Tattooing has been a form of self-expression and cultural participation for thousands of

years. In the past in the United States, those who got tattooed were often viewed as fringe

populations. Now, however, tattoos have entered mainstream society. Most current research

shows that tattoos are tied to significant personal and cultural meanings for tattooed individuals.

Given this and the growing number of people who choose to get permanent ink, the continued

exploration of this topic can be useful for clinical psychologists in understanding clients and

emerging themes of identity in our society. Perhaps of equal importance, is the unexplored topic

of clinically active, tattooed psychologists; little research exists examining the reasons

psychologists get tattooed. The purpose of this study is three-fold: (a) to examine professional

attitudes toward psychologists’ visible tattoos, (b) to examine client reception of visible tattoos

and the psychologist’s consequent personal disclosure, and (c) the psychologist’s personal

meaning and purpose behind their choice in tattoos. A two-phased study was conducted using a general survey and a semi structured interview of psychologists with tattoos. A total of 120

psychologists and graduate students completed questionnaires in Phase I and 11 were

interviewed in Phase II. Results indicate that not only are psychologists’ tattoo trends following

those of the general public, but that tattoos are a multilayered medium to engage in clinical

dialogue. Future research is needed to expand upon these results.