Theme 2: Assessment
| A. Qualified counsellor, advanced qualified counsellor and psychotherapist | B. Advanced qualified counsellor | C. Psychotherapist |
| 2.1. Ability to collaborate with supervisor and (or) other professionals to decide if a client or patient is suitable for therapy | 2.1.a. Ability to undertake a competent clinical assessment that is consistent with own therapeutic approach | 2.1.b. Ability to assess and formulate when working with chronic and enduring mental health conditions |
| 2.2. Ability to form a general idea of the client or patient’s problems and suitability, in terms of their capability to think about themselves psychologically, and their motivation for therapy | ||
| 2.3. Ability to assess client or patient suitability for online therapy | ||
| 2.4. Ability to draw upon knowledge of common mental health problems and their presentation during assessment and throughout therapy | 2.4.a. Ability to critically appraise the nature of ‘psychopathological’ and ‘normal’ functioning and distinguish between them, during assessment and throughout therapy | 2.4.b. Ability to understand medical diagnosis of mental disorders and the impact of psychotropic medication during assessment and throughout therapy |
| 2.5. Ability to collaboratively manage the process of referral with the client or patient and (or) other professionals during assessment and throughout therapy | 2.5.a. Ability to recognise more significant mental health symptoms and difficulties, and know when and how to refer on | |
| 2.6. Ability to work within own scope of practice and professional limitations and make referrals where appropriate | ||
| 2.7. Ability to make risk assessments regarding client's or patient’s and others’ safety, and comply with safeguarding guidance, appropriate to the practice setting | 2.7.a. Ability to devise and use a comprehensive risk assessment strategy | |
| 2.8. Ability to assess imminent and ongoing suicidal risk and other self-harming behaviours and recognise when to refer on and (or) signpost client or patient to other sources of help and support | ||
| 2.9. Ability to contain clients or patients when in crisis by providing information about self-care strategies and making clear arrangements for future meetings or contact | ||
| 2.10. Ability to demonstrate awareness of the risks for both parties specific to the online environment | 2.10.a. Ability to identify, formulate and respond to the interpersonal risks that are specific to working online as they impact on the therapeutic process or interact with a client's or patient’s presenting problems |