COUN 521 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology II

In this second section of the two-part Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology sequence. students further develop and demonstrate core skills in case conceptualization, diagnosis, and treatment planning, while developing an understanding of developmental crises, disability, psychopathology, psychiatric medications, and situational and environmental factors that affect both normal and abnormal behavior. Methods of instruction involve a mixture of in-class face-to-face learning and online asynchronous learning.

Credits

5

Prerequisite

Admission to the MAC program and COUN 530.

Outcomes

1. This course will prepare students to:
2. a) Diagnose client symptomology using the current edition of the DSM.
3. b) Conceptualize client cases from a comprehensive assessment model that incorporates presenting issues, social and cultural background, provisional diagnosis, clinical hypothesis of core/root issues, potential transference and countertransference, and legal/ethical considerations.
4. c) Apply counseling theory to client presenting problems and diagnoses.
5. d) Plan a course of treatment and evaluate placement criteria within the continuum of care, with consideration for referral to medical care or medication evaluation.