Principles Of Psychopharmacology For Mental Health Professionals

Principles of Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals addresses the current "split" model of mental health care, in which physicians provide pharmaco-therapy while non-prescribing practitioners oversee other services such as psychotherapy. Bringing these two areas together, this book familiarizes mental health professionals with the medications used to treat psychiatric disorders. Prepared by world-renowned psychopharmacologists and psychiatrists, this useful resource helps non-prescribing practitioners understand when and why a given medication is appropriate to use, when it is not indicated, and what potential side effects may occur. Also discussed are the appropriate times in therapy when a referral for a medication evaluation is indicated as well as how to broach this issue with the patient. Recognizing that there are almost always a number of medications from which to choose, the authors combine research outcomes with their extensive clinical experience to highlight the important considerations in selecting one medication over another. As an educational tool, the text encourages and supports clinicians who wish to increase patients' understanding of treatment. After an introduction and overview, chapters cover: * Basics of psychopharmacology * Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder * Mood disorders * Sleep disorders * Schizophrenia * Cognitive disorders * Anxiety disorders * Personality disorders * Substance use disorders * Traumatic brain injury * Eating disorders * Side effects Every chapter includes diagnostic considerations, history of medication treatments, and emerging trends for each disease. Principles of Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals lays out what psychotherapists and other mental health practitioners need to know about psychotropic medications, giving them and their patients an invaluable guide to the full array of treatments available.

Basic Psychopharmacology Principles: A Quick Guide for Mental Health Professionals introduces students to basic concepts of psychopharmacology to help them develop a broad understanding of drugs and how they work in the body. Students learn the risks and benefits of psychotropic medications, how to identify side effects and adverse reactions, basic lab testing procedures, and how to apply pharmacological concepts to patient education and advocacy. Part I of the guide familiarizes students with basic principles of pharmacology including drug types, the structure and function of the central nervous system, fundamental pharmacological concepts, and an overview of adrenergic and cholinergic neuronal systems. Part II discusses patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as biological markers and diagnostic testing. Part III dives deeper into clinical psychopharmacology, addressing how psychotropic medications interact with depression, psychosis, anxiety, trauma, pregnancy, and more. The guide concludes with a section on clinical considerations in which students are encouraged to apply biopsychosocial assessments and analyze clinical cases using the biopsychopharmacological model. Written for future clinicians who will not prescribe medication but would benefit from a working knowledge of psychopharmacological interventions, Basic Psychopharmacology Principles is ideal for courses in social work, psychology, counseling, and marriage and family therapy. Kimberly Finney is a board certified clinical psychologist and a clinical associate professor in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California. She is also a retired United States Air Force officer, who served as the director of Mental Health Services, a flight commander, and an Air Force Space Command mental health consultant. Dr. Finney was one of four Air Force psychologists--and one of approximately 150 psychologists nationwide--credentialed to prescribe medications for the treatment of psychological disorders. She holds a Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Wright State University and a post-doctoral master of science in psychopharmacology from Nova Southeastern University.

Revised edition of: Basic psychopharmacology for counselors and psychotherapists. c2012.

Basic Psychopharmacology Principles: A Quick Guide for Mental Health Professionals introduces students to basic concepts of psychopharmacology to help them develop a broad understanding of drugs and how they work in the body. Students learn the risks and benefits of psychotropic medications, how to identify side effects and adverse reactions, basic lab testing procedures, and how to apply pharmacological concepts to patient education and advocacy. Part I of the guide familiarizes students with basic principles of pharmacology including drug types, the structure and function of the central nervous system, fundamental pharmacological concepts, and an overview of adrenergic and cholinergic neuronal systems. Part II discusses patient diagnosis and treatment, as well as biological markers and diagnostic testing. Part III dives deeper into clinical psychopharmacology, addressing how psychotropic medications interact with depression, psychosis, anxiety, trauma, pregnancy, and more. The guide concludes with a section on clinical considerations in which students are encouraged to apply biopsychosocial assessments and analyze clinical cases using the biopsychopharmacological model. Written for future clinicians who will not prescribe medication but would benefit from a working knowledge of psychopharmacological interventions, Basic Psychopharmacology Principles is ideal for courses in social work, psychology, counseling, and marriage and family therapy. For a look at the specific features and benefits of Basic Psychopharmacology Principles, visit cognella.com/basic-psychopharmacology-principles-features-and-benefits.

