COUN 612

Psychopharmacology

This course examines the role of psychotropic medication in the treatment of a variety of mental health conditions, including but not limited to depressive disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and substance use disorders. An overview of the etiology, pathology and development of such conditions within individuals will be presented, while the basic principles of pharmacokinetics (what one’s body does to a drug) and pharmacodynamics (the effects of the drug on the body) for each class of drugs will be discussed in-depth. Other topics of discussion include identifying the multiple uses and treatment implications of psychotropic medications in schools, hospitals, and other community settings.

Units: 3.0