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Definition of Practice Areas

Adapted from the Definitions of Practice Areas written by the College of Psychologists of Ontario

Forensic/Correctional Psychology

All members of the Saskatchewan College of Psychologists require the following minimum working knowledge base:

• knowledge in the core areas of psychology (MRA standards);
• knowledge of learning;
• knowledge of all relevant ethical, legal and professional issues;
• knowledge of research design and methodology;
• knowledge of statistics; and
• knowledge of psychological measurement.

Forensic/Correctional Psychology is the application of knowledge about human behaviour to the understanding, assessment, diagnosis and/or treatment of individuals within the context of criminal and/or legal matters.

In addition to the above minimum knowledge base, members practising Forensic/Correctional Psychology require the following:

• knowledge of criminal justice/legal systems;
• knowledge of the application of psychological principals within the federal and/or provincial legal systems;
• knowledge of psychopathology/abnormal psychology/criminal behaviour;
• knowledge of personality/individual differences;
• knowledge of psychological assessment;
• knowledge of psychodiagnostics;
• risk assessment/management;
• knowledge of intervention procedures and psychotherapy; and
• knowledge of evaluation of change.

For members practising Forensic/Correctional Psychology the following minimum skills are required:

• the ability to perform an appropriate assessment;
• the ability to formulate and communicate a differential diagnosis; and
• the ability to plan, execute and evaluate an appropriate treatment program.