Training in clinical geropsychology: Predoctoral programs, professional organizations and certification.

Abstract

Nearly 35 million Americans are 65 years of age and over. Over the next 40 years, the number of people 65 and older is expected to double and the number of people 85 and older is expected to triple. Graduate training in professional psychology continues to be under pressure to respond to the growing number of older adults and their mental health needs. Moreover, in order to meet the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation aspiration of truly broad and general training, inclusion of didactic information regarding the mental health needs of older adults, and, ideally, exposure to this clinical population are necessary. This article describes training of predoctoral geropsychology graduate students and others interested in geropsychology in the United States. Basic information regarding the requirements for obtaining a doctoral degree in clinical psychology is reviewed, along with specifics about the breadth of mentorship students experience during graduate training in geropsychology. An explanation about different training models with a focus on the Pikes Peak training model for clinical geropsychology is provided. Clinical training opportunities within a long-standing clinical geropsychology training program are discussed as an example of a specialty, predoctoral graduate training program within the United States. This is followed by a description of resources provided by various professional organizations affiliated with adult development and aging, and information regarding the potential for student involvement. Finally, a brief overview of the current debate regarding credentialing in clinical geropsychology within the United States is provided.