Title: Can Psychologists Prescribe Medications?
Headings: Can Psychologists Prescribe Medications?
Can Psychologists Prescribe Medications?
Where Can Psychologists Prescribe Medications?
What Training Do Prescribing Psychologists Have?
Arguments for Prescribing Privileges
Arguments Against Prescribing Privileges

Content: 4 ﻿
Psychologists are not the only non-physicians who have been granted prescribing rights. Advanced psychiatric nurses generally have prescriptive authority, although their powers may be limited depending on which state they are in. 5 ﻿
Arguments for Prescribing Privileges
Supporters of prescribing rights for psychologists include the National Alliance of Professional Psychology Providers and Division 55 of the American Psychological Association. Advocates suggest that psychologists should be allowed to write prescriptions for a number of different reasons. On average, 30% of a primary care physician's caseload consists of people with psychiatric conditions. Primary care physicians prescribe psychiatric medication for an average of 70% of their mental health patients, even though they often have limited training and experience with mental illness. 6 ﻿ Proponents suggest that many people would be better served by a psychologist who can also utilize other treatment strategies outside of pharmacological interventions. Some other reasons cited by supporters include: 4 ﻿
Increase accessibility to mental health care
Allow patients faster access to treatments
Help rural patients access treatments more readily
Decrease wait time for treatments; many states face a shortage of psychiatrists, making it difficult for clients to access mental health care in a timely manner.