The Core Competencies:
Domain 6: Management of Change, Crisis & Trauma Work
A European Psychotherapist is competent to: -
- §6.1: Manage change
- 6.1.1: Awareness of difficult moments: which involves – being aware of difficult moments in the process of the patient/client’s psychotherapy (like anniversaries; particular triggers for emotional distress, etc.); being particularly sensitive and flexible at such times; being aware of the different phases, or the dynamics of change, in psychotherapy, so as to be able to guide the patient/client in their process; being aware that change is not always linear, gradual or continuous; being aware of theories about the dynamics of change; etc.
- 6.1.2: Management of change process: which involves – helping the patient/client with insight and understanding as to their process; providing interventions appropriate to the patient/client’s particular phase; helping (perhaps more intensively) in particularly difficult phases or when the patient/client gets stuck in a particular phase; being aware of external, or socio-political and economic factors, that might be affecting the patient/client’s process (positively or adversely); suggesting possible courses of action to assist the patient/client’s process; etc.
- §6.2: Work with people in crisis
- 6.2.1: Awareness of crisis intervention: which involves – being aware of the principles and role of brief psychotherapy, crisis intervention and prevention; being aware of the different types of crisis and the different approaches and types of support needed for these; being aware of specialist crisis services, residential crisis centres and other possibilities; etc.
- 6.2.2: Working with people in crisis: which involves – being able to respond appropriately to a patient/client in crisis; maintaining the therapeutic relationship, even though the patient/client is in crisis and may be being treated temporarily by a specialist service; re-forming the therapeutic relationship after the crisis, if necessary; helping to repair or restore relationships (with other people) and other contacts (if possible) after the crisis; helping the patient/client to understand the causes (or triggers) of their crisis, how to prevent any recurrence in the future, and looking at any lessons to be learnt from the crisis; etc.
- §6.3: Work with traumatised people
- 6.3.1: Awareness of trauma work: which involves – being aware of the possible causes and effects of trauma and the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder; being aware of the parameters necessary for working with people with traumatic conditions; being aware of possible referral possibilities for patients/clients with trauma; etc.
- 6.3.2: Work with people with trauma: which involves - being aware of one's own competencies and limitations in working with people with trauma; referring patients/clients with trauma on to (additional) specialist trauma services, where appropriate; undertaking, if necessary, specialist training to work with people with trauma ; 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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