Certifications and Skills for Undergrad Psych Students to Improve Their Resumes

Psychological First Aid Training

Psychological first aid training (PFA) prepares mental health professionals and disaster response workers to help survivors, witnesses, and first responders cope with and recover from disasters and terrorism. The five-hour online course focuses on early assistance within days or weeks of the triggering event. PFA adaptations have been formulated for school staff, clergy and religious workers, and personnel at facilities that service people experiencing homelessness.

PFA provides training in eight core actions:

• Contact and engagement
• Safety and comfort
• Stabilization
• Information gathering on current needs and concerns
• Practical assistance
• Connection with social supports
• Information on coping
• Linkage with collaborative services

• Managing Organization: National Child Traumatic Stress Network
• Eligibility Requirements: None

Mental Health First Aid Training

Mental health first aid (MHFA) certification focuses on providing early intervention and initial support for those experiencing mental health and substance use challenges until they can connect with professional help. The course offers opportunities to practice actions to assist with hallucinations or delusions, overdose or withdrawal from drugs or alcohol, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and reactions to trauma.

One-day courses take place in person or via blended or virtual formats. Adult MHFA teaches learners how to help adults, while Youth MHFA offers instruction on assisting young people aged 12-18. Enrollees learn to recognize symptoms of mental health and substance use distress and identify appropriate professionals and resources.

• Managing Organization: National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Eligibility Requirements: None

SMART Recovery Volunteer Training

SMART Recovery trains volunteers to host 90-minute in-person and online meetings that provide peer support for people struggling with addictive or problematic behaviors. These include alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, food, and gambling. Volunteers gain skills in recognizing and asking for discussion topics and identifying relevant SMART Recovery tools, such as brainstorming, role-playing, and unconditional self-acceptance.

Trainees register online and have 180 days to complete the virtual course at their own pace. The estimated completion time is 8-10 hours. Trained volunteer hosts can move to the next level and become meeting facilitators who develop advanced meeting management skills.

• Managing Organization: SMART Recovery USA, Inc.
• Eligibility Requirements: None

Certified Alzheimer Caregiver

Certified Alzheimer caregivers (CACs) care for those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. They may be family members, workers in the home, or staff at adult daycare centers, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes. Earning the CAC credential entails taking an exam at a Pearson VUE Professional Testing Center or via a remote proctor. Examinees can review the candidate handbook and CAC test guidelines online.

The certification demonstrates an understanding of the special needs of Alzheimer's and dementia patients and their families. CAC credential holders have the knowledge and competence to deliver the highest quality of care.

• Managing Organization: National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care
• Eligibility Requirements: 18 years of age or older, direct care experience with persons with dementia

Board Certified Coach

Bachelor's degree holders can apply for their Board Certified Coach (BCC) credentials, including health/wellness coaching and personal/life coaching. The health/wellness certification focuses on evidence-based strategies for helping clients reach their mental and physical health and wellness goals. Personal/life-certified coaches design and create personal development and change solutions using evidence-based methods.

After completing Center for Credentialing and Education-approved training and submitting evidence of coaching experience, applicants register for the BCC examination. The exam tests knowledge in ethics and regulatory guidelines, coaching knowledge and applications, assessment, and practice management. Examinees can test online or at a Pearson Vue test center.

• Managing Organization: Center for Credentialing and Education
• Eligibility Requirements: 120 hours of professional coach training from a CCE-approved program, 30 hours of coaching experience, professional endorsement, passing score on BCC examination

Certified in Thanatology

Qualified applicants with education and experience in the field of death, dying, and bereavement can test for their certified in thanatology credentials. Experience can include caring for or counseling terminally ill individuals, providing therapy for grief, and offering death education or thanatology training.

Candidates for certification take an exam that includes multiple choice questions on dying and unforeseen, foreseen, and traumatic death; end-of-life preparation and decision-making; grief, mourning, and memorialization; and history of thanatology and death education. The online exam is administered once a year.

• Managing Organization: Association for Death Education and Counseling
• Eligibility Requirements: 1,760 hours of prior thanatology experience, 90 contact hours of thanatology education, two recommendations, passing score on certification exam