COMPETENCY AREA LISTING
ABRP reviews and examines candidates for both Foundation Competencies (i.e., Interpersonal
Interactions, Individual and Cultural Diversity, Professional Identification and Ethical and Legal
Foundations) and Functional Competencies (i.e., Scientific Base and Application, Assessment,
Interventions, Consultation and Consumer Protection). Rehabilitation Psychologists applying for ABRP
are required to demonstrate each competency area listed below at an advanced level of knowledge.
Candidate should refer to Competency Area Listing when selecting work samples.
Please initial met competencies in boxes below
INTERPERSONAL INTERACTIONS
Practice Sample
Sensitivity to the welfare, rights, and dignity of others as a priority of practice
Empathically relates to clients/patients and other
members of the rehabilitation team to enhance
effectiveness of services provided
Aware of one’s own interpersonal interactions on
others
Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries
INDIVIDUAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY
Aware of diversity and multicultural factors as related
to disability and its influence within practice of
Rehabilitation Psychology
Aware of the interaction between one’s own individual
and cultural diversity characteristics as these influence
professional functioning
Practice Sample
ETHICAL AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS
Practice Sample
Principles and practice standards of the American
Psychological Association (APA)
Current statutory and state regulatory provisions
applicable to the professional practice
Issues related to patient confidentiality and privacy
(e.g., HIPAA)
PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION
Participation in professional activities relevant to
Rehabilitation Psychology
Aware current issues facing the profession and
implications to functioning as a Rehabilitation
Psychologist
Willingness to seek and utilize consultation/supervision
when needed or appropriate
.
Continuing education in the field including CE credits
within previous two years.
Practice Sample
SCIENTIFIC BASE AND APPLICATION
Practice Sample
Utilizes scientific and evidence based theory to inform
one’s practice and professional functioning
Critically evaluates scientific and evidenced based
theory and research and discuss implications for
practice.
ASSESSMENT COMPETENCIES
Adjustment to disability: patient
Adjustment to disability: family
Extent and nature of disability and preserved abilities
Educational and vocational capacities
Personality and emotional adjustment
Cognitive evaluation
Sexual functioning
Decisional capacity
Pain
Substance use/abuse identification
Social and behavioral functioning
Practice Samples
INTERVENTION COMPETENCIES
Practice Sample
Individual therapeutic interventions as related to
adjustment to disability
Family/couples therapeutic interventions as related to
adjustment to disability
Behavioral management
Sexual counseling with disabled populations
CONSULTATION (e.g., PT/OT/SLP, MD, RN, Voc,
attorney, etc.)
Practice Sample
Behavioral functioning improvement
Cognitive functioning
Vocational and/or education considerations
Personality and emotional factors
Substance abuse identification and management
Sexual functioning and disability
Practice Sample
CONSUMER PROTECTION
Aware of and knowledgeable about laws related to
ADA
Aware of issues related to multicultural and diversity
factors in advocating for consumer protection needs