Association of Consulting Psychologists (ACP)

Abstract

The Association of Consulting Psychologists (ACP) was the second professional organization to represent applied interests. Although the American Association of Clinical Psychologists had been establishment in 1917 as the first organization to represent clinical psychologists, it dissolved in 1919 in favor of the creation of the American Psychological Association's (APA) first section, the Clinical Section (renamed “Division” after the 1945 reorganization). The APA Clinical Section, however, did not meet the needs of clinical psychologists. The ACP, reorganized in 1930 from the 1921 New York State Association of Consulting Psychologists, addressed early professionalization issues such as professional standards, requirements for postgraduate training, certification and licensure issues, membership requirements, and codes of ethics. It eventually merged with other regional associations to form the American Association for Applied Psychology in 1937.