JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Efforts by Florida legislators are underway to tackle the state’s mental health crisis by expanding the role of psychologists in prescribing medication.
Dr. Justin D’Arienzo, a Jacksonville psychologist, recently discussed his advocacy for a bill that would allow psychologists with additional training to prescribe medications.
“It’s been decades. You know, people know how difficult it is to get an appointment with a psychiatrist who’s often like a three to six-month wait, and there’s a dearth of them as well,” Dr. D’Arienzo explained. “Florida has been declared a health professional shortage area. Regarding psychiatrists, we are the 10th worst in the state.”
House Bill 23 outlines the requirements for psychologists to gain prescriptive authority. It requires that psychologists have a doctoral degree, pass a national exam, and complete specific training in clinical psychopharmacology.
The bill also requires the Board of Psychology to certify eligible psychologists and maintain records of those authorized to prescribe controlled substances.
“People are resorted to going to the ER to get psychiatric medicine, or they’re resorted to go to their family practice doctor to get psychiatric medication,” Dr. D’Arienzo said.
The bill aims to provide a more comprehensive mental health service by allowing psychologists to prescribe medication alongside therapy. This initiative is expected to reduce wait times for psychiatric care.
Dr. D’Arienzo is actively pursuing the additional training required under the bill and is hopeful about the legislative process.
“The conversations in Tallahassee went really well, very receptive,” he noted. He is committed to becoming one of Florida’s first prescribing psychologists, highlighting the importance of this legislative change for the future of mental health care in the state.
In the broader context of a national shortage, Florida ranks as the 10th worst state for psychiatrist availability, with one psychiatrist for every 9,219 residents, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau.
The bill has been referred to the Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee, the Health Care Budget Subcommittee, and the Health & Human Services Committee, and is now currently in the Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee.
In the past two similar bills failed that would have allowed psychologists to prescribe medications.
The Florida Medical Association listed on its websites its statement on the previous attempts.
“This legislation would have authorized psychologists to prescribe medications, including controlled substances, to individuals with psychiatric, mental, cognitive, nervous, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorders. Under current law, psychologists are appropriately prohibited from prescribing medication. While psychologists are experts in important behavioral interventions and are highly valued members of the mental healthcare community, allowing for prescriptive authority will not solve the mental health crisis in Florida. This legislation did not receive a hearing in either chamber.”