Specialty Specific Requirements

Applicants for certification in Couple and Family Psychology (CFP) may apply through one of two tracks, Standard Preparation or Senior Track. Each applicant is evaluated according to the requirements of the category in which she or he applies by a current Board member; any variance from the requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the applicant believes she or he is qualified but does not meet the requirements, they are urged to request an individualize review of their history.

Standard Preparation for Eligibility in CFP
The Board recognizes that obtaining training in CFP is not readily available in many settings. Therefore, training often occurs through variegated methods. Education and training is often circuitous and this fact can be reflected in the applicant’s materials.

• An earned doctoral degree in professional psychology (e.g., clinical, counseling, or school) that meets the ABPP generic requirements.
• Completion of an APA or CPA accredited internship or an APPIC or CAPIC approved internship (exceptions may be granted).
• Completion of a post-doctoral residency or one year postdoctoral practice supervised by a licensed psychologist.  A minimum of one hour a week of individual supervision for 48 weeks is mandatory. 

Specialty specific education and training can be demonstrated through the following experiences:

• An internship with a CFP track or rotation
• One or more graduate courses and/or practica in CFP
• 25 hours of didactic CFP (CEs) training post-graduation (these webinars will satisfy many of the hours of this requirement): https://www.sfrankelgroup.com/all-courses/cfp-div43-courses/
• 25 hours or more of supervision by a Board Certified CFP
• 25 hours or more of supervision by an experienced couple and family clinician (with details provided to Board)
• Teaching CFP courses at the undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral levels
• Research and publication of CFP theory and application
• 40 or more hours of supervision of CFP graduate and postdoctoral students
• Highly favorable letters of recommendation from two supervisors or colleagues
• A post-doctoral residency or one year of postdoctoral practice with 30% to 50% of service delivery in CFP, supervised by a licensed psychologist or board certified CFP.

The APA Division 43 Board, along with the American Board of Couple and Family Psychology, launched a new CE series through the Steve Frankel Group. This series is meant to support the knowledge areas required when applying for ABPP in the Couple and Family specialty or for an introduction to conducting couple and family therapy.  The videos are created by some of the leading Couple and Family Psychologist scholars and include the following knowledge areas: 

• How Systemic thinking Informs Couple and Family Therapy, Thomas Sexton, Ph.D., ABPP and Mark Stanton, Ph.D., ABPP
• Ethical Challenges in Couple and Family Psychology, Gerald Koocher, Ph.D., ABPP
• Assessing Couple Distress: The Four Session Evaluation, Anthony Chambers, Ph.D., ABPP
• Working with Stepfamilies, Scott Browning, Ph.D., ABPP
• Couples Therapy with Interracial and African Americans, Anthony Chambers, Ph.D., ABPP
• Assessment of Families with Child and Adolescent Presenting Problems, Cindy Carlson, Ph.D., ABPP
• Integrative Behavior Therapy, QuaVaundra Perry, Ph.D., ABPP

By clicking on this link, you can register for any of the video courses and receive CEs.