Sharon L. Bowman, PhD, HSPP, ABPP

I am proud to be the 2019 President of the American Board of Counseling Psychology (ABCoP), one of the fifteen specialty boards comprising the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
 
Counseling Psychology is a general practice and health service provider specialty in professional psychology. It focuses on how people function both personally and in their relationships at all ages. Counseling Psychology addresses the emotional, social, work, school and physical health concerns people may have at different stages in their lives, focusing on typical life stresses and more severe issues with which people may struggle as individuals and as a part of families, groups and organizations. Counseling psychologists help people with physical, emotional and mental health issues improve their sense of well-being, alleviate feelings of distress and resolve crises. Counseling Psychologists also provide assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of more severe psychological symptoms. Specialized knowledge incorporated into the training and practice of Counseling Psychology includes a focus on healthy aspects and strengths of clients (whether being seen as individuals, couples, families, groups or organizations), environmental/situational influences (how cultural, gender and lifestyle issues shape people’s experiences and concerns), issues of diversity and social justice (e.g., advocacy), and the role of career and work in peoples’ lives. These areas of focus are evident in work with clients throughout the lifespan (http://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/counseling.aspx).
 
Board certification as a Counseling Psychologist is considered evidence that the individual has successfully demonstrated the foundational and functional competencies expected of a professional psychologist with a specialized focus on Counseling Psychology’s approach of promoting human functioning across the lifespan using preventative, developmental, and remedial strategies.
 
If you are a Counseling Psychologist working as a clinician, academic, trainer, supervisor, or administrator, whether in a civilian or military role, we welcome your application for board certification as a Counseling Psychologist. If you are an early career psychologist (ECP) still working on licensure, we encourage you to start the ECP application process now. And if you are a graduate student or doctoral intern, you can also begin the early entry application process at a reduced rate, and submit your documentation as you compete your training.
 
If you are interested in board certification in Counseling Psychology, please read all the information about the specialty specific requirements. To download the forms to get started on the process, please visit the Document Library.
 
The current members of ABCoP can be found on our Specialty Board Officer’s page. Any Board member would be happy to discuss questions you might have about the certification process. Furthermore, we can help connect you to the American Academy of Counseling Psychology (AACoP), the professional organization for board-certified Counseling Psychologists. AACoP can help you identify a mentor to guide you through the process of board certification. Once you have completed your certification, you would be eligible to join this group and serve as a mentor yourself.
 
Current Specialists in Counseling Psychology report seeking and maintaining board certification for a variety of reasons, including a personal sense of accomplishment, completing a job requirement, receiving a salary increase, or being a role model for others. As someone with training, experience or involvement with Counseling Psychology, we hope that you will pursue board certification.
 
Sharon L. Bowman, PhD, HSPP, ABPP
President, American Board of Counseling Psychology