Sometimes David Wins: The Revolution in Behavioral Healthcare – Prescription Privileges For Appropriately Trained Psychologists

Presenter: Beth Rom-Rymer, Ph.D., Founder of the Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists

Date & Time:  Thursday July 25th, 2024 from 5:00PM – 7:00PM

Location: Via Zoom

Zoom Link:  

Zoom link will be emailed prior to the event.

(Participants will be prompted to enter name and email address)

Cost:

FREE for CPA Members
$50.00 for Non-members

Continuing Education:  Eligible for 2.0 CE

Abstract:

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:

1. Identify and sequence three critical steps required for the legislative passage of a Prescriptive Authority bill.

2. List and describe three specific educational requirements and training milestones necessary for a psychologist to obtain prescriptive authority, including coursework, supervised practicums, and certification exams.

3. Summarize three early research findings on Prescriptive Authority and implications for clinical practice.

Research Citations

1. Alexander, Diane and Schnell, Molly (July 2019). Just what the nurse practitioner ordered: Independent prescriptive authority and population mental health. Journal of Health Economics, 66, 145-162.

2. American Psychological Association (APA) Division 55 (Society of Prescribing Psychology) Task Force on Practice Guidelines (December 2011). [Robert E. McGrath (Chair), Stanley Berman, Elaine LeVine, Elaine Mantell, Beth Rom-Rymer, Morgan Sammons, and James Quillin. Additional input was provided by Robert Ax, representing Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service).] Practice Guidelines Regarding Psychologists’ Involvement in Pharmacological Issues. American Psychologist, 66:9, 835-849.

3. Choudhury, A.R., Plemmons, A. Deaths of despair: prescriptive authority of psychologists and suicides. Published online https://www.thecgo.org/research/deaths-of-despair/September 28, 2021.

4. Extending Prescription Privileges. Chicago Tonight: WTTW. 06/12/2014. Licensed Prescribing Psychologist Marlin Hoover, Ph.D.; Psychiatrist Dr Joan Anzia.

5. Hughes, P.M., Phillips, D.C., McGrath, R.E., Thomas, K.C. (In Press). Examining Psychologist Prescriptive Authority as a Cost-Effective Strategy for Reducing Suicide Rates. In Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.

6. Hughes, P.M., Phillips, D.C., McGrath, R.E., Thomas, K.C. (In Press). Simulating the Impact of Psychologist Prescribing Authority Policies on Mental Health Prescriber Shortages. In Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.

7. McGrath, Robert E. and Rom-Rymer, Beth N. (2010). Optimal Practice in Pharmacotherapy for Psychologists. In R. E. McGrath and B. A. Moore (Ed.s), Professional Issues in Pharmacotherapy for Psychologists. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.

8. Peck, Kylin R., McGrath, Robert E., and Holbrook, Bryan B. (2020, October 15). Practices of Prescribing Psychologists: Replication and Extension. In Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pro0000338

9. Pujol, Lynette A., Moore, Bret A. Professional Psychology in the context of psychopharmacology: Ethical issues, education, and training. Evans, Suzette M. (Ed.) & Carpenter, Kenneth M. (Ed.) (2019). APA handbook of psychopharmacology. (pp. 649-661). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.

10. Rodriguez-Menendez, G., Shelton, S., Steinman, J., Barr, M., Cunningham, A., Glaser, D., Masson, T., McGrath, B., Nealon, M., Bray, J., DeLeon, P., Moore, B. A., and Rom-Rymer, B. N. (2022). Toward a new predoctoral model: Education and training in clinical psychopharmacology. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 30 (1), 90 – 105.  https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000514

11. Shearer, D.S. (2012). Civilian primary care prescribing psychologist in an Army medical center. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19 (4), 430 – 433.

12. Shearer, D.S., Harmon, C.S., Seavey, B.M., &Tiu, A.Y. (2012). The primary care prescribing psychologist model: Medical provider ratings of the safety, impact and utility of prescribing psychologists in a primary care setting. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19 (4), 420 – 429.

Presenter Biography

Beth N. Rom-Rymer, Ph.D. has been a pioneer throughout her life. She was in the first class of women at Princeton University, graduating in 1973, and later created the Victim-Witness Assistance Unit in the State Attorney’s Office, Tallahassee, Florida, in 1977. Dr. Rom-Rymer worked on the Ted Bundy serial murder case and co-founded Refuge House, a shelter for domestic abuse survivors. She also played a significant role in creating the field of forensic geriatrics in 2000.

Foreseeing the critical need for comprehensive mental health prescribers, Dr. Rom-Rymer undertook training in Clinical Psychopharmacology in the 1990s. She became a national leader in advocating for psychologists’ prescriptive authority, serving as president of the APA Division 55 (Pharmacotherapy) in 2004. As President of the Illinois Psychological Association, she led the successful passage of Prescriptive Authority legislation in 2014. She continues to implement this legislation and consults nationwide on advocacy campaigns for Prescriptive Authority.

Dr. Rom-Rymer has held numerous academic and administrative positions and is a significant donor and advocate for mental health services. She has received multiple awards for her contributions to psychology and community service, including the Alfred M. Wellner, Ph.D. Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists and the APA Presidential Citation for Outstanding Leadership. She is currently the Chair and President of the Board of Directors of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists and the Founder, President, and CEO of the Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists.

Post-Webinar Evaluation Form:

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The Connecticut Psychological Association (CPA) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Connecticut Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.  1 CE credit is available per hour for attendees who are present for the entire program. We ask that all participants return the post-program evaluation form at the conclusion of the program.

CPA and our speakers have not received any commercial support for this program or its contents and will not receive any commercial support prior to or during this program.