The Core Competencies:
Domain 11: Management & Administration
A European Psychotherapist is competent to: -
- §11.1: Handle a professional practice
- 11.1.1: Manage a full working case load: which involves – being aware of one’s own capacities; at the start of each session, being fresh, interested, centred and focussed; starting and closing the session and the process in good time; making appropriate notes and recording client information as one goes; giving sufficient time between sessions and not doing too many sessions in any one time period; when engaged in other non-professional activities or when involved in other activities & events, creating sufficient time and space for these, so that one’s professional practice remains clear; etc.
- 11.1.2: Maintain appropriate support systems: which involves – engaging in appropriate supervision, case conferences and review of professional work with clients (see also Core Competencies: Domain 8); engaging regularly in appropriate discussion & contacts with colleagues; keeping in touch with developments in the profession and particularly in one’s own area of psychotherapy; attending professional seminars, symposia and conferences, appropriately; subscribing to professional journals, appropriately; undertaking appropriate Continuing Professional Development (CPD); maintaining one’s status with appropriate professional associations; etc.
- 11.1.3: Undertake regular self-management: which involves - regularly engaging in active self-care and self-management; keeping reasonably fit and healthy; taking sufficient breaks, time-off, holidays and engaging in other types of activity; in times of personal or professional difficulty, getting increased supervision, consulting an appropriate colleague, or getting advice from a mentor; etc.
- §11.2: Manage a self-employed or small business
- 11.2.1: Maintain good business practice, administration and accounting systems: which involves – having an awareness of good business practice, administration systems and accounting systems and keeping up-to-date with these regularly; conforming with all local and national legal, accounting, tax and administrative regulations and requirements as a professional person in business; filing tax forms and paying VAT (where appropriate); paying bills and employees’ salaries on time; etc.
- 11.2.2: Apply appropriate regulations: which involves - being aware of, and applying, appropriate health & safety, environmental & ecological regulations and considerations, especially with respect to office location and supplies; ensuring that appropriate insurance cover is maintained for patients/clients, employees (if appropriate) and members of the public; keeping up to date with any requirements of one's professional associations; etc.
- 11.2.3: Ensure appropriate advertising: which involves - displaying appropriate professional name plate, logo or shield to identify professional practice clearly; ensuring that all advertising and promotional material (business cards, letterheads & leaflets, etc.) is accurate and ethical (see particularly EAP Statement of Ethical Principles: §7 Public Statements); etc.
- §11.3: Manage and administer employees in a small business
- 11.3.1: Awareness of employment law and regulations: which involves – where appropriate, employing people properly according to national employment law & regulations; being aware or and conforming to all health & safety standards; etc.
- 11.3.2: Manage & administer employees properly: which involves - providing suitable working conditions; supervising or line managing them appropriately, or ensuring that this is done; ensuring that ‘dual relationships’ are not created; making sure that staff policies, contracts, administration and handbooks are up-to-date and fit-for-purpose; etc.
Footnote:
[1] All these Core Competencies should be read in conjunction with the relevant sections of the EAP Statement of Ethical Principles (see Appendix 6 (see here) or the EAP website (see here)
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