Alexander Khaddouma, PhD, ABPP
On behalf of the American Board of Couple and Family Psychology (ABCFP), welcome!
The specialty of Couple and Family Psychology (CFP) utilizes a broad, systemic lens to understand psychological functioning. It looks beyond the individual to consider how intrapersonal, interpersonal, environmental, and macro-systemic factors influence psychological health.
Board certification represents the highest standard of professional practice for psychologists. It is highly valued across diverse healthcare sectors, including:
- Private and public hospitals
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military branches
- U.S. Public Health Service
- Leading academic institutions
- Healthcare systems and consumers seeking expert-level care
The Board recognizes that specialized CFP training is not readily available in every setting. Therefore, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their systemic competency through various avenues, such as graduate coursework, practica, internships, postgraduate training, postdoctoral fellowships or residencies, supervision, teaching, research, and publication.. See the CFP Education and Training Taxonomy for more information about opportunities for CFP specialization at each stage of your professional journey.
Whether you apply for board certification via the Standard or Senior Track, your evaluation will focus on your ability to apply systemic concepts to human behavior while maintaining a deep awareness of context, diversity, and ethics.
The Board is committed to a positive, collegial examination experience. Every applicant is offered the opportunity to work with a CFP mentor for guidance throughout the process. Practice samples are intended to showcase your work as a CFP professional. The oral examination is designed to highlight your strengths and expertise, covering ten foundational competencies and one functional competency of your choice.
Interested in becoming board certified?
We welcome your application and inquiries. If you have questions regarding your eligibility or the application process, please contact the ABCFP Board here.
Alexander Khaddouma, PhD, ABPP
President | American Board of Couple and Family Psychology