Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Counselors

(3 Credits)

Overview of psychopharmacology, the use of medications to treat psychiatric conditions, with a focus on practical takeaways for counselors and therapists, including how the medications work, processes of starting and stopping medications, and common side effects and patient concerns. We explore the psychological issues that are often barriers to the appropriate use of medications, including (but not limited to) stigma, dependence, personal/cultural values, and dynamics in the therapeutic relationship.