Clinical Psychology Programs

VMAT-CΨPRS

A combination of two empirically-based Clinical Psychology trainee competency rating scales — the Clinical Psychology Placement Rating Scale (CΨPRS) and the Vignette Matching Assessment Tool (VMAT).

VMAT-CΨPRS is available for use only with Clinical Psychology training programs. These rating scales have been developed by a group of researchers and educators from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The work initially received funding from the 2010 Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) Research Grant and the 2014 Office of Learning & Teaching, Innovation and Development Research Grant. The work from the group has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at multiple national and international conferences.

VMAT-CΨPRS competence assessment interface
The VMAT-CΨPRS assessment interface within Placement Review.

The CΨPRS — Visual analogue rating

The CΨPRS uses a visual analogue scale for supervisors to chart trainee progress across 14 competence domains:

  1. Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment
  2. Case Conceptualisation and Interventions
  3. Individual and Cultural Diversity
  4. Effective and Skilful Assessment and Intervention
  5. Psychological Testing
  6. Relational and Communication
  7. Self-Care and Reflexivity / Reflective Practitioner
  8. Scientist Practitioner
  9. Ethical Practice
  10. Professionalism: Organisation and Disciplined Practice
  11. Professionalism: Attitudes and Values
  12. Interprofessional Learning and Practice
  13. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Cultural Responsiveness (Australian version)
    Māori and Pacific Peoples, and Other Indigenous Peoples Cultural Responsiveness (New Zealand version)
  14. Information Technology and Digital Competence

The VMAT — Vignette matching

The VMAT takes an alternative approach by presenting standardised vignettes of trainee competencies that are expected at various training stages across the above domains. Supervisors rate their trainee's performance against these vignettes. Given the complexity of the VMAT, this is only available as a digital assessment tool on this platform.

The Placement Review platform offers supervisors from subscribing institutions both Mid and End Placement Review modules. It also includes optional Trainee Self-Evaluation modules, which can be completed by trainees at Mid and/or End Placement Review periods.

2026 update: For the year 2026, this platform is providing the CΨPRS (2026 version) only, as the VMAT is taken offline for revisions. It is anticipated that the platform will resume offering the combined VMAT-CΨPRS assessment tools in 2027.

Get involved

For more information about VMAT-CΨPRS or institution subscriptions, please contact admin@placementreview.net.