This article reviews the strengths and weaknesses of the current requirements for continuing professional education for psychologists to renew their license to practice. Whereas most states already require completion of classroom or workshop instruction during each license renewal cycle, the authors argue for a more comprehensive system of continuing professional development (CPD) that will focus on the ongoing assessment of competence throughout the professional's career and thus better ensure public protection from the incompetent or unethical practitioner. The authors describe the major elements of this more comprehensive CPD process and how adoption of such a system in psychology licensing laws would require participation in a variety of learning activities that focus on professional engagement, practice relevant topics and better assessment of instructional outcomes; provide peer input and monitoring to better identify gaps in knowledge or skills; and reduce instances of professional isolation that could lead to lapses in judgment and decision making, occupational stress, and ultimately impairment or burnout. Challenges for the profession to move to a system of CPD, and the need for studies that can determine whether using CPD in licensure renewal requirements actually produce the desired outcomes, are also addressed.
Public Significance StatementThis article reviews the current requirements for a psychologist to renew their license to practice and discuses both the strengths and weaknesses of this process. The authors argue for a more comprehensive system of continuing professional development that will focus on the ongoing assessment of competence throughout the professional's career and thus better ensure public protection from the incompetent or unethical practitioner.
The relationship between client characteristics and assignment to family or individual therapy and therapy progress was examined in 131 child cases. Assignment to family therapy was related to help-seeking variables, suggesting that the recommendation followed a therapeutic rationale. History of prior services and client's race were both associated with levels of progress, with results indicating benefits from previous therapy but problems of "fit" between traditional mental health services and minority families.amily therapy is a relatively new treat-
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