Spring, 2020
FT549 ONLINE CLASS
Johnson
FT549:
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY. J. W. Johnson, PhD
DESCRIPTION:
Increasingly,
marriage and family therapists are being called upon to consider the adjunctive
use of psychotropic medications. For the therapist the goal is to facilitate
the family therapy process by alleviating incapacitating emotional states. With
depression and anxiety disorders now at epidemic proportions due to the high
stress of modern life, it is imperative that marriage and family therapists
understand the important role that psychotropic medication can play in the
treatment of psychological disorders, and how to collaborate with the
prescribing professions.
This course is
designed to meet the requirements of the California MFT licensing board and
provide graduate students in marriage and family therapy with a basic knowledge
of psychopharmacology-its scope, effectiveness and hazards. It will provide an
understanding of when and how to request a consultation for medication, as well
as the important role of psychotherapy in supporting the appropriate use of
psychopharmacological agents, will be covered. It is as important to know when
not to medicate as it is to know when to refer for medication. A particular
emphasis will be placed on how the family therapist can discover and stay up to
date on the latest research into the effectiveness and hazards of the major
psychopharmacological agents. Furthermore, since there is a general, negative
resistance to the use of these medications in many Christian clients, several 'integrative'
issues that can help a therapist overcome such resistance when it is not
warranted, will be explored.
COURSE
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1.
To
provide family therapists with a basic understanding of the major psychotropic
medications-their benefits and risks.
2.
To
explore the important role of psychotherapy in supporting the appropriate use
of pharmacological agents.
3.
To
show how and when to make a referral for a psychopharmacological consultation.
4.
To
demonstrate how psychotherapists should collaborate with the prescribing
professional, including ethical and legal considerations.
5.
To
model the importance of an 'integrated treatment plan' in family therapy,
especially when severe individual psychopathology requiring pharmacotherapy is
present.
RELATIONSHIP
TO SCHOOL AND SEMINARY LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1.
Graduates
will demonstrate the ability to provide excellent preventative and/or
transformational mental health services to the church and the wider community.
2.
Graduates
will be able to pursue careers consistent with their education.
COURSE
FORMAT:
This
4 unit course will be taught as an asynchronous online class clustered into 10
learning units. Each online learning unit includes a lecture in PowerPoint
format, an audio recording of lecture, and an online discussion. Students must
participate in the course discussion in a manner that demonstrates active
engagement with the material.
REQUIRED
READING:
Preston,
J. D., O'Neal, J. H. & Talaga, M. C. (2017). Handbook of Clinical
Psychopharmacology for Therapists (8th Edition). Oakland, CA: New Harbinger
Publications.
Additional reading assignments will be provided via
CANVAS.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Reading assigned texts.
2. Completion of study questions turned
in, via CANVAS, prior to assigned class.
3. Participation in class discussion
forums.
4. Completion of an internet-based
research project designed to show the rich resources that are available to
maintain a 'state of the art' understanding of psychopharmacology.
5. Completion of three quizzes.
PREREQUISITES:
FT508
Psychopathology and Family Systems.
RELATIONSHIP
TO CURRICULUM:
1.
Meets
BPC
Section 4980.36(d)(2)(A) for California licensure.
2. Meets AAMFT competency 2.1.
FINAL
EXAMINATION:
There will be no
final examination.