Counseling and Psychological Services

Training Competencies, Aims, and Elements

Emergency Contacts

GMU Crisis Service:
703-993-2380, option 1
or
GMU Police: 703-993-2810
or
911
@caps_gmu
  • 🌟Want to tackle anxiety and embrace your calm? Come check out our exciting new workshop! We'll dive into some powerful coping skills to help you feel your best! ✨🌞

*Prior to joining the workshop, please ensure that you are currently using our services or initiate the check-in process to register. If you need further information, reach out to the CAPS office.

Contact CAPS for ADA accommodations if needed.
  • Our hottest event is back-- PUPPY YOGA!! CAPS is collaborating with Doggy Noses and Yoga Poses to bring you the most adorable puppies ever🐶🧘‍♀️

Come join us for our Puppy Yoga Event, where these furry friends will help you relax like never before. Spots are limited, so make sure to grab yours quickly! You won’t want to miss this paws-itively delightful experience! 🐾✨

🔗Register on Mason360: cglink.me/2d7/r2275728
Link in our bio

Contact CAPS for ADA accommodations if needed.
  • 🌟 College stress is real. If it gets heavy, reach out—support is here. Your well-being comes first, so make sure to take some time for yourself and enjoy the journey. 💙
  • Celebrate Native heritage this November by honoring Indigenous voices, stories, and resilience. 🌎✨ Swipe to explore mental health resources for the Native American and Indigenous communities.
  • 🎃Boo! Failing can feel like a jumpscare, but even the best ghost hunters get startled sometimes! 👻 

Just like a haunted house, life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but there's no need to fear! 🏚🕯 Embrace those eerie moments of failure and learn from them. 

Keep your lanterns lit and spirits high because every ghostly stumble is a change to grow and glow! 🔮✨
🌟Want to tackle anxiety and embrace your calm? Come check out our exciting new workshop! We'll dive into some powerful coping skills to help you feel your best! ✨🌞

*Prior to joining the workshop, please ensure that you are currently using our services or initiate the check-in process to register. If you need further information, reach out to the CAPS office.

Contact CAPS for ADA accommodations if needed.
🌟Want to tackle anxiety and embrace your calm? Come check out our exciting new workshop! We'll dive into some powerful coping skills to help you feel your best! ✨🌞 *Prior to joining the workshop, please ensure that you are currently using our services or initiate the check-in process to register. If you need further information, reach out to the CAPS office. Contact CAPS for ADA accommodations if needed.
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Our hottest event is back-- PUPPY YOGA!! CAPS is collaborating with Doggy Noses and Yoga Poses to bring you the most adorable puppies ever🐶🧘‍♀️

Come join us for our Puppy Yoga Event, where these furry friends will help you relax like never before. Spots are limited, so make sure to grab yours quickly! You won’t want to miss this paws-itively delightful experience! 🐾✨

🔗Register on Mason360: cglink.me/2d7/r2275728
Link in our bio

Contact CAPS for ADA accommodations if needed.
Our hottest event is back-- PUPPY YOGA!! CAPS is collaborating with Doggy Noses and Yoga Poses to bring you the most adorable puppies ever🐶🧘‍♀️ Come join us for our Puppy Yoga Event, where these furry friends will help you relax like never before. Spots are limited, so make sure to grab yours quickly! You won’t want to miss this paws-itively delightful experience! 🐾✨ 🔗Register on Mason360: cglink.me/2d7/r2275728 Link in our bio Contact CAPS for ADA accommodations if needed.
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
🌟 College stress is real. If it gets heavy, reach out—support is here. Your well-being comes first, so make sure to take some time for yourself and enjoy the journey. 💙
🌟 College stress is real. If it gets heavy, reach out—support is here. Your well-being comes first, so make sure to take some time for yourself and enjoy the journey. 💙
🌟 College stress is real. If it gets heavy, reach out—support is here. Your well-being comes first, so make sure to take some time for yourself and enjoy the journey. 💙
🌟 College stress is real. If it gets heavy, reach out—support is here. Your well-being comes first, so make sure to take some time for yourself and enjoy the journey. 💙
🌟 College stress is real. If it gets heavy, reach out—support is here. Your well-being comes first, so make sure to take some time for yourself and enjoy the journey. 💙
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
Celebrate Native heritage this November by honoring Indigenous voices, stories, and resilience. 🌎✨ Swipe to explore mental health resources for the Native American and Indigenous communities.
Celebrate Native heritage this November by honoring Indigenous voices, stories, and resilience. 🌎✨ Swipe to explore mental health resources for the Native American and Indigenous communities.
Celebrate Native heritage this November by honoring Indigenous voices, stories, and resilience. 🌎✨ Swipe to explore mental health resources for the Native American and Indigenous communities.
Celebrate Native heritage this November by honoring Indigenous voices, stories, and resilience. 🌎✨ Swipe to explore mental health resources for the Native American and Indigenous communities.
Celebrate Native heritage this November by honoring Indigenous voices, stories, and resilience. 🌎✨ Swipe to explore mental health resources for the Native American and Indigenous communities.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
🎃Boo! Failing can feel like a jumpscare, but even the best ghost hunters get startled sometimes! 👻 

Just like a haunted house, life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but there's no need to fear! 🏚🕯 Embrace those eerie moments of failure and learn from them. 

