Psychopharmacology is the study of psychotropic medications, which are used for mental disorders that have the ability to alter a person’s behavior and mental state of mind. Because of potentially serious side effects of many of these drugs, psychotropic medication should only be prescribed by qualified medical professionals who monitor the effects on patients.
The purpose of week seven’s application assignment is to explain the boundaries that mental health counselors have in regards to recommending and prescribing medication, the counselor’s role in educating the client about medications, and who the counselor should refer the client to for psychotropic medications.
King & Anderson (2004) points out that, “Because psychopharmacology has traditionally occupied the exclusive domain of medical practice, counselors may experience a sense of confusion and uncertainty when considering the more precise nature and associated limitations of their roles when supplementing psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy” (p. 330). Ingersoll (2000) further argues that there are “no clear prohibitions against a nonmedical mental health professional talking with clients about psychotropic medications. ”
However, section C. 2.a of the ACA Code of Ethics (2005) states that, “Counselors practice only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, state and national professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience. ” According to Ingersoll & Brennan (2001), a counselor’s role is that of an ‘information broker’, who gathers, evaluates, and delivers information where necessary. Since discussing medication with a client may present legal and ethical concerns for the counselor, they are advised against offering specific recommendations concerning psychotropic medications.
Although the counselor has boundaries, they should stay abreast on the client’s medication to assist the prescribing physician with monitoring the side-effects and the client’s progress. Although they cannot prescribe psychotropic medications or any other medications, the counselor should be highly familiar with drug manuals such as the Physician’s Desk Reference and the Physician’s Drug Handbook (Kaut & Dickinson, 2007).
Where formal training in psychopharmacology is absent, by educating themselves on current medications, the counselor will have the essential tools needed to assist with educating the client about the medication that has been prescribed to them. If the prescribing physician has not already done so, the counselor will be equipped to provide the client with an overview of the medications including the purpose of the medicine and the possible side effects. This should be explained in a manner in which the client can fully understand and relate.
The mental health counselor collaborates with other healthcare professionals, serving as an advocate, looking out for the client’s best interest (King & Anderson, 2004). “As scientific advances in psychopharmacology continue to blend medical and psychosocial knowledge of mental health disorders, the need for collaboration between professional counselors and prescribing physicians is essential” (King & Anderson, 2004, p. 334).
Because each client’s need is different, the appropriate referral will be on a case by case base, depending on their specific issue (Ruddy, Borresen, & Gunn, 2008).
They may be referred to their family doctor, a psychiatrist, a psychologist who has prescribing rights or other professionals in the medical field. For example, if the client is hallucinating and has symptoms of schizophrenia, they should be referred to a psychiatrist for medication. Kaut & Dickinson (2007) points out that “past history or contextual circumstances” should be included in the information shared when referring a client for medication.
Kaut & Dickinson further states that he counselor should also provide a case conceptualization and assessment to the collaborative partner.
For the overall benefit of the client, Ruddy, Borresen, & Gunn (2008) argues that, “health care professionals must receive training in how to work together productively” as well as “work toward developing interdisciplinary relationships” (p. 123). References American Counseling Association. (2005). 2005 ACA Code of Ethics. Retrieved April 19, 2012 from http://www. counseling.org/Resources/CodeOfEthics/TP/Home/CT2. aspx Ingersoll, R. E. (2000).
Teaching a psychopharmacology course to counselors: Justification, structure, and methods. Counselor Education & Supervision, 40, 58-69. Ingersoll, R. E. , & Brennan, C. (2001). Positivism-plus: A constructivist approach to teaching psychopharmacology to counselors. In K. Eriksen & G. McAuliffe (Eds. ), Teaching Counselors and Therapists: Constructivist and Developmental Course Design (pp. 335–354). Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey. Kaut, K. P. , & Dickinson, J. A. (2007).
The mental health practitioner and psychopharmacology. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 29(3), 204-225. Retrieved April 19, 2012 from http://ezp. waldenulibrary. org/login? url=http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=a9h&AN=25928962&site=ehost-live&scope=site 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.
Retrieved April 19, 2012 from http://ezp. waldenulibrary. org/login? url=http://search. ebscohost.com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=a9h&AN=14015893&site=ehost-live&scope=site 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. Retrieved April 19, 2012 from http://ezp. waldenulibrary. org/login? url=http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=pzh&AN=2008-03695-006&site=ehost-live&scope=site.