ABPP Clinical Health Psychology study plan

Map the biopsychosocial model onto at least six medical conditions, writing the biological, psychological, and social contributors for each

Explain HPA axis, autonomic, and immune pathway mechanisms of stress-illness links in your own words without notes

Outline the strongest evidence-based intervention families (CBT, motivational interviewing, relaxation/biofeedback) and match each to two conditions

Draft a one-page comparison of mind-body relationship theories (psychosomatic, biobehavioral, diathesis-stress)

Build a personal glossary of 25 core constructs with definitions and one clinical example each

Compare treatment protocols for chronic pain, insomnia, and cardiometabolic conditions by matching each to its evidence base

Distinguish adherence and self-management interventions and identify which outcomes each targets

Write out stepped-care decision logic for a patient who fails first-line behavioral treatment

Critique two intervention studies for internal and external validity

List multidisciplinary team roles in a behavioral health treatment plan

Describe adjustment, coping, and quality-of-life trajectories across at least four chronic illnesses

Differentiate rehabilitation psychology goals (functional restoration, adherence, disability adjustment) from acute medical consultation goals

Design a relapse-prevention and self-management plan for a patient with a chronic condition

Identify depression and anxiety screening triggers embedded in chronic illness care

Explain the role of caregiver and family factors in chronic illness outcomes

Select appropriate screening and outcome measures for depression, anxiety, sleep, pain, and substance use in medical settings

Interpret reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for a named instrument

Distinguish screening from diagnostic assessment and justify referral thresholds

Evaluate behavioral assessment methods (self-monitoring, functional analysis, actigraphy) for feasibility in medical settings

Identify measurement pitfalls such as floor effects and cultural bias in instruments

Explain major health behavior theories (health belief, transtheoretical, social cognitive, socioecological) and apply each to one prevention target

Design a prevention or health-promotion program addressing a modifiable risk behavior

Analyze how social determinants, acculturation, and structural racism shape health outcomes

Adapt an intervention for a specific cultural group and justify the adaptations

Audit your own instruments and materials for cultural and linguistic appropriateness

Draft consultation questions and a feedback structure for a primary care or specialty referral

Distinguish consultation, liaison, and collaborative care models and identify when each applies

Resolve at least four ethics vignettes involving confidentiality, informed consent, capacity, and multiple relationships in medical settings

Explain HIPAA-relevant and record-keeping obligations in integrated care

Practice translating psychological findings into recommendations a physician can act on

Design a supervision plan with competency benchmarks and feedback cycles

Outline a program evaluation using logic model, process, and outcome measures

Draft learning objectives and an assessment method for a teaching session

Identify legal and regulatory issues in program development and documentation

Plan a professional development and self-care strategy for early-career practice

Complete two full-length practice exams under timed conditions and score by domain

Rank domains by accuracy and re-study the two weakest areas

Rehearse case-based integrated reasoning across at least five domains

Review all glossary, matrix, and template deliverables for gaps

Finalize a test-day strategy including pacing and question-flagging rules