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Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling

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Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling
Samantha Jackson
Walden University

Psychopharmacology and Mental Health Counseling
Kaut and Dicknson (2007) states “a growing challenge for mental health counselors is to understand the potential benefits and limitations of many different types of drugs “(.p204-205). Drugs are prescribed to have an effect on the brain and behavior of clients. Mental health counselors are advised to be trained in how psychotropic medications can benefit and be at risk for their clients and to develop a collaborative approach to treatment (Kaut & Anderson, 2004; King & Dickinson, 2007). While mental health counselors cannot prescribe medication, they can recommend medication and educated their clients about them. A mental health counselor must stay within legal and ethical boundaries, while doing what’s best for the client.
Recommending or Prescribing Medication A mental health counselor has no legal right to prescribe, dispense or administer any medication. When recommending medication it is important for a mental health counselor to stay within ethical and legal boundaries, while working with prescribing doctors. When a mental health counselor is informed about pharmacological interventions it benefits the client, the counselor and the prescribing professional (King& Anderson, 2004).
Legal Limitation Mental health counselors can recommend any medication that they are educated on. Legally a mental health counselor cannot prescribe any medication. According to the code of ethics, a counselor can only provide those services and use only those techniques for which they are qualified (ACA 2010.) Counselors should avoid suggesting dosage, timings and other ideas which can hinder the effective use of medications. Counselors should understand basic classifications, indications and contraindications of commonly

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