Join APA

The American Psychiatric Association is a medical specialty society recognized world-wide. Its over 38,000 U.S. and international member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorders, including mental retardation and substance-related disorders. It is the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry. Its vision is a society that has available, accessible quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

Membership Applications


Members
The APA is an organization composed primarily of medical specialists who are qualified, or in the process of becoming qualified, as psychiatrists. The basic eligibility requirement is completion of a residency program in psychiatry accredited by the Residency Review Committee for Psychiatry of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPS(C)), or the American Osteopathic Association (AOA). Applicants for membership must also hold a valid medical license (with the exception of medical students and residents).


Vision
The American Psychiatric Association is an organization of psychiatrists working together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorders, including mental retardation and substance-related disorders. It is the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry. Its vision is a society that has available, accessible quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.


Mission
The mission of the American Psychiatric Association is to:

  • promote the highest quality care for individuals with mental disorders (including mental retardation and substance-related disorders) and their families;
  • promote psychiatric education and research;
  • advance and represent the profession of psychiatry; and
  • serve the professional needs of its membership.


Values

  • best standards of clinical practice
  • highest ethical standards of professional conduct
  • prevention, access, care & sensitivity for patients & compassion for their families
  • patient-focused treatment decisions
  • scientifically established principles of treatment
  • advocacy for patients
  • leadership
  • lifelong professional learning
  • collegial support
  • respect for diverse views and pluralism within the field and the association
  • respect for other health professionals