Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 455.01 (2026)
Definitions
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455.01(1)(1) “Authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology” has the meaning given in s. 455.50 (2) (b).
455.01(2)(2) “Doctoral degree in psychology” means a doctoral degree in a study which involves the application of principles of the practice of psychology. A doctoral degree granted as the result of study involving one or more of the areas of psychological practice recognized by the American psychological association or in any other field recognized by the examining board shall be considered a doctoral degree in psychology.
455.01(3m)(3m) “Fee,” when used other than in reference to a fee for a credential, means direct or indirect payment or compensation, monetary or otherwise, including the expectation of payment or compensation whether or not actually received.
455.01(3r)(3r) “Interjurisdictional practice certificate” has the meaning given in s. 455.50 (2) (im).
455.01(5)(a)(a) “Practice of psychology” means the observation, description, evaluation, interpretation, prediction, or modification of human behavior by the application of psychological principles, methods, or procedures for any of the following purposes, in exchange for a fee:
455.01(5)(a)1.1. Preventing, eliminating, evaluating, assessing, or predicting symptomatic, maladaptive, or undesired behavior and promoting adaptive health maintaining behavior or psychological functioning.
455.01(5)(b)(b) “Practice of psychology” includes all of the following if done in exchange for a fee:
455.01(5)(b)1.1. Psychological testing and the evaluation or assessment of a person’s characteristics, including intelligence; personality; cognitive, physical, or emotional abilities; skills; interests; aptitudes; or neuropsychological functioning.
455.01(5)(b)2.2. Counseling, consultation, psychoanalysis, psychotherapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, behavior therapy, and applied behavior analysis.
455.01(5)(b)3.3. The diagnosis, treatment, or management of mental and emotional disorders or disabilities, substance use disorders, disorders of habit or conduct, and the psychological aspects of physical illnesses, accidents, injuries, or disabilities.
455.01(5)(b)5.5. Consultation with other psychologists, physicians, or other health care professionals and with a patient regarding all available treatment options with respect to the provision of care for a specific patient or client.
455.01(6)(6) “Psychotherapy” means the diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, conditions, or addictions through the application of methods derived from established psychological or systemic principles, including for the purpose of assisting individuals with modifying their behaviors, cognitions, emotions, or personality characteristics, or for the purpose of understanding unconscious processes or intrapersonal, interpersonal, or psychosocial dynamics.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7
cases, 1989–2014 · leading case: State v. Eichman, 455 N.W.2d 143 (Wis. 1990).
State v. Eichman, 455 N.W.2d 143 (Wis. 1990). “Eichman was performing "psychotherapy," as that term is defined in sec. 455.01(6), Stats. The State also requested that Dr.”
Doe v. Archdiocese of Milwaukee, 565 N.W.2d 94 (Wis. 1997). “According to Wis. Stat. § 455.01 (6), "`Psychotherapy' means the use of learning, conditioning methods and emotional reactions in a professional relationship to assist person to modify feelings, attitudes and behaviors which are intellectually, socially or emotionally…”
State of Iowa v. Patrick Edouard, 854 N.W.2d 421 (Iowa 2014). “1, 212 (quoting Wis. Stat. Ann. § 455.01 (6)). Second, the court highlighted the statute’s enumeration of the relevant categories of actors, which read as follows: “ ‘physician, psychologist, social worker, marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, nurse, chemical…”
State v. Ambrose, 540 N.W.2d 208 (Wis. Ct. App. 1995). “, prohibits sexual contact during an "ongoing therapist-patient or therapist-client relationship"; a therapist is defined as one who performs or purports to perform "psychotherapy"; psychotherapy, by virtue of its adopted meaning found in § 455.01(6), Stats., can occur only…”
State v. Echols, 449 N.W.2d 320 (Wis. Ct. App. 1989). “6 We also do not consider whether the therapist, who was not licensed under sec. 455.01(4), Stats., qualified as a "psychologist" under Rule 905.”
Schauer v. Diocese of Green Bay, 2004 WI App 180 (Wis. Ct. App. 2004). “In his complaint, Schauer alleges that his sessions with Buzanowski meet the definition of psychotherapy in Wis. Stat. § 455.01 (6) because Buza-nowski was engaging in a professional relationship to assist Schauer to modify feelings, attitudes and behaviors.”
Amended December 3, 2014 State of Iowa v. Patrick Edouard (Iowa 2014). “1, 212 (quoting Wis. Stat. Ann. § 455.01 (6)). Second, the court highlighted the statute’s enumeration of the relevant categories of actors, which read as follows: “ ‘physician, psychologist, social worker, marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, nurse, chemical…”
— Wis. Stat. § 455.01(4) — 1 case
State v. Echols, 449 N.W.2d 320 (Wis. Ct. App. 1989). “6 We also do not consider whether the therapist, who was not licensed under sec. 455.01(4), Stats., qualified as a "psychologist" under Rule 905.”
— Wis. Stat. § 455.01(6) — 4 cases
State v. Eichman, 455 N.W.2d 143 (Wis. 1990). “Eichman was performing "psychotherapy," as that term is defined in sec. 455.01(6), Stats. The State also requested that Dr.”
Doe v. Archdiocese of Milwaukee, 565 N.W.2d 94 (Wis. 1997). “According to Wis. Stat. § 455.01 (6), "`Psychotherapy' means the use of learning, conditioning methods and emotional reactions in a professional relationship to assist person to modify feelings, attitudes and behaviors which are intellectually, socially or emotionally…”
State v. Ambrose, 540 N.W.2d 208 (Wis. Ct. App. 1995). “, prohibits sexual contact during an "ongoing therapist-patient or therapist-client relationship"; a therapist is defined as one who performs or purports to perform "psychotherapy"; psychotherapy, by virtue of its adopted meaning found in § 455.01(6), Stats., can occur only…”
Schauer v. Diocese of Green Bay, 2004 WI App 180 (Wis. Ct. App. 2004). “In his complaint, Schauer alleges that his sessions with Buzanowski meet the definition of psychotherapy in Wis. Stat. § 455.01 (6) because Buza-nowski was engaging in a professional relationship to assist Schauer to modify feelings, attitudes and behaviors.”
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