The undersigned healthcare practitioners urge you to support proposed legislation in Colorado
to grant prescriptive authority to psychologists with advanced and specialized training in clinical
psychopharmacology. Colorado is in a serious mental health crisis, with a high prevalence of
mental health issues through the community and a significant shortage of mental health
professionals statewide. Nationally, Colorado ranks 51 st of 50 states and Washington DC for
prevalence of adults with mental illness and lack of access to care. Since the COVID-19
pandemic, rates of mental health issues in Coloradans have increased, with nearly 50% of
Coloradans experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and a more than a 50% increase
in Coloradans calling or texting a crisis hotline.
As healthcare practitioners, we intimately understand the impact that the lack of access to care
is having on Coloradans. We see it every day. That is why, we write this letter urging your
support to grant prescriptive authority to licensed psychologists with advanced degrees and
training in prescribing psychotropic medications, with the goal of increasing access to
appropriate behavioral health treatment for Coloradans. (this is the statement missing)
We support this initiative because the amount of education and training it would take for a
psychologist to be able to achieve prescription authority is extensive and adequate to serve
patients well. Prescribing psychologists have a long track record of safely prescribing in the
military healthcare system, New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho. We stand
alongside other experts in the field who have supported and continue to support prescription
authority for psychologists.
While we know that it is imperative to hear from current professionals who are supportive in
states where this already exists, we wanted to take the opportunity to also allow you the
perspective of behavioral health professionals and other physicians right here in Colorado and
throughout the nation.
Updates
November 19, 2022
I am currently meeting with legislative aides to explain how clinical psychopharmacology training closes the gap in our state mental health system. Please email your representative today to let them know that local medical providers want this change. We are pushing for a clear path to get this legislation on the floor.
November 19, 2022
The momentum behind this push is real and it shows that medical providers are united on the need for expanded access to care. Now call your state representative to demand they back this legislation before the upcoming session concludes.
15 Comments
There is a significant shortage in access to much needed psychotropic medication for so many in our state. Prescriptive authority for appropriately trained psychologists can significantly help to improve access to this vital service.
Prescribing psychologists have been successful in other states and would undoubtedly be successful in Colorado, where they would address unmet patient needs. Toby Huston, PhD
Prescribing Psychologists are extremely well trained to both prescribe, and unprescribe while providing psychological treatment. There’s room at the table for us. Let us join you. Your patients will benefit and more patients will be served.
This will increase access to underserved populations in Colorado. This has already been embraced by 5 states through legislation for several years. It has proved to be a safe and effective mechanism for expanding access to mental health care. - Alyssa Cunningham, PsyD, MSCP, HSPP
This is a vital way to improve continuity of care and quality of mental health services.
Psychologist are excellent providers and with expanded training make excellent perscribers as well!
Absolutely necessary!
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The undersigned healthcare practitioners urge you to support proposed legislation in Colorado
to grant prescriptive authority to psychologists with advanced and specialized training in clinical
psychopharmacology. Colorado is in a serious mental health crisis, with a high prevalence of
mental health issues through the community and a significant shortage of mental health
professionals statewide. Nationally, Colorado ranks 51 st of 50 states and Washington DC for
prevalence of adults with mental illness and lack of access to care. Since the COVID-19
pandemic, rates of mental health issues in Coloradans have increased, with nearly 50% of
Coloradans experiencing symptoms of anxiety and depression, and a more than a 50% increase
in Coloradans calling or texting a crisis hotline.
As healthcare practitioners, we intimately understand the impact that the lack of access to care
is having on Coloradans. We see it every day. That is why, we write this letter urging your
support to grant prescriptive authority to licensed psychologists with advanced degrees and
training in prescribing psychotropic medications, with the goal of increasing access to
appropriate behavioral health treatment for Coloradans. (this is the statement missing)
We support this initiative because the amount of education and training it would take for a
psychologist to be able to achieve prescription authority is extensive and adequate to serve
patients well. Prescribing psychologists have a long track record of safely prescribing in the
military healthcare system, New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho. We stand
alongside other experts in the field who have supported and continue to support prescription
authority for psychologists.
While we know that it is imperative to hear from current professionals who are supportive in
states where this already exists, we wanted to take the opportunity to also allow you the
perspective of behavioral health professionals and other physicians right here in Colorado and
throughout the nation.
Updates
November 19, 2022
I am currently meeting with legislative aides to explain how clinical psychopharmacology training closes the gap in our state mental health system. Please email your representative today to let them know that local medical providers want this change. We are pushing for a clear path to get this legislation on the floor.
November 19, 2022
The momentum behind this push is real and it shows that medical providers are united on the need for expanded access to care. Now call your state representative to demand they back this legislation before the upcoming session concludes.
15 Comments
With long waits to be seen, these specially-trained professionals can decrease the burden patients experience.
There is a significant shortage in access to much needed psychotropic medication for so many in our state. Prescriptive authority for appropriately trained psychologists can significantly help to improve access to this vital service.
Prescribing psychologists have been successful in other states and would undoubtedly be successful in Colorado, where they would address unmet patient needs. Toby Huston, PhD
Prescribing Psychologists are extremely well trained to both prescribe, and unprescribe while providing psychological treatment. There’s room at the table for us. Let us join you. Your patients will benefit and more patients will be served.
This will increase access to underserved populations in Colorado. This has already been embraced by 5 states through legislation for several years. It has proved to be a safe and effective mechanism for expanding access to mental health care. - Alyssa Cunningham, PsyD, MSCP, HSPP
This is a vital way to improve continuity of care and quality of mental health services.
Psychologist are excellent providers and with expanded training make excellent perscribers as well!
Absolutely necessary!
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With long waits to be seen, these specially-trained professionals can decrease the burden patients experience.