Psychopharmacological Treatment and Collaborative Care for Child and Adolescent Mental and Behavioral Disorders

Summary

In this Counseltalk webinar, psychologists, licensed mental health professionals, medical professionals, and ministry leaders will receive a comprehensive review on the existing evidence-base for pharmacologic treatment of children and adolescents with common mental health conditions. The presenter will also focus on how non-prescribing clinicians can engage in effective collaborative care with specialists and primary care prescribers. This will include indications for referring patients for consideration of medication, recognition of the limitations of pharmacologic treatment in this age group, identification of adverse effects potentially associated with commonly prescribed medications and familiarity with research on controversies in child and adolescent psychopharmacology often raised by parents, caregivers and their children in the course of treatment. It is imperative that when working in collaboration with a prescribing physician that non-prescribing clinicians be aware of these issues and help to bring clarity for questions or concerns of the family throughout the treatment in order to arrive at the best outcome.

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

1. Outline evidence-based approaches to psychopharmacological treatment of common mental health conditions in children and adolescents, including, but not limited to mood disorders, anxiety disorders and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
2. Describe approaches to collaboration between medical and non-medical clinicians when pharmacotherapy represents a component of a child or adolescent’s mental health treatment plan.
3. Recognize adverse effects associated with commonly used classes of psychotropic medication in youth and prepare to answer questions or concerns of families that impact treatment decisions.

Continuing Education Statement

Approved for 2 CEs for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Chemical Dependency Counselors

Approved for 2 IBCC CEs for Pastoral Counselors, Pastors, Teachers, and Coaches

The American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) offers some psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers, and play therapists Continuing Education (CE) credit due to good standing with certain states and a limited number of professional organizations. It remains the responsibility of each participant to be aware of state licensure and CE requirements. Participants should check their state and/or local regulations regarding required Continuing Education hours. For more information on Light University Continuing Education programs, please visit www.lightuniversity.com/continuing-education-statements/.