PSYC460B Special Topics: Pharmacology for Mental Health Professionals

Special Topics: Pharmacology for Mental Health Professionals introduces basic principles of pharmacology with a focus on medications used in mental health treatment. Students will acquire a basic understanding of the types of psycho-pharmaceuticals they will encounter in practice as counselors and therapists.  Information regarding mechanisms, indications, side effects, and adverse reactions to psychiatric medications will be introduced in this class.  Students will become aware of the role of the therapist in working with prescribing physicians to maximize the effectiveness of medications and to quickly detect and minimize adverse effects. The course will review differences in medication reaction in adults, adolescents and children and how different cultures view medication treatment, in order to work with a diverse population.

Prerequisite

Upper Division Psychology major or Instructor Consent; PSYC 231 or equivalent course recommended

Corequisite

none

Offered

OD