Pennsylvania Psychology Advocacy
The Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA) leads psychology advocacy by helping psychologists stay informed, connected, and prepared for policy conversations across the commonwealth. By monitoring policy developments, PPA helps psychologists understand how public policy can affect psychological practice.
Every psychologist in the state benefits when the profession has an organized voice. Being a PPA member isn't required for psychologists to benefit from shared advocacy efforts. But through PPA, you can stay connected to policy conversations that affect clinical practice, patient access, public systems, and mental health policy in Pennsylvania.
Why Advocacy Matters for Pennsylvania Psychologists
Laws shape psychologists' daily work. For example, licensing rules, scope of practice, reimbursement policies, workforce priorities, and care access all depend on informed policy conversations. Psychology advocacy in Pennsylvania helps psychologists communicate professional insight to elected officials.
Effective advocacy helps policymakers understand how psychologists support schools, hospitals, community agencies, private practices, and public health systems. When psychologists participate in advocacy, policymakers gain a clearer understanding of how policy decisions can affect patient assessment and treatment.
How PPA Advocates for the Profession
PPA helps you follow selected policy developments in areas such as licensure, telepsychology access, reimbursement, school psychology, and collaboration with physicians. At both the state and federal levels, advocacy offers a more well-rounded view of emerging issues.
State-Level Advocacy
At the state level, PPA monitors and advocates for PA policies that affect psychologists' licenses, education requirements, and ability to provide care. State-level priorities include:
- The Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) in PA and Act 19 of 2020 (SB 67), which authorizes interstate telepsychology and temporary in-person practice
- Continuing education (CE) requirements, including child abuse recognition and reporting under Act 31 and suicide prevention training under Act 74
- Prescriptive authority legislation that would allow psychologists with advanced psychopharmacology training to prescribe certain medications in collaboration with physicians
Federal-Level Advocacy
PPA works with the American Psychological Association (APA) on federal issues that affect psychologists and their patients. Federal priorities include:
- The No Surprises Act's good faith estimate (GFE) requirements for certain healthcare billing situations
- Medicare policies involving psychologists' services, reimbursement, and patients' access to mental healthcare
- Federal mental health parity requirements that support equitable insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services
Building Relationships With Insurers
PPA also advocates for psychologists by building relationships with insurers. These conversations help PPA communicate psychologists' concerns about coverage requirements, administrative processes, reimbursement, and patient access to care.
Monitoring Regulations
PPA attends Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology meetings and monitors the regulations that may affect psychologists' licenses and practices. We follow updates from other state agencies so psychologists can prepare for policy and regulatory changes.
Encouraging Advocacy
Another one of PPA's roles is encouraging and helping more people participate in psychology advocacy. Advocacy opportunities give psychologists practical ways to share expertise, support their colleagues, and promote informed mental health policy.
In collaboration with APA, we share action alerts when psychologists' voices can help shape the response to or outcome of an issue. You can participate with sending action alerts by adding your name and address to a prewritten message, personalizing it, and sending it to the appropriate legislator or agency.
For example, by sending a brief message to CMS through an APA action alert, you can help elevate the visibility of the science, practice, and discipline of psychology to federal agencies and protect the well-being of underserved populations beyond Medicare beneficiaries.
Ways to Get Involved
Advocacy can feel unfamiliar, especially for psychologists managing full schedules. PPA helps psychologists take practical steps and stay connected to shared professional priorities.
Join PPA
Joining our association strengthens our ability to represent psychology across Pennsylvania. Membership also connects you with:
- Advocacy updates
- Professional resources
- Continuing education
- Active committees
- A supportive statewide community
Attend Advocacy Day
Each year, we try to host Advocacy Day to bring psychologists and advocates together with legislators. Participants learn about policy priorities, explain how the legislature affects care, and build relationships.
Join the Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee
The Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee helps PPA review and prioritize legislation that impacts psychology and mental health services in Pennsylvania. This committee:
- Evaluates and ranks proposed legislation
- Develops partnerships with state agencies in health, education, and human services
- Represents diverse psychological interests within the association
To learn more or join the committee, reach out to Tanya Vishnevsky, PhD (Chair) at tanyavishnevsky@gmail.com or Rachael Baturin (Staff) at rachael@papsy.org.
Use APA Advocacy Resources
PPA connects you with federal tools from the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA Advocacy resources help psychologists follow national campaigns and find and contact lawmakers.
Support Advocacy by Donating
The Pennsylvania Psychological Political Action Committee (PennPsyPAC) supports candidates who understand psychology, ethical practice, and mental health policy in Pennsylvania. Your contributions help advance public priorities and strengthen psychology's presence in policy conversations. Donations offer an opportunity to support advocacy efforts, even if you cannot participate directly.
If you'd like to take your support a step further and become a board member, reach out to Michael DeStefano, PhD, PennPsyPAC Chair, at michaeldestefano1@gmail.com.
Advocate With PPA
You don't need to be a policy expert to get involved in Pennsylvania psychology advocacy. In addition to practicing psychologists, PPA’s advocacy supports undergraduate and graduate students, as well as affiliates, early-career professionals, and those preparing for licensure as they navigate policy changes and professional development in Pennsylvania.
Start by joining PPA, attending Advocacy Day, and getting in touch with your legislators to participate in meaningful discussions about mental health and psychology.