Prescriptive Authority Around the Globe
Panelists include Beth Rom-Rymer, Joachim Mureriwa, Diana Velikonja, Thabiso Rapapali, Oraib (Bibi) Toukhly,
Djavila Ho, Anna Wegierek, Thaiane Alburquerque, Monika Kos y Gonzales, Kai Morgan Campbell, and Judi Steinman
Recorded on Thursday, March 14th, 2024
Access provided upon registration on “My Courses” page
Inspired by the pioneering Prescriptive Authority Movements in the United States, with the goal of increasing access to the highest quality mental healthcare among the most vulnerable populations, international psychologist leaders are innovating healthcare. They are organizing psychologists in their communities to create opportunities to pass legislation that would give appropriately trained psychologists the authority to prescribe medications. Each country has its unique challenges but there are common themes: a medical establishment that wants to protect its turf; political leaders who are resistant to change and who still believe that the MD is the only healthcare provider who can responsibly prescribe; and psychologists who are reluctant to advocate for a broader role in mental health care.
Our erudite psychologist leaders from Brazil, Canada, Jamaica, Jordan, Poland, South Africa, and the United States are going to be discussing the Prescriptive Authority Movements in their countries; the education programs that they have developed to train prescribing psychologists; and how they have overcome obstacles and won victories to provide quality mental healthcare for their most vulnerable populations.
When attended in full, this program offers 1.5 APA CEs for Psychologists.
Inspired by the pioneering Prescriptive Authority Movements in the United States, with the goal of increasing access to the highest quality mental healthcare among the most vulnerable populations, international psychologist leaders are innovating healthcare. They are organizing psychologists in their communities to create opportunities to pass legislation that would give appropriately trained psychologists the authority to prescribe medications. Each country has its unique challenges but there are common themes: a medical establishment that wants to protect its turf; political leaders who are resistant to change and who still believe that the MD is the only healthcare provider who can responsibly prescribe; and psychologists who are reluctant to advocate for a broader role in mental health care.
Our erudite psychologist leaders from Brazil, Canada, Jamaica, Jordan, Poland, South Africa, and the United States are going to be discussing the Prescriptive Authority Movements in their countries; the education programs that they have developed to train prescribing psychologists; and how they have overcome obstacles and won victories to provide quality mental healthcare for their most vulnerable populations.
After attending this intermediate-level program, participants will be able to:
- Identify the Prescriptive Authority movements in countries throughout the world.
- Explain the education and training requirements for licensure as a prescribing psychologist.
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 1: Program is relevant to psychological practice, education, and/or science.
Beth N. Rom-Rymer, Ph.D., Independent Practice, Founder, CEO, and President, Illinois Association of Prescriptive Authority
Beth N. Rom-Rymer, Ph.D. created the Victim-Witness Assistance Unit in the State Attorney’s Office, Tallahassee, Florida, in 1977, which continues, today, as a robust service for crime victims and witnesses throughout the 2nd judicial circuit. During her tenure in the State Attorney’s Office, she worked on the Ted Bundy serial murder case, 1978-1979. During that time, Dr. Rom-Rymer co-founded and was the first Board president of Refuge House, a shelter for surviving families of domestic abuse in Tallahassee, Florida.
Dr. Rom-Rymer is one of the psychologists who created the field of forensic geriatrics in 2000, testifying, nationally, in cases concerning the sexual abuse of older adults in nursing homes and writing book chapters about the role of the forensic psychologist in geriatric settings. Dr. Rom-Rymer undertook training in Clinical Psychopharmacology during the 1990’s and became a national leader in the advocacy for psychologists’ prescriptive authority, when she was elected the fourth president of the fledgling APA Division 55 (Pharmacotherapy) in 2004. As President of the Illinois Psychological Association from 2011-2012 and from 2013-2014, Dr. Rom-Rymer led the Prescriptive Authority Movement toward successful passage of its legislation in May 2014, earning the Governor’s signature in June of 2014.
Dr. Rom-Rymer has held many administrative positions in psychiatric hospitals throughout the Chicago metropolitan region. She has also lectured extensively in the Departments of Psychiatry at numerous universities. Dr. Rom-Rymer has a clinical practice in Chicago and a national forensic consulting practice. She has given numerous lectures on clinical and forensic issues (sexual trauma, PTSD, domestic violence, child abuse, child custody litigation, substance abuse and trauma, sexual harassment in the workplace, the role of the forensic psychologist in the courtroom) throughout the United States and Canada.
