CLUSTER 1: SCIENCE
Rating: N=Novice; AB=Advanced Beginner; C=Competent; P=Proficient; E=Expert
Benchmarks Competencies
1. Scientific Knowledge and Methods
1A. Scientific Mindedness
Independently applies scientific methods to practice
1B. Scientific Foundation of Psychology
Demonstrates advanced level knowledge of core science (i.e.,
scientific bases of behavior)
1C. Scientific Foundation of Professional Practice
Independently applies knowledge and understanding of scientific
foundations independently applied to practice
2. Research/Evaluation
2A. Scientific Approach to Knowledge Generation
Generates Knowledge
Rating
Clinical Health Competencies
1.Scientific Knowledge and Methods of Clinical Health Psychology
Knowledge of pathophysiology of disease and biomedical treatments
specific to medical specialty or environment in which the practice will
occur
Knowledge of the pathways and reciprocal interactions among
psychosocial (cognitive/affective/behavioral) and biological
phenomena as they relate to health promotion, illness prevention, and
disease progression
Knowledge of lifespan developmental and social-environmental
factors associated with health behavior, illness, and disease
Knowledge of the interactions among populations and contextual
variations (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, etc.) and the
impact on health behavior and health outcomes
Knowledge of the scientific foundations and research methods of
other health disciplines (e.g., epidemiology, biostatistics)
Knowledge of relevant scientific literatures as they bear on healthcare
and the ability to conceptualize and generate new issues, concerns,
and questions based on that knowledge
2. Research /Evaluation
Application of diverse methodologies to scientifically examine
psychosocial and biological processes as they relate to health
promotion, illness prevention, and disease progression
Selection, application, and interpretation of quantitative and
qualitative data analytic strategies that are best suited to the diverse
research questions and levels of analysis characteristic of health
psychology
Formulation and implementation of health-related research using
interdisciplinary research teams
Accurate and efficient communication of research findings in ways that
can be understood by fellow psychologists, professionals from other
Rating
disciplines, and lay audiences
2B. Application of Scientific Method to Practice
Applies scientific methods of evaluating practices, interventions, and
programs
Use of research skills to evaluate the effectiveness and quality of
clinical health psychology services within health care settings,
including participation in Quality Improvement efforts
CLUSTER 2: PROFESSIONALISM
1. Professional Values and Attitudes
1A. Integrity
Monitors and independently resolves situations that challenge
professional values and integrity
1B. Deportment
Conducts self in a professional manner across settings and situations
1C. Accountability
Independently accepts personal responsibility across settings and
contexts
1D. Concern for the Welfare of Others
Independently acts to safeguard the welfare of others
1E. Professional Identity
Displays consolidation of professional identity as a psychologist;
demonstrates knowledge about issues central to the field; integrates
science and practice
2. Individual and Cultural Diversity
2A. Self as Shaped by Individual and Cultural Diversity
Independently monitors and applies knowledge of self as a cultural
being in assessment, treatment, and consultation
2B. Others as Shaped by Individual and Cultural Diversity and Context
Independently monitors and applies knowledge of others as cultural
beings in assessment, treatment, and consultation
2C. Interaction of Self and Others as Shaped by Individual and Cultural
Diversity and Context
Independently monitors and applies knowledge of diversity in others
as cultural beings in assessment, treatment, and consultation
2D. Applications Based on Individual and Cultural Context
Applies knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding dimensions of
1. Professionalism
Professional identity as a clinical health psychologist
Flexibility in approaching problems and issues encountered in the
health care setting
Knowledge to address issues and challenges unique to working in
health care settings
2. Individual and Cultural Diversity
Knowledge of self and others as cultural beings in health care
settings, including knowledge of health disparities across a number of
different diversity-related characteristics
Application of knowledge of the relations between social and cultural
diversity to professional work
3. Ethical Legal Standards and Policy
3A. Knowledge of Ethical and Legal Standards and Guidelines
Demonstrates advanced knowledge and application of the APA
Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct and other relevant ethical,
legal and professional standards and guidelines
3B. Awareness and Application of Ethical Decision Making
Independently utilizes an ethical decision-making model in
professional work
3C. Ethical Conduct
Independently integrates ethical and legal standards with all
competencies
4. Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment/Self-Care
4A. Reflective Practice
Demonstrates reflectivity both during and after professional activity;
acts upon reflection; uses self as a therapeutic tool
4B. Self-Assessment
Accurately self-assesses competence in all competency domains;
integrates self-assessment in practice; recognizes limits of
knowledge/skills and acts to address them; has extended plan to
enhance knowledge/skills
4C. Self-Care
Self-monitors issues related to self-care and promptly intervenes
when disruptions occur
4D. Participation in Supervision Process
Independently seeks supervision when needed
factors and the development of health problems to patient care,
including access to health care
3. Ethical Standards in Health Care Settings
Knowledge of ethical and legal ramifications of biopsychosocial
assessment, intervention, and research/quality improvement
strategies in addressing health conditions seen in healthcare settings
Identification and ability to address the distinctive ethical issues
encountered in clinical health practice, particularly if these are in
conflict with the ethical code of other members of the health care
team
