Psychopharmacology
Course Description
Summary
This course introduces students to the basic principles of psychopharmacology, focusing on medications commonly used to treat mental health disorders. Topics include the mechanisms of action, side effects, and therapeutic uses of medications for mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders. Students will learn to collaborate effectively with prescribing professionals and understand the role of medication within the counseling process.
*Students in CMHC-EXAT must infuse expressive arts therapies into their coursework.
*Students in CMHC-NT must infuse narrative therapy into their coursework.
*Students in CMHC-SOGE must infuse their coursework with Sexual Orientation/Gender Expression specific topics into their coursework.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the basic principles of psychopharmacology, including how psychiatric medications affect the brain and behavior, understanding the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, and side effects of medications commonly prescribed for mood disorders, anxiety, psychosis, and substance use disorders.
- Collaborate effectively with prescribing professionals to integrate medication management with counseling interventions.
- Evaluate the ethical considerations related to psychopharmacology, including informed consent, medication compliance, and client autonomy.
Prerequisites
Enrollment in graduate CMHC program.