What Is The American Psychological Association (APA)?

Medically reviewed by Julie Dodson
Updated February 22, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

The American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific organization providing representation for psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, social workers, and other mental health providers in the United States. Approximately 146,000 people, including students, educators, consultants, researchers, and clinicians, are part of the organization. Each individual is responsible for helping advance the APA's mission and goals throughout the United States and abroad.

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Learn about the APA and its role in psychology

The mission of the APA

The mission of the APA is "to promote the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge to benefit society and improve lives."

Overall, this mission requires constituents and the organization to improve the use of psychology, educate people about psychology, prepare future psychologists, and impact current societal challenges. Below are a few other ways the APA makes an impact.

Improving communication and applications

By improving communication surrounding psychological science and the knowledge of psychology among individuals and communities, the APA may reduce mental health stigma and reach more providers. As a group, participants of the APA can improve how people understand psychology, which could significantly increase the number of people seeking care. 

One benefit of the APA is increasing the amount of research conducted and the number of distributions. The APA utilizes research and education to improve the application of psychological science worldwide. More research may help psychologists find new treatment modalities for individuals who experience mental health conditions. 

Preparing future psychologists

The APA advances the field and attracts people to various mental health professions by providing an authoritative voice for psychology. Without students studying psychology, the US could experience a shortage of mental health professionals, which may mean more people go without the care they need. Additionally, the more people who study psychology, the more communities can build upon current research and identify more evidence-based treatments. 

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Sharing information 

Outside of the research that the APA supports and the professionals it helps to recruit and train, information is one essential aspect of the APA. The APA produces content in blog posts, professional news, publications, and other areas. This information may help the public, as well as psychologists and mental health professionals, to understand the types of advancements happening in the psychology field.

By ensuring that the average person can access the information the APA is sourcing and the research that psychologists are conducting, the APA strives to help all Americans recognize the importance of academic rigor in psychological research. Through this work, the organization can continue to ensure that future professionals are adequately trained, research is conducted and communicated accurately, and more professionals enter the field of psychology to better society.

Helping the US and individuals worldwide 

Psychological research has the capacity to impact mental health significantly. The research produced by psychologists and its implementation within the United States and abroad has helped many people learn to manage distressing symptoms. 

The research produced by APA constituents can inform new treatments and extend the reach of psychological education worldwide, which may increase the number of people seeking treatment for mental health concerns. 

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Learn about the APA and its role in psychology

Offering therapy resources  

If you're considering seeking professional support for a mental health concern, you don't have to face it alone. The APA can provide you with resources and information about getting professional help from a licensed therapist.

If you'd like to speak with a licensed counselor but face barriers to treatment like cost, distance, location, or waitlists, you might also try talking to an online therapist. Online therapists can meet with you via the internet, so you don't have to be in the same city. For example, with internet-based platforms like BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist and meet via phone, videoconference, or in-app messaging from anywhere. 

Online therapy has been proven as effective as in-person counseling, and it tends to be as affordable as traditional therapy without insurance. In addition, the APA has endorsed telehealth as a promising and effective option for those living with a mental illness or mental health concern.

Takeaway

The American Psychological Association has had many impacts on the psychological industry and is one of the most influential psychological organizations in the country. Through various APA divisions psychology students, researchers and experts who join the APA, can benefit from the APA services and APA events ranging from journal articles, news, books, and contacts in the field. The organization’s strategic plan to promote the psychology industry bill benefit society and improve psychological services. If you're interested in learning how this psychological group has impacted therapy or are looking for support with a mental health concern, consider contacting a therapist. You can find providers online or in your area by searching on the APA's website or through your preferred search engine.
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