Knowledge of policies that regulate the delivery of services in health
care systems
4. Reflective Practice/Self-Assessment/Self-Care
Knowledge of importance of self‐assessment in clinical health settings
Facilitation of self‐care, including health lifestyles, of health
professionals in clinical health settings
CLUSTER 3: RELATIONSHIPS
1. Relationships
1A. Interpersonal Relationships
Develops and maintains effective relationships with a wide range of
clients, colleagues, organizations and communities
1B. Affective Skills
1. Relationships
Manages difficult communication; possesses advanced interpersonal
skills
1C. Expressive Skills
Verbal, nonverbal, and written communications are informative,
articulate, succinct, sophisticated, and well-integrated; demonstrate
thorough grasp of professional language and concepts
2. Interprofessionalism
2A. Values/Ethics
Values and appreciates the interprofessional team approach to care
Encouragement of behavior that demonstrates appropriate respect
for the professional autonomy of other healthcare professionals
2B. Interprofessional Roles/Responsibilities
Knowledge of strengths and potential pitfalls of role relationships
that characterize interdisciplinary collaborative activities (e.g.,
research, education, clinical care, administration)
Knowledge and appreciation of the role and primary responsibilities
of other health care professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, social
workers) in providing care both in general and specific medical
settings
Ability to access, evaluate, and utilize information from other
healthcare providers, including use of methods that include new and
emerging health technologies (e.g., EHR)
2C. Interprofessional Communication
Development of facilitative and collaborative relationships with
professionals from a variety of healthcare disciplines including
medicine, nursing, physical therapy, social work, etc.
Ability to interact with fellow healthcare professionals in ways that
facilitate improved treatment implementation based on the unique
contributions that clinical health psychology can make in the
healthcare setting
Communication that cultivates mutual understanding regarding
problems among individuals from diverse disciplines, including those
that involve research and patient care
2D. Team and Teamwork
Ability to assess team dynamics and coach teams to improve
functioning
Implementation of empirically supported health promotion,
prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation in the context of the
interdisciplinary team
CLUSTER 4: APPLICATIONS
1. Evidence-Based Practice
1A. Knowledge and Application of Evidence-Based Practice
Independently applies knowledge of evidence-based practice,
including empirical bases of assessment, intervention, and other
psychological applications, clinical expertise, and client preferences
2. Assessment
2A. Knowledge of Measurement and Psychometrics
Independently selects and implements multiple methods and means
of evaluation in ways that are responsive to and respectful of diverse
individuals, couples, families, and groups and context
2B. Knowledge of Assessment Methods
Independently understands the strengths and limitations of
diagnostic approaches and interpretation of results from multiple
measures for diagnosis and treatment planning
2C. Application of Assessment Methods
Independently selects and administers a variety of assessment tools
and integrates results to accurately evaluate presenting question
appropriate to the practice site and broad area of practice
2D. Diagnosis
Utilizes case formulation and diagnosis for intervention planning in
the context of stages of human development and diversity
1. Evidence-Based Practice
2. Assessment
Ability to evaluate the presenting problem and to select and
administer empirically supported biopsychosocial assessments
appropriate for the patient’s physical illness, injury, or disability
Knowledge and understanding of biological assessment strategies and
their results used in health care settings
Knowledge and understanding of psychological assessment strategies
used in health care settings
Knowledge and understanding of social and environmental
assessment strategies used in health care settings
Ability to conduct a comprehensive biopsychosocial interview and
evaluate objective biological and psychosocial findings related to
physical health or illness, injury, or disability
Ability to assess biopsychosocial and behavioral risk factors for the
development of physical illness, injury, or disability
Ability to assess environmental factors that facilitate or inhibit patient
knowledge, values, attitudes, and/or behaviors affecting health
functioning and health care utilization
Ability to assess biopsychosocial factors affecting adherence to
recommendations for medical and psychological care
Ability to assess the biopsychosocial impact of medical procedures
(including screening, diagnostic, and intervention/prevention
procedures)
Ability to solicit input of significant others in the assessment process
as indicated
2E. Conceptualization and Recommendations
Independently and accurately conceptualizes the multiple
dimensions of the case based on the results of assessment
2F. Communication of Assessment Findings
Communicates results in written and verbal form clearly,
constructively, and accurately in a conceptually appropriate manner
3. Intervention
3A. Intervention Planning
Independently plans interventions; case conceptualizations and
intervention plans are specific to case and context
3B. Skills
Displays clinical skills with a wide variety of clients and uses good
judgment even in unexpected or difficult situations
3C. Intervention Implementation
Implements interventions with fidelity to empirical models and
flexibility to adapt where appropriate
3D. Progress Evaluation
Independently evaluates treatment progress and modifies planning
as indicated, even in the absence of established outcome measures
4. Consultation
4A. Role of Consultant
Determines situations that require different role functions and shifts
roles accordingly to meet referral needs
4B. Addressing Referral Question
Demonstrates knowledge of and ability to select appropriate and
contextually sensitive means of assessment/data gathering that
answers consultation referral question
4C. Communication of Consultation Findings
