Bianca Brooks, PhD, ABPP
Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
Q. What motivated you to become board certified in clinical child/pediatric psychology?
A. I pursued board certification to further my own professional development as a specialist in child and adolescent care. Particularly given my current role at Marcus Autism Center, I wanted to formally acknowledge my training and expertise in working with children with autism.
Q. What advice would you give candidates in pursuing board certification in clinical child/pediatric psychology?
A. I encourage candidates to use the process to reflect and remind themselves about their original purpose of becoming a child psychologist. Many of us wanted to become psychologists due to our inquisitive natures, and it is so exciting that we get to work in a field that reminds us of the importance of self-reflection and continued professional development. I also highly recommend talking with a mentor or a colleague who has recently completed the process for extra guidance and support.
Q. Do you think obtaining your Board Certification in Clinical Child/Pediatric Psychology has influenced your professional work/how?
A. Yes! Through the board certification process, I received the wonderful opportunity to not only reflect on my path as a clinician, but to also outline the next phase of my career. Board certification was also a wonderful way for me to formally acknowledge my values as a professional and solidify my specialty in providing autism specific assessments.
Q. How do you advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion as a ABCCAP Specialist?
A. Advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion has always been integral to my professional identity. After becoming board certified, I have made efforts to talk to other colleagues from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds regarding the numerous benefits of pursuing board certification. Representation is so important from a professional and clinical standpoint, and it is critical that clients from all backgrounds have opportunities to work with providers that can certify their competency within the specialty.