The pages within this section contain information about the academic degrees of those professionals working in IMH in the following fields:


For information on a specific degree, click any of the green links above. To read information on all degrees, simply scroll down.


Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist

The child and adolescent psychiatrist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and, if indicated, the treatment of disorders of thinking, feeling and/or behavior affecting children, adolescents, and their families. A child and adolescent psychiatrist offers families the advantages of a medical education, the medical traditions of professional ethics and medical responsibility for providing comprehensive care.

Practice
The child and adolescent psychiatrist uses knowledge of biological, psychological and social factors in working with patients. Initially, a comprehensive diagnostic examination is performed to evaluate the current problem with attention to its physical, genetic, developmental, emotional, cognitive, educational, family, peer and social components. The child and adolescent psychiatrist arrives at a diagnosis and diagnostic formulation that is shared with the patient and family. The child and adolescent psychiatrist then designs a treatment plan that considers all the components and discusses these recommendations with the child or adolescent and the responsible adults. An integrated approach may involve individual, group or family psychotherapy; medication; or consultation with other physicians or professionals from schools, juvenile courts, social agencies or other community organizations. In addition, the child psychiatrist is prepared and expected to act as an advocate for the best interests of children and adolescents. Many child and adolescent psychiatrists perform consultations in a variety of settings (schools, juvenile courts, and social agencies).

Training
Child and adolescent psychiatric training requires 4 years of medical school, at least 3 years of approved residency training in medicine, neurology, and general psychiatry with adults, and 2 years of training in psychiatric work with children, adolescents and their families in an accredited residency in child and adolescent psychiatry. In the general psychiatry training years, the physician achieves competence in the fundamentals of the theory and practice of psychiatry. In the child and adolescent psychiatry training, the trainee acquires a thorough knowledge of normal child and family development, psychopathology and treatment. Special importance is given to disorders that appear in childhood, such as pervasive developmental disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, mental retardation, mood disorders, depressive and anxiety disorders, drug dependency and delinquency (conduct disorder). The child psychiatric trainee applies and develops psychiatric skills by treating youngsters and their families.

The evaluation and treatment of inpatients and outpatients is important throughout the training, with a concentration on delivery of appropriate treatment within the family's financial and psychological means. An experience in consultation to other physicians, mental health professionals, schools and community agencies is an important part of training.

Certification and Continuing Education
Having completed the child and adolescent psychiatry residency and successfully passing the certification examination in general psychiatry given by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), the child and adolescent psychiatrist is eligible to take the additional certification examination in the subspecialty of child and adolescent psychiatry. Although the ABPN examinations are not required for practice, they are a further assurance that the child and adolescent psychiatrist with these certifications can be expected to diagnose and treat all psychiatric conditions in patients of any age, and to contribute in many ways to serve the welfare and interests of children and their families.

The child and adolescent psychiatrist, as with any other physician, continues to study and learn about the new advances in the specialty by reading scientific literature, and attending conferences to be able to apply new knowledge effectively in daily diagnostic, therapeutic and consultative work.

*From http://www.aacap.org


Counselor Licensure

"Practice of professional counseling" means rendering or offering to render to individuals, groups, organizations or the general public a counseling service involving the application of clinical counseling principles, methods or procedures to assist individuals in achieving more effective personal, social, educational or career development and adjustment, including the diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders.


P.C. (Professional Counselor)

  1. A "graduate degree in counseling" (degrees in other disciplines i.e., Psychology, Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy are not considered counseling degrees).
  2. 90 quarter or 60 semester hours of graduate work with coursework to satisfy the content requirements and a minimum of 30 quarter or 20 semester hours in clinical coursework.
  3. Exam - LPCC (Offered as the LPCC exam until December 31, 1998. Effective January 1, 1999 offered as the Professional Counselor Licensure Exam - PCLE). Effective February 1, 2006 require the NBCC NCE Examination.
  4. Documentation of practicum and internship.


P.C.C. (Professional Clinical Counselor)
  1. A "graduate degree in counseling" (degrees in other disciplines i.e. Psychology, Social Work and Marriage and Family Therapy are not considered counseling degrees).
  2. 90 quarter or 60 semester hours of graduate work with coursework to satisfy the content requirements and a minimum of 30 quarter or 20 semester hours in clinical coursework.
  3. Exam - Professional Counselor Licensure Exam - PCLE through January 2006. Effective February 1, 2006 require the NBCC NCMHCE Examination.
  4. 3000 hours (1500 yr. maximum) post PC supervised experience registered with the Board.
  5. Clinical Field Evaluation.

