Mission and Priorities
The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy is an active, diverse community of practitioners, scholars, researchers, educators, supervisors, and students who are committed to advancing the science and practice of psychotherapy. Its mission is to preserve, generate and share the evidence base underlying psychotherapy science, practice, training and supervision in an effort to enhance the benefits of psychotherapy for all.
Society Priorities (to be reviewed every three years)
Last review and update: May 13, 2025
Advancing Psychotherapy Science and Practice
- Support and disseminate psychotherapy research and best practices
- Strengthen and expand the Society’s publications (Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Bulletin)
- Promote ethical, culturally-responsive, and inclusive psychotherapy practices
- Support psychotherapy innovation
- Foster advancements in psychotherapy research, practice, training, and supervision—including emerging therapeutic modalities and ethical and meaningful technological advancements
Increasing Public Engagement and Advocacy
- Advocate for psychotherapy research and practice in public policy and funding decisions
- Inform the public and policy makers about psychotherapy’s effectiveness and important role in public mental health care
- Advocate for research and practice policies and systems to address mental health disparities—fostering and supporting equity and justice in service and funding decision-making
Supporting Psychotherapy Training and Supervision
- Promote and provide high-quality training, supervision, and continuing education for psychotherapy practitioners and researchers
- Provide mentorship and professional development for students and early career professionals (ECPs)
Providing Organizational and Professional Community Support
- Expand the Society’s membership in order to sustain its vibrant, inclusive, and stimulating professional community
- Strengthen member engagement through networking, leadership, and professional opportunities
- Provide pathways for students and early career professionals to connect with the Society and advance their careers through grants, awards, committees, and mentoring programs
- Support and recognize the outstanding contributions of Society members
Advancing Psychotherapy
The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy addresses the unique needs of psychotherapists and psychotherapy researchers, educators, supervisors, and trainees interested in advancing the field of psychotherapy.
- Providing a home for all psychologists and mental health professionals interested in psychotherapy.
- Publishing Psychotherapy Bulletin, which provides news on both professional issues and those psychotherapists and psychotherapy researchers, educators, supervisors, and trainees in the vanguard of psychotherapy.
- Influencing state and national legislation of benefit to both the public and psychology by disseminating information of the efficacy of psychotherapy.
The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy (DIVISION 29 of the American Psychological Association) is the only American Psychological Association division devoted to the survival of psychotherapy.
- Informs and educates the public, including legislators, about the value of psychotherapy as provided by licensed psychologists and other mental health professionals.
- Addresses the training and practice concerns of doctoral students and post-doctoral residents preparing for careers in psychotherapy.
- Serves the research and development function that emphasizes the critical importance of psychotherapy for health and mental health treatment and prevention.
- Emphasizes the need to provide psychotherapy to diverse populations by fully qualified psychologists and other mental health professionals.
The Society for the Advancement of Psychotherapy IS THE HOME FOR ALL psychotherapists and psychotherapy researchers, educators, supervisors, and trainees.
- Involved with all aspects of psychotherapy: theory, research, practice and training.
- Developed unique publications such as The History of Psychotherapy and the Children and Adolescents Treatment Brochure.
- Moved rapidly to provide assistance and training and to collect research date during recent national crises and disasters such as the Gulf War, the Los Angeles riots, and Hurricane Andrew.
- Encourages graduate student participation through columns in the Psychotherapy Bulletin and by annual awards to graduate students for psychotherapy research.
- Values multimodal approaches in psychotherapy so consumers, students, and providers have the broadest array of efficacious alternative available.
Not Yet A Member?
Then JOIN US and find your home among practitioners, educators, researchers, and students who are passionate about psychotherapy.