Clinical Psychology Competencies
Blog Note: If you plan to pursue a degree in Clinical Psychology, then it is important to know the scope of practice and competencies expected of students in training. By learning competencies in Clinical Psychology, you can ensure that your current undergraduate practicum, courses, research, writing skills, literacy skills, and presentations reflect these goals.
Upon meeting these competencies, clearly show on your CV and statement of purpose how you are meeting objectives in psychology. Admissions committees want to see students take initiative. They do not want to admit students that are unclear on how to succeed in graduate school. Simply, they do not want to take the time to review information that they feel students should have researched prior to admission.
Additionally, I would recommend locating the specific competencies for the program(s) you are interested in attending. Work on meeting those professional competencies. Then, assert how you are meeting these objectives in your admission profile and interview(s).
Upon meeting these competencies, clearly show on your CV and statement of purpose how you are meeting objectives in psychology. Admissions committees want to see students take initiative. They do not want to admit students that are unclear on how to succeed in graduate school. Simply, they do not want to take the time to review information that they feel students should have researched prior to admission.
Additionally, I would recommend locating the specific competencies for the program(s) you are interested in attending. Work on meeting those professional competencies. Then, assert how you are meeting these objectives in your admission profile and interview(s).
DEFINITION OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
Clinical Psychology is both a general practice and a health service provider specialty in professional psychology. Clinical Psychologists provide professional services for the diagnosis, assessment, evaluation, treatment and prevention of psychological, emotional, psychophysiological and behavioral disorders across the lifespan. These services include procedures for understanding, predicting, and alleviating intellectual, emotional, physical, and psychological distress, social and behavioral maladjustment, and mental illness, as well as other forms of discomfort. In addition, clinical psychology includes services for the enhancement of functioning in all of these areas. Clinical psychologists may provide services directly or support and facilitate the provision of services through supervision, teaching, management, administration, advocacy and similar roles.
Individual and cultural diversity recognizes the broad scope of factors such as race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, class status, education, religion/spiritual orientation, and other cultural dimensions.1In this Manual, the terms “multicultural” and “individual and cultural diversity” are used interchangeably. It is expected that Clinical Psychologists demonstrate sensitivity to and skills in working with culturally diverse populations.
U of M Recommendations on Clinical Psy Competencies
Also, here are links to download Clinical Psychology competencies according to the University of Michigan Marquette, American Board of Professional Psychology, and the APA:
http://www.marquette.edu/psyc/documents/CompetenciesRubric.pdf
http://www.marquette.edu/psyc/documents/CompetenciesRubric.pdf
