ABCT Annual Convention Continuing Education Credit Information
At the ABCT Annual Convention in New York City, there are Ticketed events (meaning you usually have to buy a ticket for one of these beyond the general registration fee) and General sessions (meaning you can usually get in by paying the general registration fee), the vast majority of which qualify for CE credit. See the end of this document for a list of bodies that have approved ABCT as a CE sponsor. Note that we do not currently offer CMEs. Attendance at each continuing education session in its entirety is required to receive CE credit. No partial credit is awarded; late arrival or early departure will preclude awarding of CE credit.
For those who have met all requirements according to the organizations which have approved ABCT as a CE sponsor, certificates will be mailed early in the new year following the Annual Convention.
TICKETED EVENTS Eligible for CE
All Ticketed Events offer CE in addition to educational opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills. These events are targeted for attendees with a particular level of expertise (e.g., basic, moderate, and/or advanced). Ticketed sessions require an additional payment beyond the general registration fee. For ticketed events attendees must sign in and sign out and complete and return an individual evaluation form. It remains the responsibility of the attendee to sign in at the beginning of the session and out at the end of the session.
Clinical Intervention Trainings
One- and two-day events emphasizing the "how-to" of clinical interventions. The extended length allows for exceptional interaction. Participants attending a full day session can earn 7 continuing education credits, and 14 continuing education credits for the two-day session.
Institutes
Leaders and topics for Institutes are selected from previous ABCT workshop presentations. Institutes are offered as a 5- or 7-hour session on Thursday, and are generally limited to 40 attendees. Participants in the full-day Institute can earn 7 continuing education credits, and in the half-day Institutes can earn 5 continuing education credits.
Workshops
Covering concerns of the practitioner/educator/researcher, these remain an anchor of the Convention. Workshops are offered on Friday and Saturday, are 3 hours long, and are generally limited to 60 attendees. Participants in these Workshops can earn 3 continuing education credits per workshop.
Master Clinician Seminars (MCS)
The most skilled clinicians explain their methods and show videos of sessions. These 2-hour sessions are offered throughout the Convention and are generally limited to 40 to 45 attendees. Participants in these seminars can earn 2 continuing education credits per seminar.
Advanced Methodology and Statistics Seminars (AMASS)
Designed to enhance researchers' abilities, there are generally two seminars offered on Thursday or during the course of the Convention. They are 4 hours long and limited to 40 attendees. Participants in these courses can earn 4 continuing education credits per seminar.
General Sessions Eligible for CE
There are 200 general sessions each year competing for your attention. All general sessions are included with the registration fee. Most of the sessions are eligible for CE, with the exception of the poster sessions, Membership Panel Discussions, the Special Interest Group Meetings (SIG), and a few other sessions. You are eligible to earn 1 CE credit per hour of attendance.
General sessions attendees must sign in and sign out and answer particular questions in the CE booklet regarding each session attended. The booklets must be handed in to ABCT at the end of the Convention.
General session types that are eligible for CE include:
Clinical Grand Rounds
Clinical experts engage in simulated live demonstrations of therapy with clients, who are generally portrayed by graduate students studying with the presenter.
Invited Panels and Addresses
Speakers well-established in their field, or who hold positions of particular importance, share their unique insights and knowledge on a broad topic of interest.
Mini-Workshops
These 90-minute sessions directly address evidence-based clinical skills and applications. They are offered at an introductory level and clinical care or training issues.
Panel Discussions and Clinical Round Tables
Discussions (or debates) by informed individuals on a current important topic. These are organized by one moderator and include between three and five panelists with a range of experience and attitudes. The total number of speakers may not exceed 6.
Spotlight Research Presentations
This format provides a forum to debut new findings considered to be groundbreaking or innovative for the field. A limited number of extended-format sessions consisting of a 45-minute research presentation and a 15-minute question-and-answer period allows for more in-depth presentation than is permitted by symposia or other formats.