This unique, easy-to-read title offers a concise, practical guide to psychopharmacology and psychopharmacotherapy. Designed for a wide range of practitioners and trainees in general and mental healthcare, this invaluable primer provides foundational information for those who wish to cultivate a deeper understanding of the often-mysterious psychopharmacology medication family. Unlike other books on this topic, the primer positions psychopharmacology within the larger context of psychiatric and psychological treatment and also discusses the variety of therapeutic and somatic techniques available to providers and their patients. Further, since many patients with psychiatric conditions unfortunately find themselves interacting with the justice system, the author offers useful considerations related to the intersection of mental health and the law. The primer consists of 13 chapters and is organized in four parts: Part 1 covers essentials of pharmacology and psychopharmacology, outlining the basic principles of pharmacology, psychopharmacology, and psychopharmacotherapy. Part 2 addresses therapies that may involve psychopharmacology/ psychopharmacotherapy, providing a succinct overview of selected and representative types of psychotherapy and counseling in contemporary psychiatry and psychology. Part 3 discusses forensic and legal applications of psychopharmacology/ psychopharmacotherapy, drawing on the author’s long experience in various aspects of forensic psychiatry. Part 4 consists of one final chapter, titled “Synthesis and Conclusions.” This chapter pulls together the most salient points of the book to assist the reader in the practical psychopharmacotherapeutic treatment of patients/clients. A timely and invaluable contribution to the literature, Psychopharmacology for Non-Psychiatrists: A Primer will be of great benefit as a user-friendly resource for professionals or as an exam-preparation book for medical students and trainees in a wide range of mental health fields. Specifically, the primer will be of great interest to primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, counselors, therapists, non-psychiatric physicians and dentists whose practices involve psychopharmacotherapy, naturopaths, homeopaths, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech/language therapists. Legal professionals and others who are not themselves healthcare professionals, but who interact with healthcare professionals, also will find the primer a handy resource.

This jargon-free guide is suitable for all trainee and registered health professionals who require knowledge and understanding of drugs used in the treatment of mental health conditions for prescribing or administering purposes. A life-saving pocketbook that you can easily carry anywhere you go! Introductory material provides a background on psychotropic drugs, the etiology of mental illness, some of the commonly used drugs in practice and brief notes on common non-pharmacological interventional options. It also examines biochemical and neurodevelopmental theories and the link to the pathophysiology of mental illness as well as clinical decision making. The central chapters of the book provide comprehensive coverage of all the major medications used in mental health. Each focuses on a specific class of drug, detailing the most commonly used medicines, including side effects, average doses, contra-indications and clinical management interventions that may be required. At the end of each chapter a series of review questions enable readers to review their learning, and theory is clearly related to practice throughout.

Praise for Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Psychologists "Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Psychologists is a remarkably thorough introductory textbook for integrating psychotropic drug prescribing into psychological practices. It covers basic concepts in physiology, neurology, and pharmacology in easily understood language. Not only is this book a requirement for any psychologist seeking to gain prescriptive authority, but it is also helpful for any mental health clinician who collaborates with prescribers of any discipline. I recommend it highly." Daniel Carlat, MD, Editor in Chief of The Carlat Psychiatry Report "An important resource for any psychologist who is preparing to become a prescribing psychologist or for any psychologist who wants to be informed about the practice of medical psychology." Joseph E. Comaty, PhD, MP, coauthor of A Primer of Drug Action "Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Psychologists is an excellent treatise written by psychologists for psychologists." From the Foreword by Patrick H. DeLeon, PhD, and Jack G. Wiggins, PhD, former presidents of the American Psychological Association An essential and practical guide to integrating psychopharmacology into clinical practice Edited by medical psychologists with contributions by notable experts in their respective specialties, Handbook of Clinical Psychopharmacology for Psychologists covers key topics including: Ethics, standards of care, laws, and regulations relevant to clinical psychopharmacology Disorders of the nervous system, with particular relevance to psychopharmacology Use of comprehensive diagnostic strategies to establish differential diagnoses among possible medical and psychological symptoms Integration of pharmacotherapy with psychotherapy This essential book also provides an introduction to the qualifying exam for psychologists seeking specialty training in psychopharmacology, the Psychopharmacology Exam for Psychologists (PEP). The PEP-like practice test is available on the companion CD-ROM.