The Center for Professional Development
Certificate in the Biology and Psychopharmacology of Behavioral Health
Fridays, October 12, 2012-February 22, 2013(see individual course dates below)
Full Certificate Discount Fee: $500 (dependent upon full payment at time of
registration)
Standard course fee $125 (full days); $65 (half day)
27 CEUs for entire series
REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR FULL CERTIFICATE DISCOUNT: October 5, 2012
*Ethics credit included
MISSION
This certificate series is designed to look at the biological component within the context of recovery. Each course within this series will focus on the use of biological information as it applies to behavioral health. Issues associated with psychopharmacology will be presented without sacrificing a holistic approach to recovery. In fact, one of the courses will specifically look at practices that include shared decision making and working collaboratively with prescribing clinicians. In all courses within this series, biological and pharmacological information is presented in such a way that an extensive background in biology is not a prerequisite.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Overall learning objectives for this series include: 1) recognize the most common medications and associated side effects for medications prescribed for children, adolescents and adults with behavioral health diagnoses; 2) summarize the relationship between brain chemistry and medications that should (and should not) be prescribed for people with a mental illness and an addiction; 3) discuss the impact of PTSD/traumatic exposure on the nervous system; 4) list specific approaches that support the use of pharmaceuticals in a collaborative fashion between the person in recovery and the prescribing clinician; 5) summarize the ethical considerations when prescribing medications.
FACULTY
Craig Strickland, PhD, is program director of the Behavioral Health Training and Education Network in Philadelphia. His teaching and research interests focus primarily on the biological etiology of mental illness and substance abuse and psychopharmacology.
CERTIFICATE ELIGIBILITY and REGISTRATON INFORMATION
Those who complete the full program of five courses within the 2012-2013 schedule will receive a frameable certificate of completion at the final session. There are two registration options:
(1) Register for the Full Certificate* at $500. The full fee must be submitted prior to the first session on Oct.12.
(2) Register for the eight individual workshops at the standard course fee. Payment for each session must be submitted at least one week prior to class date. (Choose "pay by check" option on registration form.)
* Registration and pre-payment of the full certificate program fee assumes attendance at all five sessions. Refunds of unused portions of full certificate discount price will not be granted.
OCTOBER 12, 2012
Basic Psychopharmacology and Non-Traditional Medications
9am-3:30pm - $125 - 6 CEUs
The morning portion of this course is designed to provide a basic overview of commonly prescribed medications used to treat emotional and psychiatric disorders. The primary classes of medication will be discussed including antipsychotic medication, anti-depressants anti-anxiety medications (anxiolytics) and mood stabilizers. Benefits, common side-effects and drug interactions are included in the lecture. The afternoon portion of this course will consider a range of treatment alternatives including both traditional and novel services/programs. As research into etiology and treatment dramatically expands our knowledge about pharmacological choices, a relatively new field of alternative medicine including herbal medications is rapidly growing. Some non-herbal treatments designed to lessen the symptoms of anxiety and depression are discussed. The benefits and side-effects of these treatments will be compared to traditional pharmacological agents such as the SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
NOVEMBER 9, 2012
Co-Occurring Disorders and Pharmacology
9am-3:30pm - $125 - 6 CEUs
This course takes a look at best practice as it applies to prescribing, or not prescribing, psychotropic medications for the person in recovery who has both a mental illness and substance abuse (MISA) diagnosis. Each medication class will be discussed in terms of benefits and side effects and, whenever possible, recommendations of one medication type over another for the “dually-diagnosed” individual. Introductory material relating to the neuroanatomy and physiology of the central nervous system will also be presented and linked to why some medications should be prescribed and why others should be avoided for this population. Case studies will be used to illustrate some of the concepts presented.
JANUARY 25, 2013
Addiction and the Central Nervous System
9am-3:30pm - $125 - 6 CEUs
This course covers the basic elements underlying addiction and addictive behaviors in the central nervous system (CNS). Various classes of addictive substances are discussed in terms of relevant structures in the brain, neurochemical changes that occur from ingestion and the mechanisms of tolerance and withdrawal. Also included is data regarding the pharmacological treatment of addiction especially as this treatment modality applies to opiate and/or central nervous system depressant addiction. The course is taught so that an extensive background in neuroscience is not a prerequisite.
FEBRUARY 8, 2013
Current Developments in Psychopharmacology
9am-12pm - $65 - 3 CEUs
With the advent of sophisticated research tools and technology, contemporary psychopharmacology research is being driven by what we know about the etiology of the disorder as well as what we know about how medications work in the brain. This workshop looks at the specific medications that have been developed to "normalize" altered brain chemistry that result in mental illness.
FEBRUARY 22, 2013
Recovery, Ethics and Psychopharmacology *
9am-3:30pm - $125 - 6 CEUs (incl 3 ethics credits)
Psychopharmacology can be a powerful tool within the context of personal recovery. However, the person taking the medicationsmay take a passive role regarding these medications. This workshop is designed to look at the practice of psychopharmacology and how it can be seen as a wellness tool e.g. how a person in recovery “can get off the bench and can get in the game” regarding their treatment with psychotropic medications. This course focuses on ways behavioral health staff can help people in recovery become active partners in their treatment. Several ethical and best practice issues regarding the use of and research involving medication will be included in this session. Three ethics credits are incoporated in this workshop.