Dr. Rom-Rymer has received several awards for her work, including: “Distinguished Illinois Psychologist” from the Illinois Psychological Association (2012, 2014), “Outstanding Service to the Community” from the Princeton University Club of Chicago (2013); “Outstanding Psychologist of the Year” from the APA’s Division 31 (2014); APA Presidential Citation for Outstanding Leadership (2015); APA Karl Heiser award for Legislative Advocacy (2015); Alfred M. Wellner, Ph.D. Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (2016); Outstanding Psychologist Award from the Illinois Psychological Association (2016 and 2017); Social Impact Leaders Award from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (2018); “Outstanding Leadership” Award from AMITA Health (Ascension) Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital CEO, Clayton Ciha (2019); Inspirational Leader Award from the South African Psychological Society (2021); and “Honored Valued Ally” from the Society of Indian Psychologists (2022).
Most recently, Dr. Rom-Rymer was in the Chair Trio of the APA Council Leadership Team (2018-2020), a past member of the APA Board of Directors (2018-2019); was a candidate for APA President-elect in 2021 and 2022; and was Chair and President of the Board of Directors of the National Register of Health Service Psychologists (2021-2022). Dr. Rom-Rymer is a co-founder and first President of the Association of Jewish Psychologists (AJP). Dr. Rom-Rymer is the Founder, President, and CEO of the Illinois Association of Prescribing Psychologists (IAPP); and co-founder and co-chair of IMPAP, the International Movement for Prescriptive Authority. In her position with IAPP, Dr. Rom-Rymer is continuing to implement the Prescriptive Authority legislation in Illinois; consulting with State Psychological Associations, nationwide, and consulting with international psychologist leaders, on legislative advocacy campaigns for Prescriptive Authority. Dr. Rom-Rymer is running for APA President-elect in 2024.
Claudia Mosier, Psy.D., MSCP, MP
Dr. Mosier is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois and Louisiana, a Medical Psychologist in Louisiana and a Prescribing Psychologist in Illinois. Her clinical focus has been LGBTQ+ individuals, chemical dependency treatment and trauma informed care. In the 1980’s she developed and teach the first PsyD course on LGBTQ competency. She was the psychologist for the first LGBTQ inpatient dual diagnosis program, and ran Living With Pride, the first LGBTQ sober living house in Chicago. She was the Director of Mental Health and Youth Services for the Center on Halsted and, with Northwestern University, developed the first APA approved LGBTQ psychology internship. For 20 years she was a consulting psychologist for the Department of Children and Family Services – working with DCFS “rainbow” youth. In 2021 she was inducted into the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame. In 2022 she was appointed to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation Licensing and Disciplinary Board.
Judith L. Steinman, PhD
Dr. Steinman served as Director of the CSPP-Alliant International University Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology (MSCP) Program from 2017-2022. She currently is the chair of the APA Division 55 Training Director Council and the Legislative and Social Action Committee. She is a Past-President of Division 55 and a main author of the division’s Specialty Application to APA. She served as a faculty member at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and coordinated the MSCP program from 2010-2016. She received her PhD in Psychobiology from Rutgers University in 1982. Her research was in the field of neuroscience and her specialty was in spinal cord and brain control of behavior. Dr. Steinman conducted postdoctoral research at Dartmouth Medical School in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology as well as at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She performed extensive research in the fields of behavioral reproduction, aging, analgesia processing and neural control of feeding. In the early 1990s, Dr. Steinman served as the Managing Editor of the journal, Restorative Neurology & Neuroscience.
Dr. Joachim Mureriwa
Dr. Joachim Mureriwa is a neuropsychologist and clinical psychologist, who runs a private practice in Pretoria, South Africa. Dr. Mureriwa holds a postdoctoral MSCP degree from Alliant International University, USA. He has taught at three universities: University of Zimbabwe, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (South Africa), and the University of South Africa. He has authored several publications. He is also the consummate psychologist leader. He has served as the president of the South African Clinical Neuropsychological association (SACNA) and as the Deputy President of the Biofeedback Association of South Africa (BFSA). Dr. Mureriwa is the current president of the Psychological Association for Transformation and Innovation, South Africa (PATISA), and is the current president of the Psychopharmacology Association for South African Clinical Psychologists (PASACP). Dr. Mureriwa’s current primary focus is lobbying for psychologists’ prescriptive authority on the African continent, starting with South Africa.
