Table 7:

Skills and knowledge in treating serious mental illness (SMI) – Competency Assessment Inventory (n = 47)

Subscale	Meaning	Mean % competency M (SD)
Stress	Helps clients understand and cope with stressors that trigger deterioration	77 (22)
Stigma	Works with clients to cope with being stigmatized	73 (15)
Goal functioning	Assists clients in acquiring the skills needed to set and keep their chosen goals	71 (24)
Client preference	Learns and respects clients’ preferences regarding treatment	66 (15)
Team value	Provides services as part of a coordinated treatment team	64 (15)
Evidence-based	Perceives evidence-based practices as effective for their	63 (18)
practice	clients
Holistic approach	Helps clients achieve functioning across life domains	60 (16)
Medication	Teaches clients symptom and side-effect self-monitoring	59 (20)
management	skills
Community	Enough employment, self-help, and rehabilitation resources	58 (17)
resources	exist in the local community so that shortages do not get in the way of client functioning
Family education	Feels confident educating family members about mental illness and treatment options	56 (25)
Optimism	Assesses the degree to which providers believe that their
	clients will improve and have positive outcomes.	48 (13)
Rehabilitation	Practices professionally accepted psychiatric rehabilitation	47 (13)
Skills advocacy	Creates opportunities for clients to practice life skills	44 (20)
Integration/natural	Encourages clients to choose, find and use their own natural	43 (19)
supports	supports (including AA, hobby groups, and others)
Intensive case management	Helps clients obtain services and housing	16 (14)
Family involvement	Involves family members and helps them cope effectively	5 (12)

^*subscale scores are on a scale from 0 = absence of competency to 1 = complete competency