Competency in conducting cognitive-behavioral therapy: foundational, functional, and supervisory aspects

The delivery of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is described in terms of foundational and functional competencies, with additional attention paid to how these skills are applied in clinical supervision. Foundational competencies include such qualities as ethical behavior, good interpersonal relational skills, a healthy capacity for self-awareness and self-correction, cross-cultural sensitivity, and an appreciation for the empirical basis of clinical procedures. Functional competencies include the ability to think like an empiricist and to teach clients to do the same, to conceptualize cases in terms of maladaptive beliefs and behavioral patterns, to structure sessions in an organized and time-effective manner, and to assign and review homework assignments. CBT supervisors have the multiple responsibilities of serving as professional role models for their supervisees, nurturing the latter's professional development (although also being ready to identify and remediate problems in the supervisee's performance), and engaging in ongoing self-improvement and education to function most effectively as clinical mentors. A brief, descriptive supervisory vignette is presented.