ABPP Clinical Psychology cheat sheet

DSM-5-TR substance use disorder severity: 2-3 criteria = mild, 4-5 = moderate, 6+ = severe; remission specifiers are early (3-12 months) vs sustained (>12 months).

Beck depression model: negative views of self, world, and future (cognitive triad); CBT targets cognitive distortions via Socratic questioning and behavioral activation.

Linehan DBT four modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, interpersonal effectiveness; chain analysis precedes skills coaching for target behaviors.

Exposure hierarchy construction uses SUDS 0-100; in vivo/in imaginal exposure proceeds from low-anxiety items with response prevention for OCD rituals.

Wechsler IQ scores: mean 100, SD 15; index scores mean 100, SD 15; a 15-point discrepancy equals 1 SD; FSIQ is not simply the mean of index scores.

Reliable Change Index (Jacobson & Truax): RCI = (post - pre) / Sdiff; |RCI| > 1.96 indicates statistically reliable change at p < .05.

Neuropsychological dissociation: performance IQ < verbal IQ suggests right-hemisphere or visual-spatial deficit; verbal < performance suggests left-hemisphere or language-based deficit.

Suicide risk formulation: acute vs chronic risk, static vs dynamic factors; highest acute risk often follows recent discharge, loss, or access to lethal means.

Psychopharmacology anchors: SSRIs first-line for most anxiety/depression; lithium for bipolar maintenance; clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia with agranulocytosis monitoring.

Informed consent elements (APA 3.10): purpose, procedures, risks/benefits, alternatives, confidentiality limits, fees, and right to withdraw at any time.

Confidentiality limits: imminent danger to self/others (duty to protect), suspected child/elder abuse, court order, and client waiver; Tarasoff-type duties vary by jurisdiction.

Multiple relationships (APA 3.05): avoid if exploitative or impair objectivity; not all are unethical-assess power differential, duration, and termination risk.

Competence (APA 2.01): practice within boundaries of education, training, supervised experience, or consultation; obtain training before adopting new techniques.

Test security and data (APA 9.04, 9.11): protect test materials and raw data; release only to qualified professionals unless consent or legal requirement applies.

Record retention and fees (APA 6.01, 6.04): agree on fees and billing early; retain records per law/regulation and ensure transfer or disposition on practice closure.

Boundaries of competence in emergencies (APA 2.02): provide services only to extent needed to stabilize, then refer when possible.

Ethical decision-making: identify problem, consult codes/law/colleagues, evaluate options, act, document, and review; ethics code is aspirational plus enforceable standards.

HIPAA vs APA: HIPAA governs covered entities and minimum necessary disclosure; APA Ethics Code applies to all psychologists regardless of setting.