Core Competencies

APSATS Core Competencies

Coaches Takes on a future focused role Clinician Takes on a past, present and future focused role
ETHICS Uphold professional & respectful conduct in all circumstances as a representative of the APSATS organization. This includes interactions with professional peers inside and outside the organization. Uphold professional & respectful conduct in all circumstances as a representative of the APSATS organization. This includes interactions with professional peers inside and outside the organization.
Understands, implements and holds responsibility for setting appropriate, clear, healthy, and relationally sensitive boundaries, as stated in the code of ethics of the coach’s certifying ICF or BCC organization. This includes physical, emotional, and otherwise. Understands and models healthy boundaries with clients.
Understands transference and countertransference and how it may influence the coach’s treatment of their clients. Regular consultation is recommended. Understands transference and countertransference and how it may influence the clinician’s treatment of their clients. Regular consultation is recommended.
Operates within the ethical guidelines of their certifying organizations and APSATS. Operates within the ethical guidelines of their licensing board and APSATS.
Demonstrate and maintain the strictest level of confidentiality, as stated in the code of ethics of the coach’s certifying ICF or BCC organizations. This includes use of Releases of Information and other applicable documentation. Demonstrates an ethic of confidentiality, as well as HIPPA compliance regarding communications and the use of Releases of Information.
PARTNER SENSITIVITY Uses trauma-informed/partner-sensitive language. Uses trauma-informed/partner-sensitive language.
Empowers and supports partners as they make decisions for their lives. Empowers and supports partners as they make decisions for their lives.
Incorporates partner sensitivity in coaching sessions. Incorporates partner-sensitive treatment in counseling sessions.
DISCLOSURE Describes trauma-informed/partner-sensitive therapeutic disclosure. Describes trauma-informed/partner-sensitive therapeutic disclosure.
ROLES Accurately defines their role and competencies regarding coaching. Accurately defines their role and competencies regarding therapy.
Accurately distinguishes between coaching and therapy. Accurately distinguishes between coaching and therapy.
Demonstrates an understanding of common misinformation that some coaches give partners when they are uneducated about betrayal trauma and the resulting additional trauma partners experience. Demonstrates an understanding of common misinformation that some clinicians give partners when they are uneducated about betrayal trauma and the resulting additional trauma partners experience.
Demonstrates an understanding of when to refer clients to a licensed therapist, including a general understanding comorbidities that may affect a client’s suitability for coaching Can describe how to work with recovery coaches or other qualified support individuals and when this is appropriate.
Primarily works with partners, may work with recovering addicts and couples as a recovery coach if appropriately trained. Primarily works with partners, may provide couples counseling or work with recovering addicts if appropriately trained.
UNDERSTANDING OF MPTM Describes and applies the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model in their coaching protocols (MPTM). Describes and applies the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model in their treatment protocols (MPTM).
Understands the distinction between the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model and Co-Addiction Models. Understands the distinction between the Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model and Co-Addiction Models.
SEXUALITY Describes how sexual addiction may impact sexual behavior and how that impact may affect the coupleship. Describes how sexual addiction may impact sexual behavior and how that impact may affect the coupleship.
Describes the impact of sexual betrayal on the partner’s sexuality. Describes the impact of sexual betrayal on the partner’s sexuality.
Identifies roadblocks to sexual recovery. Identifies roadblocks to sexual recovery.
Educates on factors of sexual trauma. Educates on factors of sexual trauma, and addressing healing needs as appropriate.
Understands the basic dynamics of sexual addiction through trainings, lectures, and books Understands the basic dynamics of sexual addiction through trainings, lectures, and books.
ATTACHMENT Describes attachment injury/relational rupture. Describes attachment injury/relational rupture.
Coaches Takes on a future focused role Clinician Takes on a past, present and future focused role
TRAUMA Describes the common symptoms of trauma, including demonstrating an understanding of when trauma symptoms may be best addressed by a therapist. Describes the difference between ASD, PTSD, Complex PTSD.
Demonstrates a basic understanding of problematic sexual behavior and can summarize the effects of betrayal trauma for betrayed partners while maintaining compassion for both individuals. Demonstrates a basic understanding of problematic sexual behavior and can summarize the effects of betrayal trauma for betrayed partners while maintaining compassion for both individuals.
Understands the effects of trauma on the nervous system. Describes tools for managing triggers. Understands the effects of trauma on the nervous system. Describes tools for managing triggers.
Can describe the 3 phases of healing betrayal trauma. Can describe the 3 phases of healing betrayal trauma.
Demonstrates crisis management skills for individuals and couples – keeping safety and stabilization as a priority. Demonstrates crisis management skills for individuals and couples – keeping safety and stabilization as a priority.
Can describe Mindfulness Can describe Mindfulness
Demonstrates an understanding of treating relational trauma
Supports clients in developing healthy boundaries Supports clients in developing healthy boundaries
Demonstrates understanding of spiritual and existential trauma Demonstrates understanding of spiritual and existential trauma
Addresses the psychological impact of gaslighting and DARVO and how it affects partner Addresses the psychological impact of gaslighting and DARVO and how it affects partner
Demonstrates an awareness, understanding, and commitment to culturally responsive care and considering the varying needs of clients based on their individual identities Uses culturally sensitive treatment tools. Seeks guidance from cultural experts when necessary
Have a basic understanding of how a client’s spiritual belief system may be impacting their ability to heal from betrayal trauma. Have an understanding of when to refer to or consult with the religious leader. Have a basic understanding of how a client’s spiritual belief system may be impacting their ability to heal from betrayal trauma. Have an understanding of when to refer to or consult with the religious leader.
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