Psychopharmacology Problem Solving: Principles & Practices to Get It Right

A longstanding debate in the field of psychology is whether or not psychologists — specifically, PhDs and PsyDs who serve in a clinical capacity — should, like psychiatrists (who have MDs), be able to prescribe medication. At present, two states permit prescriptive authority for appropriately trained psychologists: New Mexico and Louisiana, with more states on the horizon for approval. That authority is monitored under the supervision of a psychiatrist or other qualified practicing medical physician. Meanwhile, the American Psychological Association (APA), while it supports prescriptive authority for clinical psychologists, is firm in its belief that psychologists should not, as a rule, use psychotropic medication as the primary method to treat psychological disorders. A statement issued on the APA website explains: Although psychologists have more training in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders than any other health care professionals, the majority of all psychotropic medications are prescribed by health care providers with little to no training. The APA Practice Organization supports the efforts of our state, provincial and territorial psychological association partners to obtain prescriptive authority for qualified, licensed psychologists to help fill the need for access to comprehensive, quality mental health care. The idea of “comprehensive, quality mental health care” pertains to a combination of thorough assessments and evaluations...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Book Reviews Disorders General Medications Professional Psychiatry Psychology Treatment Pharmacology Psychiatric Medication Psychopharmacology Scott Kraly Source Type: news