455.01 Definitions. In this chapter:

(2) “Doctoral degree in psychology" means a doctoral degree in a study which involves the application of principles of the practice of psychology. A doctoral degree granted as the result of study involving one or more of the areas of psychological practice recognized by the American psychological association or in any other field recognized by the examining board shall be considered a doctoral degree in psychology.

(3) “Examining board" means the psychology examining board.

(3m) “Fee" means direct or indirect payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, including the expectation of payment or compensation whether or not actually received.

(4) “Licensed psychologist" means a person holding a valid license under s. 455.04 (1).

(5) “Practice of psychology" means rendering to any person for a fee a psychological service involving the application of principles, methods and procedures of understanding, predicting and influencing behavior, such as the principles pertaining to learning, perception, motivation, thinking, emotions and interpersonal relationships; the methods and procedures of interviewing, counseling, psychotherapy, psychoanalysis and biofeedback; and the methods and procedures of constructing, administering and interpreting tests of mental abilities, aptitudes, interests, attitudes, personality characteristics, emotion and motivation. The application of these principles and methods includes, but is not restricted to, all of the following:

(a) Psychological diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems in behavioral, vocational, educational, emotional, sexual, neuropsychological and mental disorders.

(b) Treatment for alcohol and other substance abuse, disorders of habit and conduct, and the psychological and behavioral aspects of physical illness, accident or other disabilities.

(c) Any other activity authorized by statute or by rules promulgated by the examining board.

(6) “Psychotherapy" means the use of learning, conditioning methods and emotional reactions in a professional relationship to assist persons to modify feelings, attitudes and behaviors which are intellectually, socially or emotionally maladjustive or ineffectual.

(7)

(a) A person makes a representation to be a psychologist when the person uses publicly any title or description of services incorporating the words “psychology", “psychological" or “psychologist", and when the person makes a declaration to be trained, experienced or an expert in the field of psychology and offers to engage or engages in the practice of psychology for any person for a fee.

(b) Nothing in this chapter restricts the use of the term “social psychologist" by any person who has been graduated with a doctoral degree in sociology or social psychology from an institution whose credits in sociology or social psychology are acceptable by a recognized educational institution, who has passed comprehensive examinations in the field of social psychology as part of the requirements for a doctoral degree or has had equivalent specialized training in social psychology and who has filed with the examining board a statement of the facts demonstrating compliance with this paragraph.

History: 1977 c. 192, 273, 418; 1989 a. 243; 1995 a. 188.