Training for Competency in Professional Psychology: A Canadian Perspective

Abstract

Professional psychologists in Canada are required to demonstrate several core competencies in order to obtain licensure. Upcoming modifications to national accreditation criteria for professional psychology training programmes and internships will result in an alignment of the competency frameworks used for training and for licensure. We review three particular competencies to highlight the diverse state of affairs with respect to our current capacity to implement competency based training. The competency areas of assessment and intervention have received enough investigation to support the development of competency‐based training options. Clinical supervision lags behind, largely due to the extremely limited evidence base on how psychologists develop supervisory skills.

Key words:

• educational program accreditation
• graduate psychology education
• internship programs
• professional competence
• psychologists