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Psychopharmacology

Leesa M. Robertson
1 hour

This course provides mental health professionals with a practical and clinically relevant overview of psychopharmacology. Participants will explore the mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, and side effect profiles of the major classes of psychotropic medications, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, stimulants, and medications for substance use disorders. Emphasis is placed on the integration of psychopharmacology with psychotherapy, cultural and ethical considerations, medication adherence challenges, and the recognition of red flags requiring referral to prescribers. Through interactive case studies and applied discussions, clinicians will gain the knowledge necessary to collaborate effectively with prescribers, support informed client decision-making, and enhance treatment outcomes while maintaining professional scope of practice.

This course will award 1 continuing education hour.

Please see the board approval box for course approvals.

Course Objectives

  1. Identify the mechanisms of action and clinical uses of major classes of psychotropic medications.
  2. Recognize common side effects, contraindications, and safety concerns associated with psychiatric medications.
  3. Describe the role of psychopharmacology in treating mood, anxiety, psychotic, and substance use disorders.
  4. Apply strategies to support medication adherence and address client concerns in clinical practice.
  5. Demonstrate awareness of cultural, ethical, and scope-of-practice considerations in psychopharmacology.
  6. Collaborate effectively with prescribers by integrating medication knowledge into treatment planning and case discussions.

Course Author

Leesa M. Robertson, M.Ed., CAP, LMHC

Ms. Robertson, M.Ed., CAP, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia. She is credentialed in alcohol and other drug counseling.

Beginning her career in the hospital setting, working in admissions, on the 24-hour unit, inpatient and IOP for both adults and adolescents, she went on to supervise a group of clinicians that went into medical-surgical hospitals to assess and place patients. She went into the outpatient setting, working with adults and families. Throughout her career, Ms. Robertson has focused on training and education through presenting live and authored coursework.

Board Approvals

National Approvals

  • Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) (ACE)
    BaysideCEU.com, #1793, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. BaysideCEU.com maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 2/4/2026-2/4/2029
  • The Association For Addiction Professionals NAADAC
    Bayside Continuing Education and Development Provider Number 81892 is a NAADAC Approved Education Provider for educational credits. NAADAC Provider number 81892 is responsible for all aspects of the programming.
  • The National Board For Certified Counselors NBCC
    BaysideCEU has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP #6098. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. BaysideCEU is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

State Approvals

Information

  • Relevance: This course is relevant for mental health professionals to better understand the medications used in psychiatric care.
  • Content Level: Intermediate
  • Course Format: This course is offered as a self-paced distance learning format (reading-based online activity)
  • System Requirements: This course is offered online. Internet connection required.
  • Course Completion Information: To earn continuing education credit, professionals must register and pay the fee for the course.  They must read the content and demonstrate understanding by earning a minimum score of 70 percent on testing materials.  The certificate of completion will be able to be downloaded after the above is completed. Refunds will be granted upon request with the withdrawal of credit for the course. For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please call 866-863-4225 or email ContactUs@BaysideCEU.com.
  • CEBroker Course ID: 1329765
  • Credit Hours: 1
Leesa M. Robertson
1 hour
This course is relevant for mental health professionals to better understand the medications used in psychiatric care.