marketing question

[bmedclinic]

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So, yesterday I saw someone whose email tag said "Clinical Health Psychologist" but they were not ABPP.
This got me wondering, I'm a licensed clinical psychologist. All of my training is in Health Psychology (not postdoc, that's forensic) but I'm doing health psych work primarily now. My end goal is to get my ABPP in clinical health psychology.

Is it unethical/unclear for me, as I do clinical health psych work (primary care, sleep, pain) in the community to market myself as a clinical health psychologist without ABPP?

 

[WisNeuro]

Got to check those state laws. Some states tightly regulate how you can present yourself as a licensed psychologist, some states allow you to say you are pretty much whatever you want.

 

[CheetahGirl]

Don't have an answer here. But I love your ethics on the matter.

...Be that change you want to see. (That is my motto.)

More power to you, future-ABPP, @bmedclinic .

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Definitely check the state laws for the legal considerations. As for the ethical considerations…you are asking the right question(s). I don't have a good answer beyond that.

 

[str63]

If your job title is Clinical Health Psychologist, then it's reasonable. Same as those who put Neuropsychologist because that's their title at their organization, whether or not they have the ABPP. Physicians will still use "Psychiatrist" etc. before they are board certified.

 

[bmedclinic]

So I had a feeling, but I checked just to make sure. State laws on titles only refer to being a certified sex offender treatment provider. Not my cup of tea, anyways. Appreciate the double check prompt from y'all.

 

[bmedclinic]

If your job title is Clinical Health Psychologist, then it's reasonable. Same as those who put Neuropsychologist because that's their title at their organization, whether or not they have the ABPP. Physicians will still use "Psychiatrist" etc. before they are board certified.

The only technical title I have is independent contractor. I'm not a hired, salary employee. Private practice, so to that sense I'm in charge of me. But even then, its not as easy as "the title your job gives you". If you worked for me, and I said your job title is "supreme ruler of the universe" that might be somewhat misleading to our patients, and that's an ethics problem I want to always steer clear of.

 

[smalltownpsych]

If your job title is Clinical Health Psychologist, then it's reasonable. Same as those who put Neuropsychologist because that's their title at their organization, whether or not they have the ABPP. Physicians will still use "Psychiatrist" etc. before they are board certified.

I don't think I really agree with this so wanted to clarify my own thinking on this. According to the APA information about recognized specializations it is very clear that to be a specialist: "requires advanced knowledge and skills acquired through an organized sequence of education and training." http://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/index.aspx

So doesn't necessarily say you need to be board-certified, but also sets a higher bar than "that's what my employer calls me." This seems to be the type of definition that insurance companies and hospital creditation committees use as well. When i fill out the forms, I might state that I have some proficiencies, but never specialties because I have not participated in a formal sequence of training.

 

[Sanman]

Generally, private practice is much looser with this stuff than academia will be. Barring any state law, you can market yourself as whatever you want. The only protected title is likely licensed psychologist. The gray area here gives you license to do so. ABPP is an optional credential that has no legal value, so I don't see why it would matter. Hell you can call yourself a neuropsychologist if you want. There is no legal definition of the term despite increased formalization of the training standard.

Just as an aside, why do ABPP if you are planning to stick with private practice? I can see the value and VA hospitals and medical centers, but not in PP. Just my thinking.

 

[WisNeuro]

Just as an aside, why do ABPP if you are planning to stick with private practice? I can see the value and VA hospitals and medical centers, but not in PP. Just my thinking.

Some states are considering only allowing billing for certain specialty codes restrictions to board certified people (e.g., npsych billing codes). Also, helps the public with another bit of information about continued competence of providers given that the EPPP is so easy to pass.

 

[bmedclinic]

Just as an aside, why do ABPP if you are planning to stick with private practice? I can see the value and VA hospitals and medical centers, but not in PP. Just my thinking.

For me.
To challenge myself, to grow. Shouldn't that be why we push ourselves?
I don't care about the VA or academia.

 

[PsyDr]

Abpp is not a legal authority, nor is it the only board out there. State licensing boards are a legal authority. State licensing board can determine whatever they want. Some states have specific requirements for some specialities. Some don't.

Ethics complaints would have to rule that board certification from a non apa entity is the only way to show the ability to be call yourself X.

I've sat through some interrogatories where this has all played out. Three hours later all parties agreed that even without a completed board, I am a XY psychologist.

 

[erg923]

To challenge myself, to grow. Shouldn't that be why we push ourselves?

Money helps

 

[Sanman]

For me.
To challenge myself, to grow. Shouldn't that be why we push ourselves?
I don't care about the VA or academia.

To each their own and you are welcome to challenge yourself, but it is $800-$1000 in initial fees, an annual ongoing fee, and other associated costs. That is an unnecessary expense in my book if I am not getting a pay bump. That is vacation money for me and I find the walk on the beach more important than external validation that is not compensated.

 

[bmedclinic]

Money helps

Money is involved. But, that's far from my main motivation. And tbh, I'll defer from sharing that part of my arrangement with sdn.
So, in sum, I appreciate everyone's feedback on this issue. I've gotten the answer I need.

 

[Sanman]

Money is involved. But, that's far from my main motivation. And tbh, I'll defer from sharing that part of my arrangement with sdn.

1. So, in sum, I appreciate everyone's feedback on this issue. I've gotten the answer I need.

Nor should you have to share it here. I'm just glad there is something in it for you. I simply find too many younger clinicians trying to gain the next academic achievement as we are all trained well in hoop jumping. However, not every hoop is worth jumping through if it does not advance your career and pay. Good Luck!