Ethnopsychopharmacology: American Indians
Presented by Alan Ostby, PhD, MSCP
Recorded on Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
The Indian Health Service (IHS), is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, that provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized tribes is historically due to the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Established in 1787, the relationship is based on Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and was solidified through numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for the nation’s Indian people, and its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Dr. Alan Ostby, a prescribing psychologist with the IHS will discuss the specific educational and training guidelines that detail how psychologists can become credentialed/privileged to prescribe psychotropic medications. This presentation will discuss: (a) guidelines and standards to prescribe in the IHS;(b) the impact prescribing psychologists in the IHS; (c) providing American Indians with greater access to needed psychosocial interventions; (d) delivering pharmacological services to remote areas via telehealth; and (e) IHS opportunities for students and psychologists.
When attended in full, this program offers 1.0 APA CEs for Psychologists.
The Indian Health Service (IHS), is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services, that provides federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives. The provision of health services to members of federally-recognized tribes is historically due to the special government-to-government relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes. Established in 1787, the relationship is based on Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, and was solidified through numerous treaties, laws, Supreme Court decisions, and Executive Orders. The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for the nation’s Indian people, and its goal is to raise their health status to the highest possible level. The IHS provides a comprehensive health service delivery system for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Dr. Alan Ostby, a prescribing psychologist with the IHS will discuss the specific educational and training guidelines that detail how psychologists can become credentialed/privileged to prescribe psychotropic medications. This presentation will discuss: (a) guidelines and standards to prescribe in the IHS;(b) the impact prescribing psychologists in the IHS; (c) providing American Indians with greater access to needed psychosocial interventions; (d) delivering pharmacological services to remote areas via telehealth; and (e) IHS opportunities for students and psychologists.
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Explain the historical significance of the IHS and the relationship between the federal government and Indian tribes.
- List a variety of requirements that must be met for psychologists to prescribe in the IHS.
- Discuss HIS’ response to COVID-19 in providing mental health services to American Indians via telehealth.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.3: Program content focuses on topics related to psychological practice, education, or research other than application of psychological assessment and/or intervention methods that are supported by contemporary scholarship grounded in established research procedures.
This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 3: Program will allow psychologists to maintain, develop, and increase competencies in order to improve services to the public and enhance contributions to the profession.
Alan Ostby, PhD, MSCP
Dr. Alan Ostby is a prescribing psychologist in Billings, Montana, who works with the Indian Health Service (IHS). Dr. Ostby received his PhD from Pacifica Graduate Institute and completed his postdoctoral Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology from Alliant International University. Dr. Ostby also possesses a Master of Arts in Political Psychology from Yale University. He works as a clinical and prescribing psychologist as the Behavioral Health Consultant for the Billings Area Office, which includes Montana and Wyoming. He provides psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, and psychological testing to Native Americans in an integrated health setting on the Blackfeet, Little Shell, Fort Peck, Crow and Northern Cheyenne Reservations. Dr. Ostby’s many responsibilities include: (a) leadership to the Area IHS/Tribal/Urban programs regarding Integrated Behavioral Health Program Services; (b) supervision of Office of Healthcare Programs; (c) training of IHS Personnel; (d) monitoring of suicide prevention programs; and (e) implementation of a multidisciplinary Substance Use Disorder and Behavioral Health Program within the Billings Area.
Fox, R. E. (2002). Early efforts by psychologists to obtain prescriptive authority. In M. T. Sammons, R. F. Levant, & R. U. Paige (Eds.), Prescriptive authority for psychologists: A history and guide (pp. 33-45). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Indian Health Service (May 13, 2020) . Agency overview. Retrieved from: http://www.ihs.gov/aboutihs/overview/.
Rollcall (May 13, 2020). The never-ending crises at the Indian Health Service. Retrieved from: https://www.rollcall.com/2018/03/05/the-never-ending-crisis-at-the-indian-health-service/
Target Audience: All mental health disciplines, graduate students and alumni.
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.0 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods.
Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.
*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.
If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.