Psychology Disability Evaluation Training

Psychological disability evaluation incorporates an array of testing methods.

Psychological disability evaluation training, acquired through clinical psychology study, qualifies psychologists to recognize mental dysfunctions and provide diagnoses of psychological disorders. A clinical psychologist must have earned a doctorate from a clinical psychology program recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA), and have completed the state licensing requirements to practice psychology.

Purpose

Clinical psychologists use disability assessments to assay the mental competency of parties involved in legal cases, evaluate schoolchildren to determine their educational needs and assist the court system in matters of child custody. The military, government agencies, hospitals, counseling centers and universities use psychological assessments to prevent and treat emotional conflicts, and interpret intellectual abilities and deficiencies.

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Specialties

Psychological disability evaluation training requires advanced study in specific domains of psychology, including psychopathology, psychotherapy and abnormal psychology. Psychologists who decide to work within a specialty, such as cognitive rehabilitation, require additional training.

Licensing

A clinical psychologist must receive board certification from the APA and licensing in the state of her practice. Federal agencies or private organizations may require further certification to meet their employment criteria.

References

• American Psychological Association: About Clinical Psychology
• Williams College: Psychological Disabilities
• Social Security Online: Disability Programs