Pharmacotherapy for Psychologists : Prescribing and Collaborative Roles

Psychologists are becoming increasingly involved in pharmacotherapy-as prescribers of psychotropic medications, as collaborators with prescribers, and as sources of information, advice, and support to clients and health care professionals. These new roles represent one of the most significant changes in the practice of psychology in recent times. This book takes a comprehensive look at how pharmacotherapy is reshaping the practice of psychology. It argues the benefits of extending prescriptive authority to appropriately trained psychologists and chronicles the experiences of prescribing psychologists. Furthermore, it explores emerging issues that prescribing and collaborating psychologists face, such as the need to maintain a psychological orientation while integrating medication management with psychotherapy, the need to build and maintain strong relationships with physicians, issues with insurance companies and managed care agencies, professional practice standards and guidelines in relation to pharmacotherapy, and the evaluation of drug research. With its strong practical orientation, this book is a must-read for psychologists who have or want to obtain prescriptive authority, as well as those who wish to assume more collaborative roles within primary care and other settings.