Psychopharmacology This paper will examine the complicated roles a counselor has related to the use of prescribed medication in treating mental health issues. The first section will explore the boundaries and ethical implications for a counselor surrounding the recommendation and prescription of psychotropic medication. The next section will include the counselor’s role in client education about medication. The third section will relate to the details of client referral when medication is warranted. Boundaries and Ethical Implications As a result of research and advancements in biomedical science, psychotropic medications have become a primary tool in the holistic treatment of mental health concerns (Kaut & Dickinson, 2007). Education regarding psychopharmacology is now recommended for all mental health professionals in accordance with the ethical codes for the profession (King & Anderson, 2004). Counselors must also navigate their roles with regard to medication and client concerns carefully to avoid liability, while acting in the best interest of the client. Part of the ethical code for a professional counselor involves education about current research developments and trends in the field of mental health (Linde, Erford, & Cheung, 2010). Psychopharmacology is an example of such advancement that would require attention. As noted by King and Anderson (2004) the failure to recommend an evaluation for medication as a viable option when appropriate can lead to liability issues. A lack of knowledge in this area would not absolve the counselor of this responsibility. Also related to ethical counselor behavior are the specific roles that a counselor might play related to recommending and prescribing medication with a... ... middle of paper ... ... References Kaut, K. P., & Dickinson, J.A. (2007). The mental health practitioner and psychopharmacology. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 29(3), 204–225. King, J. H., & Anderson, S. M. (2004). Therapeutic implications of pharmacotherapy: Current trends and ethical issues. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82(3), 329–336. Linde, L.E., Erford, B.T., & Cheung, A. (2010). Ethical and Legal Issues in Counseling. In B.T. Erford (Ed.), Orientations to the Counseling Profession: Advocacy, ethics, and essential professional foundations (pp.55-92). New Jersey: Pearson. Ruddy, N. B., Borresen, D. A., & Gunn Jr., W. B. (2008). Colocating with medical professionals: A new model of integrated care. In The collaborative psychotherapist: Creating reciprocal relationships with medical professionals (pp.115–133). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Wendel, Peter Counselors in Recovery find answers to ethical dilemmas. Counseling Today. May 1997: 28 pars Online: Available http://www.conseling.org/ctonline/archives/recovery.htm
Chemical dependency counseling involves direct interactions with the clients and as such standards need to be set which will promote safe and accountable counseling. Chemical dependency counseling has a set code of ethics, guidelines and regulations that seek to safeguard the interests of everybody involved. Laws and ethics ensure that everyone acts in a way that does not cause harm to others. Laws and ethics also help to give the profession its credibility. The Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (2014) gives provisions on the conduct of counselors as stipulated by the law. Chapter 135-7-01 provides the various responsibilities of counselors to their clients. Every counselor has a responsibility to their clients. It is their primary duty to promote the welfare of their clients and meet the client’s best interests.
Psychotropic medications, also referred to as psychiatric or psychotherapeutic medications, are used to treat psychiatric disorders, such as: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). They have been used for many years and oftentimes come with dangerous side effects. The side effects that often occur in children taking these medications can include: fainting, blurred vision, vomiting, extreme weight gain, and even death ("Seroquel information,” n.d.). The use of psychotropic medication to treat mental disorders in children and adolescents is highly controversial because of ethical viewpoints (i.e. parents “drugging” their children to calm them down) and potentially harmful side effects, but one has to take into consideration whether the risks outweigh the benefits when deciding whether or not to give this type of medication to children.
Norcross, J. C. (2000). Clinical versus counseling psychology: What’s the diff. Eye on Psi Chi, 5(1), 20-22.
Psychopharmacology has played a huge role in my life since I was about 9 years old, but recently, I have discovered that many people in my family have had similar struggles to mine. My beliefs, values, and attitudes regarding psychotropic medication have been formed from my family's and my experiences with mental health treatment. This has lead to some biases, which will likely impact my practice and potentially present some challenges, but there are many ways to combat these biases and utilize my experiences and beliefs in a way that positively shapes my practice and relationship with clients, whether we (myself, them, and their family) choose psychotropic medication as a treatment or not.
Antidepressant usage has increased all around the world and is used by all ages. Doctors are prescribing more prescriptions, even if the patient does not need the medication. “Antidepressants prescriptions in the UK have increased by 9.6% in 2011, to 46 million prescriptions” (Are Antidepressants overused?). This study took place in the United Kingdom; however, a lot more prescriptions are being prescribed all around the world. The use of antidepressants is increasing to an all time high because doctors do not want to waste time talking about feelings. The psychologist’s just want the patients to feel better quickly so they prescribe antidepressants. Human beings as well as doctors think that prescribing medicat...
