Comments or feedback? Send us a text!

Many psychotherapists have a number of clients who are taking psychotropic medications to address symptoms of mental illness; however, focused and in-depth didactic training in psychopharmacology as well as how to conceptualize the use of pharmacological strategies in the context of psychotherapy is not a core component of many graduate psychotherapy programs.  Dr. Cary Kogan, C.Psych, a clinical psychologist with a Post-Doctoral Master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology, shares his insights around:

• the value in training in pharmacology for psychologists
• the current prescribing environment for psychologists in Canada & the United States
• current nomenclature/classification around psychotropic medications
• considerations around the use of psychotropic medication e.g., method of administration, side-effects, brand vs. generic etc. 
• current evidence & risks around medications with antidepressant effects
• brief consideration of psychedelic compounds as therapeutic agents
• informed consent around the use of psychotropic medication
• considerations around combining psychotherapy & pharmacological strategies
• the complex relationship between diagnostic systems, prescription practices and conceptualization of mental illness

Episode Disclaimer:  Any discussion of medical treatment is intended as information only and should not be used as a basis for making treatment decisions without consulting with a licensed professional.

Cary Kogan earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University and Post-Doctoral Master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in the USA. He is currently Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa where he also serves as Director of the Centre for Psychological Services and Research, a community-based mental health training centre. Dr. Kogan teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels including courses on psychopathology and psychopharmacology. His research interests include classification of psychopathology and translational neuroscience with a special focus on neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Kogan is a consultant to the World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, for the revision of the Mental, Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders chapter of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). He has contributed to the development, testing, and international implementation of the clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines for mental health professionals.