Kathleen T. Bechtold, PhD, ABPP
Welcome! Your interest in highlighting your specialty expertise in Rehabilitation Psychology demonstrates your commitment to the field and the service of people with disabilities. As psychologists who practice in this specialty area, we serve people across the lifespan who have been affected by injury, illness or a chronic condition that leads to disability. Our goal as rehabilitation psychologists is to help individuals with a congenital or acquired disability maximize health, emotional well-being, self-reliance, and meaningful life engagement. We work in a variety of settings, including acute care hospitals, rehabilitation centers, psychiatric facilities, outpatient facilities, nursing homes, specialty clinics, private practice offices, academic institutions, prisons, and other forensic settings, and within community agencies that advocate for individuals with disabilities. We provide clinical services, develop clinical programs, conduct research, and teach and train the next generation of rehabilitation psychologists.
There are numerous benefits to obtaining Board Certification in Rehabilitation Psychology. The American Board of Professional Psychology has a long history, and the ABPP certification is a nationally recognized credential. Having Board Certification will not only provide clarification about your professional identity but will classify you as a specialist in the field. There is financial value to being Board Certified as many institutions provide bonuses or pay increases to psychologists who are certified as specialists in a particular area of practice. Ever increasing is the endorsement of having Board certification in a specialty area of practice in order to be employed in certain institutions, facilities, and practices. Board Certification can assist with the mobility of licensure between jurisdictions. Board Certified psychologists are members of a community who provide support for one another in professional pursuits. You will have access to networking opportunities for referrals, consultations, and collaborations.
The American Board of Professional Psychology serves the public by promoting the provision of quality psychological services through the examination and certification of professional psychologists engaged in specialty practice. Your pursuit of Board Certification in Rehabilitation Psychology demonstrates your commitment to providing quality psychological services and promoting the specialty of Rehabilitation Psychology. The Board Certification evaluation process is designed to provide you with the opportunity to showcase your specialty knowledge and how you apply that knowledge in your day-to-day professional life. Across the process, you will highlight your background, training, and
experiences in Rehabilitation Psychology practice and describe your specialty knowledge and application in foundational and functional areas, including assessment, intervention, consultation, advocacy, and consumer protection. If you have any questions about the Board Certification process, do not hesitate to contact any Board member. Additionally, once you have had your credentials, background training, and experiences endorsed, you can be assigned a mentor through the Academy of Rehabilitation Psychology to guide you through each step of the process.
We look forward to you joining us in our community of Board-Certified specialists in the practice of Rehabilitation Psychology!
Sincerely,
Kathleen T. Bechtold, PhD, ABPP
President, American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology