Diminished Competence

1. Diminished Competence Considerations for Counsellors and Psychotherapists An Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: From Theory to Practice

2. Reasons for Diminished Competence The therapist experiences a period of physical ill-health that undermines their capacity to be available to clients.

3. Reasons for Diminished Competence The therapist’s experience mirrors that of the client too closely to remain separate from the client’s world.

4. Reasons for Diminished Competence The therapist experiences a trauma or major life event that means they are not emotionally available to work with clients (or with a particular type of client presentation).

5. Reasons for Diminished Competence The therapist is simply unable to work safely with clients and should consider discontinuing their practice.

6. Reasons for Diminished Competence A strong or powerful relational dynamic (transferential or countertransferential, for example) that undermines the therapist’s capacity to engage with the client.

7. Reasons for Diminished Competence A client presentation that falls beyond any level of training or experience in practice (complex mental health problems).

8. Reasons for Diminished Competence A lack of personal insight or an unwillingness or inability to engage in self-reflection.

9. Reasons for Diminished Competence A lack of appropriate supervision, or not using supervision effectively or appropriately.