Integration of Psychopharmacology into Your Practice as a Prescribing Psychologist
Presented by Daniel G. Morjal, PsyD, MSCP
Recorded on Friday, March 15th, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
Whether you’ve completed your MSCP as a graduate student or as a seasoned clinician, looking toward providing an expanded suite of services is multi-faceted. From in-session medication decision-making to navigating a new set of CPT codes, prescribing/medical Psychologist’s will face a multitude of novel situations. With just over 300 Prescribing Psychologists and many more at various stages of training in a handful of states, the profession will continue to see a rise in the number of those navigating being a prescriber for the first time. Establishing and maintaining a shared pool of clinical and practice knowledge, upon which a solid foundation for future practice, research, and legislation can be built is both pragmatic and prudent.
Prescribing/medical psychologists provide services in a variety of settings, the demands of which can be quite diverse. This presentation will explore various components related to incorporating psychopharmacology into one’s practice. In addition to the pharmacological decision-making, prescribing/medical psychologists will now have to be compliant with a new style of documenting, navigate additional CPT codes, and possess the ability to apply that knowledge in a way that reduces risk and accurately captures their new set of services. Consultation with other healthcare providers, maintaining a robust peer network, and navigating the challenges of insurance coverage expand in their scope and importance while providing a more comprehensive level of care. Being able to apply one’s knowledge to refer to other specialties more accurately, judiciously decide whether it is appropriate to prescribe, and have a greater depth of knowledge of the interactions between substance use and psychotropic medications to increase favorable outcomes for clients will be discussed as well.
When attended in full, this program offers 1.0 APA CEs for Psychologists.
Whether you’ve completed your MSCP as a graduate student or as a seasoned clinician, looking toward providing an expanded suite of services is multi-faceted. From in-session medication decision-making to navigating a new set of CPT codes, prescribing/medical Psychologist’s will face a multitude of novel situations. With just over 300 Prescribing Psychologists and many more at various stages of training in a handful of states, the profession will continue to see a rise in the number of those navigating being a prescriber for the first time. Establishing and maintaining a shared pool of clinical and practice knowledge, upon which a solid foundation for future practice, research, and legislation can be built is both pragmatic and prudent.
Prescribing/medical psychologists provide services in a variety of settings, the demands of which can be quite diverse. This presentation will explore various components related to incorporating psychopharmacology into one’s practice. In addition to the pharmacological decision-making, prescribing/medical psychologists will now have to be compliant with a new style of documenting, navigate additional CPT codes, and possess the ability to apply that knowledge in a way that reduces risk and accurately captures their new set of services. Consultation with other healthcare providers, maintaining a robust peer network, and navigating the challenges of insurance coverage expand in their scope and importance while providing a more comprehensive level of care. Being able to apply one’s knowledge to refer to other specialties more accurately, judiciously decide whether it is appropriate to prescribe, and have a greater depth of knowledge of the interactions between substance use and psychotropic medications to increase favorable outcomes for clients will be discussed as well.
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Identify the practical applications of the expanded suite of services offered to clients by Prescribing Psychologists.
- Utilize the complexities of the additional knowledge, skills, and abilities of the field to promote and continually uphold the high standard of care Prescribing Psychologist’s provide.
This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.2: Program content focuses on ethical, legal, statutory or regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that influence psychological practice, education, or research.
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.
Daniel G. Morjal, PsyD, MSCP
Dr. Morjal earned his Bachelor’s degree in psychology from UIC. He earned both his Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (Chicago) as well as his Masters in Clinical Psychopharmacology from Alliant International University. He is the 10th Prescribing Psychologist in Illinois.
He has experience working in corrections at the Cook County Jail, private practice, state mental health centers and nursing/rehabilitation facilities. For a number of years, he had been partnered with the Waukegan Police Department providing psychological services and education to Officers and their families.
Currently, he works at Dr. Jessica Ransom & Associates and is also the Founder and President of 1096, Ltd where he is a state-certified instructor with the Cook County Institute for Law Enforcement Education and Training. He teaches a variety of courses in the Crisis Intervention Team Training (CIT) program for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department as well as the Chicago Police Department, including the topic of Psychopharmacology.
He is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA), Illinois Psychological Association (IPA), International Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), and the Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists (IAPP), where he serves as a board member.
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Linda, W. P., & McGrath, R. E. (2017). The Current Status of Prescribing Psychologists: Practice Patterns and Medical Professional Evaluations. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 48(1), 38-45. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pro0000118
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Verhoeven, J. E., Han, L. K. M., Lever-van Milligen, B. A., Hu, M. X., Revesz, D., Hoogendoorn, A. W., Batelaan, N. M., van Schaik, D. J. F., van Balkom, A. J. L. M., van Oppen, P., & Penninx, B. W. J. H. (2023). Antidepressants or running therapy: Comparing effect on mental and physical health in patients with depression and anxiety disorders. Journal of Affective Disorders (329), 19-29.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.064
Target Audience: Psychologists
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.