The Different Domains
Domain 3: Exploration, (Assessment, Diagnosis & Conceptualization)
These domains of activity have to be considered within a framework that constitutes the professional work of a European psychotherapist. [1]
These ‘domains’ operate within each of the three main categories of Competencies (Core, Specific & Specialist),
All these domains indicate areas in which a European psychotherapist is competent:
- Working Professionally, Autonomously & Accountably:
- The Psychotherapeutic Relationship:
- Domain 3: Exploration, (Assessment, Diagnosis & Conceptualization): The psychotherapist is able to demonstrate that: as a result of an initial exploration, during or shortly after the initial meeting, they are able (with the help of any appropriate tests, assessment tools, categorisations, and a deep knowledge and understanding of both healthy development and psychopathology) to perform an assessment of the patient/client’s history, process, and probable needs, as well as any risks involved; to record this appropriately, and to be able communicate these to the patient/client, or another professional, where appropriate, and in understandable terms; and to be aware of the limitations of their own professional practice and the method of practice; to have knowledge about appropriate referral possibilities and to inform the patient/client of these when appropriate; this can also be an exploration of why the patient/client is coming to psychotherapy and can thus lead into what that psychotherapist can actually ‘do’ for the them.[2]
- §3.1: Make an Assessment
- Make use of assessment tools
- Conduct an assessment interview
- Conduct a risk assessment
- §3.2: Formulate a Diagnosis
- Recognise any possible mental health / illness issues
- Respond to mental health / illness needs
- §3.3: Conceptualize and decide upon an approach
- Make use of assessment tools
- Conceptualize the patient/client’s needs
- Make decisions based on assessment
- Conclude the Assessment
- ‘Contracting’ (Developing Goals, Plans & Strategies):
- Various Techniques & Interventions:
- Management of Change, Crisis and Trauma Work:
- Completion & Evaluation:
- Collaboration with Other Professionals:
- Use of Supervision, (Peer) Intervision and Critical Evaluation:
- Ethics, Standards & Sensitivities:
- Management & Administration:
- Research:
- Prevention & Education:
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To view the detailed Core Competencies within this domain, please click here.
To look at the description of any of the other domains, please click on the domain name.
To see the descriptions of all the domains together, click here.