Although psychologists have more training in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders than any other health care professional, the majority of all psychotropic medications are prescribed by health care providers with limited mental health training. The American Psychological Association (APA) Services Inc. supports the efforts of our state, provincial, and territorial psychological association partners to obtain prescriptive authority for qualified, licensed psychologists in to help fill the need for access to comprehensive, quality mental health care in Arizona. Show History: Prescriptive Authority
(McGrath, 2010) Why AZ…Why Now?According to the CDC, patients often receive psychotropic medications without being evaluated by a mental health professional and less than half of those taking psychotropic medications have seen a mental health professional in the past year (APA) (CDC). “The shortage of psychiatrists is an escalating crisis,” notes the physician search firm Merritt Hawkins in a 2017 report. “[The gap is] of more severity than shortages faced in virtually any other specialty.” Only 55 – 60% of psychiatrists accept insurance (Satiani et al., 2018). Nearly 60% of individuals with depression in the US receive mental health treatment from their Primary Care Provider (PCP) (Barkil-Oteo, 2013). PCPs were responsible for prescribing a higher percentage of psychotropic medications to children than psychiatrists (Anderson et al., 2015) Arizona
Prescribing Psychologists
Research has shown the most effective form of treatment for mental illness is a combination of psychotherapy and medicine. For psychologists, prescriptive authority is another tool for potential approaches or interventions used to treat mental illness and promote mental wellness (Pimental et al, 1997). Prescribing Psychologists
Resource: https://www.apa.org/about/policy/rxp-model-curriculum.pdf What Now...Prescriptive authority legislation. Legislation must be drafted, sponsored, submitted, and voted on. These legislative efforts are costly but the need is undeniable. For further information please contact Kristen Northup at or Ryan House at . Contribute Today Which two states allow for prescription privileges for psychologists?Currently, psychologists may prescribe in five states: New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho, as well as in the Public Health Service, the Indian Health Service, the U.S. military, and the U.S. territory of Guam.
How many states have passed laws for prescriptive authority for psychologists?Since the endorsement of prescriptive authority for psychologists (RxP) by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1995, it has become legal in five states (Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico).
Can a clinical psychologist prescribe medication in Virginia?Psychologists are unable to prescribe medications. Regulated by the Virginia Board of Psychology. School psychologists are specifically licensed to provide psychological evaluation and treatment for emotional and behavioral problems and disorders in a school setting.
Can a psychologist prescribe medication in Texas?Because they hold doctoral-level degrees, they are “doctors,” but unlike medical doctors – physicians – they cannot prescribe medications.
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