Supervising Counselor Designation
In June of 2000 the Supervising Counselor designation was added to the PC and PCC. This designation allows qualified counselors to provide training supervision for those working toward licensure. To be designated as a supervising counselor you must meet the following requirements:
  1. Hold a PC or PCC for three years.
  2. Document 2 years full time direct counseling services under supervision.
  3. Document 2 quarter hours of academic work or ten clock hours of continuing education hours in clinical supervision.
*Excerpted from the Ohio Counselor, Social Work, & Marriage and Family Therapy Board (January 30, 2007)

http://www.cswmft.ohio.gov/



Early Childhood Education

(Typical Steps to Advanced Studies)

High School or GED completion
 Completion of English as a Second Language course if necessary before continuing higher education


C.D.A. Child Development Associate (credential is roughly equivalent to one year of an Associates Degree, although not accepted by many colleges)

A.A. Associates Degree (2 years in Early Childhood Education)

B.A. or B.S. Bachelor of Arts or Science in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, or similar field

Masters Degree In a related field

Ph.D. In a related field


Pediatrician

A pediatrician has completed 4 years of medical school and at least 3 years of specialty training in pediatrics.

Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics*
A Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician has received an additional 3 years of specialized training in child development and behavior, beyond the required 3 years for pediatrics. To become certified in the subspecialty, a fellow must have completed the required training, be clinically competent, provide evidence of meaningful research/scholarly activity, and pass the subspecialty certifying examination. The first subspecialty certification examination was in 2002. The content of fellowship training can vary greatly from program to program, however fellows are expected to master material from core content areas (see below) in addition to developing their own area of expertise.
* For further information see: https://www.abp.org/ABPWebSite

Content Areas
  • Foundations of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics
  • Biological Mechanisms in Development and Behavior
  • Family and Societal Factors
  • Elements of Assessment and Management
  • Adaptation to General Health Problems and Their Treatment
  • Developmental-Behavioral Aspects of Chronic Conditions and Treatment
  • Cognitive/Adaptive Disabilities
  • Language and Learning Disorders
  • Motor Disabilities and Multiple Handicaps
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Externalizing Conditions
  • Internalizing Behaviors and Conditions
  • Substance Use/Abuse
  • Child Abuse and Neglect
  • Somatoform Disorders and Pain
  • Sleep Problems
  • Feeding and Eating Problems
  • Elimination Disorders
  • Sexuality
  • Atypical Behaviors
  • Law, Policy, and Ethics
  • Principles of Research

Neurodevelopmental Disabilities**
To qualify for admission to the subspecialty certification examination after 2007, the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Pediatrician must have completed 48 months of combined training in neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities. In addition, 2 years of ACGME-accrediddted training in general pediatrics will be required. The first subspecialty examination was in 2001. Fellows are expected to master material from core content areas (see below).
** For further information see: http://www.abp.org/certinfo/subspec/neuro.htm

Content Areas
  • Neurodevelopmental Theory
  • Neurogenetics
  • Cognitive Disorder (Mental Retardation)
  • Cognitive Disorder (Learning Disabilities)
  • Communication Disorder (e.g., Autism, Developmental Language Disorders)
  • Neurobehavioral Disorders (e.g., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Tourette Disorder)
  • Motor Disabilities (e.g., Static and Progressive Encephalopathies, Cerebral Palsy, Neuromuscular Disorders, Minor Neuromotor Dysfunction)
  • Visual and Auditory Impairments
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders Associated with Major Medical Conditions (e.g., Spina Bifida, Severely and Profoundly Disabled, Low Birth Weight Infants, Multiple Congenital Anomalies)
  • Rehabilitation (e.g., Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries, Near Drowning)
  • Counseling, Advocacy, Ethics/Research Ethics


Psychologist


The American Psychological Association approves qualified psychology training programs that typically last 5-8 years. The first 3-4 years can involve course work, clinical practica, clinical externships/placements (15-25 hours a week) and work in an on-site clinic. Depending on the program, it may also include research project involvement, a teaching requirement, or a master's thesis. The dissertation is often started in the 3rd-4th year and continues until completed. The internship, a full time training placement, is usually done in the 5th year. The most intense training is at the internship and post-doctoral levels, with the latter typically lasting 1-2 years.

