Depression, Antidepressants, and Psychotherapy

Depression, Antidepressants, and Psychotherapy
(4 CEUs)

Instructors: Dr. Fred Raleigh, PharmD, BCPP and Dr. Stan Taubman, LCSW, PhD

This course focuses on the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and explores strategies that support patients taking medication.

Format: Mixed-media 1 — Read online content that incorporates case vignettes, reader exercises, and web-based video clips.

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Course Agenda

1. Instructions
1. Pretest Instructions
2. Pretest
1. Course Overview
1. Print Posttest Study Guide
2. Introduction
3. Video: Why Depression Is So Common Among Younger Generations (7:16 minutes)
4. Optional Resources
1. What Are Neurotransmitters?
2. Video: Neurotransmitters and Their Functions (3:47 minutes)
3. Video: How Your Brain Works When You're Depressed (2:26 minutes)
4. Neurotransmitters’ Influence on the Brain and Body
5. Psychosocial Factors’ Influence on the Brain’s Functioning
6. Case Vignette 1—Tom
1. Addressing Medications with the Depressed Medicated Client
2. Case Vignette 2—Lily
1. Enhancing Therapeutic Effectiveness
2. Case Vignette 3—Roberta
3. Case Vignette 4—Armando
1. Challenges Associated with Diagnosing Depression
2. Sleep Issues Associated with Depression
3. Medications and Substances Associated with Depression
4. Case Vignette 5—Tanya
1. Reader Exercise Instructions
2. Reader Exercise
1. Factors Affecting the Decision to Use Medication
2. Case Vignette 6—Tammy
1. The Four Classes of Antidepressants
2. Distinguishing Between a Common Side Effect and an Adverse Reaction
3. Brief Overview of Serious Side Effects of Antidepressants
4. Side Effects Associated with the Different Classes of Antidepressants
5. Video: Dr. Jordan Rullo Discusses Antidepressants and Sexual Dysfunction (1:41 minutes)
6. Optional: Antidepressant Comparison Chart
7. Antidepressants: Response vs. Remission
8. Children and Adolescents
1. Commonly Prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
2. Side Effect Profile for SSRIs
3. Additional Considerations for SSRIs
4. Video: 2-Minute Neuroscience: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
1. Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
2. Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs)
3. Newer Antidepressants: Mixed Receptor Agents
4. The Potential Use of Ketamine for Severe Depression
1. Summary and Conclusion
1. Posttest
1. Evaluation

About this course

$36.00
46 lessons

Course Details

Course Description

Nationwide, as well as worldwide, the incidence of diagnosed depression is growing rapidly. Effective management of this fast-growing phenomenon requires collaborative efforts between individuals affected by depression and numerous providers of mental health and health care services. The primary goals of this course are to increase readers’ understanding of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants used today and to explore strategies that support psychotherapy patients who are taking medication and that improve treatment outcomes. The content reviews the demographics of depression before discussing key considerations in assessing and diagnosing depression. The major classes of antidepressants are reviewed, with greater detail given to the two classes of antidepressants most commonly used in the United States. Also explored are controversial issues related to the use of antidepressants, in addition to strategies for enhancing the therapeutic process for depressed clients who are taking medication. To complete this course, participants read online content that incorporates web-based short video clips, case vignettes, and resources before passing the online posttest with a score of 80% or better and printing a certificate of completion.

Target Audience

This course is designed for licensed social workers and behavioral health professionals working with patients who take or are considering taking antidepressant medications to help manage depression.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, readers will be able to do the following:

Identify the demographics of depression in the United States.
Identify the primary functions of neurotransmitters and how neurotransmitters influence the human brain and body.
Identify key considerations and challenges in diagnosing depression.
Identify the serious side effects of antidepressants and the impact of direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising.
Identify the major classes of antidepressants used in the United States.
Identify strategies for supporting psychotherapy patients who choose to take antidepressant medication.

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