Dear Source:
I grow tired of the argument that psychologists do not have enough training compared to psychiatrists. Lets look at the actual reality of a comparison. After a 4-year BA degree (which is most typically in psychology), psychologists spend 4 years studying mental illness FULL TIME to obtain a MA and PHD. Then, do 3 more years of full-time supervised internship/residency training…that equals 7 supervised educational years in mental health! In order for psychologists to prescribe, most models suggest an additional MA degree in pharmacology ON TOP OF 7 YEARS. That is 8-9 years of education!!!
In marked contrast, psychiatrists spend their 4 years of med school studying just about everything EXCEPT mental health. When they finally get to mental health, they are working as residents which is a full time job…full-time work is not a very conducive environment for learning academics – especially when the work is seeing psychiatric patients for the first time…which, of course, is why psychiatrists tend to do very little psychotherapy in the modern day. If psychologists were to use the same argument against psychiatrists, psychiatrists would have to be asked to turn in their license to practice therapy.
On a personal note, I will say that I am unimpressed by the mental health services available on St. Croix. I think the people deserve more and better. FYI, psychologists with MA's in pharmacology already have prescription privileges in some jurisdictions on the mainland and models for the training required can be gotten from the American Psychological Association at WWW.APA.ORG. A couple of relevant summaries can be found at these links. http://www.apa.org/monitor/oct03/rxp.html http://www.apa.org/monitor/jun03/pc.html
Sidney W. Binks III
St. Croix
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