Microsoft word - psychopharm syll 4 days.doc

Pacific Oaks College
MFT
Fall Semester 2006
Class meeting dates: Sept 16, Sept 30, Oct. 14, Nov. 4
Instructor: Joe Futerman Ph.D.
Office Hours by appointment [email protected]
Course Description:

This course provides an introduction to and survey of the application of
psychopharmacology as pertaining to appropriate practice by licensed MFTs. The
primary focus will be on the use of psychiatric medications for the treatment of specific
mental health disorders. Included in this focus will be: the issues of scope of practice,
relationship of the non-medical practitioner with psychiatrists, meanings of medication in
treatment, cultural factors affecting treatment choices and patient compliance, biological
etiologies of disorders, pharmacokinetics of various drugs, and the identification of drug
induced side effects.
Student Learning Goals:

The student will be able to discuss assessment, diagnostic issues and appropriate
treatment planning
The student will be able to identify cultural issues that may affect psychopharmacological
treatments
The student will be able to identify appropriate classes of medications for specific
disorders and formulate a hypothesis of diagnosis through the identification of the
prescribed medications.
The student will be able to identify medication induced side-effects and make appropriate
referrals for these side effects.
Required Textbooks:

Instant Psychopharmacology 2nd Edition. 2002
By Ronald J. Diamond
WW Norton & Company
PDR Drug guide for Mental Health Professionals 2nd Edition 2004
Thompson PDR
Schedule and Readings:
Note in all reading assignments below please fully read the chapters
from Instant Psychopharmacology and scan and familiarize yourself
with the sections on the medications from the PDR.
Sept 16th
The class will meet from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Content: Overview, Personal Relationship to Meds, Mind and Body Theory, History of
Theories of Brain Mind MFT Scope of Practice
Readings: Instant Psychopharmacology Chaps 1 2
Assignment: #1 Your position on the Brain/Mind question and how it effects thoughts on
the use of medications
Due Sept. 30th

Sept 30th
The class will meet from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Neurophysiology and the etiology of mental disorders as we currently understand them, ,
Mood Disorders and their treatment.
Readings: Instant Psychopharmacology Chap 4
PDR: Amoxapine, Celexa, Desyrel, Effexor, Elavil, Lexapro, Limbitrol, Ludiomil, Nardil, Nefazodone, Norpramin, Pamelor, Parnate, Paxil, Prozac, Remeron,
Sinequan, Surmontil, Tofranil, Triavil, Vivactil, Welbutrin, Zoloft
Assignment: #2 Describe the essential functioning of the synapse in laymen’s terms as
you would to a patient and how it is effected by SSRIs SNRIs Tricyclics and MAOIs.
Due Oct 14th
Oct 14th
The class will meet from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Content: Anti-anxiety Medications, Mood Stabilizing Meds
Readings: Instant Psychopharmacology Chap 5 and Chap 6
PDR: Atarax, Ativan, Buspar, Klonopin, Librium, Mebaral, Miltown, Nembutal, Prochlorperazine, Seconal, Serax, Tranxene, Triavil, Triflouperazine, Valium,
Xanax Chlorpromazine, Depakote Eskalith Lamictal Ludiomil Risperdal, Seroquel
Symbyax Zyprexa
Assignment: #3 Diagnose a particular mood or anxiety disorder based upon the
particular psychopharmacalogical intervention being used.
Due Nov. 4th

Nov 4th
The class will meet from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Content: Antipsychotic Medications, Herbal Preparations, Side Effects of meds for other
conditions
Readings: Instant Psychopharmacology Chap 7
Assignment: #4 Prepare a personalized script for yourself to describe the need for
medications to a patient, to deal with a patient’s feelings about side-effects that are
occurring and to discuss the issues that may come up around stopping medication.
Due Date: TBD

