Competence in professional psychology practice in Ghana: Qualitative insights from practicing clinical health psychologists

Ama de-Graft Aikins, Annabella Osei-Tutu, Francis Agyei, Paapa Yaw Asante, Hannah Aboyinga, Alexandra Adjei, Linda Dede Ahulu, Irene Botchway, Marian Britwum, Samuel Agyei Wiafe, Kofi Edu-Ansah, Rita Nkrumah, Esther Ohenewaa, Joycelyn Kalitsi Vogelsang, Robert Ketor

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Issues concerning competence of practicing psychologists have not been critically investigated in Ghana. This study used the three-dimensional cube model of core competencies as a framework to explore competencies of professional psychologists in active clinical health practice in Ghana. Sixteen clinical psychologists with 1 to 20 years of practicing experience were interviewed on adequacy of their graduate training for practice as well as maintaining post-training competence. The results suggested that training equipped the practitioners mainly for research and teaching but less so for clinical practice. Reflective practice was underdeveloped leading to critical challenges in emotional and cultural competencies. Structural support for continuous professional development was limited. Implications for professional psychology training, research and practice are discussed. This study is the first to explore competence issues in professional psychology practice in Ghana, and it contributes to the global discourse on continuous competence in psychology.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1012-1025
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Health Psychology
Volume26
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2021

Keywords

  • Ghana
  • clinical health psychology
  • competence
  • critical psychology
  • professional psychology

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