Psychological Training in Assessment and Treatment of Persons with Serious Mental Illness

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About Us

The Council for Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Psychology is comprised of four organizations, all of which have an interest in promoting specialized training and competency development for psychologists to work with individuals who have, or are at risk of developing, serious mental health disorders. The Council oversees the post-doctoral Specialty in SMI Psychology, provides guidance for the development of curriculum and training materials, oversees establishment of competencies for psychologists who work with this population, and develops training evaluations to ensure competency of professional psychologists for this work.

The Specialty Council also sponsors symposia, workshops, online webinars and other training opportunities, encourages research and publications in this area, and provides information about clinical practices. (Specialty Council Bylaws)

The Council aims to promote understanding of the etiology, nature, impact, and amelioration of SMI/SED among psychologists and the general public by posting information, research, practice developments, links to relevant organizations, and other pertinent information on the website. The Council also ensures that information about Competencies and Training Guidelines for the Specialty remain current, disseminates updates on training, and participates in training for site visitors of post-doctoral programs applying for accreditation in this Specialty.

The Council was created to address the considerable public need for psychologists specially trained to assist persons with SMI/SED and the interest among psychologists for specialized training in this area. After much discussion and planning, the Council began work on the petition to APA for recognition of the post-doctoral Specialty in SMI Psychology, and submitted the petition on January 1, 2019. The Serious Mental Illness (SMI) Psychology Specialty was officially approved by APA as a post-doctoral specialty in August 2019.

Following formal approval of the Specialty by APA, the Specialty Council requested and received membership in the Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology (CoSPP). Membership in CoSPP was officially approved in November 2019. (Site Link)

Following approval of the SMI Psychology Specialty by APA and membership in the Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology, the Specialty Council requested approval from the APA Commission on Accreditation (CoA) to permit post-doctoral training programs with a major area of study in SMI Psychology to apply for accreditation in the Specialty. APA granted this approval in August 2021, allowing post-doctoral training programs in SMI Psychology to apply for APA accreditation in the SMI Psychology post-doctoral Specialty.

In addition to membership in CoSPP, the Specialty Council is collaborating with the American Board of Serious Mental Illness Psychology (ABSMIP) to promote affiliation with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Psychologists who are working with, or on behalf of persons with SMI/SED are encouraged to apply for board certification in SMI Psychology. Psychologists can visit the ABPP website for information about how to apply. (Site Link)

The organizational members of the Council are:

Each of the organizational members of the Specialty Council has two representatives who sit on the Council and who represent all members of the Specialty.

Task Force on SMI/SED

The Task Force on SMI/SED was created more than 25 years ago by the APA Council of Representatives. It is a semi-permanent quasi-governance entity that serves APA by providing expertise in the areas of serious mental illness and severe emotional disturbance (SMI/SED). The Task Force reported to the Committee for the Advancement of Professional Practice from its inception until 2015 when it was moved to the Board of Professional Affairs. The Task Force has made many substantial contributions to psychological practice and has been continuously supported by its parent governance body. The many activities undertaken by the Task Force have substantially strengthened the professional practice of psychology and have enhanced the public's awareness of psychology's contributions to the well-being of those with SMI and SED thereby increasing the esteem in which the public holds psychologists.

Division 18 of the APA, the Division of Psychologists in Public Service

Division 18 is comprised of psychologists in a wide range of public service settings, from community organizations through to medical center and hospital settings (including the largest integrated and coordinated health service delivery system in the U.S. -- the VA), and includes psychologists working with defined populations such as persons with criminal justice issues and persons with SMI/SED. These settings and populations form the sections of the Division and include a student membership group.

Division 18 Section on SMI/SED

The Section on SMI/SED of Division 18 was formed in 2012 because of the recognized need for greater attention to the unique and specific needs of persons with SMI/SED. The focus of the Section on SMI/SED is on promoting optimal functioning in adults living with serious psychiatric disorders and youth diagnosed with severe emotional disorders. Members work in a variety of settings (e.g., state hospitals, community agencies, private practice, VA facilities, residential programs and criminal justice systems) and share a commitment to supporting the recovery and resilience of persons experiencing illnesses on the schizophrenia spectrum, other psychotic disorders, severe bipolar disorder, and depression that leads to significant functional impairment.

Psychosis and Schizophrenia Spectrum Special Interest Group (PASS-SIG), ABCT

The PASS-SIG was founded to facilitate high-quality research on the best assessment and treatment practices for people with SMI, and expedite the dissemination of that research to providers. SIG members are researchers, clinicians, program directors, and administrators pursuing the development, dissemination, and implementation of evidence-based cognitive-behavioral interventions (e.g., social skills training, cognitive therapy, cognitive remediation, illness management, behavioral family therapy) for people with serious mental disorders. In addition to those already in professional careers, the SIG also has many student members who are preparing for careers in the above mentioned areas. The SIG's website contains information about schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses, treatment information, information about finding a provider, along with information about stigma, and violence.