The Specialty Practice of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology

Dowd, E. Thomas
Clen, Shauna L.
Arnold, Kevin D.

¹Kent State University
²Ohio State University

E. Thomas Dowd, Department of Psychology, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242 [email protected]

E. Thomas Dowd received his PhD in psychology from the University of Minnesota. He is currently professor emeritus at Kent State University. His areas of interest include cognitive–behavior therapy, hypnosis and hypnotherapy, and memory processes and tacit knowledge structures (including tacit cultural assumptions) in psychological functioning and malfunctioning.

Shauna L. Clen received her BS in psychology from the University of Connecticut. She is currently pursuing her MA at Kent State University. Her research interests include the onset, maintenance, and treatment of major depressive disorder, with a focus on the roles of emotional regulation, acceptance, mindfulness, decentering, self-worth, and abstract rumination. Her research interests also include the onset, maintenance, and treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, with a focus on the roles of emotional regulation and mindfulness.

Kevin D. Arnold received his PhD in psychology from the Ohio State University. He is director of the Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy of Greater Columbus and a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry at the Ohio State University. His areas of service and practice include professional psychology, professional training issues, behavior analysis, behavioral marital therapy, cognitive–behavioral therapy, and school-related forensic evaluations.

Submission May 14, 2009. Revision October 16, 2009. Accepted October 19, 2009.

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 41(1):p 89-95, February 2010.

What makes cognitive and behavioral psychology a specialty practice when many psychologists of differing orientations may inquire about a client’s cognitions and behaviors? Distinctive and unifying aspects of the specialty practice of cognitive and behavioral psychology are discussed as they relate to psychotherapeutic practice. A brief history of the field is given, and procedures in assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment planning are reviewed. Information regarding education and training is provided. Resources are suggested for individuals who wish to develop competency in cognitive and behavioral psychology. Psychologists who use cognitive and behavioral principles in assessments, treatment planning, case conceptualizations, interventions, or all of these are encouraged to pursue specialty certification in cognitive and behavioral psychology.