Title: What Types of Mental Health Practitioners Prescribe Medication? - Online Psychology Degrees
Headings: 
Psychiatrists
Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
Primary Care Physician
Physician’s Assistant
Cooperative Treatment

Content: Psychiatrists
In all 50 U.S. states, psychiatrists are legally able to prescribe medication to patients with mental health conditions of issues. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has the ability to prescribe medications because such a professional completed medical school and is licensed as a physician. Licensed Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
In some states, there are mental health care practitioners known as licensed psychiatric nurse practitioners. In these jurisdictions, a person licensed as a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner is able to prescribe medications to patients. Primary Care Physician
Although not specifically focused on treating patients with mental health conditions, in theory, a primary care physician is able to prescribe medications to patients afflicted with some type of mental health condition. In a good many instances a person with a mental health condition first approaches his or her primary care physician for interim assistance. For example, a person may go to his or her primary care doctor for a referral to a mental health practitioner. While waiting for a mental health practitioner to take on a particular case, a primary care physician may prescribe medication to address immediate issues being experienced by a patient. Physician’s Assistant
In addition, a physician’s assistant typically can prescribe medication as well to a person with a mental health condition. A physician’s assistant works under the supervision of a medical doctor.