Self-assessment in clinical health psychology: A model for ethical expansion of practice

Society expects autonomous professions to ensure the competency of its practitioners, and professions should facilitate the continuing education and training of its members. Given the shift from psychology as a mental health profession to that of a health profession. the authors propose a self-assessment model for the individual practitioner to gauge his or her readiness to provide professional services in expanded areas of practice. This model could also be useful to the American Psychological Association, state psychological associations, and other purveyors of continuing education programs in systematically developing postgraduate experiences. A template for self-assessment that reflects well-accepted core domains of knowledge and skills is presented.