VIDEO: What Therapists Need to Know about the Research on Meds

When it comes to treating depression, neuropsychologist John Preston, author of Clinical Psychopharmacology Made Ridiculously Simple, says that psychoactive medication is only one alternative and often not the most effective. In addition to his integrative approach—which includes exercise, combating social withdrawal, family involvement, and possibly meds—he’s always on the lookout for toxic relationship issues in the client’s life.



John Preston explains the limits of psychiatric meds.

In this brief video clip, John uses the example of a depressed woman in an unhappy marriage to illustrate his point. The woman could treat her depressive symptoms with meds—and maybe feel a little better—but her depression would likely persist without investigating where it actually came from: a gradual distance between herself and her husband.

“Psychotherapists realize that there’s a symptom, and symptoms cause suffering,” John says. “But when you don’t address the underlying issue, it’s not a long-term solution. We’ve got to have a strong voice in saying, ‘In my clinical opinion, here are some issues that are enormously important.’”

In the Networker Webcast series Meds: Myths and Realities, John teaches you how to recognize both the limits of medications and the role they can play in an integrative approach to depression.

Topic: Professional Development | Psychopharmacology | Anxiety/Depression

Tags: add | clinical psychopharmacology | depression | family | psychoactive | psychologist | psychotherapist | psychotherapists | relationship issues | therapist | therapists | treating depression | prescription medication | psychiatrist