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Core Competencies of Formal Clinical Assessment

Formal Clinical Assessment Program Course
Asynchronous and Applied Live Practice

Core Competencies for Formal Clinical Assessment is now available in a more flexible, two-part structure.

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This foundational course establishes the shared groundwork every specialized assessment area builds on: how to think about assessment before you ever open a test manual.

 

The asynchronous portion covers the first two pillars of the course; the remaining three pillars are reserved for the optional Live Applied Practice Sessions, where the material is best learned through direct instruction and discussion.

A mental health professional building foundational assessments skills by taking the Core Competencies for Formal Clinical Assessment online course.

Course Overview

Delivered through five progressive pillars across the asynchronous and live applied practice courses, you'll move from the philosophical grounding of assessment practice through to debriefing with your client. During the self-paced asynchronous learning, you'll begin by defining what assessment means in your own clinical practice and examining the factors, including constitution, motivation, self-care, economy, and cultural and ethical considerations, that shape test selection and the assessor's perspective.

 

From there, you'll build your understanding of evidence-based practice: differentiating assessment tools and their normed use, determining appropriate scope, and understanding the training and certification standards behind competent psychometric evaluation.

 

If you choose to continue your journey with the Live Applied Practice sessions, the course then moves into the practical mechanics of building a test battery. A dedicated pillar on case conceptualization and treatment planning teaches you to integrate assessment data into a coherent clinical picture, weighing traits, symptoms, comorbidities, and confounding factors against short- and long-term treatment needs.

 

The course closes with reporting and testifying in court: structuring your findings for your intended audience, debriefing clients and referral sources clearly, and understanding the distinct requirements of testifying as a fact witness versus an expert witness. This course builds the shared foundation every specialized assessment area depends on.

How The Course Runs

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Start with Asynchronous Coursework
Enroll in the Core Competencies for Formal Clinical Assessment course through our learning management system and get immediate access to the self-paced learning. Work through recorded lectures, readings, quizzes, and activities at your own speed to gain the foundational skills.

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Optional Live Applied Practice Sessions
Once your asynchronous coursework is complete, you have the option to register separately for the live online sessions to put your foundational skills into practice. The Live Applied Practice Sessions bring participants together for group discussion, live demonstrations of administration technique, hands-on report writing, and test interpretation.

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What You'll Learn

ASYNCHRONOUS COURSE — Approximately 16 Hours (16 CE Credits)

$595.00 CDN

Delivered Through:

  • Lectures

  • Readings

  • Reflection Activities

  • Quizzes 

  • Handouts​

Topics Covered:

  • Grounding in Assessment: Defining the practice and purpose of assessment; the factors that shape test selection and an assessor's perspective (constitution, motivation, self-care, economy, multiple data sources, cultural and ethical considerations); how competency in assessment itself is measured. 

  • Evidence-Based Practice: Differentiating assessment tools and their normed use; determining the appropriate scope of an assessment; the training and certification standards behind competent psychometric practice; measuring the integrity and validity of assessment results. â€‹

NOTE: Students who successfully complete the Asynchronous Course may enroll in the optional, but highly valuable, Live Applied Practice Sessions for additional hands-on development and support.

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Ann Marie Dewhurst is a Registered Psychologist and graduate program instructor who specializes in clinical and forensic psychology. Dr. Dewhurst has over 30 years of counselling and assessment experience in a variety of clinical settings including community mental health, provincial and federal corrections.

Dr. Ann Marie Dewhurst, Registered Psychologist and instructor at RAE Institute.
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This course does not certify or authorize independent clinical assessment and does not replace supervised practice through appropriate professional channels. The skills developed here apply across all clinical contexts, and students are expected to pursue supervised practice through their professional college before conducting assessments independently.

Ready to Enroll?

Enroll through our learning management system, or contact us to get started.

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(587) 413-0222

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info@raeinstitute.ca

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