Conclusion

Throughout my blog, it talks about being competent, and knowing when to refrain and refer if you know you are not competent, but what are the core competencies to being a psychologist? How would someone be able to know if they are competent in all areas? "Competences should  be distinguished from abilities, personality traits, and other more stable characteristics of the individual" (Roe, 2002). Because competences are specific, it is important to take into account the occupational setting  for which the individual is working in. I found a guideline with the core competencies that are required from graduate students to go into the field of clinical psychology that is very informative. Here is the link:

Core Competencies

Here is a video about a famous psychologist known as Carl Rogers. He talks about how he knows whether or not he can build a relationship with a client.I found this to be very infomative as he talks about knowing when you think that you can accept a client, and knowing whether your feel competent enough to counsel them.

The Great Carl Rogers


                                                                 

                                                                   References

Core Competencies of a Clinical Psychologist. (n.d.). Retrieved from Marquette.edu: http://www.marquette.edu/psyc/documents/CompetenciesRubric.pdf

Roe, R. A. (2002). What makes a competent psychologist?. European Psychologist, 7(3), 192-202. doi:10.1027//1016-9040.7.3.192

Counsil of Specialties in Professional Psychology. (2009) Retreived from: http://cospp.org/

Fisher. C. (2013). Decoding the Ethics Code. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Rogers, Carl. (2010, March 1, 2010). The Great Carl Rogers-Person Centered Therapy. Retreived from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjTpEL8acfo&noredirect

Tamu, Nolfo. [CLASAlliance]. (2012, July 23). What is cultural competence and why is it important? Retrieved from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTh3pe8N3DQ

 

Delegation of Work and Personal Problems and Conflicts

Standard 2.04 stresses the importance of balance between science and practice (Fisher, 2013). This standard basically says that it is acceptable to use “novel approaches” to continue the development of the field (Fisher, 2013). They do not however, allow psychologists to use techniques that do not follow the general principles.

Standard 2.05 is about delegating duties to others. It is understood that sometimes a psychologist will need to delegate their work or a client to another employee, or service. It is important that they be sure that they aren’t doing any harm by delegating the duties to someone that is not competent. (Fisher, 2013). It is also important to make sure they are not giving the work to someone who could go against the multiple relationships code. Psychologists must be sure that the person who they are delegating the duties to has had the proper training and experience. To make sure they are competently doing their job, the psychologist should monitor the activities for some time until they are positive that they are competent for the service being provided.

An example of this would be if a psychologist had a client that only spoke a foreign language. It would be the psychologists job to find an interpreter who not only knows that language, but is also familiar with the codes and rules of confidentiality, and the bases of the psychology field (Fisher, 2013).

Standard 2.06 is about personal problems and conflicts. It is common in a workplace that there will be some type of conflict. I can think of every job that I have had where someone had a conflict with someone else. Another problem is where people having personal problems, bring that anger or frustration to work. This code states that psychologist must refrain from being involved in activities which could cause them to not do their job competently (Fisher, 2013). Death of a friend or family member, depression, or any other type of mental disorder can affect a psychologist ability to do their job, just as it would anyone else. Standard 206a prevents psychologists from seeing on a client when they may not be able to effectively treat them due to their own personal problems (Fisher, 2013).

An example of this would be if a psychologist was battling depression. If they seek treatment and start to feel better, it may be best to have someone monitor their work until they are confident that they are performing their job correctly. If someone feels that their work is being affected, then it is best to take the steps to delegate the duties elsewhere.  

Forensics, Providing Services during an Emergencies, and Maintaining Competence

When it comes to forensics, psychologists must be familiar with judicial rules as well as administrative rules. This includes areas such as clinical forensic examiners, researchers who provide expert testimony on a psychological issue, and practitioners who are called to appear before court as fact witnesses (Fisher, 2013). It is important to know these rules if you are called to court for example,  because you want to be sure you know what you can, or cannot say that could interfere with the court case. This includes knowing “federal rules of evidence regarding case law and expert testimony” (Fisher, 2013, pg. 75).

