Specialty Competencies in Couple and Family Psychology

by Robert A. Ditomasso

The field of psychology is witnessing a burgeoning competence movement and leading organizations have initiated major and sustained efforts to define and evaluate specific competencies in clinical psychology.

In Specialty Competencies in Clinical Psychology, DiTomasso, Cahn, Panichelli-Mindel, and McFillin examine the need for competency-minded training in clinical psychology and provide a comprehensive overview of specific functional and foundational competencies in the specialty. Each chapter defines competence in specific functional domains such as assessment, case formulation, consultation, teaching, administration, management and supervision, scientific methods and research, and interventional competencies within four major theoretical models (interpersonal, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, and contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapies). Finally, the authors emphasize distinct foundational competencies, such as the interpersonal relationship, ethical considerations, individual and cultural diversity, and professional identification.


Series in Specialty Competencies in Professional Psychology

Series Editors
Arthur M. Nezu and Christine Maguth Nezu

As the field of psychology continues to grow and new specialty areas emerge and achieve recognition, it has become increasingly important to define the standards of professional specialty practice.

Developed and conceived in response to this need for practical guidelines, this series presents methods, strategies, and techniques for conducting day-to-day practice in any given psychology specialty. The topical volumes address best practices across the functional and foundational competencies that characterize the various psychology specialties, including clinical psychology, cognitive and behavioral psychology, school psychology, geropsychology, forensic psychology, clinical neuropsychology, couples and family psychology, and more. Functional competencies include common practice activities like assessment and intervention, while foundational competencies represent core knowledge areas such as ethical and legal issues, cultural diversity, and professional identification. In addition to describing these competencies, each volume provides a definition, description, and development timeline of a particular specialty, including its essential and characteristic pattern of activities, as well as its distinctive and unique features.

Written by recognized experts in their respective fields, volumes are comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible. These volumes offer invaluable guidance to not only practicing mental health professionals, but those training for specialty practice as well.