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Dr. George Kapalka speaks with two central figures in the early development of psychopharmacology training for psychologists outside the military: Dr. Elaine LeVine and Dr. Stephen Berger. The conversation traces the origins and evolution of the Prescribing Psychologist Register (PPR), founded by Dr. Samuel Feldman, and examines how early certificate-based training programs laid the groundwork for today’s MSCP standard.
Dr. Berger recounts his path into RxP advocacy through professional politics in California, including the CAPP v. Rank case and APA task forces that helped shape early training guidelines. Dr. LeVine shares a detailed and personal account of how PPR training catalyzed her efforts to establish New Mexico’s first in-state psychopharmacology training program, ultimately supporting successful RxP legislation.
Together, the guests reflect on the tensions between certificate programs and degree-based training, the gradual standardization of APA guidelines from 120 to 450 hours, and the critical role of grassroots legislative advocacy. The episode highlights how early pioneers navigated uncertainty, institutional resistance, and political realities to advance RxP education—while emphasizing the importance of preserving psychologists’ professional identity as both therapists and prescribers.
