Psychotropic Medications: An Investigation of the Knowledge of Counseling Graduate Students and Attitudes toward Coursework of Counselor Educators

Counselors working in clinical settings are frequently confronted with clients taking psychotropic medications. Counselors working in non-clinical school and industrial settings are often required to identify clients who need referral for psychopharmacological support. If counselors are to assist their clients in exploring treatment options, it is important for them to acquire a working knowledge of psychopharmacology. In this study, 94 counselor education students from 3 midwestern universities completed questionnaires that addressed their knowledge of psychotropic medication and their attitudes toward these drugs. The majority of the students agreed on the need for specific preparation and coursework in psychopharmacology. A survey was mailed to the program chairs of all 116 Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs approved programs. From the 53 surveys that were returned, it was determined that the majority of programs offered no specific courses in the use of psychotropic medications. This paper stresses the importance of including such coursework in counselor education programs. (Contains 14 references.) (JDM)