Practices and Outcomes of Promoting the Competencies of Psychological Assistance Professionals in Defeating the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The competencies of clinical or counseling psychologists influenced the effectiveness and qualities of the psychological assistance provided after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following practices were performed by the Clinical Psychology Registration Work Committee of the Chinese Psychological Society in promoting the competencies of the professionals: (1) Developed and introduced guidelines for psychological assistance provided via hotlines or the Internet. (2) Provided specific trainings based on the competency model constructed by knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These training programs included the psychological first aid under the major public health emergencies, crisis intervention, special methods and approaches for hotline and online services, related ethical guidelines, etc. (3) Emphasized on the supervision for the professionals worked front line. The professionals practiced effectively in dealing with suicide crisis, helping people who lost their loved one, and the adjustment to life during the quarantine. The practical experience showed that the working mechanism of issuing practical guidelines, providing specific training and supervision can effectively improve the competencies of the professionals and play an important role in the psychological assistance defeating the pandemic in China.