Licensing and Ethics Information


Psychologists practicing in Connecticut are licensed by the Connecticut Department of Health Services.

Licensing Resources

Members of the Connecticut Psychological Association agree to abide by the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct published by the American Psychological Association.

Complaints against psychologists

Persons wishing to file a complaint against a psychologist may contact the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and/or the Ethics Committee of the American Psychological Association:

• To file a complaint against a psychologist with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, click here for information.
  
  
• To file an ethics complaint, with APA, please send a short note by regular mail or fax (not by e-mail) to the APA Ethics Office. Please provide the name of the individuals(s) against whom you wish to file your complaint and the state in which they practice. Address it to the APA Ethics Office, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. The fax number is (202) 336-5997. Please note that APA has jurisdiction to investigate complaints regarding only APA members.

Following are the rules and procedures of the Connecticut Psychological Association Ethics Committee. The Rules and Procedures of the American Psychological Association are available here.

For more information, contact Randolph M. Lee, Ph.D., Chair, Ethics Committee
(860) 297-2413 or rlee@connpsych.org.

These revised Rules and Procedures became effective April 15, 1998. Effective with this revision, the C.P.A. Ethics Committee no longer conducts investigations of alleged unethical behavior. The Committee provides information and education, and will also provide referral to appropriate sources for persons wishing to pursue complaints about alleged unethical conduct.

1. Purpose

1.1 The Ethics Committee shall function as a standing committee of the Connecticut Psychological Association (hereafter CPA or the Association) in accordance with the bylaws of the Association. Its primary purpose shall be to inform and educate members of the Association, other psychologists, other professionals, and the general public about ethical principles of psychologists as defined in the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

2. Responsibilities

2.1 The Committee shall establish rules and procedures governing its function and the conduct of all matters within its jurisdiction, and may amend such rules from time to time upon a two-thirds vote of the Committee members.

2.2 The Committee shall educate the public and the profession about issues in the ethical conduct of psychology.

2.3 The Committee shall provide information to the profession and the public regarding options for filing grievances with state agencies, APA, and other professional associations about psychologists’ ethical behavior. The Committee itself does not receive or investigate complaints, but may refer such complaints to appropriate jurisdictions.

3. Objectives

3.1 The fundamental objectives of the Committee shall be to increase and maintain awareness and understanding of ethical conduct by psychologists at the highest professional level and to aid the Association in achieving its objectives as reflected in its by-laws. The Committee shall endeavor to educate the membership about the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.

4. Procedures

4.1 Procedures regarding education.

4.11 The Committee shall determine the nature, frequency, and style of its educational programs. These may include, but are not limited to, presentations at CPA meetings, conventions, and continuing education workshops, newsletter articles, informal telephone discussions with members, and other verbal, written or electronic communications.

4.2 Procedures regarding referral.

4.21 When the Committee receives an inquiry about a potential legal or ethical complaint, or an inquiry about a matter, which might constitute an issue of professional standards, its obligation and responsibility shall be to inform the inquirer about options available for pursuit of the matter. These options may include, but are not limited to, encouraging the inquirer to contact the person being complained about, informing the inquirer about the resources of the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Addiction Services, the American Psychological Association Ethics Committee, the Professional Standards Review Committee, and/or other tribunals and agencies.

4.3 Procedures regarding members convicted of or charged with felonies or disciplined in other authorized tribunals.

4.31 Review of Record and Suspension. Where the Committee finds that a member has been convicted of a felony the Committee shall review the record leading to conviction and may thereafter recommend to the Board of Directors that they suspend membership or block a resignation by a member without further proceedings.

4.32 Felony Conviction Overturned On Appeal. When a member has been convicted of a felony and has consequently been expelled from membership and then has had the conviction reversed by appeal, said former member may seek re-admission in accordance with current membership criteria.

4.33 Expulsion, Suspension, or Delicensure by the State. Where the Committee finds that a member has been expelled or suspended for unethical conduct from APA or other state or regional associations or has had a license or certificate revoked on ethical grounds by a state board of examiners, the Committee shall review the record leading to these sanctions and may recommend to the Board of Directors that they suspend membership or block a resignation by a member without further proceedings.

4.34 Members Response. The Committee shall impose suspension under 4.31 or

4.33 only where it appears necessary for the protection of the public. Upon suspension, the member shall be afforded the opportunity, in writing, or at the Committee’s discretion, through personal appearance, to show good cause why he or she should not be expelled from CPA.

4.35 Recommendation to CPA Board of Directors. After a member’s response, or the expiration of 60 days without response, the Committee shall recommend to CPA Board of Directors whether the member shall be expelled or receive lesser sanction from the Board. The Board may, after a review of the entire record, expel the member or administer a lesser sanction.

Revision of April 15, 1998, Approved by C.P.A. Board of Directors, April 15, 1998.