PDR: Amblify, Clozaril, Compazine, Geodon, Haldol, Mellaril, Moban, Navane, Prolixin, Serentil, Triavil Trifluoperazine, Trilafon
Learning Activities:
Learning activities in the course will include required readings, lectures, group
discussions, written assignments, case vignettes.
Assignments and Course Requirements:
1) Class attendance Each student is expected to attend each class meeting and arrive to class in a timely manner. The class will meet only four times so it is important that you attend all four class meetings. To miss a class will put you at risk of receiving an incomplete for the course. In the event that a student cannot attend a class meeting, contact the instructor prior to the class meeting. A written assignment will be required on the information covered in the class during the class time you missed. 2) Students are to read all assigned readings prior to the class meeting in preparation to participate in small and large group class discussions. 3) There are 4 assignments required in the class. a. The first is a position paper representing your personal thoughts and
feelings and concerns about the use of medications as part of Tx plan.
This paper will include a clear statement as to your current personal
concept with regards to brain/mind theory and its implications for non-
medical psychological intervention. From this statement you are to derive
a position with regards to: scope of practice concerns, ethical
considerations, your role as an MFT in the use of medications during Tx,
and the impact of culture on the use of medications in Tx This paper shall
be between 5-9 typed pages in length and shall follow APA style with
regards to all issues of format and references. This paper is due at the
beginning of class Sept 16th

b. The second paper is a description of the synapse how it functions and what
we currently believe the relationship of the synapse is to mood disorders
and finally what the effect of the various Mood Medications are. This all
must be done in laymen’s terms any use of technical or medical language
will require that the paper be rewritten to receive credit. This paper shall
be between 5-9 typed pages in length and shall follow APA style with
regards to all issues of format and references.This paper is due at the
beginning of class Oct. 14th.
c. The third assignment will be the completion of a class handout on backward diagnosis through examining the medications that have been prescribed by a psychopharmacologist. This assignment is due at the beginning of class Nov. 4th d. The fourth assignment will be the creation of an imagined written dialogue to deal with three circumstances that may arise during treatment with a
patient that includes psychopharmacological intervention. They are the
need for medications, to deal with a patient’s feelings about side-effects
that are occurring and discussing the issues that may come up around
stopping medication. This paper shall be between 5-9 typed pages in
length and shall follow APA style with regards to all issues of format and
references.This paper’s due date is currently TBD.

COLLEGE POLICIES

Please refer to the Pacific Oaks College Catalog for complete information on
college policies.
Academic Integrity Statement:
Participation in this course assumes that each student has read and understands
the Academic Honesty requirements of Pacific Oaks. The Academic Integrity
Statement appears on Page 38 of the 2004-2006 College Catalog and reads as
follows: "Academic dishonesty (i.e., cheating, forgery, plagiarism) depreciates
the learning experience. It is fundamental that students contribute to the ideal of
academic integrity and accept individual responsibility for their work."
Disability Statement / CARE Center:
Any student in this course who has a disability that might prevent him/her from
fully demonstrating his/her abilities should contact Pat Meda of the student
CARE Center immediately to discuss disability verification and accommodations
that may be necessary to ensure full class participation and completion of course
requirements.
Incomplete Policy (Text from page 36 of the Pacific Oaks College
2004-2006 Catalog)

An "Incomplete" grade is only available to students who have completed a
substantial amount of work required for a particular class. Instructors are
responsible for notifYing students that an "Incomplete" is being awarded. Faculty
will discuss remaining class requirements with the student involved and agree
upon the criteria for satisfactory completion of the class. A written contract will
then be issued, setting out the conditions for successfully completing the class.
Faculty are responsible for making arrangements with other instructors in those
cases where repeating the class is a component of the "Incomplete" contract.
Evaluations for "Incomplete" are submitted, following the same time line for classes conducted during the term in which the "Incomplete" is completed. If written work is required to complete the class, this must be submitted to the class instructor at least one month prior to the end of the semester following the one in which the "Incomplete" is given [i.e., the end of April (for Fall classes) or November (for Spring /Summer classes)]. Instructors may set an earlier deadline if they wish. Students who fail to meet the conditions of the "Incomplete" contract will automatically receive a "No Credit." Students with seven or more units of "Incomplete" may not register for the following term until those classes have been completed. It is a goal to avoid Incompletes!!! Please sign the attendance sheet each class. NarrativeEvaluation Statement
Faculty have two weeks after the official last day of the class to complete and
submit student narrative evaluations to the Registrar's Office. Should you require
your evaluation immediately due to employer reimbursement or some other
reason, please see me. Or if you need a "grade" in addition to the pass/fail
narrative evaluation, please follow the following procedure: Submit an official
request stating the reason to the Registrar’s Office

Source: http://oldweb.pacificoaks.edu/PDFFiles/clarksu-06/Psychopharm-02-fall-06.pdf