Emotional Regulation and Analytical Thinking as Correlates of Clinical Psychologist Therapeutic Counselling Competence in Lagos State

Abstract

This study investigated emotional regulation and analytical thinking as correlates of clinical psychologist therapeutic counselling competence in Lagos State. Correlational research design was adopted for this study. One research question and two hypotheses were raised to guide the study. Also, 50 clinical psychologists practicing in Lagos State were purposively selected for the study and three validated scales were used to collect valuable data for the study. Collected data were analyzed using Multiple Regression and Pearson Product Moment Correlation and at 0.05 level of significance. The outcome of the study findings shows that positive relationship exists among emotional regulation, analytical thinking and clinical psychologist therapeutic counselling competence. Emotional regulation correlates significantly with clinical psychologist therapeutic counselling competence; r (48) = .523, p<.05. Likewise, analytical thinking correlates significantly with clinical psychologist therapeutic counselling competence; r (48) = .659, p<.05. Therefore, it was recommended that clinical psychologist should endeavour to develop competence that would enable them to understand the application of ethical theoretical principles and professional guidelines in undertaking professional tasks in an effective and appropriate manner.