Course Summary

Practice Level: Intermediate

In 2019, 13.6% of U.S. children and adolescents aged 5 to 17 years old received mental health treatment, which included counseling, therapy, and/or medication. A total of 8.4% of the same age group took prescription medication for their mental health (Zablotsky & Terlizzi, 2020). Psychiatric medications, however, are only appropriate for specific types of emotional distress. While psychopharmacological treatment has been implemented for children and adolescents for several decades, it is critical to recognize that young people may experience emotional suffering due to multiple factors, including poverty, discrimination, prenatal conditions, trauma, and/or neuropsychiatric disorders. It is likewise essential that mental health providers are familiar with the conditions under which it is appropriate to refer children and adolescents for psychiatric medication evaluations and treatment. The purpose of this course is to present an overview of clinical psychopharmacology for children and adolescents suffering from a range of mental health conditions, which include ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and other mental and behavioral disorders. This course provides social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors with information on diagnostics, differential diagnosis, and medication strategies. The descriptions of psychopharmacology contained in the text offers mental health and human services providers the opportunity to update, improve, or gain the tools and knowledge base necessary for recognizing when clients are in need of psychiatric medication evaluation referrals, discussing the benefits and risks of psychopharmacology with patients and their parents, and supporting clients and parents with the treatments recommended by a child or teen’s prescriber, including over-the-counter (OTC) products.

Course Format

This course is based on a book that can be purchased here and a posttest. When you’re ready, purchase the test by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain current issues in psychopharmacological treatment of children and adolescents.
  • Discuss the treatment considerations for depression in children and adolescents.
  • Distinguish the types, presentations, and treatments of bipolar disorder in young patients.
  • Describe the symptoms of and treatment interventions for anxiety disorders in children and teens.
  • Recognize symptoms of childhood psychotic disorders and the possible side effects of antipsychotic medications used to treat these disorders.
  • Discuss diagnostic and treatment considerations for young patients presenting with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
  • Recognize symptoms that may indicate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and medications shown to improve associated symptoms of pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders (PDNs) in children and teens.
  • Identify symptoms of and treatments for sleep disorders in children and adolescents.
  • Explain psychological and physical concerns related to substance abuse, tics, and eating disorder treatments.
  • Compare the risks and benefits of OTC treatments for depression and anxiety disorders.

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction

  • Depression

  • Bipolar Disorder

  • Anxiety Disorder

  • Psychotic Disorder
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Sleep Disorders

  • Miscellaneous Disorders

  • Over-the-Counter Medications and Dietary Supplements

Authors

John D. Preston, PsyD, ABPP

John D. Preston, PsyD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist, and author or coauthor of twenty books. He is professor emeritus of psychology at Alliant International University, and has also served on the faculty of the UC Davis School of Medicine. He has lectured widely in the United States and abroad. He is the recipient of the Mental Health Association’s President’s Award for contributions to the mental health professions, and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association. John H. O’Neal, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who has been in private practice since 1977. He is past chief of the department of psychiatry at Sutter Community Hospital in Sacramento, CA. He is associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the UC Davis School of Medicine, and is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He lectures on depression and psychopharmacology to mental health profes- sionals, employee assistance programs, and the public. O’Neal received his master’s in clinical psychology from Harvard University, and doctor of medicine from the University of Washington. Mary C. Talaga, RPh, PhD, has been a pharmacist for thirty-nine years, with specialization in psychiatric pharmacy and pharmacy admin- istration. She has extensive experience in health care, and has practiced in a variety of clinical settings. Over her career, she has contributed to the development of best practice guidelines, and has promoted collabora- tive care models. She has provided training and mentoring to health care professionals, and education to patients and consumers. Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical and pre- scribing psychologist in San Antonio, TX. Over the past twelve years, he has taught graduate-level courses in clinical psychopharmacology for multiple universities and colleges. He is the recipient of the Educator of the Year award from the American Society for the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy, and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association.

John H. O’Neal, MD

John H. O’Neal, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist who has been in private practice since 1977. He is past chief of the department of psychiatry at Sutter Community Hospital in Sacramento, CA. He is associate clinical professor of psychiatry at the UC Davis School of Medicine, and is a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He lectures on depression and psychopharmacology to mental health profes- sionals, employee assistance programs, and the public. O’Neal received his master’s in clinical psychology from Harvard University, and doctor of medicine from the University of Washington.

Mary C. Talaga, RPh, PhD

Mary C. Talaga, RPh, PhD, has been a pharmacist for thirty-nine years, with specialization in psychiatric pharmacy and pharmacy admin- istration. She has extensive experience in health care, and has practiced in a variety of clinical settings. Over her career, she has contributed to the development of best practice guidelines, and has promoted collabora- tive care models. She has provided training and mentoring to health care professionals, and education to patients and consumers.

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP

Bret A. Moore, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical and pre- scribing psychologist in San Antonio, TX. Over the past twelve years, he has taught graduate-level courses in clinical psychopharmacology for multiple universities and colleges. He is the recipient of the Educator of the Year award from the American Society for the Advancement of Pharmacotherapy, and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6991. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CE4Less.com is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Courses have been approved by CE4Less.com, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #91345 CE4Less.com is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.

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