AACBP

Welcome to the Main Information Page for the AACBP. The organization is devoted to the advancement of the psychological specialty of Cognitive-Behavioral psychology in general and board certification (diplomate) in that specialty in particular. Here you will learn about the specialty, how to obtain specialty certification through the American Board of Professional Psychology if you are a psychologist, and how to select a qualified psychologist in the specialty if you are a member of the public. You can also access the websites of other related psychological organizations.

What makes a Cognitive-Behavioral Psychologist different from other psychological practitioners? The answer is that Cognitive-Behavioral Psychologists focus on  and modify what people do and how they think, and thereby help clients and patients manage their emotions. They rely on empirically supported treatment methods to craft interventions for the problems facing those who seek psychological treatment. The hallmarks of Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology are the development of a treatment plan, use of behavioral methods in treatment, the use of collaborative work with the patient, and setting of an agenda for each psychotherapy session. Usually, Cognitive-Behavioral Psychologists employ different ways to collect information on the state of the problem at the beginning of the treatment, and then monitor the effectiveness of the treatment by ongoing assessment of that information throughout the course of treatment. Ultimately, the goal of Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology is to help build the patient's capacities to cope with life without the continuous help of the psychologist. Of course, there may be occasional "booster" sessions, but ultimately, Cognitive-Behavioral Psychologists work to help their patients live productive lives without the lifetime presence of the psychologist in their lives. Cognitive-Behavioral psychology is among the most widely practiced therapeutic modality and its efficacy has been demonstrated by numerous research studies.

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• AACBP Diplomate and Fellow Directory: Here is the list of Board Certified Cognitive-Behavioral Psychologists who have successfully passed a rigorous specialty practice oral examination by a committee of their peers. These professionals have demonstrated excellent theoretical understanding, strong assessment and practice skills, and adherence to the highest ethical standards. Those who have made the additional commitment to their profession by maintaining the yearly status of Fellow are marked with an (F) and their institutional or practice websites are noted when available.

• ABPP Cognitive and Behavioral Application Information: This area is for psychologists who have identified their specialty as Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology and are now ready to apply for the Board Certification. The Diplomate in the American Board of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology is certified and maintained by the American Board of Professional Psychology. Information about the application and certification processes can be downloaded through this link.

• AACBP Applicant Mentoring Program:  Here you can find answers to commonly asked questions and obtain a mentor to guide you through the application process.

• AACBP News Page: Here, you can find out the latest news about Academy activities, fellows, or cognitive-behavioral psychology in general

• AACBP Links: This area provides links to other related psychology organizations.

• For the Public: This section is for members of the public to find appropriate cognitive and behavioral psychological specialists and to understand more about the specialty and its place within the mental health professional community.

The Academy President is E. Thomas Dowd, PhD, ABPP, FAACBP. The President of the American Board of Behavioral Psychology  is E. Thomas Dowd, PhD, ABPP, FAACBP.

Contact Information

E.Thomas Dowd, PhD, ABPP, FAACBP

• Telephone: 330-672-7664
• Fax: 330-672-3786
• Postal Address: Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent OH 44242-001
• E-mail: edowd@kent.edu

Send mail to E. Thomas Dowd, PhD, ABPP, FAACBP at edowd@kent.edu with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2008 American Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology

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Last modified: January 21, 2009