Forensic evaluations are an important part of the trial because this information could determine the plea of defendant. It is important for someone conducting the evaluation to be aware of the techniques that they can or cannot use because it may be inappropriate (Fisher, 2013). The book states that psychologist doing competency evaluations should be aware that the term “insanity” is defined differently based on the jurisdiction (Fisher, 2013). This is important to know because they should know who is considered “insane” before they take the stand and speak about someones mental state.

Sometimes psychologists could be asked to be a fact witness in court by providing records or testifying about one of their clients who is currently seeking treatment, or has received treatment. The psychologists’ role in court is not to testify on the behalf of the client, but rather to provide facts and information regarding the mental state or treatment the patient is receiving. It is the psychologists’ duty to know the rules as their forensic role in the courtroom, even if they were unaware that their work would be used in a legal setting (Fisher, 2013).

“In emergencies, when psychologists provide services to individuals for whom other mental health services are not available and for which psychologists have not obtained the necessary training, psychologists may provide such services in order to ensure that services are not denied”(Fisher, 2013, pg. 78). Standard 2.02 recognizes in these circumstances, this must be done to prevent harm and make sure that services are not denied to anyone. Once the emergency is over then the services must end and be referred somewhere where the appropriate services are available” (Fisher, 2013).

In the book it mentions examples such as 9/11. In this case there may have been a shortage of psyhchologist who specializes in PTSD that needed to treat patients suffering from the events of the attack. It is acceptable in this case for a psychologist treating similar disorders to temporarily see a client needing emergency treatment. After the emergency is over, the psychologist could then have the client seek treatment somewhere where a different psychologist could better counsel them.  

Standard 2.03 recognizes that it is also important for psychologist to maintain their competence by continuing to learn new areas, and expand the knowledge of the areas they are competent in (Fisher, 2013). With society and technology changing so fast, it is important to be up to date on the new information or techniques used in the particular field you are working in. There are always a lot of changes and things that evolve  so psychologist must be aware of these changes and/or requirements.

Refrain & Refer

Psychologist must be aware that differences in religion can affect the clients’ reactions to different life events. For example, someone who is Muslim will have a different view on death of a loved one than someone who is Christian. If a psychologist is not knowledgeable enough or does not feel competent enough to counsel a client that is a certain religion it may be best to refer them to go elsewhere.  

Under standard 201b, psychologists who have not had or cannot obtain the knowledge or experience required must refrain from engaging in such activities and make referrals when appropriate except in emergencies when services are immediately needed but unavailable (Fisher, 2013). For example, a person who works with children might refer a couple who is seeking couples counseling to someone in that particular field.  

Standard 201c applies to someone expanding their scope of practice (Fisher, 2013) If someone who normally works with children would also like to counsel families, then they must become qualified for the area of work before providing services for them. It is very important to have the proper knowledge and experience when working with a new population.

When a psychologist is not competent or trained for the appropriate population and they are asked to provide services due to lack of services to assure they are not denied services, they must use relevant and related experience. Standard 201d applies to psychologists that are not trained but they are the only individual available for providing services. This ethics code  must be followed while still keeping in mind the balance of principle A, to do good and do no harm. If a psychologist who does not technically have the skills or experience thinks they can do the job due to related experience and they are the only person available, it would be ok to provide services.This would most likely happen in small towns where there aren’t many psychologists available or where some are available but they do not have experience with that particular population.

A good example would be if someone in a small community was providing services for elderly depression, and a client’s parents asked if the psychologist could evaluate their teenager, because they think that he/she is depressed, or has bipolar disorder. There are no nearby clinics that specialize in this type of population, and the family does not have transportation. The family is worried that the teen will harm themselves or someone else. In this case, it would be acceptable for the psychologist to evaluate the client, but not treat them. The psychologist should consult with someone who does work with this population, prior to the evaluation, and should also inform the family and the client that they cannot treat if treatment was necessary. The psychologist would do the evaluation, however would refer them where they think is best for the client.   

