National Psychology Training Consortium

Course Description and Target Audience

The presentation Primer for Psychopharmacology will provide information related to common psychotropic medications for a variety mental health disorders. Participants will be able to describe and identify antidepressant medications, benzodiazepines, anxiolytics, mood stabilizers, sleep medications, and, antipsychotic medications. In addition, participants will learn medication doses, side effects, and mechanism of actions. Differences will be learned between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, in particular medication metabolism through the CYP-450 system. Target audience is mental health professionals who work with patients/clients with a variety of mental health diagnoses and individuals wanting to learn more about basics of psychopharmacology.

Information presented is consistent amongst several peer reviewed articles and academic textbooks. Although there may be some variance in opinions amongst the medical community, most information will be accurate and generally consistent. Due to the presentation being a primer for psychopharmacology, in depth understanding of the material is not a goal of the presentation. In addition, information related to diversity as it relates to psychopharmacology will not be discussed in depth due to the topic and time limitations for the presentation. No significant risk would be associated with this training. Participants will be aware that learning about this information does not allow for them to make informed decisions related to medication for their patients.

Given the overall topic, some information will be discussed given diversity, however the purpose of this topic is related to intermittent understanding of psychotropic medications. 

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to describe mechanisms of action differences among common psychotropic medications to treat mental health disorders. 
• Participants will be able to identify differences between SSRIs, SNRIs, and other antidepressants. 
• Participants will be able to apply basic knowledge of treatment approaches to mental health disorders with psychotropic medications. 
• Participants will be able to identify and assess common side effects to psychotropic medications.

Presenter Information

Dr. Matthew Cooper is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with additional training to provide integrated psychological services and medication management for the treatment of mental health disorders. Dr. Cooper graduated from Grand View University in Des Moines, IA and then attended The School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute where he earned a Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. In 2021, Dr. Cooper earned a Masters in Clinical Psychopharmacology from New Mexico State University, which allowed him to become the third conditional prescribing psychologist in Iowa. In graduate school, Dr. Cooper completed a child and adolescent track to expand his clinical knowledge. He has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient psychiatric hospitals, county jails, juvenile court, adult probation and parole, and private practice. Dr. Cooper historically taught undergraduate psychology classes at Grand View University. Currently Dr. Cooper owns a private practice where he provides integrative psychological services including psychotherapy and medication management. Additionally, he is a member of and works with the Iowa Psychological Association as Training Director for internships/postdoctoral residencies, provides forensic evaluations for Juvenile Court Services, medication management services for Central Iowa Trauma Recovery Center, and is a consultant/provider for the Iowa Wild (AHL Hockey).

Live Training Format

Attendance for this live training will be tracked by attendees completing the following tasks:

• Attend the live training in full and review all provided documents in their entirety.
• The Live CE Training Evaluation will be provided to all attendees. Please be sure to complete this evaluation in addition to attending the training.
• Downloading the CE Certificate.
   

CE Certificate

This course includes the materials required to obtain a CE Certificate. Your certificate will be made available to you upon completion of the training course. 

Questions or Concerns?

Contact [email protected] for assistance.

National Psychology Training Consortium (NPTC) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. NPTC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.