Training and education in advocacy and public policy is essential for preparing psychologists to become engaged, community-responsive clinicians. For psychology to play a prominent role in reforming healthcare and eliminating health disparities, it is crucial that psychologists understand the importance and the process of effective advocacy.

Disciplined inquiry in 21st century psychology requires awareness of the diverse, dynamic social contexts in which we live and work, the values embedded within these contexts, and the means for addressing societal inequities. This emerging environment of social responsibility demands that psychologist become accountable, and initiate change regarding a wide range of concerns such as homelessness, incarceration, child welfare, youth violence, access to healthcare and many other issues.

Utilizing our foundation of research and science, psychologists can promote effective responses to social problems and address the needs of our most vulnerable populations. Advocacy must be valued as a civic obligation to ensure that our services are available to consumers and that our research informs decisions guiding public policy. Advocacy is a competency the practitioner needs in order to fully utilize his or her skills in improving the status of not only individual clients, but the agencies where psychologists work, the communities they support, and the profession of psychology as a whole.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits:

These online training modules were developed by CAPIC under a contract with the California Department of Mental Health (DMH) funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). As such, these online modules are available to the public free of charge.

However, besides their use as general training resources, these online modules are also approved for Continuing Education (CE) credits for California-licensed Mental Health Clinicians. This online module is approved for 2.0 hours of CE credits. Again, only CA-licensed Mental Health Clinicians are eligible for these CE credits.

CAPIC is authorized to charge $15 per module solely for the administration of CE credits, which is being done in partnership with Alliant International University. If you are not seeking CE credits, there is no CE administration fee and no cost for using these online training modules.

Participants seeking CE credits must complete all aspects of this module including passing the exam at the end of the module. At the start of the exam, you will be asked for your California license number (if you are seeking CE credits), as well as basic contact information, in order to process your CE credits. Once you have successfully completed all aspects of the module, you will be contacted regarding your CE credits, including payment of the $15 administrative fee and issuance of your CE completion certificate.

Regardless whether you are seeking CE credits, we hope the knowledge gained here will serve you well in your professional endeavors.