The Therapist's Guide to Psychopharmacology: Working With Patients, Families, and Physicians to Optimize Care

This indispensable book provides therapists and counselors with crucial knowledge about psychotropic medications: when and how to make medication referrals, how to answer patients' questions and help them handle problems that arise, and how to combine medication and psychotherapy effectively. Ideal for readers without extensive background in neurobiology, the book clearly explains how medications work in the brain and how they affect an individual's emotions, behavior, and relationships. Strategies for collaborating successfully with patients, their family members, and prescribers are discussed in detail. In this edition, psychopharmacology content has been fully updated.

Jo Ellen Patterson, PhD, is Professor in the Marital and Family Therapy Program at the University of San Diego. She is also Associate Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. She serves on the editorial boards of Family Systems and Health and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.

A. Ari Albala, MD, is currently Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine; Clinical Director, Quality Improvement, Aurora Behavioral Health; and Medical Director at Psychiatric Centers at San Diego. Dr. Albala has received numerous distinctions in his career as both an educator and practitioner, including being awarded the status of Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

Margaret E. McCahill, MD, is Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and she practices both specialties. Dr. McCahill is a residency training director and also provides training and supervision for students in social work, marital and family therapy, and clinical psychology.

Todd M. Edwards, PhD, is Associate Professor and Director of the Marital and Family Therapy Program at the University of San Diego and Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.