Board Certification: Psychoanalysis in Psychology
Marilyn S. Jacobs, Ph.D., ABPP
Chair, Accreditation Committee, Division 39
Chair, Psychoanalysis Specialty Synarchy
Board certification is essential to medical specialties in the Western world. It elevates the specialty's standards, protects the public against irresponsible/unqualified practitioners, authorizes educational resources, sets requirements for testing specialty candidates, and issues certificates of qualification.
Consumers, professionals, employers, insurers, credentialing organizations, legal systems and licensing boards all consider the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) certification the best measure of competence within a particular psychological specialty.
Benefits of Board Certification
Public recognition of an advanced expertise
Increased knowledge through access to ABPP specialty CE credits
Increased practice mobility
Expanded employment opportunities
Personal rewards from recognition
Interaction with other distinguished psychology specialists
Opportunity for contributions to the profession
The American Board of Psychoanalysis in Psychology
The American Board of Psychoanalysis in Psychology (ABPsaP) was established in 1983. This achievement was created by the efforts of members of the Division of Psychoanalysis (39). The achievement of formal recognition was a lengthy process which lasted 12 years. In 1996, the first ABPsaP examination was administered to candidates.
Specialty Definition
Psychoanalysis is a means of understanding human motivation and behavior based upon an understanding of factors outside of a person's awareness. It informs both scholarly study and practice. This deep perspective toward psychological understanding and intervention emphasizes the relationship between analysand and analyst. It necessarily continues over some extended time, in that an understanding of the relationship reflects reinstatement of the life history of the analysand. This reveals the dynamics of the treatment process, leading to reduction of personal distress.
Examination Eligibility
The examination eligibility criteria are presently being revised and will be posted on this site in the near future.
Board Members
Stephen J. Miller, PhD, ABPP
President
Thomas W. Ross, EdD, ABPP
President-Elect
G. Michael Kampschaefer, PsyD, ABPP
Past President
Marilyn S. Jacobs, PhD, ABPP
Secretary
APA Council of Specialties Representative
Chair, Psychoanalysis Synarchy
Karen J. Maroda, PhD, ABPP
Practice Sample Coordinator
Dolores O. Morris, PhD, ABPP
Chairperson, National Examinations
Representative, ABPP Board of Trustees
David L. Downing, PsyD, ABPP
Treasurer
Jon Mills, PhD, PsyD, ABPP
Credentials Review
Gemma Marangoni Ainslie, PhD, ABPP
President, Academy of Psychoanalysis
