Psychopharmacology ~ Counselling and Medication ~ The increased use of antidepressants (SSRi’s), tranquillisers and other psycho-pharmaceuticals by counsellees (patients/clients), means that all counsellors and therapists will work with clients who are taking (or should be or should not be taking) psychotropic medications. Pharmacologically informed counselling has therefore become imperative.
Clinical Pharmacology is a bridging discipline, integrating the basic science of pharmacology, which seeks to understand the mechanisms of drug action, and the use of drugs in patients. In Clinical Psycho-Pharmacology, the major concerns are psychiatric disorders and the manner in which the science of pharmacology may be applied in the betterment of the patient in treatment and client in counselling.
Paraklesis was able to offer pharmacologically informed therapy because of Dr Mervin's unique background as a pharmacist and professor in counselling psychology and his specialisation in teaching psychopharmacology.
Dr Mervin was able to come alongside and help people with medication related counselling issues while engaging in psychotherapy.
Clients must require that a differential diagnoses is accurately made and that they are on the right treatment path, taking the right medication at the correct dosage, and that there are no complicating interactions between the medications that could effect recovery. The therapist or counsellor should be able to provider a comprehensive psychopharmacological report to a clients family-physician, or psychiatrist.
Understanding how the medication works and what it does, increases compliance in taking the medication, improves the chances that you can recover fully and stop the medication, and gives you more ownership of your recovery. Combining psychotherapy with a pharmacological (medication) treatment plan, significantly increases your recovery and dramatically reduces the possibility of a relapse (second or third depressive episode).
Dr Mervin came alongside clients with medication related and spiritual conflict issues, with psychopharmacological therapy from an integrated bio-psycho-social-spiritual perspective, integrating theology and psychology.
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