The College is committed to psychology as a profession, a social science and as a means of promoting human welfare. The College aims to uphold professional standards of clinical practice through training, supervision and peer review. This process is conducted in a positive and educative manner.

The College is also committed to the development and assistance of students who intend to undertake a career in psychology, with specialisation in clinical work. Members of the College provide supervision, guidance and support. The College provides a range of training opportunities, for students and psychologists alike, in the form of workshops, courses and guest speakers, both local and interstate. In addition, its peer review process encourages the development of skills and knowledge that is essential for the practising psychologist.

The College defines a clinical psychologist as a suitably qualified practitioner who provides psychological services to a patient or client in either a therapeutic or assessment role, as distinct from a teaching or research role.

In practical terms, the College aims to assist a clinical psychologist to develop and enhance the following skills and abilities:

• Possess a sound knowledge of psychopathology;
• Be able to provide an assessment of personality, cognitive, behavioural and neuropsychological functioning;
• Have a thorough knowledge of at least one theory of personality and be skilled in that therapeutic approach;
• Be able to design and implement an effective intervention process to help a patient/client; and
• Have a broad understanding of the various therapies such as marital, family and group.