Keep your lanterns lit and spirits high because every ghostly stumble is a change to grow and glow! 🔮✨
🎃Boo! Failing can feel like a jumpscare, but even the best ghost hunters get startled sometimes! 👻 

Just like a haunted house, life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but there's no need to fear! 🏚🕯 Embrace those eerie moments of failure and learn from them. 

Keep your lanterns lit and spirits high because every ghostly stumble is a change to grow and glow! 🔮✨
🎃Boo! Failing can feel like a jumpscare, but even the best ghost hunters get startled sometimes! 👻 

Just like a haunted house, life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but there's no need to fear! 🏚🕯 Embrace those eerie moments of failure and learn from them. 

Keep your lanterns lit and spirits high because every ghostly stumble is a change to grow and glow! 🔮✨
🎃Boo! Failing can feel like a jumpscare, but even the best ghost hunters get startled sometimes! 👻 Just like a haunted house, life is full of unexpected twists and turns, but there's no need to fear! 🏚🕯 Embrace those eerie moments of failure and learn from them. Keep your lanterns lit and spirits high because every ghostly stumble is a change to grow and glow! 🔮✨
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
5/5

COMPETENCY # 1: ETHICAL AND LEGAL STANDARDS

Aim: Interns will develop knowledge and professional practices that assure adherence to current ethical standards for psychologists.

Elements:

  • Be knowledgeable of and act in accordance with each of the following:
    • the current version of the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct;
    • relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health service psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels; and
    • relevant professional standards and guidelines.
  • Recognize ethical dilemmas as they arise and apply ethical decision-making processes to resolve the dilemmas.
  • Conduct self in an ethical manner in all professional activities.

Training Activities: Orientation meetings focused on ethical considerations for this center, Intern Training Seminar “Mini Course” (Ethical and Legal Principles), individual and group supervision with a focus on ethical decision-making in all professional activities, supervision of supervision with a focus on ethical considerations regarding provision of supervision, informal clinical presentations during group supervision, informal supervision presentations during supervision of supervision, clinical case presentations, and supervision presentation.

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations, clinical case presentation evaluations, and supervision presentation evaluations.

COMPETENCY # 2: INTERVENTION

Aim: Interns will develop culturally-relevant, research-informed, and ethical psychological practice skills to support their functioning as emerging psychologists.

Elements:

  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with the recipients of psychological services.
  • Develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals.
  • Implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables.
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making.
  • Modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking.
  • Evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation.

Training Activities: Provision of direct service, including: brief screening, crisis intervention, intake assessment, individual therapy, group therapy, case management, consultation, and outreach programming/community education; Intern Training Seminars (Outreach Seminar, Group Therapy Seminar, and “Mini Course” Interventions with University Populations); Advocacy project and presentation; individual supervision with review of direct observation of interventions provided; group supervision including informal clinical case presentations; supervision of group therapy including direct observation of interventions provided; clinical case presentations.

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations which are informed by direct observation, Advocacy project evaluations by mentor and related to presentation, and clinical case presentation evaluations.

COMPETENCY # 3: ASSESSMENT

Aim: Interns will effectively use assessment skills and tools to provide accurate and culturally-informed treatment considerations and recommendations.

Elements:

  • Demonstrate current knowledge of diagnostic classification system, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology.
  • Demonstrate understanding human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal, and cultural).
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process.
  • Select and apply assessment methods such as the CCAPS and other available assessments that help inform treatment that draw from the empirical literature and that reflect the science of measurement and psychometrics; collect relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the service recipient.
  • Interpret assessment results, following current research and professional standards and guidelines, to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations, while guarding against decision-making biases, distinguishing the aspects of assessment that are subjective from those that are objective.
  • Communicate orally and in written documents the findings and implications of the assessment in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences.

Training Activities: Assessment of client concerns through Intake Appointments and crisis consultations as well as associated supervision of those clinical services; incorporation of CCAPS into clinical work; use of additional assessment to inform treatment with two clients during the training year; orientation meetings focused on assessment; Intern Training Seminar “Mini Course” (Assessment); clinical case presentations; and Advocacy project.

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations which are informed by direct observation, Advocacy project evaluations by mentor and related to presentation, and clinical case presentation evaluations.

COMPETENCY # 4: CONSULTATION AND INTERPROFESSIONAL/INTERDISCIPLINARY SKILLS

Aim: Interns will develop skills to collaborate and consult with other individuals or groups to address a problem, seek or share knowledge, and/or promote effectiveness in professional activities in an ethical and culturally-informed manner.

Elements:

  • Demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions.
  • Apply the knowledge of consultation models and practices in direct or simulated consultation with individuals and their families, other health care professionals, interprofessional groups, or systems related to health and behavior.

