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Lesson 1: Abnormal Behavior

Present and Future Trends in Abnormal Psychology

Carefully read the section in the textbook entitled “Changes in the Therapeutic Landscape”, which covers the topics of the drug revolution, managed health care, an increased appreciation for research, and technology-assisted therapy.

In this section we will consider a major contemporary issue that is not in the textbook: prescription privileges for psychologists. This is the trend that certain states and U.S. territories (New Mexico, Louisiana, and Guam were the first three) allow psychologists to prescribe psychotropic mediations such as Prozac if they go through the appropriate schooling and certification process. Table 1.1 contains some of the arguments for and against psychologist prescription privileges (from Gutierrez and Silk, 1998). 

Table 1.1. Psychologist Prescription Privileges

Pro's

Con's

Studies have shown that psychologists and psychiatrists are equally competent at diagnosing and prescribing.

In the distant future psychologists may focus too much on prescribing and thus lose sight of talk therapy.

Psychologists spend more time with clients and get to know them better, which can allow them to monitor meds more effectively.

Medication may be less empowering than psychotherapy and patients may attribute change to an outside source rather than from something within themselves.

Psychologists can more effectively treat clients with more severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar.

Getting prescription privileges may place an added burden on an already overly long grad school curriculum.

Clients in rural areas may have more access to providers who can prescribe medication (this is a reason why more remote places were the first to grant prescription privileges for psychologists).

There are many people within the field of psychology who oppose prescription privileges so there is a lack of consensus among psychologists; thus, pursuing prescription privileges may create a divide within the field.
 

Brainstorm Ideas

Think about these questions as you generate thoughts and ideas in preparation for the Lesson 1 Discussion Forum questions found at the end of the lesson.

  • What are your general thoughts about prescription privileges for psychologists?
  • Can you think of other pro's and con's that are not on the list?

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