Standard 2: Competence

Question 1

2.01

Answer 1

2. 01 Boundaries of Competence:
   (a) Psychologists provide services only within the boundaries of their competence
   (b) If there’s an understanding that individual factors such as age, gender, race, disability, SES, etc. influence treatment, psychologist have or obtain training necessary to be competent; except in emergency situations (2.02)
   (c) Psychologists planning to provide services involving populations, areas, techniques, or technologies new to them undertake relevant education, training, supervised experience, consultation, or study.
   (d) When psychologists are asked to provide services to individuals for whom appropriate mental health services are not available and for which psychologists have not obtained the competence necessary, psychologists with closely related prior training or experience may provide such services in order to ensure that services are not denied if they make a reasonable effort to obtain the competence required by using relevant research, training, consultation, or study.
   (e) In new areas where standards for training do not yet exist, psychologists nevertheless take reasonable steps to ensure the competence and to protect individuals from harm.
   (f) When assuming forensic roles, psychologists are or become reasonably familiar with the judicial or administrative rules governing their roles.

Question 2

2.02

Answer 2

Providing Services in Emergencies

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. The services are discontinued as soon as the emergency has ended or appropriate services are available.

Question 3

2.03

Answer 3

Maintaining Competence

Psychologists undertake ongoing efforts to develop and maintain their competence.

Question 4

2.04

Answer 4

Bases for Scientific and Professional Judgments

Psychologists’ work is based upon established scientific and professional knowledge of the discipline.

Question 5

2.05

Answer 5

Delegation of Work to Others:

Psychologists who delegate work to employees, supervisees, or research or teaching assistants or who use the services of others, such as interpreters, take reasonable steps to:

(1) avoid delegating such work to persons who have a multiple relationship with those being served that would likely lead to exploitation or loss of objectivity;
(2) authorize only those responsibilities that such persons can be expected to perform competently on the basis of their education, training, or experience, either independently or with the level of supervision being provided; and
(3) see that such persons perform these services competently.

Question 6

2.06

Answer 6

Personal Problems and Conflicts:

(a) Psychologists refrain from initiating an activity when they know or should know that there is a substantial likelihood that their personal problems will prevent them from performing their work-related activities in a competent manner.
(b) When psychologists become aware of personal problems that may interfere with their performing work-related duties adequately, they take appropriate measures, such as obtaining professional consultation or assistance, and determine whether they should limit, suspend, or terminate their work-related duties.