Training Activities: Orientation meetings about consultation and with offices on campus; provision of consultation to other health service providers, campus partners, members of clients’ support networks, and clients; consultation with other health service providers, campus partners, or members of clients’ support network; provision of information regarding mental health and CAPS services at tabling events or outreach activities; Advocacy project; participation in case conferences and staff meetings with a multidisciplinary team at this center; and individual and group supervision that addresses consultation and coordination of care. 

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations and Advocacy project evaluations by mentor and related to presentation.

COMPETENCY # 5: SUPERVISION 

Aim: Interns will demonstrate knowledge and skill in the theory and practice of ethical, culturally-relevant clinical supervision such that they contribute to the positive development of future generations of psychologists.

Elements:

  • Apply this knowledge in direct or simulated practice with psychology trainees, or other health professionals.
  • Apply the supervisory skill of evaluating in direct or simulated practice.
  • Apply the supervisory skills of giving guidance and feedback in direct or simulated practice.
  • Effectively establish and maintain ongoing supervisory relationships with psychology externs.
  • Provide supervision that ensures client welfare, attends to ethical issues, and centers cultural considerations.
  • Provide feedback to peers and supervisees that recognizes their strengths and growth edges in a developmental, culturally-informed, and strength-based context.

Training Activities: Orientation meetings focused on provision of supervision; provision of clinical supervision to psychology externs; supervision of supervision including informal presentations and direct observation of supervision provided; supervision presentation; and provision of peer supervision through feedback provided during informal presentations during group supervision and supervision of supervision.

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations including direct observation and supervision presentation evaluations.

COMPETENCY # 6: INDIVIDUAL AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Aim: Interns will develop research-informed knowledge, skills, and cultural humility to engage in psychological practice with diverse populations and engage in ongoing self-reflection in this area.

Elements:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of how their own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how they understand and interact with people different from themselves.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to addressing diversity in all professional activities including research, training, supervision/consultation, and service.
  • Demonstrate the ability to independently apply their knowledge and approach in working effectively with the range of diverse individuals and groups encountered during internship.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate awareness and knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles (e.g., research, direct service, and other professional activities). This includes the ability apply a framework for working effectively with areas of individual and cultural diversity not previously encountered over the course of their careers. Also included is the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews create conflict with their own.

Training Activities: Intern Multicultural Lab, provision of direct service to diverse student population, group and individual supervision with a focus on the integration of individual and cultural diversity factors in all professional activities, clinical case presentations, supervision of supervision presentation, outreach presentations, and Advocacy project and presentation. 

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations, Advocacy project evaluations by mentor and related to presentation, clinical case presentation evaluations, and supervision presentation evaluations.

COMPETENCY # 7: PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR

Aim: Interns will integrate foundational values of a psychologist and demonstrate behaviors and practices that are consistent with the professional identity of a psychologist.

Elements:

  • Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology, including cultural humility, integrity, deportment, professional identity, accountability, lifelong learning, and concern for the welfare of others.
  • Engage in self-reflection regarding one’s personal and professional functioning; engage in activities to maintain and improve performance, well-being, and professional effectiveness.
  • Actively seek and demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision.
  • Respond professionally in increasing complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training.

Training Activities: Group supervision with focus on professional identity development, individual supervision with a focus on incorporating professional values in all professional activities, engagement in a way that is consistent with a professional staff member at CAPS, compliance with the policies and procedures of the center and university, incorporation of cultural considerations into all psychological practices. 

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations, including feedback from other members of the staff.

COMPETENCY # 8: COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

Aim: Interns will engage in self-reflection and apply insights to professional relationships and communications.

Elements:

  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services.
  • Produce and comprehend oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated; demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts.
  • Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to manage difficult communication well.

Training Activities: Staff meetings and case conferences with multidisciplinary staff; consultations with campus partners; collaborations with campus partners to develop outreach programs and for Advocacy project; outreach programs/community education; clinical case presentations; Advocacy project written proposal and oral presentation; supervision presentation; individual and group supervision with a focus on using effective communication and interpersonal skills in all professional activities; documentation of clinical interactions in accordance with center guidelines. 

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations, including feedback from other members of the staff; clinical case presentation evaluations; supervision presentation evaluations, and Advocacy project evaluations by mentor and related to presentation.

COMPETENCY # 9: RESEARCH

Aim: Interns will demonstrate knowledge and skill to critically evaluate and use existing knowledge to make recommendations and to apply current research to professional practice.

Elements:

  • Demonstrate the substantially independent ability to critically evaluate and disseminate research or other scholarly activities (e.g., case conference, presentation, publications) at the local (including the host institution), regional, or national level.
  • Use research and scholarly literature to inform clinical decision making.

Training Activities: Intern Seminar “Mini Courses” (all informed by research, especially Interventions with University Populations) with a focus on integrating research into all professional activities, discussion of evidence-based interventions in individual supervision, Advocacy Project proposal and presentation, inclusion of evidence base in supervision presentation, and inclusion of evidence base in clinical case presentation. 

Evaluation Methods: Supervisors’ evaluations, Advocacy project evaluations by mentor and related to presentation, supervision presentation evaluations, and clinical case presentation evaluations.