Applies knowledge to provide effective assessment feedback and to
articulate appropriate recommendations
4D. Application of Consultation Methods
Applies literature to provide effective consultative services
(assessment and intervention) in most routine and some complex
cases
Ability to communicate the results of assessments to both
professional and lay audiences in the health care setting
3. Intervention
Ability to access, evaluate, and utilize information in designing and
implementing treatment, health promotion, and prevention
interventions using new and emerging health technologies
Implementation of individual- or family-level evidence-based
treatment interventions to treat health and mental health-related
issues
Implementation of evidence-based interventions for individuals and
populations along a continuum from acute clinical need to subclinical
problems to prevention and wellness
Ability to evaluate, select, and administer appropriate assessments
for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating the process and
outcomes of treatment and rehabilitative services
4. Consultation
Knowledge of own and others’ professional roles and expectations
within the context of intra-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary
consultation in the healthcare setting
Conceptualization of referral questions that bear on human behavior
(including an understanding of the client’s, other providers, or the
health system’s role)
Translation and communication of relevant scientific findings as they
bear on the healthcare consultation/liaison questions
Ability to work with professionals from other disciplines to increase
the likelihood of appropriate early referral for consultation with
clinical health psychologists as opposed to “last resort” referrals
CLUSTER 5: EDUCATION
1. Teaching
1A. Knowledge
Demonstrates knowledge of didactic learning strategies and how to
accommodate developmental and individual differences
1B. Skills
Applies teaching methods in multiple settings
2. Supervision
2A. Expectations and Roles
Understands the ethical, legal, and contextual issues of the
supervisor role
2B. Processes and Procedures
Demonstrates knowledge of supervision models and practices;
demonstrates knowledge of and effectively addresses limits of
competency to supervise
2C. Skills Development
Engages in professional reflection about one’s clinical relationships
with supervisees, as well as supervisees’ relationships with their
clients
2D. Supervisory Practices
Provides effective supervised supervision to less advanced students,
peers, or other service providers in typical cases appropriate to the
service setting
1. Teaching
Recognition of the range and type of students/trainees learning in
health care settings, the potential skills they possess, and their
necessary competencies
Instruction in clinical health psychology to psychologists and
psychology trainees
Instruction in clinical health psychology or methods and procedures
for conducting health-related research to other health care
professions (interprofessional education)
2. Supervision
Supervision of clinical health psychology skills, conceptualizations,
and interventions for psychologists, psychology trainees, and
behavioral health providers from other health professions
Awareness of conflicts between training and service in healthcare
settings and negotiation for the optimal integration and
reimbursement of these activities
CLUSTER 6: SYSTEMS
1. Interdisciplinary Systems
1A. Knowledge of the shared and distinctive contributions of other
professions
Demonstrates awareness of multiple and differing worldviews, roles,
1. Interdisciplinary/Interprofessional Systems (see Interprofessionalism
Competencies in Cluster 3)
professional standards, and contributions across contexts and
systems; demonstrates intermediate level knowledge of common
and distinctive roles of other professionals
1B. Functioning in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary contexts
Demonstrates beginning, basic knowledge of and ability to display
the skills that support effective interdisciplinary team functioning
1C. Understands how participation in interdisciplinary collaboration/
consultation enhances outcomes
Participates in and initiates interdisciplinary collaboration/
consultation directed toward shared goals
1D. Respectful and productive relationships with individuals from other
professions
Develops and maintains collaborative relationships over time despite
differences
2. Management/Administration
2A. Appraisal of Management and Leadership
Develops and offers constructive criticism and suggestions regarding
management and leadership of organization
2B. Management
Participates in management of direct delivery of professional
services; responds appropriately in management hierarchy
2. Management/Administration/Leadership
Knowledge of mission and organizational structure, relevant historical
factors, and position of psychology in the health care organization
and system
Knowledge of appropriate methods to develop a clinical health
psychology practice, educational program, and/or program of
research
Able to conduct the business of health psychology practice,
educational program, and/or research management
2C. Administration
Demonstrates emerging ability to participate in administration of
service delivery programs
2D. Leadership
Participates in system change and management structure
3. Advocacy
3A. Empowerment
Intervenes with client to promote action on factors impacting
development and functioning
3B. Systems Change
Promotes change at the level of institutions, community, or society
Leadership within an interprofessional team or organization in the
health care setting
3. Advocacy
Recognition that advocacy to improve population health involves
interacting with a number of systems (e.g., the healthcare system,
local funders, federal funders, etc)
Advocates for increased resources for research and training in clinical
health psychology at local, state, and federal levels
Revised Competency Benchmarks for Professional Psychology (2011). American Psychological Association (adapted from Fouad et al., 2009).
Available at: http://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/competency.aspx. Clinical Health Psychology Competencies (2013). Council of Clinical Health
Psychology Training Programs. Available at: http://www.cchptp.org/.