This module will review some of the basic elements of psychopharmacology for clinicians. To begin we will discuss some of the elements of collaborative care with the doctors we work with who do the prescribing. This will include a review of what our legal and ethical responsibilities are as Psychologists relative to medication treatment and the presenting diagnoses that involve Psychologists referring for medication as a standard of care. In addition, some of the challenges and advantages of working in collaborative treatment will be reviewed as well as some of the ways that we can optimize these working relationships and allow for the best care of our clients. Interventions that have enhanced medication compliance will be reviewed here. Next we will discuss some of the common biases and misperceptions about medications that our clients may have and some of the ways we may help them dispute these automatic thoughts. Finally, the four major classes of psychotropic medication will be reviewed along with the most common medications in each class that are currently prescribed. Some of the research on the benefits of medication for different diagnoses will be discussed here as well as the target symptoms that the medications address and their primary side effects.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits:

These online training modules were developed by CAPIC under a contract with the California Department of Mental Health (DMH) funded by the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). As such, these online modules are available to the public free of charge.

However, besides their use as general training resources, these online modules are also approved for Continuing Education (CE) credits for California-licensed Mental Health Clinicians. This online module is approved for 2.0 hours of CE credits. Again, only CA-licensed Mental Health Clinicians are eligible for these CE credits.

CAPIC is authorized to charge $15 per module solely for the administration of CE credits, which is being done in partnership with Alliant International University. If you are not seeking CE credits, there is no CE administration fee and no cost for using these online training modules.

Participants seeking CE credits must complete all aspects of this module including passing the exam at the end of the module. At the start of the exam, you will be asked for your California license number (if you are seeking CE credits), as well as basic contact information, in order to process your CE credits. Once you have successfully completed all aspects of the module, you will be contacted regarding your CE credits, including payment of the $15 administrative fee and issuance of your CE completion certificate.

Regardless whether you are seeking CE credits, we hope the knowledge gained here will serve you well in your professional endeavors.