COMMENTS ON EXPANDING THE CLINICAL ROLE OF PSYCHOLOGISTS

The interest by psychologists in prescription privileges is welcome be cause it is a manifestation of the long overdue acknowledgement of the efficacy of medication for many mental disorders. The lack of nationa l academic standards in psychology however, poses a problem. Psycholog ists are certified in title only and are not licensed to perform any p rocedure, although there have been efforts to standardize the training of psychologists. Currently, states regulate the title, but no nation al educational standards exists. Therefore, psychologists are not able to claim they are a homogeneous patient care resource.