Читать книгу Introduction to Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology - Robert Weis - Страница 60

According to the APA Ethics Code (2017a), “psychologists provide services, teach, and conduct research with populations and in areas only within their boundaries of competence.” Competence refers to the use of education, training, and professional experience to deliver evidence-based services to individuals and the community. In general, psychologists achieve and maintain competence in three ways. First, psychologists have the educational background necessary to assess, diagnose, and treat the children, families, and groups with whom they work. Second, psychologists seek additional training and supervised experiences to maintain their awareness of evidence-based practice and, perhaps, expand their clinical work to new populations. Third, psychologists monitor their own mental and physical health and sociocultural awareness to make sure that these factors do not limit their ability to deliver effective care (Nagy, 2011).

Practicing within the boundaries of competence is important because it protects the welfare of clients. Psychologists who practice outside their areas of training will likely be less effective than therapists who are more knowledgeable and skillful. Therapists who practice outside the boundaries of their competence also risk harming their clients.

Competence is especially relevant to the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents. There is a shortage of clinicians who have received formal education and training in diagnosing and treating childhood disorders. Many clinicians, whose educational and clinical experiences largely focused on adults, may be tempted to provide care outside their boundaries of competence. Consider the case of Dr. Williams, a psychologist struggling with an ethical issue related to competence.

Dr. Williams is an expert in treating substance use disorders in adults. However, she lacks specialized training and supervision in the treatment of adolescent substance use disorders. It would likely be unethical for her to offer services to adolescents without first receiving additional training. Ideally, Dr. Williams would participate in some additional coursework on adolescent substance use disorders and receive supervision from a colleague who has expertise in this area.

Competence is also relevant to psychology students. Students often serve on the front lines of mental health treatment for children. For example, some students deliver behavioral interventions to children with autism, others help administer summer treatment programs for youths with ADHD, and still others work in group homes or residential treatment facilities. Because of their status as students, they must receive supervision from psychologists or other licensed mental health professionals who accept responsibility for their work. Students should always feel comfortable with their level of supervision and never feel pressured to accept more responsibility than they have received training to provide. Equally as important, students should never feel embarrassed to ask for help from their supervisor.