Counselling Competencies
“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination”
-Don Williams Junior
Requirements to Become a Psychologist
In order to become a registered psychologist in Alberta, candidates must meet the following criteria and have their courses evaluated in order to first be considered a provisional psychologist:
Once the first step has been completed and provisional status has been granted by the college, a provisional psychologist has five years in which to study for and write the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), present and defend an oral case in front of a judging panel, and log 1600 supervised hours of practice under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist in Alberta.
More information can be found at College of Alberta Psychologists (http://www.cap.ab.ca). The mandate of CAP is to serve the interests of the public, and guide the profession of psychology.
Professional Organizations for Psychologists
Aside from the College of Alberta psychologists, the most important professional organizations for counsellors and psychologists within Alberta are listed below.
Psychologists Association of Alberta (http://www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/) - PAA is committed to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of psychological services offered by registered psychologists in Alberta. PAA advocates for and promotes the identity and interests of the profession.
Canadian Psychological Association (http://www.cpa.ca/) - the mission of the CPA is to lead, advance and promote psychology as a science and as a profession for the benefit of humanity; to provide leadership in psychology in Canada; to promote a sense of identity among psychologists; to promote the advancement, dissemination, and practical application of psychological knowledge; to develop standards and ethical principles for education, training, science and practice in psychology; to improve the health and welfare of all Canadians and promoting excellence and innovation in psychological research, education, and practice
American Psychological Association (http://www.apa.org/) - Based in Washington, DC, the American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. The mission of the APA is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives. The APA has committed to achieving its mission based upon the following values:
In order to become a registered psychologist in Alberta, candidates must meet the following criteria and have their courses evaluated in order to first be considered a provisional psychologist:
- 72 credits of psychology course (36 credits of undergraduate coursework & 36 credit of graduate coursework)
- One 3 credit graduate course in each of these areas:
- Ethics and Standards
- Research Design and Methodology
- Assessment and Evaluation
- Intervention and Consultation
- 3 graduate or senior undergraduate level credits in each of the following substantive content areas:
- Biological Bases of Behaviour
- Cognitive / Affective Bases of Behaviour
- Social Bases of Behaviour
- Psychology of the Individual
Once the first step has been completed and provisional status has been granted by the college, a provisional psychologist has five years in which to study for and write the Examination for the Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP), present and defend an oral case in front of a judging panel, and log 1600 supervised hours of practice under the supervision of a Registered Psychologist in Alberta.
More information can be found at College of Alberta Psychologists (http://www.cap.ab.ca). The mandate of CAP is to serve the interests of the public, and guide the profession of psychology.
Professional Organizations for Psychologists
Aside from the College of Alberta psychologists, the most important professional organizations for counsellors and psychologists within Alberta are listed below.
Psychologists Association of Alberta (http://www.psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/) - PAA is committed to enhancing the quality and effectiveness of psychological services offered by registered psychologists in Alberta. PAA advocates for and promotes the identity and interests of the profession.
Canadian Psychological Association (http://www.cpa.ca/) - the mission of the CPA is to lead, advance and promote psychology as a science and as a profession for the benefit of humanity; to provide leadership in psychology in Canada; to promote a sense of identity among psychologists; to promote the advancement, dissemination, and practical application of psychological knowledge; to develop standards and ethical principles for education, training, science and practice in psychology; to improve the health and welfare of all Canadians and promoting excellence and innovation in psychological research, education, and practice
American Psychological Association (http://www.apa.org/) - Based in Washington, DC, the American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. The mission of the APA is to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives. The APA has committed to achieving its mission based upon the following values:
- Continual Pursuit of Excellence
- Knowledge and Its Application Based upon Methods of Science
- Outstanding Service to Its Members and to Society
- Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Ethical Action in All That We Do