DETROIT – Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D., ABPP, director of the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University, has won the 2020 Specialty Board Award in Geropsychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). ABPP is the country’s primary organization for specialty board certification in psychology, promoting quality services through professional examination and certification. Lichtenberg became one of the country’s first board-certified clinical geropsychologists in 2012.

The ABPP nomination cited his numerous contributions to the American Board of Geropsychology that strongly supported its growth and high standards. Lichtenberg serves on the executive board of the clinical geropsychology specialty and chairs the review of written materials submitted to apply for the geropsychology specialty. He has also participated in several oral reviews of candidates. The award notes his consistent ability to facilitate timely reviews of the highest caliber, enable a smooth process for candidates and examiners, and uphold the board’s founding values.

“This award and my involvement with ABPP mean a lot to me,” Lichtenberg said. “One of my goals since the early 1990s was to help establish the specialty of clinical geropsychology so older adults would be better served by the field of psychology. To watch this specialty develop and grow from year to year, and to be recognized as making significant contributions to the field, is an incredible honor and a special highlight of my career.”

Lichtenberg has worked as a clinical geropsychologist, researcher, program director and national leader in gerontology for the past 34 years.  He is nationally renowned for his work on financial decision-making, capacity, vulnerability and undue influence in older adults. He has contributed significantly to the practice of older-adult psychology in areas including financial exploitation, Alzheimer’s disease and late-life depression. He is the author of nine books, including the two-volume APA Handbook of Clinical Geropsychology (2015), and is the author or co-author of more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. Lichtenberg recently created several widely used tools for professionals, caregivers and seniors to assess financial decision-making in older adults, available at no cost on OlderAdultNestEgg.com.

The Institute of Gerontology researches aging, educates students in gerontology, and informs professionals, caregivers and older adults in the community on issues related to aging (iog.wayne.edu). The institute is part of the Division of Research at Wayne State University, one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research institutions in an urban setting. For more information about research at Wayne State University, visit research.wayne.edu.