Dr. Rick Barnett, VPA Legislative Committee Chair and long-term VPA member received the 2026 award for Distinguished Contribution to the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy at the State Level from the APA Division 55, Society for Prescribing Psychology for his efforts in advocating for passage of legislation to allow psychologists-doctorates with advanced training to prescribe psychotropic medications in Vermont.
Dr. Barnett led that 10-year advocacy effort with the full backing of the Vermont Psychological Association and we could not be more thrilled that his success and effort has been recognized nationally. Dr. Barnett recently explained the drive behind seeking prescriptive authority for psychologists:
“There is still a good deal of misunderstanding about what it means to be a ‘prescribing psychologist.’ . . . . The goal isn’t simply to prescribe medication. It is to bring the depth and perspective of psychology together with the science of medicine so that we can help patients make thoughtful, informed decisions about when medication may help, when it may not, and when it may no longer be needed.”
We look forward to seeing the legislation in Vermont implemented and creating a new generation of prescribing psychologists.
Dr. Barnett is also scheduled to be the keynote speaker on clinical psychopharmacology at the American Academy of Clinical Psychology’s 2026 Leadership Summit in October 2026.
Dr. Rick Barnett, VPA Legislative Committee Chair and long-term VPA member received the 2026 award for Distinguished Contribution to the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy at the State Level from the APA Division 55, Society for Prescribing Psychology for his efforts in advocating for passage of legislation to allow psychologists-doctorates with advanced training to prescribe psychotropic medications in Vermont.
Dr. Barnett led that 10-year advocacy effort with the full backing of the Vermont Psychological Association and we could not be more thrilled that his success and effort has been recognized nationally. Dr. Barnett recently explained the drive behind seeking prescriptive authority for psychologists:
“There is still a good deal of misunderstanding about what it means to be a ‘prescribing psychologist.’ . . . . The goal isn’t simply to prescribe medication. It is to bring the depth and perspective of psychology together with the science of medicine so that we can help patients make thoughtful, informed decisions about when medication may help, when it may not, and when it may no longer be needed.”
We look forward to seeing the legislation in Vermont implemented and creating a new generation of prescribing psychologists.
Dr. Barnett is also scheduled to be the keynote speaker on clinical psychopharmacology at the American Academy of Clinical Psychology’s 2026 Leadership Summit in October 2026.