Turkish Psychological Association

Turkish Psychological Association (TPA) is a professional organization established to support the development of psychology as a science in Türkiye, safeguard the professional rights of psychologists, and promote the delivery of psychological services in accordance with scientific and ethical standards. The association aims to strengthen professional solidarity among psychologists, ensure the use of psychological science for the benefit of society, and contribute to improving the quality of psychological education.

Founded on 25 October 1976 in Ankara, the Turkish Psychological Association gained the status of a public benefit organization through a decision of the Council of Ministers dated 19 December 1997. As one of the professional organizations representing psychologists throughout Türkiye, it engages in scientific publishing, education, development of professional standards, and public awareness initiatives.

History

In the 1970s, as demand for psychological services in Türkiye increased, professionals in the field began to recognize the need for organized professional representation. In response to this need, a professional association named the Association of Psychologists (AP) was established on 25 October 1976 in Ankara.

From the 1990s onward, the association organized various meetings and events to discuss issues such as defining the psychology profession and the necessity of a professional law. During this period, the “Wednesday Meetings” emerged as regular gatherings where academics and practitioners in psychology discussed professional challenges and developments.

Over time, as it strengthened its institutional structure, the association undertook initiatives to enhance the organized representation of psychology in Türkiye and carried out various scientific and professional activities to improve psychological education and professional practice.

Institutional Status and Structure

The Turkish Psychological Association is a civil society organization founded for professional and solidarity purposes. Headquartered in Ankara, it conducts its activities across various provinces of Türkiye through branches and representative offices.

The association is a professional body open to individuals holding a bachelor’s or doctoral degree in psychology. It operates through a governing board, an audit board, and various working units. Association leaders do not receive remuneration for their roles; their work is based on voluntary service.

Areas of Activity

The Turkish Psychological Association carries out various activities to contribute to the development of psychological science, strengthen professional standards, and enhance the quality of psychological services. These activities include:

• Organizing professional development training and seminars
• Supporting scientific research and publications in psychology
• Conducting work on professional ethics and standards
• Contributing to the improvement of the quality of psychological education
• Promoting psychological awareness in society

The association also organizes events aimed at strengthening solidarity among psychologists and informing the public about recent developments in the field of psychology.

Publication Activities

The Turkish Psychological Association publishes various academic publications to support the production and dissemination of scientific knowledge in psychology.

Periodical Publications

The association’s main periodical publications are as follows:

• Turkish Journal of Psychology
  A peer-reviewed international journal published twice a year. It publishes empirical research articles and is indexed in international databases including SSCI, PsycINFO, PsycLIT, and Psychological Abstracts.
• Turkish Psychological Articles
  A peer-reviewed journal published since 1998. It features original research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses across various subfields of psychology.
• Turkish Psychology Bulletin
  Another periodical publication by the association, which was published until 2011.

Books and Other Publications

Through its publishing house, the Turkish Psychological Association publishes various books and reference materials in the field of psychology. These include works on clinical psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy, health psychology, ethics, and neuropsychology.

Education and Accreditation Activities

The Turkish Psychological Association undertakes various initiatives to improve the quality of psychological education. Within this framework, the Psychology Undergraduate Education Accreditation and Standards (PLESA) was established to develop quality standards for psychology programs.

The association has been authorized by the Higher Education Quality Council to evaluate and accredit psychology undergraduate programs in Türkiye.

Scientific Conferences and Congresses

The Turkish Psychological Association organizes congresses and scientific meetings to promote scientific communication in psychology. Among these, the National Psychology Congress is one of the most significant scientific events bringing together academics, researchers, and practitioners in psychology in Türkiye.

International Relations

TPD is the sole authorized body representing Türkiye on international psychology platforms. It is a full member of the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations (EFPA) and the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS). Under these collaborations, the “EuroPsy” (European Certificate of Psychology), which signifies professional competence according to European standards, is awarded in Türkiye through TPD.