm the recognition of a proficiency in Psychopharmacology, and specialties in Forensic Psychology and Family Psychology. A motion for the continued recognition of the Psychological Treatment of Alcohol and Other Psychoactive Substance Disorders as a proficiency was also forwarded to the Board of Directors and the Council of Representatives. Actions taken by Council supported CRSPPP recommendations.

Petitions were received for recognition by APA of proficiencies in Serious Mental Illness: Systems, Services, and Interventions, and Sport Psychology. A petition was also received for continued recognition of the specialty in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. The period for public comment of the petitions began on January 1, 2002.

CRSPPP representatives participated in January and September 2001 meetings of the Council of Credentialing Organizations in Professional Psychology (CCOPP). Discussions focused on the core principles that define specialties, definitions of terms and criteria related to specialties, marketplace issues, standards of preparation and practice, accreditation of specialty programs and the certification of individuals in specialties.

Throughout 2001, CRSPPP reflected on the current archival descriptions of the specialties and proficiencies. CRSPPP members are currently in the process of reviewing the descriptions and conferring with representatives of the various specialties and proficiencies in an effort to rewrite the current archival descriptions so as to be more meaningful to the general public.

A draft self-study document was presented to CRSPPP members in 2001 that reviewed the first five years of experience of CRSPPP. Based on recommendations of the self-study paper, a draft document was developed that reflected a revision of the current operating procedures of CRSPPP, a document currently available for public comment

Dr. Arthur Kovacs was elected to begin an additional term as Chair of CRSPPP in 2002.