The Executive and members of the Section on Clinical Psychology of the
Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) have developed a definition
of the field of clinical psychology. This definition was approved by t
he Board of Directors as a CPA document in May 1993. In this article t
he development of the definition is summarized. The need for a definit
ion, as well as the process of drafting the definition, are highlighte
d. Strategies for the use of the definition in advancing the field of
clinical psychology are also addressed. The definition itself is inclu
ded in an appendix.