Competence Problems for Psychologists Across the Career Lifespan

Professional competencies have become the foundational grounding for effective practice in Health Service Psychology (HSP). However, problems in the development and maintenance of professional competencies across psychological domains are relatively common across career stages. This article will overview the history of the culture of competency in HSP to root an understanding of the how professional competencies are currently defined in psychology. Following a review of how potential problems in professional competency manifest across the career lifespan, this article will present best practices and resources for HSPs. Attention to diversity, ethical and legal consideration, and other relevant implications are integrated throughout this article.