... options and therapist should have full discloser regarding medications (pros and cons) with clients. When working with individuals with a mental illness, safety should always be foremost in the therapist mind. If not being on medications or stopping using medications put someone at a greater risk for hurting themselves or others medications should more than likely be part of the treatment plan. With this definition in mind the issue of collaborating between those struggling with a mental illness and professionals I feel is the most important issue brought up in these websites. If therapist do not view themselves as the “expert” and instead listen to their clients and their individual experiences, the client’s treatment plan will be the one best suited for them. Clients are the expert of the illness they are dealing with and therapist inform their understanding.
Stahl, Stephen. Prescribers Guide: Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology. 4th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press. 2013. Print.
Wilens, Timothy E. Straight Talk about Psychiatric Medications for Kids New York: The Guilford Press, 1999.
Zernike, Kate and Melody Petersen. “Schools’ Backing of Behavior Drugs Comes Under Fire.” New York Times: 18 August 2004. .
A counselor must make sure that they are following the moral obligations. The moral obligations to clients may seem easy to maintain until the session starts and the counselor is struggling to not provide advice and allow the client to make their own goals. In this current paper, I will be discussing my client and my difficulties in session. I will provide a brief overview of my client, summary of sessions, strengths in session, weaknesses in session, theoretical process, future interventions, and counselor characteristics.
Firstly, the pharmaceutical companies would push psychologists to rely on drugs more, causing psychologists to gradually undermine therapeutic uses (DeNelsky, 1996). Even so, most patients usually stop taking medication, and with little therapy, could lead to stress in their lives as it the number one factor for mood disorders (M. Hywel, lecture, October 3rd, 2014). Therefore there would be an increased risk in patient mental health in the long run. DeNelsky (1996) highlights that as independent prescribers, psychologists would be legally and medically liable for all the consequences for the prescriptions they write for patients, such as those who may have an underlying heart condition that is not apparent at first, but becomes visible when medication is taken. This will increase the number of law suits, bringing about stress on the clinical psychologist, increasing his or her chances of mental and physical health issues as well. Finally, Hayes et el (2002) suggests that training for psychologists, if obtained the right to prescribe, would be costly, lengthy and stressful. This can bring about a financial burden to the additional loans from undergraduate and graduate studies, making it harder to obtain a stable career when the legislature requires psychologists to get training to prescribe. Stress is an important implication that is often overlooked, yet it determines the success of psychologists in treating patients effectively, and the overall mental health of those
In the United States, mental health services are delivered primarily by nonmedical counselors, who cannot write prescriptions for psychotropic medications. The majority of prescriptions for psychotropic medications are written by an individual’s primary care physician. This is problematic because primary care doctors lack training in psychopharmacology that clients require and deserve for best practices. Thus, it is essential for nonmedical counselors to acquire knowledge in psychiatric medications. Preston, O’Neal and Talaga (2017) state that nonmedical psychotherapists “assume a major role in monitoring client responses to psychotropic medications,” and are in the “best position to observe symptomatic improvement, side-effect problems, and issues involving medication adherence” (13). Furthermore, nonmedical therapists who are educated can collaborate with the client’s treatment team, and can advocate for the use of specific medications as well as dosage adjustments (13).
Counselors are more prone to be confronted with clients who are suicidal or dealing with mental health issues that are causing them to be a danger to themselves and others. Therefore, it is essential for counselors to have the knowledge and skills in order to be prepared when confronted with a crisis situation. In addition, counselors must be able to identify risk factors for their clients to avoid any wrongdoings that can cause detrimental consequences. Because it is the counselor's ethical obligation to protect clients from unnecessary risk of harm. Essentially, without the adequate training in suicide assessment and intervention, counselors can engage in practices that are not in alignment with the counseling ethical standard “do no harm”.
When we think of a mental illness, the thoughts that come to mind can range within a variety of concepts: perhaps a person with imaginary voices in his or her head or someone whose emotions can alternate at the drop of a hat. While this is usually the case, not all—even these—are as dramatic as they seem. Mental illness presides as a main issue many people struggle with day to day. For this, there are people to help alongside their daily turmoil. These people are known as psychologists. Psychology is the science and knowledge of how a person’s mind and behavior work and a practice that is regarded as a diverse field filled with many job opportunities from the studies to the salary and job outlook.