THE COLLEGE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS OF ONTARIO

Formulating and Communicating a Diagnosis

In addition to the knowledge and skills in a specific practice area, a member must have the following in order to formulate and communicate a diagnosis:

Knowledge:

• knowledge of psychopathology/abnormal psychology

• knowledge of personality/individual differences

• knowledge of psychological assessment

• knowledge of psychodiagnostics

Skills:

• skill in establishing therapeutic rapport

• skill in eliciting information through interviewing

• skill in assessing fundamental psychological processes such as mental state, cognitions, emotions and behaviours

• skill in formulating and testing diagnostic hypotheses

• skill in communicating diagnostic information clearly and sensitively

• skill in assessment of change in relevant psychological processes

*Formal training:

• coursework and supervised experience in administering and interpreting assessment materials for a diverse range of problems

• coursework and/or supervised experience in interviewing techniques

• training in formulating and testing diagnostic hypotheses in a practice setting

• supervised experience in communicating sensitive information

• coursework and/or supervised experience in assessment of change in order to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions

* Formal training involves a combination of coursework and structured, supervised experience with evaluation of performance and feedback to the trainee. While it is accepted that some of the formal training may be acquired in a research setting, it is expected that most formal training will be acquired in a practice setting.

December, 1997