Course Objectives

Knowledge and Skill Learning Outcomes: CACREP Standards

Upon successful completion of this course, students will learn:

Section 3.A.10. ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling across service delivery modalities and specialized practice areas

Section 3.B.10. guidelines developed by professional counseling organizations related to social justice, advocacy, and working with individuals with diverse cultural identities

Section 3.E.4. consultation models and strategies

Section 3.E.13. developmentally relevant and culturally sustaining counseling treatment or intervention plans

Section 3.H.2. identification and evaluation of the evidence base for counseling theories, interventions, and practices

Section 5.C.10 etiology, nomenclature, diagnosis, treatment, referral, and prevention of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders

Section 3.G.12. procedures to identify substance use, addictions, and co-occurring conditions

Section 3.E.18. classification, effects, and indications of commonly prescribed psychopharmacological medications

Section 5.C.3. legislation, government policy, and regulatory processes relevant to clinical mental health counseling

Learning Objectives

1. Identify examples of psychotropic medications that are used in the clinical treatment of commonly diagnosed psychological conditions of individuals and describe impact on symptoms.
2. Identify principle classes of psychoactive drugs, the typical sites, mechanisms of action, the concepts of tolerance and dependence, and how drugs are distributed throughout the body, how they are metabolized, and eliminated
3. Increase awareness of drug interactions, side-effects, symptoms, and possible impact of recreational drugs on individual functioning.
4. Understand the ethical parameters and role of non-medical mental health professionals in regard to what can and cannot be discussed with individuals.
5. Understand the role of counselors in talking with individuals who have questions about psychotropic medications, advocating or the individual, and the individual advocating for themselves.
6. Be able to articulate the current debate about the appropriateness of psychotropic medications for children, the relationship between pharmaceutical companies, the FDA, managed care, and the consumer.
7. Be able to articulate basic findings of ethnopharmacotherapy and pharmacoeconomics.

Please purchase this book in preparation for the class:

Sinacola, R. S. (2020). Basic Psychopharmacology for Mental Health Professionals. Pearson.

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, collusion, and plagiarism (the act of using source material of other persons, either published or unpublished, without following the accepted techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given). Additional guidelines on procedures in these matters may be found in the Office of Student Conduct.

Office of Student Conduct

Class attendance is crucial to successful completion of this course since much of the training cannot be learned in textbooks. Therefore, GRADUATE STUDENTS are expected to be on time and to attend *every session online and all required face to face classes. Tardiness, leaving early, and absences are considered evidence of lack of dependability, and are taken seriously.

All papers and assignments must be turned in the day they are due. *No exceptions. If you have an emergency, please let me know in advance, and/or email me your assignment the same day it is due. Any late papers will be lowered *-2pts per day. Late papers can only be turned in before the deadline for the following assignments. Please observe that your assignments are worth a considerable number of points and skipping even one assignment will most likely significantly lower your grade. Please begin planning your semester schedule accordingly.

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.

Pregnant and parenting students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive support and resources from the Student Engagement and Title IX Offices. Support and resources may include early registration, personal financial support, parenting development resources, lactation rooms, and healthcare resources. For more information, visit the  Parenting Students Website or contact the Parenting Liaison Ruby Garret at  ruby.garrett@msutexas.edu or call 940-397-4500.