Construction of core competencies for family therapists in Taiwan

Abstract

AbstractTo promote service efficacy and quality, necessary competencies for family therapists have been specified by professional organizations and researchers in some countries; however, these competencies may not be a good ‘fit’ for family therapists in Taiwan. This research reviewed the core competencies proposed by the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (US) and the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK (UK) and proposed the modified Taiwan Family Therapist Core Competencies (TFTCC) for family therapists in Taiwan. The draft then went through two rounds of the Delphi method to further develop it, based on the comments of local family therapy experts and practitioners. As a result, TFTCC were proposed with four domains and forty‐two specific competencies. The distinct characteristics and possible application of TFTCC are discussed, with recommendations for future research and implications.Practitioner points Family therapists in Taiwan can evaluate their current levels of competency based on the TFTCC Trainers can develop programmes based on the TFTCC Supervisors can evaluate their supervisees’ development based on the TFTCC Policymakers can develop professional licensure criteria based on the TFTCC Family therapists, trainers and researchers in other countries can refer to the TFTCC for indigenization of professional core competencies that best suit their local contexts