Psychology groups offer a slew of opportunities to put your business in position to receive positive recognition and increase sales. In addition to the members of the psychology association who work within the industry in some capacity, you will have opportunities to meet and get to know other psychology association members, including those in businesses that support the industry.

Affiliation with psychology associations provides lobbying and networking opportunities that can be immensely helpful to your own business interests while you support the industry. Membership in psychology councils often means access to information and contacts that can be important to your own company. Regional psychology professional organizations offer even more opportunities to network with local business and industry leaders in your community. Approach your membership in psychology groups from a variety of perspectives.

1. Expand your network through psychology associations

2. Support the industry by participating in psychology professional organizations

3. Stay informed with psychology organization publications

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Develop business contacts in psychology groups

Psychology organizations hold regular meetings, seminars and conventions for members and interested parties. At psychology group events, as well as through various committees in which you can participate, you will have numerous occasions to socialize and network with other business people who support and work within the psychology professional organization. The business leaders you meet could offer a number of trade opportunities for you and your company.

I recommend: The Society for Personality and Social Psychology is huge psychology association with thousands of members worldwide. The Society of Experimental Social Psychology is another large psychology organization that draws members from many different sectors.

Demonstrate your interest by joining psychology industry councils

If you want to do business with psychology professionals in any kind of capacity, you will want to show your support while building relationships with national and local leaders in the industry. You often can do this best by participating in professional associations for the psychology industry with both your presence and your financial support.

I recommend: The Anxiety Disorders Association of America connects mental health professionals through newsletters, continuing ed and networking opportunities. The Institute of Professional Psychologists is a business-oriented psychology professional organization and a great place to join as an affiliate member.

Keep your company in the loop with publications from psychology associations

While you may not have time to participate in a trade group or volunteer on a committee, you can take advantage of membership in psychology groups through the myriad publications they put out. By keeping up with the reports and news in the industry, you can pick and choose which events will be most beneficial for you to attend while keeping updated on changes or news that affect psychology organizations.

I recommend: The American Psychological Society has numerous publications, job boards and newsletters to keep you plugged when you can’t make meetings. The Association for Psychological Science is a more scientific based psychology group that publishes papers and holds seminars and networking events.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Join committees in psychology councils to develop closer relationships with others who could prove helpful to your business.