ABPP subspecialty in Addiction Psychology

In late 2015, several members or fellows of Division 50 approached the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) asking about the feasibility of submitting an application for a Specialty Board (SB). It was suggested that they consider affiliating with one or more SBs and submit an application for a subspecialty application. A Special Interest Group (SIG) of six psychology Specialty Boards (Behavioral & Cognitive, Clinical, Rehabilitation, Couple and Family, Group, and Police and Public Safety) that had an interest in having the Addiction Psychology subspecialty under each of their SBs met for a year preparing a very detailed application. That application, which was approved by the SoAP Board of Directors and all six of the ABPP specialty boards that sponsored the AP subspecialty application, was submitted in September for review by the ABPP Board of Trustees (BOT). If the BOT approves the written application, then Drs. Bruce Liese and Ray Hanbury will be invited for an oral presentation in early 2019. A subspecialty in Addiction Psychology will allow psychologists to gain specific and essential expertise in working with individuals and families affected by substance use and addiction.