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: 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. 7 ﻿
Arguments Against Prescribing Privileges
Organizations against offering prescribing rights to psychologists include the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Opponents cite a number of reasons why psychologists should not be able to write prescriptions, including: 4 ﻿
Insufficient training in medicine and pharmacology. Risks of side effects of medications. Danger of overlooking medical disorders that might be mistaken for mental disorders.