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A Practical Guide to Psychiatric Medications

A Practical Guide to Psychiatric Medications
Monday, February 6th @ 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM, 1.5CE

This is an overview on the use of psychiatric medications in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. We will discuss when to consider recommending medication. We will also discuss the different types of medication used, their efficacy in treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, and common side effects. We will also address personal/social/cultural stigmas surrounding use of medications.

Presenter Bios:

Dr. Juliet Morgan, MD - Dr. Morgan is a psychiatrist and neuropsychiatrist based in the CalPsychiatry San Francisco office. She specializes in the integrative treatment of patients with mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, neuropsychiatric illness, and healing from trauma. Dr. Morgan is a board certified neurologist, and understands the complex interplay between the structural “hardware” and emotional “software” in the brain. Dr. Morgan has been featured in several media outlets including KQED and CBS for her work with COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Morgan takes an evidence-based integrative approach to personalized medical care. She provides both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments, and draws upon many forms of healing to tailor a treatment plan to a patient’s unique needs.

During training as both a neurologist and psychiatrist at UCSF, Dr. Morgan pursued additional training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, addiction psychiatry, psychodynamic psychotherapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, advanced nutrition, and sleep medicine. She enjoys working with patients with an aim of cultivating psychological growth and greater wellbeing. As an assistant clinical professor at UCSF, she teaches extensively on neuropsychiatry and neuroanatomy, bringing a whole-brain approach to her patients’ needs.

Dr. Sir Melancon, MD - Dr. Melancon is a general adult psychiatrist who has a special expertise in treating race and gender-based trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety/OCD, and ADHD. He sees patients in the CalPsychiatry Palo Alto office. As a former college athlete, he also has a unique approach when it comes to sports psychology and caring for college and professional athletes.

Dr. Melancon earned his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and his medical degree from Vanderbilt University. He trained at the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute Psychiatry Residency Program and has cared for thousands of patients throughout California. During his training, he developed an expertise in trauma by working with veterans and county jail populations, and he has specialty in OCD and anxiety through staffing intensive treatment programs at UCLA. In order to bring balance and humanism to his work as a physician managing medications, he spent years training in psychodynamic talk therapy and other forms of behavioral therapy. Dr. Melancon served as Chief Resident of Women’s Mental Health at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Hospital, developing expertise in trauma and reproductive psychiatry.

With a personal background in healing arts such as meditation and mindfulness, Dr. Melancon brings a sense of grounded warmth and calm to his practice. His focus is to allow his patients to take the lead in their treatment, and to have a focus on wellness and inner growth.

Fees

ACPA Member $15
ACPA Student Member $10

Non-Member $30
Non-Member Student $20
CE Certificate, additional $10

CPA is cosponsoring with the Alameda County Psychological Association (ACPA). The California Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.

Important Notice: Those who attend the workshop and complete the evaluation form will receive 1.5 continuing education credits. Please note that APA rules require that we only give credit to those who attend the entire workshop. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits.

California Board of Psychology Statement on Medication

California psychologists cannot legally prescribe medication. This prohibition is established in Section 2904 of the California Business and Professions Code.

Often, consumers seeking mental health services are taking medications or suffering from conditions that could be treated very successfully by medications prescribed by a physician. Psychologists are often the first mental health care providers assessing and treating such consumers. Indeed, many psychologists have extensive training and experience in the applications of medications. Psychologists may discuss medications with a patient. A psychologist may suggest to a physician a particular medication to be prescribed by a physician. However, the ultimate decision as to whether a patient should receive medication lies solely with the physician. A psychologist may engage in a collegial discussion with a patient's physician regarding the appropriateness of a medication for the condition being treated. A psychologist has primary responsibility to monitor the patient's progress in psychotherapy which includes assisting in monitoring the changes which may be attributable to the medication in the patient. Psychologists should maintain a close consultative relationship with physician care givers in order to assure appropriate overall treatment of the patient.

There are many psychological conditions which manifest themselves in physical symptoms. There are physical problems which have psychological symptoms as well. The best interests of the patient demand that psychologists work closely with primary care physicians and psychiatrists who are prescribing medications to the patient of the psychologist. While a psychologist's responsibility can include involvement in limited aspects of a patient's medications, the patient's physician is the only person who may lawfully prescribe the medication for the patient.