prescribing psychology
an emerging area of clinical psychology in which licensed, appropriately trained practitioners are legally authorized to prescribe medications for the treatment of emotional and mental disorders (see psychoactive drug). This integration of medication management with psychological practice is controversial: Within the United States, only New Mexico, Louisiana, and Illinois have enacted laws permitting it, in 2002, and 2004, and 2014, respectively. In addition to fulfilling all other requirements required for professional licensure as a practicing clinician, prescribing psychologists in these states must complete a postdoctoral psychopharmacology training program and pass a national certification exam. New Mexico also requires a supervised 400-hour, 100-patient practicum. Also called medical psychology. See also prescriptive authority.