About NVCP

 

Who we are

Northern Virginia Clinical Psychologists (NVCP) is a non-profit association of local professionals whose members provide psychological services to individuals, families and organizations in our community. We seek to educate the public about the ways in which psychology and science can improve health and well-being. NVCP offers a range of services and benefits to professionals such as

  • referrals
  • mentoring
  • networking opportunities
  • accredited continuing education programs
  • internet message board/listserv
  • online newsletter publication
  • state and federal advocacy/lobbying

Mission

NVCP is a nonprofit organization of licensed clinical psychologists dedicated to advancing the science and practice of clinical psychology as a means of promoting human welfare. We do this in several ways, such as by:

  • developing and encouraging high standards of ethics and training;
  • providing professional opportunities for the exchange of ideas, research, and experience (through discussions, presentations and publications); and
  • educating the public about the knowledge and professional resources that the field of clinical psychology makes available.

Brief History

Northern Virginia Clinical Psychologists (NVCP) was founded in 1975 as a regional division of the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists (VACP), which was also established that year. From 1975 through 2015, VACP was a division of the Virginia Psychological Association (VPA), established in 1957. In 2015, VACP became a stand alone organization affiliated with the American Psychological Association (APA), established in 1892. With over 115,000 members, APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide.

VACP and its regional divisions (such as NVCP) played a pivotal role in shaping the course of the clinical psychology profession not only in the state of Virginia, but nationally. In 1975, VACP and its regional academies were created and quickly launched efforts to establish the profession’s autonomy apart from the already well-established medical profession. VACP lobbied Virginia state legislators with the argument that psychologists should not be under the control of physicians. This effort succeeded with the Virginia legislatures passage of a statute affirming the professional autonomy of clinical psychology. Currently, in Virginia and nationally, clinical psychologists are able to practice as independent professionals providing mental health services.