The Therapist's Guide to Psychopharmacology

“Provides a wealth of information to individuals in the helping professions to assist them in better understanding the link between medications and therapy for a variety of diagnoses....This text is an exceptional reference guide for the therapist. The information provided is explained in a straightforward format and is easy to understand and use in one's work with families. In addition, this book would be a wonderful faculty reference or text for students in courses that focus on psychological disorders.”

—Family Journal (on the first edition)


“The book offers practical guidance to providers—information that can be used both to influence therapists' work and to pass along to their clients....A valuable resource.”

—PsycCRITIQUES (on the first edition)


“A clear, understandable and helpful book for the nonphysician wishing to be more conversant within this field.”

—Child and Family Behavior Therapy (on the first edition)


“The authors have written one of the best books available on psychopharmacology by providing detailed information in a user-friendly format for all mental health clinicians....Academics and practicing clinicians will, without a doubt, keep this book within reach for daily use. I will recommend this book to all of my colleagues….5 Stars!”

—Doody's Review Service (on the first edition)


“A must-have text for clinicians, and will help them provide the best standard of care to their patients and clients.”

—Metapsychology Online Reviews (on the second edition)


​"All psychotherapists practicing today, whether independently or in community settings, must be informed about psychopharmacology. This superb book covers how to talk to patients and their families about medication and collaborate with prescribers. The third edition is up to date and exceptionally well written, and covers the diagnostic ground from anxiety and depression to psychosis and cognitive disorders. I cannot think of a book that better achieves its purpose of educating non-MD mental health practitioners and graduate students to be as helpful as possible to their patients who are taking, or may need, psychoactive medication.”

—Stanley B. Messer, PhD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus and former Dean, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey


“The third edition of this guide gives psychotherapists both a systemic conceptual framework and the latest science about psychotropic medications and how they work. The distinguished trio of Patterson, Griffith, and Edwards emphasize the essential need for collaboration between therapists and prescribing clinicians. This book provides everything you need to know about medications' effects on the brain and behavior when used in conjunction with behavioral interventions for common psychiatric disorders.”

—Susan H. McDaniel, PhD, ABPP, Dr. Laurie Sands Distinguished Professor of Families and Health, University of Rochester Medical Center


“This book is a gem. It is the best book that I’ve seen that provides beginning and seasoned nonmedical clinicians with essential information about psychopharmacology with a spectrum of mental health conditions. What sets this book apart is the authors' use of a systems and collaborative care framework that includes patients and key family members as valuable resources. Written in an exceptionally practical and accessible style with wonderful case illustrations, the book is a superb reference for clinicians working in integrated healthcare and private practice settings. I highly recommend this volume as an excellent basic teaching text for graduate students across mental health disciplines.”

—John S. Rolland, MD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine; Executive Co-Director, Chicago Center for Family Health


“This book is extremely well suited to those who have no prior knowledge of psychopharmacology or wish to build on their existing knowledge. The text is a professor's dream—is clearly laid out, builds sequentially on previous learning, and incorporates the latest developments in the field. This is one of those rare publications that students in the helping professions should keep on their shelves long after graduation. I have relied on this book over the years in a variety of academic and clinical settings, and remain impressed by its clarity, practicality, and relevance.”

—Sarah A. Bond, PsyD, Solana Beach, California