What Is a Prescribing Psychologist? A Model of Collaborative Care in New Mexico
In New Mexico, psychology has entered a new era — one where science, compassion, and collaboration meet in the care of mind and body. A prescribing psychologist is a licensed psychologist who has completed advanced education and training in clinical psychopharmacology and is authorized, under New Mexico law, to prescribe certain psychiatric medications. But beyond the legal scope, this role represents a bridge: connecting psychological understanding with medical treatment in the service of whole-person care.
How a Prescribing Psychologist Differs from Other Behavioral/Mental Health Providers
Unlike psychiatrists, who begin with medical training, prescribing psychologists come from the discipline of psychology — experts in behavior, cognition, and emotion — and then extend their expertise through rigorous medical coursework and supervised practice in psychopharmacology.
Under New Mexico Statutes and Rules, prescribing psychologists must:
Hold a postdoctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology
Complete extensive clinical rotations under supervision of medical and behavioral health providers
Obtain a conditional prescribing certificate and practice under supervision for 2 years before independent practice
Maintain ongoing collaboration with the patient’s primary care or treating medical provider
This framework ensures that prescribing psychologists integrate medical safety with the behavioral depth of psychological care.
Collaboration with Primary Care Providers
The law in New Mexico requires that prescribing psychologists collaborate with the patient’s primary care provider. In practice, this means:
Shared treatment plans
Routine updates on medication progress and lab findings
Consultation when physical health factors influence mental health symptoms
This collaboration keeps care connected, avoiding the fragmentation patients often face between “medical” and “mental” health systems. The result is safer, more responsive care that honors the whole patient.
A Distinctive New Mexico Innovation
New Mexico was the first U.S. state to grant prescriptive authority to psychologists (2002), reflecting a statewide commitment to rural access and integrated behavioral healthcare. Prescribing psychologists are especially vital in underserved areas, where psychiatric prescribers are scarce but psychological services are established.
Closing Thought:
A prescribing psychologist blends the insight of psychology with the precision of medicine — offering a uniquely holistic path toward recovery and resilience. At Neuropsychological Services of New Mexico, we are excited to provide this unique level of care.