Serious Mental Illness — Severe Emotional Disturbance (SMI — SED)

Members of this section share a common interest in promoting optimal functioning in adults living with serious psychiatric disorders and children diagnosed with severe emotional disorders. Members work in a variety of settings (e.g., state hospitals, community agencies, private practice, Veterans Health Administration facilities, residential programs and criminal justice systems) and share a commitment to supporting the recovery and resilience of persons experiencing disorders such as schizophrenia and other disorders on the psychotic spectrum, mood disorders and co-occurring Axis II diagnoses. Members are involved in mental health administration, direct clinical care, research, public policy development and patient advocacy.

Div. 18 and the division's SMI/SED section have partnered with APA’s Task Force on Serious Mental Illness and Severe Emotional Disturbance to form the Specialty Council for Psychological Training in Assessment and Treatment of Persons with SMI/SED. The specialty council developed the specialization in postdoctoral psychological training in assessment and treatment of persons with SMI/SED. 

Please visit the specialty council website for information on the specialization, including the petition for recognition of postdoctoral specialty in SMI/SED, training guidelines, competency evaluation instrument, research and practice information, and training programs.

Meaghan Stacy, PhD