Upfront
Illinois law allows psychologists to prescribe
Illinois joins New Mexico and Louisiana as states that allow
licensed clinical psychologists with advanced, specialized
training to prescribe certain medications for the treatment of
mental health disorders.
“This is a landmark moment for mental health care,” says
Norman B. Anderson, PhD, APA’s chief executive officer.
“Allowing properly trained clinical psychologists to prescribe
is a logical step in helping to improve access to quality mental
health care for consumers, especially the underserved. And the
collaborative approach between prescribing psychologists and
physicians in Illinois should help to ensure coordinated patient
care.”
Illinois Senate Bill 2187 requires that licensed clinical
psychologists in Illinois who want to prescribe successfully
to complete advanced education and training in
psychopharmacology as well as supervised
clinical training in various settings, such as hospitals,
outpatient clinics, community mental health clinics and
correctional facilities. One notable provision of the new law
paves the way for psychology graduate students to begin
studying clinical psychopharmacology at the predoctoral
level, setting the stage for them to apply for prescriptive
authority in Illinois once they complete their doctoral
training and licensure.
The new law stipulates a collaborative practice agreement
between prescribing psychologists and physicians. It does not
permit psychologists to prescribe for children, adolescents
or adults age 66 or older, or for patients who are pregnant or
have serious medical conditions or developmental/intellectual
disabilities. Psychology advocates are hopeful that prescribing
psychologists in Illinois will eventually earn a broader scope of
prescriptive authority.
“Giving prescriptive authority to licensed clinical
psychologists with advanced specialized training in clinical
psychopharmacology will improve access to care and expand
options for Illinois residents seeking treatment for mental
health conditions,” says Beth N. Rom-Rymer, PhD, past
president of the Illinois Psychological Association. “With state
resources stretched to the limit, psychiatrists and other mental
health professionals are in short supply, and the demand
for mental health services far exceeds the capabilities of the
existing provider network. This law will help ease the enormous
pressure on the state system.”
More than 50 Illinois counties have no inpatient psychiatric
services in their hospitals. Another 24 counties have no
hospitals at all. Yet 614,000 Illinois residents currently need
treatment for serious mental illness. The unmet need is greatest
among people who need help the most: low-income, rural and
minority populations whose needs are often underserved.
“Obtaining prescriptive authority for qualified, licensed
psychologists will help fill the nationwide need for access to
comprehensive, quality mental health care,” says APA Executive
Director for Professional Practice Katherine C. Nordal, PhD.
“We’re excited to see another state take this important step.”
New Mexico was the first state to pass a prescribing law for
psychologists in 2002. Louisiana followed in 2004.
— APA PRACTICE DIRECTORATE STAFF
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