COUN 6200 - Psychopharmacology and Advanced Psychopathology

This course focuses on the knowledge that counselors should acquire regarding medications utilized to treat mental health issues. It will include the major classes of medications currently in use, drug interactions, and the counselor’s role in advocating and educating clients to understand their medications and the ethical dilemma involved in this advocacy. Topic include the impact and use of medications (including efficacy and misuse), the counselor’s role in working in an integrative health system with clients that have been prescribed drugs including referring and collaborating with prescribing professionals. The course also takes an advanced look at psychopathology, research in mental health diagnostics, and how culture influences definitions psychopathology. The course will introduce advanced clinical issues and contemporary neuroscience research related to altered development and maladaptive behaviors. Credits: 3