CSWE EPAS 2008 Core Competencies and Practice Behaviors

CSWE EPAS 2008 Core Competencies and Practice Behaviors

Advanced Clinical Competencies

2.1.1—Identify as a professional clinical social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.

• advocate for client access to social work services within the context of the clinical relationship

• demonstrate self-reflection through understanding and application of transference/countertransference; demonstrate ability to monitor one’s responses to clients’ presentation based on a clinical assessment of the client

• function within clearly-defined professional roles and boundaries based on the needs of the client, the agency context, the type of service provided, and differential use of self

• demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication appropriate to the clinical relationship and setting

• engage in career-long learning by identifying areas for professional development and seeking additional learning opportunities

• engage in supervision with increased initiative, independence, responsibility for agenda, and awareness of professional strengths and limitations

• follow safety protocols and procedures of the agency

2.1.2—Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.

• integrate personal with professional values to appropriately guide clinical practice

• take action to resolve complex ethical conflicts in clinical practice while acknowledging ambiguity

• apply strategies of ethical reasoning related to clinical practice to arrive at principled decisions using consultation appropriately

  • develop professional relationships that do not misuse the power differential between client and worker

2.1.3—Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional

judgments.

• identify, evaluate and integrate multiple sources of knowledge (e.g., clinical theory, evidenced based practices and practice wisdom)

• recognize underlying values, biases and assumptions in oneself, other people and in sources of knowledge

• apply critical analysis to models of clinical prevention, assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation

• demonstrate communication

  • in writing (client records, reports, group curricula)
  • verbally (team meetings, case conferences, communication with collaterals)
  • electronically (record keeping, e-mails)

2.1.4—Engage diversity and difference in practice.

• recognize how culture may oppress, marginalize, or create privilege and power which may be replicated in the clinical relationship and practice

• develop culturally sensitive and relevant clinical skills that integrate self awareness with knowledge from clients and other sources

• develop relationships based on understanding how culture shapes life experiences and impacts clinical work

2.1.5—Advance human rights and social and economic justice.

• engage in clinical practice that advances human rights and social and economic justice

  • use knowledge of the effects of oppression, discrimination and historical trauma on clients to guide clinical goals and interventions
  • advocate for reduction of service disparities relevant to the context of their clinical practice

2.1.6—Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.

• use an evidenced based process to identify effective clinical interventions for particular populations, problems and settings

  • where possible, apply practice experience to the development of new knowledge through participation in research
  • use research methodology to evaluate clinical practice effectiveness and/or outcomes

2.1.7—Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment (HBSE).

• critique and differentially apply HBSE theories (e.g., strengths, ecological, cognitive-behavioral, interpersonal, family systems, life-span development, psychodynamic) to guide clinical prevention, assessment, intervention, and evaluation

  • utilize knowledge of multi-axial diagnostic classifications, neuroscience and medications (psychotropic and other) in clinical practice appropriate to the context

2.1.8—Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and

to deliver effective social work services.

• analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies (e.g., agency, program, legislative) that advance social well-being for individuals and families

• collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action that promotes social and economic justice

2.1.9—Respond to contexts that shape practice.

• provide relevant services based on changes within communities and populations, scientific and technological developments, and emerging societal trends

• provide leadership consistent with student’s role to promote changes in service delivery

2.1.10(a)–(d)—Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families,

groups, organizations, and communities.

(a)—Engagement

  • develop relationships with clients that are professional, purposeful, and differentiated characterized by clear boundaries
  • develop relationships that are culturally appropriate
  • encourage clients to be equal partners in the establishment of treatment goals and methods
  • utilize a range of skills to facilitate engagement

(b)—Assessment

  • clarify the client’s request for help, readiness for change and presenting problem
  • gather and organize appropriate information from a variety of sources to create a multidimensional biopsychosocial assessment
  • formulate an understanding of the client including precipitants to the presenting problem, interpersonal dynamics and historically relevant events
  • when appropriate, utilize this formulation to aid in diagnosis
  • collaborate with the client to define goals within the context of the agency’s services
  • routinely write biopsychosocial assessments in agency format

(c)—Intervention

  • initiate and implement treatment plans and contracts with the client to meet goals, based on appropriate theory and research evidence
  • document as required in agency record
  • utilize clinical frameworks and treatment protocols appropriately
  • appropriately facilitate termination and/or referral for continued service
  • collaborate with other professionals to coordinate interventions

(d)—Evaluation

  • evaluate client progress and intervention effectiveness (e.g., client self-assessment and satisfaction, collateral reports, behavioral outcome measures)
  • document the client’s progress in agency records as required