Professional psychology has the obligation and opportunity for contrib
uting significantly to society. The prescription privilege agenda is a
case example. During the past decade, considerable support has develo
ped within the field, particularly among practitioners, for obtaining
this clinical responsibility. The federal sector has demonstrated that
our profession can prescribe competently and safely and that viable t
raining modules can be developed at the postdoctoral level. There is a
clear and pressing need for ensuring that psychotropic medications ar
e used in a safe and effective manner. Nevertheless, at both the state
and national levels, those psychologists involved in seeking this pri
vilege have experienced intense opposition from organized psychiatry.
It is crucial that the profession control its own destiny.