Manual Of Clinical Psychopharmacology Pdf
Kathleen Denson
This book provides neurologists with a basic knowledge of psychiatric medications. It begins with general principles of psychopharmacology and the frequency of psychiatric illness in neurology patients. It goes on to cover psychoactive drugs in the elderly and treating behavioral symptoms of dementia. There is a special emphasis on drug-drug and drug-diet interactions that may be seen in clinical practice. Neurologists, residents, neuropsychiatrists, neuropsychologists and psychiatrists in training will find this practical guide invaluable in numerous clinical settings.
Psychologists have always been leaders in the provision of quality mental and behavioral healthcare to their patients. As part of their commitment to continuity of care, psychologists are increasingly working collaboratively with physicians and other medical providers surrounding the psychopharmacological treatment of the individuals they serve. In the next step in this process, psychologists have achieved prescriptive authority in several states and other settings. Preliminary evidence finds them to be safe and effective prescribers. It has even been suggested that psychologists have an ethical obligation to continue their training in psychopharmacology and the impact of biological factors on emotional disorders (Barnett & Neel, 2000).
The MS Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology is housed in the School of Psychology and Counseling of Fairleigh Dickinson University. The School of Psychology and Counseling has a long tradition of graduate-level training in psychology that emphasizes the applied, conceptual, and scientific components of professional psychology. Among other programs, the School also offers an APA-accredited PhD scientist-practitioner program in clinical psychology, as well as a PsyD program in school psychology.
The MS Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology is a primarily distance-based program that was developed by the Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Psychology and Counseling. This unique approach to student-centered distance learning provides the opportunity to obtain and apply knowledge that is directly relevant to the professional development and learning objectives of the student.
From the very beginning, both clinical and didactic training are stressed. For each course, the student is assigned a course instructor, typically a nationally recognized expert and/or researcher in the course content. Similarly, recorded lectures feature speakers selected for their expertise in the knowledge domain. Most instructors combine case formulation with didactic instruction in weekly chats to help solidify the information.
There is a national examination available in psychopharmacology that represents the doorway to licensure to prescribe, called the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists (PEP). That examination evaluates success in relation to 10 learning objectives:
The MS Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology was developed for individuals licensed at the doctoral level as psychologists; therefore, it is a postdoctoral program. This program was not designed for and does not admit clinical/counseling psychology predoctoral students. If you are an unlicensed psychologist, please contact the Program Director, Dr. Derek Phillips, at dphi...@fdu.edu to discuss your options. Psychologists desiring to participate in individual courses should contact the Program Director before completing the application.
To begin courses in the fall term (September), please submit your application through the online graduate admissions portal by July 15. To begin courses in the spring term (January), please submit your application by November 15. We recommend beginning courses in September.
The Master of Science in clinical psychopharmacology (MSCP) program consists of a series of 10 courses specifically designed and developed for psychologists seeking to expand their knowledge of psychopharmacology. A sequence of core courses provides the basic science foundation and knowledge base in pathophysiology, neuroscience, and pharmacology for clinical applications. A professional issues course addresses the legal and ethical considerations and related standard of care topics. The didactic program concludes with a series of treatment courses addressing specific categories of mental disorders and the related psychopharmacological issues. These courses provide psychologists with important knowledge of the treatment of mental disorders with medication. A clinical practicum elective is available for those practitioners who desire to practice the management of psychopharmacotherapy in a supervised clinical experience.
In addition to required readings and videotaped lectures, students participate in online discussions and weekly chats. These chats represent the only weekly requirement that is scheduled; all other activities occur at the convenience of the participant.
This course focuses on the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, beginning at the cellular level. Knowledge of principles of neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, and neuropathology will serve as a foundation for the understanding of neurotransmitter systems and their role in the etiology and treatment of mental disorders. 3 academic credits.
This course introduces the knowledge base pertaining to pharmacology and psychopharmacology. It includes continued study of neurotransmitter systems and other factors in the psychopharmacological treatment of mental disorders, as well as an introduction to classes of psychotropic medications. 3 academic credits.
This course presents major classes of drugs (excluding psychotropics) and their uses in clinical settings. It includes an examination of the social, cultural, and behavioral aspects of prescribing medications. 3 academic credits.
This course reviews issues in prescribing from the perspective of a professional healthcare provider. Legal and ethical issues, as well as standards of care ranging from informed consent to documentation, are addressed. Interprofessional relationships and aspects of collaborative practice, as well as practice enhancement strategies such as computer-based aids, will provide learners with a solid foundation for the continued integration of psychopharmacology into their practices. 3 academic credits.
This treatment-focused series of courses provides students with access to virtual clinical experiences through didactic information and case studies addressing specific categories of mental disorders. Each case addresses the following: diagnosis/differential diagnosis; etiology/biological basis of disorder; psychopharmacological treatment options, including mechanism of action, side effects, adverse reactions, polypharmacy, drug interaction, and patient education. The integration of treatment strategies, as well as the empirical basis for treatments, is presented. Disorders covered will include mood disorders, psychotic disorders, anxiety disorders, neurocognitive disorders, substance use disorders, chronic pain, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and others. Each course is worth 3 academic credits.
To verify mastery of the material, there is an online Qualifying Exam offered upon completion of coursework. The Qualifying Exam is offered twice yearly and has no additional cost. Upon passage of the Qualifying Exam, the student is ready to begin the supervised clinical experience.
A training experience intended for students who have recently completed the program is offered yearly. Called the Clinical Lab, this typically takes place at the FDU Florham campus in the summer, but also may be virtual if need be. The Clinical Lab portion consists of four to five days of clinical training. Topics addressed include physical exam, medical history taking, and interpretation of clinical labs. Completion of the Clinical Lab or a similar experience that the student develops in their local community is a requirement of the FDU Practicum. The PEP Prep is optional but is intended to prepare the student to take the Psychopharmacology Examination for Psychologists. The PEP Prep takes place virtually each fall. These experiences are not eligible for academic credit.
Dr. Ansonoff received his Ph.D. from the Sue Golding Graduate program at Albert Einstein Medical School of Yeshiva University (Neuroscience Program) following training in the laboratory of Dr. Anne Etgen on cellular and behavioral mechanisms by which ovarian steroids regulate brain function. His research involved investigating the regulatory mechanisms by which ovarian steroids desensitize adrenergic receptors in the female rodent. He then completed a 5-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey studying the behavioral and pharmacological consequences of opioid receptor gene ablation in mice. Presently, he is still at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, however, his research interests have shifted towards examining the consequences of the knockout of the nociceptin receptor and its endogenous ligand on food consumption and obesity. In addition, he has developed a keen interest in science education leading him to complete an MA in education at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Dr. Behbahani has maintained a successful private practice in Miami for 13 years. With regard to therapy, Dr. Behbahani specializes in a number of arenas, including individual psychotherapy, couples therapy, and assessments. She is able to work with many different disorders, including mood, anxiety, pain management, chronic illness, interpersonal issues, stress management, and family conflict. She has conducted assessments in cognitive ability, personality functioning, and surgical clearance. Furthermore, Dr. Behbahani is the CEO and Director of Mental Health at Sanctuary Healthcare, a psychedelic medicine clinic in Boca Raton, FL. In addition to executive duties, she provides assessments to patients prior to initiating ketamine infusions, and also provides ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Additionally, she is an investigator in several FDA clinical trials utilizing ketamine and psilocybin to treat treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and postpartum depression.
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