Terms of Reference:

• This interest group is concerned with developing and nurturing professional links between psychologists and professional practitioners and researchers working in the field of complementary  therapies and integrative mental health.
• The broad aim of the interest group is to advance the interests of the profession of psychology generally, and APS members in particular, by active and productive communication with members of the complementary  health therapy professions.
• The interest group recognises that growing interest and potential benefits multimodal approaches to mental health. Complementary  health therapies consider an individual's nutritional, physical and/or spiritual needs, fostering a mind-body connection. Integrative approaches prioritise treating the whole person for optimal outcomes. Integrative mental health is a rapidly growing area both in Australia and globally and, has overlapping areas of interest and professional activity with psychologists.

Our mission, vision, values and goals:

Our Mission

The Psychology and Integrative Mental Health (PsyIMH) Interest Group actively promotes the understanding of recognised complementary  and integrative modalities within, or “by”, the psychological profession. Educating psychologists on PsyIMH enhances the psychologist's understanding of the medical treatment history of those clients who consult complementary  health therapists.

Our Vision

Our vision is to become a key player in the development of professional links between psychologists and complementary  health therapists, and an active participant in the development of APS policies relating to rapidly increasing integrative mental health frameworks.

Our Values

People

• We respect the individual rights and dignity of all people, including the right of all people to choose their own approach to maintaining health and well-being.

Professional Relationships

• Founded on professional respect and an open attitude towards complementary  health care approaches, we are committed to developing mutually beneficial professional relationships between psychologists and other evidence based therapists.

Progress

• We challenge ourselves to continually improve our promotion of an understanding of other evidence based multimodal therapies within the psychological profession, and encourage the integration of professional psychological practice within the complementary  health profession.

Our Goals

• To develop and nurture professional links between psychologists and practitioners and researchers working in the field of Integrative Mental Health,

• To advance the interests of psychology, and APS members in particular, by active and productive communication with the complementary  health community,

• To develop links and encourage dialogue,

• To explore commonalities and differences between psychology and complementary  health therapists via discussion, information sharing and research partnerships,

• To advise and contribute to the development of APS policies on Integrative Mental Health, and

• To liaise with other professional groups.

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