Symposia
Presentations of data, usually investigating the efficacy or effectiveness of treatment protocols. Symposia are either 60 or 90 minutes in length. They have one or two chairs, one discussant, and between three and five papers. The total number of speakers may not exceed 6.
General Sessions NOT Eligible for CE
Membership Panel Discussion
Organized by representatives of the Membership Committees, these events generally emphasize training or career development.
Poster Sessions
One-on-one discussions between researchers, who display graphic representations of the results of their studies, and interested attendees. Because of the variety of interests and research areas of the ABCT attendees, between 1,400 and 1,600 posters are presented each year.
Special Interest Group (SIG) Meetings
More than 39 SIGs meet each year to accomplish business (such as electing officers), renew relationships, and often offer presentations. SIG talks are not peer-reviewed by the Association.
Special Sessions
These events are designed to provide useful information regarding professional rather than scientific issues. For more than 20 years the Internship and Postdoctoral Overviews have helped attendees find their educational path. Other special sessions often include expert panels on getting into graduate school, career development, information on grant applications, and a meeting of the Directors of Clinical Training. These sessions are not eligible for continuing education credit.
Other Sessions
Other sessions not eligible for CE are noted as such on the itinerary planner and in the program book.
Great, how do I get CE at the ABCT Convention?
The continuing education fee must be paid (see registration form) for a personalized continuing education credit letter to be distributed. Those who have included CE in their preregistration will be given a booklet when they pick up their badge and registration materials at the ABCT Registration Desk. Others can still purchase a booklet at the registration area during the convention. The current fee is $99.00.
Which Organizations Have Approved ABCT as a CE Sponsor?
Psychology
ABCT is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. ABCT maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Attendance at each continuing education session in its entirety is required to receive CE credit. No partial credit is awarded; late arrival or early departure will preclude awarding of CE credit.
For ticketed events attendees must sign in and sign out and complete and return an individual evaluation form. For general sessions attendees must sign in and sign out and answer particular questions in the CE booklet regarding each session attended. The booklets must be handed in to ABCT at the end of the Convention. It remains the responsibility of the attendee to sign in at the beginning of the session and out at the end of the session.
Social Work
ABCT program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886427222) for 25 continuing education contact hours. For those who want CE for Social Work, New York State has opted out of sponsorship with NASW. Therefore ABCT cannot offer CE for any Licensed or Clinical Licensed Clinical Social Workers in the State of New York.
Counseling
The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.
Continuing Education (CE) Grievance Procedure
ABCT is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists. ABCT will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the Coordinator of Convention and Continuing Education Issues in conjunction with the Director of Education and Meeting Services.
Although ABCT goes to great lengths to assure fair treatment for all participants and attempts to anticipate problems, there will be occasional issues which come to the attention of the convention staff which require intervention and/or action on the part of the convention staff or an officer of ABCT. This procedural description serves as a guideline for handling such grievances.
All grievances must be filed in writing to ensure a clear explanation of the problem.
If the grievance concerns satisfaction with a CE session the Director of Education and Meeting Services shall determine whether a full or partial refund (either in money or credit for a future CE event) is warranted. If the complainant is not satisfied, their materials will be forwarded to the Coordinator of Convention and Continuing Education Issues for a final decision.
If the grievance concerns a speaker and particular materials presented, the Director of Education and Meeting Services shall bring the issue to the Coordinator of Convention and Continuing Education Issues who may consult with the members of the continuing education issues committees. The Coordinator will formulate a response to the complaint and recommend action if necessary, which will be conveyed directly to the complainant. For example, a grievance concerning a speaker may be conveyed to that speaker and also to those planning future educational programs.
Records of all grievances, the process of resolving the grievance and the outcome will be kept in the files of the Director of Education and Meeting Services.
A copy of this Grievance Procedure will be available upon request.
If you have a complaint, please contact Linda M. Still, CMP, Director of Education and Meeting Services at lmstill@abct.org or (212) 646-1890 for assistance.
