How does one become a psychopharmacologist?

[sleepymeko]

I have been googling for an hour, but I can't find a single thing. I even tried searching the forums. I'm interested in becoming a psychopharmacologist, but I'm not sure how I get to that point. I'm assuming that I need a bachelors, then perhaps I sign up for a phd. program? Do they even have psychopharmacology programs? Or do I just sign up for pharmacology programs? Confused!

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[Therapist4Chnge]

I have been googling for an hour, but I can't find a single thing. I even tried searching the forums. I'm interested in becoming a psychopharmacologist, but I'm not sure how I get to that point. I'm assuming that I need a bachelors, then perhaps I sign up for a phd. program? Do they even have psychopharmacology programs? Or do I just sign up for pharmacology programs? Confused!

The most well known psychopharmacologist I know is Dr. Stephen Stahl, who is a physician and a Ph.D. (though I can't recall the area of his Ph.D.) I would think a psychopharmacologist would be a Pharm.D. or have at least that level of understanding of pharmacology.

 

[erg923]

My understanding is that "psychopharmacologist" is simply a term, not degree or career itself. Many psychiatrists are very specialized in researching and understanding the medical and psychiatric effects of psychiatric medication and these people often consider themselves "psychopharmacologists" and well as physicians. I have also heard patients refer to their psychiatrist as their "psychpharmacologist," because med managment is basicaly all he/she does with them. Similarly, there are researchers with ph.ds and pharm.Ds who have indepth knowledge of psych medications, they may call them self psychopharmacologists too.

 

[sleepymeko]

My understanding is that "psychopharmacologist" is simply a term, not degree or career itself. Many psychiatrists are very specialized in researching and understanding the medical and psychiatric effects of psychiatric medication and these people often consider themselves "psychopharmacologists" and well as physicians. I have also heard patients refer to their psychiatrist as their "psychpharmacologist," because med managment is basicaly all he/she does with them. Similarly, there are researchers with ph.ds and pharm.Ds who have indepth knowledge of psych medications, they may call them self psychopharmacologists too.

Ahh, I understand now. Thank you.

 

[NeuroPhD2010]

I have been googling for an hour, but I can't find a single thing. I even tried searching the forums. I'm interested in becoming a psychopharmacologist, but I'm not sure how I get to that point. I'm assuming that I need a bachelors, then perhaps I sign up for a phd. program? Do they even have psychopharmacology programs? Or do I just sign up for pharmacology programs? Confused!

Also, please understand that you just don't "sign up" for a Ph.D. program...

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

I'll try to throw in my version of an "answer" to this question--sort of building on erg's very good response.

If by "psychopharmacologist" you mean "a provider who can prescribe psychotropic medications:

1. Become a psychiatrist
2. Become a (psychiatric) Nurse Practitioner
3. Become a psychologist and move to a state that allows psychologists to prescribe and then obtain the proper credentials.
4. Become an Army psychologist, do the health psychology fellowship (which results in a post-doctoral masters degree in psychopharmacology) and obtain the credentials.

Those are the ways I know of to become a "psychopharmacologist."

 

[psyvagabond]

Until psychologists in California are granted prescribing privileges, wouldn't it be the smartest course of action to also become a psychiatric nurse practitioner? I have not done adequate research on this degree, but it seems to be less demanding than also becoming a psychiatrist, yet allows almost the same prescribing rights.

 

[terpskins10]

I have been googling for an hour, but I can't find a single thing. I even tried searching the forums. I'm interested in becoming a psychopharmacologist, but I'm not sure how I get to that point. I'm assuming that I need a bachelors, then perhaps I sign up for a phd. program? Do they even have psychopharmacology programs? Or do I just sign up for pharmacology programs? Confused!

Practice, practice, practice.

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

Until psychologists in California are granted prescribing privileges, wouldn't it be the smartest course of action to also become a psychiatric nurse practitioner? I have not done adequate research on this degree, but it seems to be less demanding than also becoming a psychiatrist, yet allows almost the same prescribing rights.

Sorry. There should be an "or" between each of those options.

 

[psyvagabond]

Sorry. There should be an "or" between each of those options.

What?

 

[73BARMYPgsp]

What?

When I read through you post, it sounded like you thought I meant one should become all 4 of the things I mentioned, rahter than pick one as a means to prescribing psychotropics.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

To earn prescribing privileges in Louisiana as a psychologist, you complete a two-year (approximate) program in psychopharmacology, pass qualifying exam(s), and then I believe go through a "trial period" during which a licensed physician essentially oversees your prescribing practices. This last part is a bit in flux at the moment, though, so I'm not sure of the current specifics.