Instructor: Brian Quinn, PhD, LCSW

Clinicians will learn a clinical diagnostic method to distinguish patients with borderline personality, a major depressive disorder, from those with bipolar illness. They will learn about why antidepressants are the wrong treatment for those with bipolar depression and about the medications that should form the foundation of treatment. Drawing on research from empirically tested therapies for bipolar disorder, Dr. Quinn will discuss the many ways psychotherapists can help patients and families struggling with bipolar disorder once patients receive proper pharmacologic treatment. Clinicians will learn to recognize bipolar patients at the greatest risk of completing suicide and how to intervene in ways to reduce this risk. Finally, participants will learn about a non-drug treatment for depression, mania, and rapid cycling that they can put to immediate use. (6 CEUs)