Psychologist must make sure they are taking the necessary steps to ensure that all of their work and techniques are safe. They also must they know the risks involved in a new area of study, even when the new area of study might not have professional or specific qualifications (Fisher, 2013)

Knowledge and Skills

Sometimes not knowing whether or not you are competent enough to do a job is challenging. A therapist may think they have the education to do a job, but they may need a certification for it.  The Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology (COSPP) website gives detailed descriptions of the education and experience needed to be competent of the specialty areas that require such training (Fisher, 2013). Here is the link to the website. Feel free to check it out as it has important information on the requirements, if you should go into that specific field.

Link to COSPP: http://cospp.org

 

 

 

 

It is also important to have the knowledge of factors that differ such as differences in age, sex, religions, race, culture, national origin, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic  status (Fisher, 2013). When someone isn’t knowledgeable about a certain religion or culture for example, it may not be best for them to try and counsel them. When this type of situation occurs, it might be best to refer them to another psychologist.

Standard 201b requires psychologist obtain special understanding, skills, and professional knowledge of the discipline establishes that an understanding of factors associated with these individual differences is essential to competent work. (Fisher, 2013) In order to be considered competent with certain populations, you must have the professional and scientific knowledge and skills, not based on your own opinions or personal beliefs. 

Psychologist must be aware that differences in religion can affect the clients’ reactions to different life events.  For example, someone who is Muslim will have a different view on death of a loved one than someone who is Christian. It is important to know the differences in religion because sometimes if you say the wrong thing, this could potentially ruin your relationship or bond with your client. If a psychologist is not knowledgeable enough or does not feel competent enough to counsel a client that is a certain religion it may be best to refer them elsewhere.

Here is a great video on cultural competence, which is an important part of being competent due to the many difference in culture.

Cultural Competence

 

A good example from the book stated that a psychologist was treating a woman for depression who was also being treated for diabetes. It is important for the psychologist to know the reactions that certain medications have with insulin.

Critical self-reflection and Personal and Professional Bias is important because psychologist must be able to confront biases and prejudices. They also must be able to identify and resist stereotypes of clients, research participants, and students in term of their race, ethnicity, gender, social class, sexual orientation, or other socially constructed categories (Fisher, 2013, pg. 71). It is also important to be aware of weaknesses and strengths of different cultures and the issues within different cultures.

A good example of this would be if a marital psychologist was a certain religion, and did not believe in gay marriage. If the couple contacts the psychologist, and makes them aware of this, it is up to the psychologist to determine whether they think they can counsel the couple without having a prejudice against them, or feel as though they are doing wrong because of their religion. In this case, it might be best for them to refer the couple to another psychologist.

 

Introduction

    

     Standards on competence can be simply described as being able to provide services by having received the proper and related education, experience and training (Fisher, 2013) This is important to ethics because, most importantly, as a psychologist, the general principle is to “do no harm”. This is where principle A, beneficence and nonmaleficence (to do good and no harm)is enforced.  Competence is being able to perform your job with all of the resources, training, and experience needed to perform competently.  It is important for someone giving a counseling session, doing research, teaching, or providing any type of therapy to have the proper information and education they need to be sure they know what they are doing, and how to handle different situations.

     Just think of it in a medical aspect for a moment.  Someone who is an EMT, could not have a fill in person who works in their office as a receptionist; they would be incompetent. That person wouldn’t know how to go about the life saving procedures, for example, in the event of a heart attack; therefore they are causing harm. No one should be doing a job they are not capable and properly trained to do.

     In the psychology field, someone who conducts research must have additional training before they can provide therapy to patients.  An example of bad ethics would be if someone conducting research provides a service for counseling without the additional education and training. Also, psychologists should not suggest a change of medication unless they have special training as a prescribing psychologist. This would be an example of bad ethics because changing someone’s medication without proper knowledge could have very harmful consequences. A patient on anti-psychotics or anti-depressants who go off of their medications could end up harming themselves or someone else.