Section I: Pursuing Prescription Privileges

Executive Officer’s Desk:
Psychopharmacology as an Area of Expertise

by: Judy E. Hall, Ph.D.

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Registrants describe their practice in many ways - by ages served, areas of expertise chosen, and credentials attained - with all of these descriptors available online for use by the public and other relevant professionals and health organizations. As would be expected, Registrants often identify practice areas which have been acquired or enhanced since graduation. As psychology’s half life expires approximately every five - ten years, it is an ongoing task for psychologists to keep up with the scientific/practice knowledge and new skill sets available. To do so, psychologists pursue postdoctoral education and training and acquire expert supervision in new areas. While CE or other formal education
courses can introduce concepts that are new, training and supervision may be needed to put those skills into practice.

One example of a newer area of expertise, which does not constitute an extension of current practice, is psychopharmacology, a proficiency approved by APA in 1995. There are three levels of education and training available for psychologists: Level One, Level Two and Level Three. The definition of education and training in psychopharmacology occurred in the 1990’s when the APA Board of Educational Affairs (BEA) approved a two curricula model (Level One and Level Two). This was followed by approval in 1996 by the APA Council of Representatives of the Recommended Postdoctoral Training in Psychopharmacology for Prescription Privileges for Psychologists (Level Three).

While some psychologists may never want to prescribe, they may want to become sufficiently educated and trained in psychopharmacology to provide collaborative health care. Psychologists seeking to acquire this level of expertise could turn to the curricula (Level One and Level Two) recommended by BEA for guidance. Level One addresses prerequisites for Level Two and involves more than what is typically included in a doctoral program (biological bases of behavior). Here most psychologists need additional education prior to admission to a postdoctoral program for Level Two education. These psychologists may never want to become a “Prescribing Psychologist” about which we hear so much at the state association level. However, they do want to participate in the healthcare evaluations regarding their patients so as to blend their expert knowledge of behavior with knowledge of pharmacotherapy. They may do this in concert with a medical practitioner within a consultation/liaison model. Thus, they choose a Level Two education/training program.continued

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