Which of the following best defines competent practice for psychologists?

Competent practice for psychologists is best defined as the ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety. This encompasses a psychologist's responsibility to deliver services that adhere to established professional standards and ethical guidelines, ensuring client welfare. Competence includes having adequate training, experience, and knowledge to provide appropriate assessment and intervention, while also maintaining awareness of one’s limitations and seeking supervision or referral when necessary.

This definition aligns with the expectations set forth by licensing boards and professional organizations, which emphasize the importance of directly contributing to client safety and effective outcomes in practice. Competent practitioners are not only skilled in their therapeutic modalities but also engage in continuous professional development to keep abreast of new research, techniques, and changes in ethical standards within the field. This holistic understanding of competence is foundational to ethical practice in psychology.