A Counselor's Guide to Psychopharmacology and Alternative Treatments

Recognizing that counselors are often the primary source of therapeutic care, A Counselor’s Guide to Psychopharmacology and Alternative Treatments provides readers with an overview of the fundamentals of psychopharmacology so they can help facilitate medication-based treatment plans and more fully meet their clients’ needs. The text bridges the gap between the content-knowledge of psychopharmacology and the intentional incorporation of medication-based interventions into a larger, counseling-driven therapeutic process.

The book is organized into three parts, which explore the basics of psychopharmacology, medications, and additional considerations. Opening chapters discuss models of treatment, pharmacotherapy in mental health, the role of the counselor, and foundational information on neurobiology and pharmacology. Additional chapters discuss antidepressant, antianxiety, and antipsychotic medication, mood stabilizers, and the interplay of substance abuse and medication-assisted treatment. Closing chapters provide readers with alternatives to pharmacotherapy, including electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, vagus nerve stimulation, and emerging alternatives, such as herbal supplements and hallucinogens. Medication noncompliance, malingering, and diagnostic considerations are also covered.

In addition to critical content, the text features application-based exercises designed to help readers hone skills related to the analysis of complex cases, as well as the navigation of client interactions in a deliberate, empowering, and holistic manner.

A Counselor’s Guide to Psychopharmacology and Alternative Treatments is a critical resource for future and practicing counselors at all levels.