BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY

THE DISCIPLINE OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology the study of behavior and mental processes, involves the application of
scientific methods to inquire into the biological, cognitive, affective, developmental, personality,
social, cultural, and individual difference dimensions of human behavior. It is an extremely broad
discipline with wide reach and great impact to society and humanity.
Cutting across the biosocial sphere of human functioning, Psychologists study the intersection
of two critical relationships: brain function and behavior, and the environment and behavior. s
scientists, psychologists follow rigorous scientific methods, using standardi!ed tools and
procedures for observation, experimentation and analysis" and apply scientific findings in
ethically responsible and creative ways.
THE PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY
#he state recogni!es the multifarious speciali!ations and functions of psychologists along with
the crucial significance of the psychological services they provide to a multi$diverse population%
thus, the regulation of the profession to protect the various publics who avail of their services.
&epublic ct '(()* was enacted into law to regulate the practice of Psychology in the
Philippines. +nder the law, Practice of Psychology is defined as the delivery of psychological
services that involve the application of psychological principles and procedures for the purpose
of describing, understanding, predicting and influencing the behavior of individuals or groups, to
assist in the attainment of optimal human growth and functioning.
#he delivery of psychological services includes, but is not limited to:
,'- Psychological Interventions: psychological counselling% psychotherapy% psychosocial
support% life coaching% psychological debriefing% group processes% and all other psychological
interventions that involve the application of psychological principles and methods to improve the
psychological functioning of individuals% families% groups% and organi!ations%
,)- Psychological ssessment: gathering and integration of psychology$related data for the
purpose of ,a- ma.ing a psychological evaluation accomplished through a variety of tools
including individual tests, pro/ective tests, clinical interviews and other psychological
assessment tools, ,b- assessing diverse psychological functions including cognitive abilities,
aptitudes, personality characteristics, attitudes, values, interests, emotions and motivations,
among others, in support of psychological counselling, psychotherapy and other psychological
interventions%
,0- Psychological Programs: development, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
of psychological treatment programs and other psychological intervention programs for
individuals and1or groups.
#he term 2other psychological interventions3 shall be deemed to include:
,a- preventive and therapeutic measures li.e play and expressive arts therapy, music therapy
and trauma healing% as well as correctional, rehabilitative and behavioral modification measures%
,b- consultation, that is, providing extensive .nowledge, speciali!ed technical assistance and
expertise in an advisory capacity to consultees in regard to mental and behavioral concerns,
emotional distress, personality disorders and other neuropsychological dysfunctions.
2Psychological evaluation3 shall include the ma.ing of diagnostic interpretations% reports% and
recommendations, as part of a case study, or in support of diagnostic screening% placement%
management1administrative decisions% psychiatric evaluation% legal action% psychological
counseling, psychotherapy and change intervention
2Assessing diverse psychological functions3 shall include the development, standardi!ation and
publication of psychological tests which measure ad/ustment and psychopathology% and1or the
creation of assessment tools primarily for psycho$diagnostic purposes.
#he term 2other psychological intervention programs3 shall include:
,a- addiction rehabilitation and treatment programs% behavioral management and intervention
programs in correctional facilities% psychological training programs which involve inner
processing% and mental health programs in disaster and emergency situations, either for
individuals and1or communities%
,b- clinical supervision: the direction, guidance, mentoring, and cliniquing of psychology
practitioners and interns% psychometricians and other trainees for psychology$related wor. to
meet the standards of quality and excellence in professional practice.
#he practice of psychology in the Philippines covers such areas as clinical psychology,
counselling psychology, assessment psychology% social psychology% developmental psychology,
cognitive psychology and industrial1organi!ational psychology. #here is no distinction made in
the legislation or in the regulation between Psychologists across these specialties at this point.
4ithin these areas a Psychologist may wor. with a variety of individual client populations such
as children, adolescents, or adults, or may focus their attention on families, couples or
organi!ations. 5ut the ethics of the profession dictates that no psychologist should cross over
areas he1she is not equipped to handle, thus the certification in various specialty areas. ll
professional psychologists, however, regardless of specialty must have .nowledge and s.ills
respecting interpersonal relationships, assessment and evaluation, intervention and
consultation, understanding and applying research to professional practice and .nowing and
applying professional ethics, standards and relevant legislation to professional practice.
6icensure is on two levels: for those with at least a 7aster8s 9egree in Psychology who can be
called a Psychologist% and those with at least a 5achelor8s degree in Psychology who can wor.
under the supervision of a psychologist, called a psychometrician.
A Psychologist as defined by law, is a natural person who is duly registered and holds a valid
Certificate of &egistration and a valid Professional Identification Card as Professional
Psychologist, issued by the Professional &egulatory 5oard of Psychology ,P&5P- and the
Professional &egulation Commission ,P&C- pursuant to :ection 0,c-, rticle III, of &.. ;o.
'(()*, for the purpose of delivering the different psychological services defined under the I&&.
Psychometrician is a natural person who has been registered and issued a valid Certificate
of &egistration and a valid Professional Identification Card as psychometrician by the P&5P and
the P&C in accordance with :ec. 0 ,d-, rticle III of &.. ;o. '(()*, and is authori!ed to do any
of the following activities% Provided, that these activities shall at all times be conducted under the
supervision of a licensed professional psychologist:
,'- dministering and scoring ob/ective personality tests, structured personality tests, excluding
pro/ective tests and other higher level forms of psychological tests%
,)- Interpreting the results of these tests and preparing a written report on these results% and
,0- Conducting preparatory inta.e interviews of clients for psychological intervention sessions.
ll the assessment reports prepared and done by the psychometrician shall always bear the
signature of the supervising psychologist who shall ta.e full responsibility for the integrity of the
report.
Clientele can include those with psychological and emotional difficulties, academic and
behavioral difficulties, victims of abuse and calamities% those needing psychological evaluation
for wor. purposes, marital nullification, child custody, carrying of firearms% those in organi!ations
that need to improve human relations and behavior among personnel% and many others.
Psychologists wor. in a range of settings including schools, hospitals, industry, social service
agencies, rehabilitation facilities and correctional facilities, or go into private practice.
&egardless, they must be competent in formulating and communicating a psychological
diagnosis.