Iranian Psychological Association of America (IPAA) mission statement:
1. To advance the profession of psychology with integrity and competence amongst its members.
2. To strive to enhance psychology as a means of promoting health and human welfare by: raising public awareness about the practice of psychology. Providing guidance and education to the Iranian and American communities on psychological, psychosocial, and cultural issues. Promoting research and training on psychological and psychosocial issues related to the needs of our ethnic populations.
3. To try to enhance its membership’s professional practices by providing networking and skill-building opportunities to its members.
History
Iranian Psychological Association of America (IPAA) is a non-profit organization composed of Master's and Doctoral level clinicians and students in the mental health field. IPAA was established on June 10, 2005 and has been embarking upon its mission ever since to increase awareness regarding a variety of important mental health issues in- and outside of the Iranian community. IPAA's goals are to advance the profession of psychology with integrity and competence amongst its members, to raise public awareness about the practice of psychology, to provide guidance and education to the Iranian and American communities on psychological, psychosocial, and cultural issues, to promote research and training on topics related to the needs of our ethnic populations, and to enhance its membership's professional practices by providing networking and skill-building opportunities.
IPAA and its board members have worked relentlessly to actualize its many goals. IPAA has received continuing education sponsorship approval from the American Psychological Association, making it the only Iranian body of psychologists in the United States with such a recognition. IPAA is also approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to provide continuing education classes to Marriage and Family Therapists and LCSWs. Monthly meetings are held in which various licensed psychologists in the field present continuing education classes with this distinguished honor to IPAA's members on a number of important mental health issues. These meetings also provide networking and socializing opportunities to its members during a meet and greet lunch proceeding the presentation. In addition, IPAA is working in collaboration with the Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA), particularly through its Diversity Committee, to enhance awareness and treatment of different mental health issues through a multicultural lens.