In the Psychologists Licensing Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Board" means the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Psychologists;

2. "Psychologist" means a person who represents himself or herself to be a psychologist by using any title or description of services incorporating the words "psychology", "psychological", or "psychologist", or by offering to the public or rendering to individuals or to groups of individuals services defined as the practice of psychology. A psychologist shall not be entitled to use the term "physician" in any title or designation or in any description of services performed by the psychologist unless such psychologist is otherwise authorized to use such designation by Section 725.2 of this title;

3. "Practice of psychology" means the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, and modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, and procedures, for the purpose of preventing or eliminating symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and of enhancing interpersonal relationships, work and life adjustment, personal effectiveness, behavioral health, and mental health. The practice of psychology, a branch of the healing arts, includes, but is not limited to, psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of personal characteristics, such as intelligence, personality, abilities, interests, aptitudes, and neuropsychological functioning; counseling, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, and behavior analysis and therapy; diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorder or disability, alcoholism and substance abuse, disorders of habit or conduct, as well as of the psychological aspects of physical illness, accident, injury, or disability; and psychoeducational evaluation, therapy, remediation, and consultation. Psychological services may be rendered to individuals, families, groups, and the public. The practice of psychology shall be construed within the meaning of this definition without regard to whether payment is received for services rendered;

4. "Health service" means the delivery of direct, preventive, assessment and therapeutic intervention services to individuals whose growth, adjustment, or functioning is actually impaired or may be at risk of impairment; and

5. "Health service psychologist" means an individual licensed as a psychologist under the Psychologists Licensing Act to provide health services to the public and who engages in the direct practice of psychology and evidences two (2) years of formal supervised experience conducting psychological intervention services as defined by the rules and regulations of the Board. Effective September 1, 1993, "clinical psychologist" and "licensed clinical psychologist" shall mean "health service psychologist". Wherever in the Oklahoma Statutes or in rules promulgated pursuant thereto reference is made to clinical psychologist or licensed clinical psychologist, it shall mean health service psychologist.

Laws 1965, HB 939, c. 347, § 2, emerg. eff. June 28, 1965; Amended by Laws 1991, HB 1684, c. 144, § 1, emerg. eff. July 1, 1991; Amended by Laws 1993, SB 139, c. 168, § 4, eff. September 1, 1993.