Middle East Psychological Association (MEPA)

The Middle East Psychological Association (MEPA) was established in November 2010, to unify psychologists and other mental health practitioners in the Middle East. The Middle East Psychological Association has several goals. For one, it aims to unify all the psychologists and mental health clinicians in the Middle East. The organization also aims to be a resource for the Middle East community and to destigmatize the practice of psychology, which has traditionally been seen as a Western phenomenon. The Middle East Psychological Association will also provide ongoing professional development activities in the form of workshops, training, and public information for both consumers of mental health resources and social service professionals.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, MEPA has created an ethics code for mental health practice in the Middle East. The ethics code is drawn largely from the American Psychological Association and all members of MEPA have agreed to practice according to the code. In addition to protecting the public from ethical violations, the organization serves as a resource for when clients and consumers believe their clinician has behaved unethically.