Table 2.

Clinical psychology competencies.

Competency	Description	Ideal behavior
1. Counseling	Ability to show empathic understanding, to apply basic counseling techniques, and collaborative goal formulation with clients.	(a) Applies basic counseling techniques appropriately including clarification, paraphrase and summarizing responses. (b) Forms and communicates an empathic understanding to clients, careers, and significant others. (c) Formulates client goals in a collaborative manner. (d) Demonstrates accurate empathy in complex situations where affect is covert, controlled or denied.
2. Clinical Assessment	Ability to perform adequate assessments in a time efficient and in a personally/socio-culturally sensitive manner; to appropriately prioritize issues, and assess risk.	(a) Demonstrates knowledge of psychopathology and diagnostic criteria for clients seen at the placement. (b) Demonstrates a systematic and logical sequence of questioning during the clinical assessment interview. (c) Skillful and efficient in conducting a clinical assessment, including a mental state examination. (d) Undertakes clinical assessments in an interpersonally engaging and in a socio-culturally sensitive manner.
3. Case Conceptualization	Ability to appropriately integrate information from multiple sources to inform appropriate case conceptualizations, diagnoses, and treatment plans.	(a) Makes appropriate use of diagnostic frameworks (e.g., DSM5) to arrive at correct diagnoses and differential diagnoses. (b) Draws upon different psychological theories and approaches to derive a meaningful case conceptualization. (c) Integrates cultural knowledge into case conceptualization. (d) Integrates assessment and other information into realistic treatment plans.
4. Intervention	Ability to skillfully implement appropriate, empirically supported treatment interventions; monitor treatment progress and outcomes.	(a) Demonstrates knowledge of principles and procedures of relevant interventions. (b) Demonstrates effective application of theoretical knowledge of evidence-based treatment methods (e.g. CBT, IPT, MI). (c) Implements interventions relevant to the needs of the client. (d) Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness in the application of treatments and/or in the implementation of scheduled programs. (e) Efficiently conducts evidence-based treatment approaches (e.g. CBT, IPT, MI). Fluently transitions between elements/techniques. (f) Overcomes common difficulties in therapy through skillful interviewing to maintain therapy direction and progress. (g) Uses appropriate measures to regularly monitor treatment progress and outcomes.
5. Ethical Attitude and Behavior	Knowledge of ethical/professional codes, standards and guidelines, and commitment to their application. Ability to maintain appropriate and respectful boundaries and seek consultation on ethical issues.	(a) Demonstrates knowledge of ethical/professional codes, standards and guidelines. (b) Recognizes ethical and legal issues that arise across the range of professional activities, and demonstrates good discernment and judgment in these situations. (c) Acknowledges the limits of one’s competence and makes appropriate referrals when required. (d) Demonstrates commitment to ethical practice across a range of clinical situations.
6. Scientist Practitioner	Knowledge of theoretical and research evidence related to diagnosis, assessment and intervention. Able to show respect for scientific methods and empirical evidence and commitment to their application to clinical practice.	(a) Demonstrates knowledge of theoretical and research evidence related to assessment, diagnosis, case conceptualization and treatment, and to intervention monitoring and evaluation of interventions. (b) Demonstrates the ability to critically analyze and evaluate the empirical literature. (c) Demonstrates respect for, and use of, the scientific method in clinical practice. (d) Demonstrates systematic and habitual application of scientific principles (e.g., hypothesis testing) to assessment, diagnosis, case conceptualization and treatment, and to intervention monitoring and evaluation of interventions.
7. Professionalism	Effective organization and time management. Clear and professional expressive skills, professional dress and demeanor. Good interactional skills with colleagues and other professionals.	(a) Demonstrates responsibility and accountability, reliably and punctually attending client appointments and work-related activities. (b) Demonstrates an organized, disciplined, and timely approach to maintaining case notes and records. (c) Effectively prioritizes competing tasks. (d) Demonstrates concern for the welfare of others including the profession, organization and community, and shows respect for cultural values and diversity. (e) Clearly and effectively communicates in verbal, non-verbal and written forms for a range of purposes. (f) Conducts self professionally in dress and demeanor. (g) Works collaboratively with colleagues across a range of disciplines. (h) Copes professionally with disapproval and criticism, and works constructively toward resolution of interpersonal conflicts at work. (i) Demonstrates progress in developing an integrated sense of self as a professional psychologist.
8. Psychological Testing	Able to apply knowledge to correctly select, administer, score and interpret common psychometric tests, and to generate psychometric reports. Knowledge of psychometric issues and testing theory.	(a) Correctly administers and score common/core psychological tests. (b) Demonstrates knowledge of psychometric issues, testing theory, and bases of assessment methods. (c) Interprets and integrates information in accordance with psychometric principles. (d) Demonstrates ability to write psychological test reports that are clear, accurate, and tailored appropriately to the user.
9. Reflective Practice	Self-care, self-awareness and reflectivity, reflection on own emotions, beliefs, values and behavior and their effect on others. Appropriately self corrects.	(a) Demonstrates problem-solving ability, organized reasoning, intellectual curiosity and flexibility. (b) Demonstrates affect tolerance, understanding of interpersonal conflict, tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty. (c) Demonstrates consideration of the way in which personal issues and concerns impact on one's professional practice. (d) Effectively uses observation and feedback including supervision to hone reflection skills. (e) Actively reflects on ways in which others' cross-cultural values and perspectives influence one's own responses and vice versa. (f) Accurately assesses own strengths and weaknesses and level of competence and plans necessary learning to address gap. (g) Demonstrates appropriate and timely care of personal health and wellbeing to ensure effective professional functioning.
10. Supervision	Able to show good preparation and collaboration within supervision, openness to and effective use of feedback.	(a) Demonstrates adequate preparation for supervision. (b) Seeks and accepts supervisory input, including direction. (c) Appropriately balances autonomy and dependency needs.