Essential Psychopharmacology: What Every Therapist Needs to Know

Psychotropic medications are some of the most widely prescribed medications in the country.  Often psychotherapists are working with clients who are also taking psychotropic medications, or who may want to consider medication as another option. It is important that therapists have a good understanding of the indications for medications, the different classes of medications and when they are used, and what to expect in terms of efficacy and side effects.  The role of the therapist in making a referral for medication management is also of vital importance.  Therapists can also help the patient and the prescriber to ascertain whether medication is having benefit, and whether changes need to be made in prescribing patterns.  The importance of good collaboration amongst members of the treatment team will be emphasized

Learning Objectives

1. Development of an understanding of the most commonly used classes of psychotropic medications

2. Understanding mechanisms of action of different medications, the rationale behind dosing strategy, and length of time to see benefit of each of the different classes of medications

3. Identification of indications for standing dose medications vs medications for PRN use, and the pros and cons of each style of prescribing

4. Knowledge of common side effects, rates of common side effects, and options for mitigating them

5. Understanding of recommended treatment length, indications for tapering medications, and the discontinuation syndrome and how to mitigate it