APA Division of Psychotherapy
Policy Statement
approved 9/25/05

The APA Division of Psychotherapy (29) is deeply concerned about the use, in Division 29 and APA publications, of generic terms to describe the health-care activities of psychologists. As a profession, psychology is losing its distinctive connotation, being confused with subdoctoral mental health professions, and being indiscriminately lumped together with services of unknown effectiveness performed by generic "therapists." When authors refer to psychologists and their professional activities, the APA Division of Psychotherapy strongly encourages those authors to use the terms "psychology," "psychological," and "psychologists."

Specifically:
1) Avoid use of generic terms (e.g., clinician, intervention, therapy, assessment) when referring specifically to psychologists and psychological activities
2) Employ generic terms in only those situations referring to the activities of members of multiple mental health professions
3) Adopt brand recognition of psychology; for example, "psychotherapy" in place of "therapy," "psychological assessment" in place of "assessment," "psychological treatment" in place of "treatment," and "psychological counseling" in place of "counseling."
4) Use the legally protected terms of "psychology" and "psychologists" when so indicated

The APA Division of Psychotherapy directs the Division's editors (Journal editor, Bulletin editor, Internet editor) to inform contributors of this policy when applicable and authorizes Division 29 governance members to collegially advocate for this policy in APA communications and products.