Child and Adolescent Psychopathology

2 credits · School of Nursing

This course builds on prerequisite knowledge of theoretical foundations of advanced nursing practice, mental health assessment, group and family therapy, models and theories of psychiatric nursing, neurobiology, psychopharmacology, research methods, pathophysiology, and clinical practicum with psychiatric patients. This two-credit course for post-master's Adult PMHNP or Adult PMHCNS students reviews the major childhood disorders; looking at epidemiology, health and mental health promotion and prevention, risk factors, taxonomy, cultural factors, assessment issues specific to children and adolescents, use of rating scales, as well as evidence-based child and adolescent specific treatments. Individual therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family-based interventions, psychopharmacological interventions, trauma-based interventions and combinations of these treatments will all be presented. Pre/corequisite: Admission to the PMHNP specialty level as a post-master's student who holds current ANCC certification as an Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMHCNS), has a master's degree or a post-master's certificate in psychiatric mental health nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited program documented by official transcripts, holds a nursing license in an eligible state, and receives approval from the PMHNP Program Director to be eligible to take this course. [2]