Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) is a defined specialty dedicated to the study of brain-behavior relationships in individuals across diverse cultures and experiences; advancement of knowledge in brain function as it relates to cognition, emotion, behavior, and everyday function; and the application of this knowledge to the assessment and intervention of neurobehavioral dysfunction. CN includes the promotion of optimal brain development and health; prevention of neurologic and neuropsychiatric illness and associated disabilities; application of scientific knowledge; and advocacy for health justice, training, and application of neuropsychology in service of the alleviation of human suffering to benefit society and improve well-being. CN has always been reliant on the accumulation of accurate and reliable neurocognitive performance data, and on developing an evidence base reflecting the efficacy and effectiveness of neuropsychological practice in serving its constituents. Education and training in CN are based on the existing and evolving body of general knowledge and methods in the science and practice of psychology in preparation for practice.

CN is at a crossroads. It is inherently biased in the western perspective in which it was developed, and it utilizes many methods that are based on narrow, highly selective samples derived from decades-old assessment and intervention strategies. As a result, CN has not been appropriately attuned to sociocultural diversity in the population and technological changes in the healthcare landscape. All scientific knowledge becomes outdated with time, but in addition to what have in the past been typical enhancements in the knowledge base, CN currently requires paradigmatic changes in ways of conceptualizing, knowing and doing science, training, and practice to become more internally and externally valid, equitable, and just. It is crucial that intentional measures be taken to ensure that the current CN workforce comprises clinicians who have cultural connections and experiences that more accurately reflect the sociodemographic makeup of those who need neuropsychological services and communities that experience disparities in brain health. In addition to refining the knowledge base, it is imperative that the specialty foster greater representation of minoritized communities among practitioners and scientists. More broadly, there is a need for CN to recognize, revise, and repair structures, systems, and values that have rewarded and privileged certain ways of knowing and excluded and disregarded diverse perspectives and experiences. To build a sustainable, relevant, and inclusive neuropsychology, CN must now center social justice and representation, develop new knowledge, skills, and attitudes, and remove systemic barriers that have limited opportunities and access to entry into and progression within CN. 

Of additional concern, the field of CN is in need of modernization to integrate new developments in data science and technology. Older approaches to data acquisition, storage, and analysis cannot support our clinical or research practices. The development of new competencies in a broad range of information science areas, including digital communication, the integration of neuropsychological data into electronic medical records for accumulative knowledge base development, recognition of bias in technology and big data, application of modern psychometric methods to develop more equitable and accessible measurements, and technology-based solutions to key assessment and intervention challenges, among others is necessary for CN to train competency in these areas.

The primary goal of the Minnesota 2022 Update Conference is to develop an updated Policy Statement that details integrated education and training guidelines spanning the predoctoral, internship, and postdoctoral levels of training in CN. We seek to develop a comprehensive update and extension of the Houston Conference Policy Statement (1998). We seek to expand the framework for CN competency-based training to be infused with a health justice and equity framework that will prepare trainees to function competently in the workforce, and to apply contemporary technology and tools to maintain and develop clinical neuropsychological services that are valuable to the healthcare and scientific communities, service recipients, and society at large. The secondary goal of the Minnesota 2022 Update Conference is to develop a Consensus Statement on Ongoing Development Activities to support education and training in clinical neuropsychology that will address the broader needs of CN detailed above, as they are relevant to education and training.