Mental health providers' perceptions of competency when working with autistic children with co‐occurring mental health diagnoses

Bibliographic Data

ID11044003
AuthorsAmy W Linsao (School of Behavioral Sciences California Southern University Chandler Arizona USA), Patrick Mckiernan (0000-0002-8466-8504, Southern California University for Professional Studies), Patrick M McKiernan (School of Behavioral Sciences California Southern University Chandler Arizona USA), Stephanie M Morgan (0000-0003-3124-0835, School of Psychology Antioch University Culver City California USA, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume51
Issue5
Pages2026-2034
Publication date2023-07-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Community Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-4392 • E-ISSN: 1520-6629
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jcop.22994
PMID36609698
OpenAlexW4313679966
LanguageEN
References cited39

Psychotherapy research has long focused on provider competence and treatment efficacy. Mental health providers treat diverse client populations with varying, complex needs. Though estimates vary, the rate of children diagnosed with autism and a co‐occurring psychiatric disorder is relatively high. While behavioral approaches to treatment have been established as the gold standard, talk‐based therapies are increasingly common, and a broader range of providers are treating this population. There are gaps in the literature regarding empirically supported, targeted approaches, and provider sense of competency in addressing complex needs. The aim of this secondary qualitative analysis was to gain further insights into mental health providers' experiences of psychotherapy with autistic children with a cooccurring diagnosis. Eleven licensed clinicians participated in semistructured interviews. The following themes emerged: perception of competency, complex needs, and family involvement. Recommendations for a collaborative approach, increased opportunities for training, and standardized, targeted assessments and treatment protocols were made

Autism · Competence (human resources) · Mental health · Perception · Population · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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