AUTHOR GUIDELINES
What we publish, how to prepare a manuscript, and what happens after you submit. Read these before starting a submission — most editorial delays come from formatting and disclosure gaps rather than from the science.
Psych Congress Journal publishes work that helps practicing clinicians make better decisions: clinical science with direct bearing on treatment, expert synthesis of an evolving evidence base, instructive cases, and practice-management guidance. Manuscripts are written for psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physician associates, and psychopharmacology specialists.
We do not publish promotional content, unsupported claims, or work under review elsewhere. Submissions must be original and not previously published, including as a preprint intended for formal publication.
Article Types
| TYPE | LENGTH | ABSTRACT | REFERENCES | PEER REVIEWED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Research | 3,000–4,500 words | Structured, 250 words | Up to 50 | Yes |
| Clinical Review | 2,500–4,000 words | Unstructured, 200 words | Up to 60 | Yes |
| Case Report | 1,500–2,500 words | Unstructured, 150 words | Up to 25 | Yes |
| Practice Roadmap | 1,500–2,500 words | Optional | Up to 20 | Editorial review |
| Departments | 1,000–2,000 words | Not required | Up to 15 | Editorial review |
Word counts exclude the abstract, references, tables, and figure legends. If your manuscript falls outside these ranges but fits the journal's scope, query the editors before submitting.
Preparing Your Manuscript
Full title, all authors with post-nominal credentials, titles, affiliations, and city and state. Name one corresponding author with email and phone. Include word count and the number of tables and figures.
Original research follows Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion. Reviews and departments may use narrative subheadings. Use two heading levels at most, and write subheads that name the content rather than tease it.
Use generic drug names at first mention, with the trade name in parentheses only where needed for clarity. Person-first language throughout. Define abbreviations at first use and keep them to a minimum.
Submit figures as separate files at 300 dpi or higher (TIFF, EPS, or PNG). Number tables and figures in order of citation and supply a legend for each. Obtain written permission for any previously published material.
AMA style, 11th edition, numbered superscript in order of citation. Include a DOI or PubMed identifier where available. Cite primary sources rather than reviews wherever the primary data are the point.
Case reports require written informed consent from the patient or legal representative, and identifying details must be removed. Do not alter clinical facts to obscure identity; omit them instead and say so.
Authorship and Disclosures
Every listed author must have contributed substantially to the work and approved the submitted version. Contributors who do not meet that standard should be recognized in acknowledgments instead.
All authors disclose financial relationships from the previous 24 months, including consulting, speaking, research support, equity, and royalties. Disclosures are published with the article. State plainly when there are none.
Review and Publication
- Editorial screening. The clinical editors assess scope, originality, and completeness, usually within one week.
- Peer review. Research, reviews, and case reports go to two reviewers with relevant clinical expertise. Reviewers see author names; reviewer identities are not disclosed to authors.
- Decision. Accept, revise, or decline. Most accepted manuscripts require one round of revision.
- Production. Copyediting for style and clarity, with author review of proofs before publication.
Submit your manuscript for an upcoming issue
Questions about fit or format can go to the clinical editors before you submit.