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Question: Happy New Year. I am currently the Director of Social-Emotional Learning for Portland Public Schools (ME). While I have a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from and APA-accredited program, I have spent the majority of my training and career working as an action researcher and consultant to schools and school districts--my communities of choice. I do not refer to myself as a clinical psychologist because I never took the licensure exam; I do not provide clinical services or supervision without operating under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist (and I haven't done so in many years). My advisor in graduate school, who has a Ph.D. from a clinical/community program never referred to himself as a clinical psychologist--only as a community psychologist. He informed me many years ago that I can refer to myself as a community psychologist because the majority of my graduate training, the nature of my research and practice both in and since graduate school is in the community vein. I just wanted to confirm this as I do not want to "break any rules" regarding protected terms. Thank you for your response.
Answer:

Thanks for your question. I am not a legal expert, but my sense is that if you are doing work that is consistent with the values, skills, and approaches of community psychology, then it is appropriate to refer to yourself as a community psychologist.

Question Date: Thu, 12/31/2020