Dr. Diana Velikonja
Dr. Diana Velikonja, a past president of the Ontario Psychological Association, represents OPA in the APA Council of Representatives. Dr. Velikonja also leads the Movement for Prescriptive Authority in Ontario, and champions Prescriptive Authority throughout Canada. Dr. Velikonja’s areas of practice include Neuropsychology, Rehabilitation Psychology and Clinical Psychology across the lifespan. She actively publishes and is a reviewer for a number of scientific journals. Dr. Velikonja is Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Hamilton Health Sciences hospital network and Neuropsychologist at the Integrated Adult Concussion Clinic at Hamilton. She has served as the Chief of Psychology Practice at Hamilton Health Sciences and she is past president of the Hospital Psychology Association of Ontario and a past Director on the Board of the Hamilton Brain Injury Association.
Dr. Thabiso Rapapali
Dr. Thabiso Rapapali is a Clinical NeuroPsychologist at BrainHealth Laboratories, partnering with two Clinical Psychologists. BrainHealth Laboratories is a Healthcare Center for the assessment and treatment of Traumatic Brain injuries as well as psychophathology. Dr. Rapapali practices psychodynamic psychotherapy, biofeedback, and neurofeedback with his patients. In addition, Dr. Rapapali works as an expert forensic neuropsychological witness in court, testifying in cases of Traumatic Brain Injury. Dr. Rapapali has entry level certificates in biofeedback, neurofeedback, and medico-legal practice.
Dr. Rapapali has a Diploma in nursing and a Bachelor of Science from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa (2002). In 2012, Dr. Rapapali received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Zululand. In 2015, Dr Rapapali completed his MSCP from Alliant International University. He is currently preparing to sit for his PEP in South Africa.
Dr. Oraib (Bibi) Toukhly
Dr. Toukhly hails from Jerusalem and was raised in Jordan. She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and two Master’s degrees from Nova Southeastern University. Presently, she serves at the Developmental Assessment Clinic at the University, conducting developmental evaluations, and also holds the role of an adjunct Professor at the College of Psychology. She completed her internship at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, working in the inpatient and out-patient departments. Dr. Toukhly’s expertise extends to the legal field where she serves as an expert witness for child trauma in Broward’s 17th judicial court in Florida. Committed to making a difference, she pursued specialized training in Humanitarian Response at Harvard University and founded a student organization, Humanitarian Global Outreach, to support underserved populations, particularly refugees, both nationally and internationally.
Djavila Ho
Djavila Ho is a licensed Associate Clinical Psychologist who has worked in clinical practice spanning both public and private settings in Kingston, Jamaica. She presently serves as the president of the Jamaican Psychological Society (JamPsych) and is an Executive director of KAHLE Journey, a not-for-profit organization with the vision of creating trauma-informed Caribbean societies. As a Senior Associate at KAD Morgan & Associates, her practice focuses on adolescent and adult trauma and stress-related disorders, grief, and mood disorders. She has a passion for mental health policy and initiatives focused on developing accessible, affordable and high quality trauma-informed mental health care.
Dr. Anna Wegierek
Dr. Anna Wegierek is the 13th licensed prescribing psychologist in the state of Illinois. She was born in Poland and upon immigrating to the United States, she began working at the Haymarket Center, where she started a substance abuse program for Polish speaking clients. Dr. Wegierek is an Illinois licensed clinical psychologist, licensed prescribing psychologist, and certified neuropsychologist. The population whom she primarily serves and the raison d’être for her having become a prescribing psychologist is the Polish American community in Chicago. Dr. Wegierek has been a tireless advocate for the prescriptive authority movement in the United States and in Poland. Dr. Wegierek is a member and former board member of the Polish-American Medical Association. She has clinical privileges with the Ascension Health System and with the Community First Medical Center (CFMC) where she has been seeing patients for the last 20 years. Dr. Wegierek hopes to participate in the opening of a new inpatient behavioral health unit at Community First and provide healthcare, as a prescribing psychologist, in this new unit.
Thaiane Alburquerque
Thaiane Albuquerque graduated from the University of Brasilia, Brazil in February, 2023, with the title of « psychologist » and will receive her Bachelor’s in Psychology in August. She is a member of the international and Brazilian team of the International Movement for Prescriptive Authority, since 2020. Ms. Alburquerque did a year of study (2022 – 2023) in the Psychology Master’s degree Program at the University of Évora, Portugal. She has experience working with the Praxis Consultancy and the University Hospital, both in Brasilia. Ms. Alburquerque currently serves as a volunteer clinical psychologist at the Centre for Psychological Care and Studies (CAEP) and hopes, someday, to earn her Master’s and doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology, perhaps outside of Brazil.
