ABCT Stands with CAAPS Against Implementation of EPPP-2

You may be aware that the Association of State and Provisional Psychology Boards created an additional licensing exam. This second test, the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology “Skills” test (EPPP2), is a separate test that is in addition to the knowledge test that currently exists (EPPP). Although there are significant concerns with this additional test, and only a handful of states and territories have adopted it, there is a push by ASPPB to make it required for all states, provinces, and territories. Although CUDCP and other stakeholders have attempted to work with ASPPB to address concerns with this test, those initiatives have broken down.

If you are concerned about the extra time, cost, and burden that this will cause your graduates — without clear evidence of validity or utility (and other concerns) — please consider engaging your faculty, students, graduates, and others within your state to contact your licensing boards and express your concerns.

Please use the following website to facilitate contacting your boards: https://rallystarter.com/r/1320/stop-the-adoption-of-the-eppp2.

You can find your state licensing board’s contact information here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Wsi9AdQcSbEdJ97oiz-hLDm_poCTO6j9_shPCcmMtp8/edit?usp=sharing .

To see a list of resources that articulate the concerns about the EPPP, please go here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1miBK7KozqP1WzfSoSGvcAY3W_I3rIr2iHOAU9uxD5I8/edit .

Please distribute this email widely.

Photo courtesy Samorn Tarapan

102605654 / Taking Tests © Samorn Tarapan | Dreamstime.com

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a type of treatment that is based firmly on research findings. It places emphasis on changing your cognitions (thoughts) or behaviors (actions) in order to effect change in how you feel. These approaches help people in achieving specific changes or goals.

Changes or goals might involve:

A way of acting: like smoking less or being more outgoing;
A way of feeling: like helping a person to be less scared, less depressed, or less anxious;
A way of thinking: like learning to problem-solve or get rid of self-defeating thoughts;
A way of dealing with physical or medical problems: like reducing back pain or helping a person stick to a doctor’s suggestions.

Cognitive behavioral therapists usually focus more on the current situation and its solution, rather than the past. They concentrate on a person’s views and beliefs about their life. CBT is an effective treatment for individuals, parents, children, couples, and families. The goal of CBT is to help people improve and gain more control over their lives by changing behaviors that don’t work well to ones that do.

How to Get Help

If you are looking for help, either for yourself or someone else, you may be tempted to call someone who advertises in a local publication or who comes up from a search of the Internet. You may, or may not, find a competent therapist in this manner. It is wise to check on the credentials of a psychotherapist. It is expected that competent therapists hold advanced academic degrees. They should be listed as members of professional organizations, such as the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies or the American Psychological Association. Of course, they should be licensed to practice in your state. You can find competent specialists who are affiliated with local universities or mental health facilities or who are listed on the websites of professional organizations. You may, of course, visit our website (www.abct.org) and click on “Find a CBT Therapist”

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) is an interdisciplinary organization committed to the advancement of a scientific approach to the understanding and amelioration of problems of the human condition. These aims are achieved through the investigation and application of behavioral, cognitive, and other evidence-based principles to assessment, prevention, and treatment.