Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 455 - Psychology.
455.01 - Definitions.

455.01 Definitions. In this subchapter:
(1) “Authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology" has the meaning given in s. 455.50 (2) (b).
(2) “Doctoral degree in psychology" means a doctoral degree in a study which involves the application of principles of the practice of psychology. A doctoral degree granted as the result of study involving one or more of the areas of psychological practice recognized by the American psychological association or in any other field recognized by the examining board shall be considered a doctoral degree in psychology.
(2m) “E.Passport” has the meaning given in s. 455.50 (2) (g).
(3) “Examining board" means the psychology examining board.
(3m) “Fee," when used other than in reference to a fee for a credential, means direct or indirect payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, including the expectation of payment or compensation whether or not actually received.
(3r) “Interjurisdictional practice certificate” has the meaning given in s. 455.50 (2) (im).
(5)
(a) “Practice of psychology" means the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, prediction, or modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures for any of the following purposes, in exchange for a fee:
1. Preventing, eliminating, evaluating, assessing, or predicting symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and promoting adaptive health maintaining behavior or psychological functioning.
2. Assisting in legal decision-making.
(b) “Practice of psychology" includes all of the following if done in exchange for a fee:
1. Psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of a person's characteristics, including intelligence; personality; cognitive, physical, or emotional abilities; skills; interests; aptitudes; or neuropsychological functioning.
2. Counseling, consultation, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, behavior therapy, and applied behavior analysis.
3. The diagnosis, treatment, or management of mental and emotional disorders or disabilities, substance use disorders, disorders of habit or conduct, and the psychological aspects of physical illnesses, accidents, injuries, or disabilities.
4. Psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, or remediation.
5. Consultation with other psychologists, physicians, or other health care professionals and with a patient regarding all available treatment options with respect to the provision of care for a specific patient or client.
6. The supervision of anything specified in subds. 1. to 5.
(6) “Psychotherapy" means the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, conditions, or addictions through the application of methods derived from established psychological or systemic principles, including for the purpose of assisting individuals with modifying their behaviors, cognitions, emotions, or personality characteristics, or for the purpose of understanding unconscious processes or intrapersonal, interpersonal, or psychosocial dynamics.
(9) “Temporary authorization to practice” has the meaning given in s. 455.50 (2) (o).
History: 1977 c. 192, 273, 418; 1989 a. 243; 1995 a. 188; 2021 a. 22, 131.

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