Setting up a Training Program in Clinical Geropsychology
The Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (CoPGTP) is dedicated to promoting training in geropsychology on four broad levels: graduate, pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship programs, and post-licensure.
We have known for some time that psychologists are not being trained in adequate numbers to meet the mental health needs of the aging population. While there are increasing numbers of geropsychology training opportunities available through the U.S., there are still not enough formal programs to meet the training needs of the field.
Part of CoPGTP’s mission is to support the development of high quality training programs in geropsychology, across levels of training. If you are considering adding or expanding a geropsychology component to your graduate, internship, postdoctoral, or post-licensure training program, we want to support you in whatever way we can. We also invite you to consider joining CoPGTP.
Please don’t hesitate to contact any of our Board members with questions about our organization. In addition, in the website Resource section, please see the list of CoPGTP members who will consult on geropsychology program development. These individuals would be more than happy to discuss ideas about geropsychology training in your setting and direct you towards helpful resources.
Helpful resources may include:
- The Pikes Peak Model for Training in Professional Geropsychology attitude, knowledge, and skill competencies for practice in the field. These competencies may help guide you in defining training objectives for particular classes, practicum placements, or other training rotations/experiences
- The Pikes Peak Geropsychology Knowledge and Skill Assessment Tool may serve as a self-study tool for your program’s teachers/supervisors, as well as a tool to help evaluate development of geropsychology competencies in your students.
- Recommended readings, websites, and related training opportunities related to each of the Pikes Peak model competencies.
- Examples of syllabi from geropsychology classes for doctoral training and for internship and postdoc training, including the multi-site seminar developed for geropsychology fellows at the VA.
- The APA Office on Aging website (http://www.apa.org/pi/aging/), which provides a tremendous number or resources/links related to geropsychology practice and training.
- The APA Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults, available at http://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/older-adults.pdf, and published as:
- American Psychological Association (2004). Guidelines for psychological practice with older adults. American Psychologist, 59, 236-260.