Prescribing psychologists in integrated primary care: introduction to the special section.

The authority to prescribe could differentiate psychologists from other non-physicians in primary care, achieving a significant step for the growth of our profession. Psychologists are currently prescribing in primary care settings in a number of public service venues, as well as medical school training facilities. In this Special Section of the Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, results of a survey of physicians working with a prescribing psychologist indicate that the psychologist is highly valued and seen as a competent prescriber. A series of papers providing case examples demonstrate how psychologists are evolving in these new clinical roles, as well as participating in behavioral and psychopharmacology training of primary care physicians.