Dr. Monika Kos y Gonzales
Dr. Monika Kos y Gonzales was born in Krakow, Poland and grew up in Chicago, where she attended Loyola University. Dr. Gonzales has lived in Arizona and Colorado and has been a resident of New Mexico for 14 years. Dr. Gonzales obtained her B.A in Psychology from Arizona State University, and her M.A. in School Psychology and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Northern Arizona University. She holds a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology and a Master’s of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology, from New Mexico State University. Dr. Gonzales is a NM Licensed psychologist, level III NM certified school psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist and school neuropsychologist. Her professional focus has been pediatric psychological evaluations in school districts. Dr. Gonzales is a fellow of University of New Mexico’s Partners in Policymaking and the New Mexico Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (NMLEND). Dr. Gonzales is the author of “Caregiving: Affective Resources & Emotional Support (CARES)” available as a book and a workbook.
Dr. Kai Morgan Campbell
Dr. Kai A. D. Morgan Campbell is a clinical psychologist and is the Immediate Past President of the Jamaican Psychological Society, Co-Chair of the Professional Practice & Standards Committee of CANPA, sits on the Executive Board of the Lister Mair Gilby School for the Deaf, and is a member of the APA’s Global Psychology Alliance, the International Movement for Prescription Authority for Psychologists and the Association for Black Psychologists. Currently she runs a multi-practice and is the Founding Executive Director of KAHLE Journey, a non-profit focused on her life’s journey of creating trauma-informed Caribbean societies.
Alexander, Diane and Schnell, Molly (July 2019). Just what the nurse practitioner ordered: Independent prescriptive authority and population mental health. Journal of Health Economics, 66, 145-162.
American Psychological Association (APA) Division 55 (Society of Prescribing Psychology) Task Force on Practice Guidelines (December 2011).
[Robert E. McGrath (Chair), Stanley Berman, Elaine LeVine, Elaine Mantell, Beth Rom-Rymer, Morgan Sammons, and James Quillin. Additional input was provided by Robert Ax, representing Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service).] Practice Guidelines Regarding Psychologists’ Involvement in Pharmacological Issues. American Psychologist, 66:9, 835-849.
Choudhury, A.R., Plemmons, A. Deaths of despair: prescriptive authority of psychologists and suicides. Published online
https://www.thecgo.org/research/deaths-of-despair/September 28, 2021.
Extending Prescription Privileges. Chicago Tonight: WTTW. 06/12/2014. Licensed Prescribing Psychologist Marlin Hoover, Ph.D.; Psychiatrist Dr Joan Anzia.
Hughes, P.M., Phillips, D.C., McGrath, R.E., Thomas, K.C. (In Press). Examining Psychologist Prescriptive Authority as a Cost-Effective Strategy for Reducing Suicide Rates. In Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.
Hughes, P.M., Phillips, D.C., McGrath, R.E., Thomas, K.C. (In Press). Simulating the Impact of Psychologist Prescribing Authority Policies on Mental Health Prescriber Shortages. In Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.
McGrath, Robert E. and Rom-Rymer, Beth N. (2010). Optimal Practice in Pharmacotherapy for Psychologists. In R. E. McGrath and B. A. Moore (Ed.s), Professional Issues in Pharmacotherapy for Psychologists. Washington, D.C.: APA Press.
Peck, Kylin R., McGrath, Robert E., and Holbrook, Bryan B. (2020, October 15). Practices of Prescribing Psychologists: Replication and Extension. In Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pro0000338
Pujol, Lynette A., Moore, Bret A. Professional Psychology in the context of psychopharmacology: Ethical issues, education, and training. Evans, Suzette M. (Ed.) & Carpenter, Kenneth M. (Ed.) (2019). APA handbook of psychopharmacology. (pp. 649-661). Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association.
Rodriguez-Menendez, G., Shelton, S., Steinman, J., Barr, M., Cunningham, A., Glaser, D., Masson, T., McGrath, B., Nealon, M., Bray, J. H., DeLeon, P., Moore, B. A., & Rom-Rymer, B. N. (2022). Toward a new predoctoral model: Education and training in clinical psychopharmacology. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 30(1), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000514
Rom-Rymer, B. (In Review). The Revolution in Healthcare: How Prescribing Psychologists are Changing the Healthcare Landscape. APA Press.
Shearer, D.S. (2012). Civilian primary care prescribing psychologist in an Army medical center. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19 (4), 430 – 433.
Shearer, D.S., Harmon, C.S., Seavey, B.M., &Tiu, A.Y. (2012). The primary care prescribing psychologist model: Medical provider ratings of the safety, impact and utility of prescribing psychologists in a primary care setting. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 19 (4), 420 – 429.
Target Audience: All mental health disciplines
Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 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.