Medical psychology is the application of
psychological principles to the practice of
medicine for both physical and mental disorders. The
American Psychological Association (APA) defines medical psychology as "that branch of psychology that integrates somatic and psychotherapeutic modalities into the management of mental illness and emotional, cognitive, behavioral and substance use disorders". A medical
psychologist does not automatically equate with a psychologist who has the authority to prescribe medication. Psychologists who hold prescriptive authority for specific
psychiatric medications such as
antidepressants and other
pharmaceutical drugs must first obtain specific qualifications in
Psychopharmacology.