Ph.D. programs frequently have a scientist-practitioner orientation. A dissertation is always required in addition to other research experience.

Psy.D. programs may require a dissertation, or students may do one or a series of research projects. There is less emphasis on learning to be a researcher, with more time spent developing clinical skills and doing applied research.

Specialties
Clinical programs can be general or offer concentrations (e.g., child clinical, health, neuropsychology, pediatric, etc.). Such programs tend to focus on pathology (e.g., child mental health problems, behavior problems, mood disorders).

Counseling programs tend to be more generalist, holistic, and “well-being” oriented. Their focus can be on children, but more often, programs involve work with adults or college students.

Developmental programs emphasize research, although they may include applied training focusing on the typical developmental process.

Pediatric programs tend to focus on children with illnesses, trauma and/or developmental disabilities.

School
Master's level school psychologists’ training typically emphasizes psychological assessment and to a lesser degree, intervention. School psychologists are certified at the state level and are not permitted to be in independent practice. They can be certified by NASP (National Association of School Psychologists).

Doctoral level programs can be certified by NASP, APA (American Psychological Association) or both. Doctoral level school psychologists from APA programs are eligible for state licensing for independent practice.

Ph.D. training varies widely depending on program emphasis (e.g., assessment, consultation, intervention; consultation and educational approaches; neuropsychology).

Psy.D. training emphasizes assessment, consultation and psychotherapy.


Social Worker Licensure

Practice of Social Work
The law defines social work as "the application of specialized knowledge of human development and behaviors and social, economic, and cultural systems in directly assisting individuals, families and groups to improve or restore their capacity for social functioning including counseling and the use of psychosocial interventions and social psychotherapy for a fee, salary, or other consideration."

Who Must be Licensed and Who is Exempt
Persons using the title of "social worker" or persons performing social work "for a fee, salary, or other consideration" must be licensed by the Counselor and Social Worker Board, except for the following categories of people who are exempt from the licensure requirements:
  1. Persons certified by the State Board of Education who perform social work as a school employee or in a program for training developmentally disabled persons;
  2. Any other professionals licensed or certified by the State of Ohio while performing services within the recognized scope, standards and ethics of their professions;
  3. Clergy and other religious practitioners and persons participating with them in pastoral counseling as part of their ministerial duties and under the auspices of a federally recognized church or auxiliary;
  4. Persons employed in the civil service as defined in section 124.01 of the Ohio Revised Code;
  5. Students from accredited educational institutions performing supervised activities, part of prescribed course;
  6. Certified alcoholism or drug abuse counselors;
  7. American Red Cross employees providing services to military families, veterans, and disaster relief;
  8. Counselor from labor organizations who holds union counselor certificate while acting in that capacity;
  9. Hospital or nursing home employees who perform social services other than counseling, psychosocial interventions, or social psychotherapy.

L.S.W. (Licensed Social Worker)
Performs counseling, psychosocial interventions and social psychotherapy under supervision. Social Workers cannot be private practitioners. If they are employees of a private practitioner or group practice, their social work must be supervised by a Professional Clinical Counselor, a psychologist, an Independent Social Worker, a psychiatrist or an RN with a masters degree in psychiatric nursing.

Eligibility Requirements: A Social Worker must have at least a bachelor's degree in social work or in a field related to social work from an accredited educational institution. If the degree is in a related field, the degree must have been awarded on or before October 10, 1992. Fields related to social work are degrees in which the applicant has coursework totaling at least 30 quarter hours (20 semester hours) in specified areas. All related degree applicants must pass the "Bachelor" examination required for Social Worker.

L.I.S.W. (Licensed Independent Social Worker)
Performs counseling, psychosocial interventions and social psychotherapy without supervision in an agency setting, as a private practitioner, or as an independent contractor.

Eligibility Requirements: To obtain this license you must have a masters or doctoral degree in social work from an accredited educational institution. In addition, you must have two years (3000 hours) of social work experience obtained after your graduate degree under the supervision of an Independent Social Worker. Applicants for this license who receive their experience in Ohio will need to work as a Licensed Social Worker while they acquire the qualifying experience for independent licensure. Applicants must pass the "advanced" or "clinical" examination required for Licensed Independent Social Worker.


*Excerpted from the Ohio Counselor, Social Work and Marriage & Family Therapist Board (January 30, 2007)

http://www.cswmft.ohio.gov