It was founded by Richard I. Shader, MD in 1981 as the first journal of an international scope devoted solely to clinical psychopharmacology.

Shader and Greenblatt remained at the helm of the journal until both retired at the end of 2020.

[14][15] According to the first editorial by the Editors-in-Chief, this format was chosen "to create a "one stop" journal in which clinicians and students could find a variety of avenues to learning.

"[1] The journal has since published bimonthly issues with a wide range of articles reporting on clinical trials and studies, side effects, drug interactions, overdose management, pharmacogenetics, pharmacokinetics, and psychiatric effects of non-psychiatric drugs.

[16][17] Subscriptions to Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology are managed through Lippincott Williams & Wilkins online store.