Certificate in Integrative Mental Health

Anxiety Disorders: An Integrative Approach

Anxiety disorders are the most common, and frequently occurring, mental disorders. Anxiety is manifested by disturbances of mood, as well as of thinking, behavior, and physiological activity. The five major types of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social phobia disorder (or social anxiety disorder), and panic disorder.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to provide an overview of anxiety disorders, describe conventional treatment modalities, and examine integrative treatment approaches.

Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Approach

It is sometimes difficult to determine if a child or adolescent is going through a "phase" or showing signs of a more serious psychiatric challenge such as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder causes unusual shifts in moods and energy. These shifts are different from the normal "ups and downs" that every child or teenager goes through from time to time. Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder can suffer from damaged relationships, substance abuse, poor school performance, and even commit suicide. However, today there are more treatment options available than ever before for children and adolescents with this disorder.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe bipolar disorder in children and adolescents; the symptoms, risk factors, and traditional treatment methods available for this specific population; and integrative approaches to assessing, treating, and managing this disorder.

Sleep Disorders: An Integrative Approach

Sleep disorders are very common complaints and they include difficulty falling asleep, early awakening, and interrupted sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only one-third of adults say they get enough sleep every night. The primary types of sleep disorders, methods of diagnosing sleep conditions, conventional treatments, and integrative approaches to sleep disorders will be presented.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe sleep disorders and conventional as well as integrative treatment approaches for sleep disorders. The primary types of sleep disorders, methods of diagnosing sleep conditions, conventional treatments, and integrative approaches will be presented.

Mental Health and Aging

The enormous increase in the diverse elderly population has prompted a vital societal challenge: the design and delivery of mental health services to the older adult. Because the elderly population in the United States and globally is projected to grow rapidly, the need for geriatric mental health services will also increase dramatically. Continued intellectual, social, and physical activity throughout the life cycle are important for the maintenance of mental health in later life. This course explores the issues of mental wellness strategies for the aging adult, cultural diversity as it relates to mental health, and traditional as well as integrative therapies to support mental health in the aging population.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to discuss the most commonly occurring mental health problems experienced by older adults and important factors related to mental health promotion and wellness, as well as strategies, therapies, and services that may be directed at improving the mental health of the elderly.

Depression: An Integrative Approach

Depression is one of the most serious and costly health care problems facing the United States today. It is one of the most common types of mental disorders. Depression interferes with an individual's daily life, normal functioning, and may cause emotional pain for the individual with the disorder and family and friends. Although depression is a common but serious mental illness, with treatment depressive symptoms can be alleviated.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the different forms of depressive disorders, pathophysiology, symptoms, and diagnosis as well as the conventional and integrative treatment approaches for depression.

Chronic Pain: An Integrative Approach to Effective Pain Management

Pain interferes with the enjoyment of life. It makes it difficult to work, socialize with friends and family, sleep, and accomplish activities of daily living. It may reduce productivity and create financial hardships in terms of lost work and high medical bills. Chronic pain can lead to a loss of appetite, depression, and physical weakness as well as a loss of the joy of life.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the scope of chronic pain, key historical events in pain management, the physiology of pain, types of pain, conventional pharmacological treatments for pain, and inte