1 Hour / 1 CE

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Psychopharmacology in Correctional Settings is presented by Lauren Stossel, M.D.

This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards the Correctional Mental Health Certificate and share your new digital credentials. 

Mentally ill individuals represent a significant percentage of those incarcerated in America's jails and prisons. Additionally, the experience of incarceration creates psychological distress that may rise to the level of a clinical diagnosis in individuals who were previously psychiatrically well.

This program focuses on general principles of psychopharmacology in the carceral setting. In this program, we discuss classes of psychiatric medications commonly prescribed in jails and prisons, when non-prescribing clinical providers should consider referring for pharmacologic treatment, and how to manage expectations about what psychiatric medication can and cannot accomplish. 

The carceral setting is rife with unique challenges that may limit effective psychopharmacologic treatment. In this program, learners gain an understanding of how to navigate the structural rigidity of jail and prison environments, medication nonadherence, non-formulary restrictions, and medication diversion and misuse. 

The program concludes with case examples that foster discussion about how to apply the concepts reviewed to real-world clinical scenarios. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe clinical indications for psychopharmacologic treatment of mental health diagnoses commonly encountered in carceral settings
  • 2 Describe the difference between appropriate and inappropriate medication regimens
  • 3 Describe risks and benefits associated with particular pharmacologic treatments in jails and prisons

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for non-prescribing mental health professionals who work with or are interested in supporting justice-involved individuals, particularly those with serious mental illness in carceral settings. It is especially relevant for those specializing in correctional or forensic mental health, social work, or counseling, and who focus on providing care to individuals in jails, prisons, or related justice-system contexts.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Social Workers
    • Counselors
    • Psychologists
    • Forensic Mental Health Specialists
    • Correctional Mental Health Clinicians

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals with varying levels of experience in correctional mental health and psychopharmacology.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to correctional mental health or have limited experience with psychopharmacology in carceral settings and seek foundational knowledge about psychiatric medications and referral processes.

    • Intermediate: Participants have some experience working in correctional settings and are familiar with basic psychopharmacologic principles, aiming to deepen their understanding of medication management, referral decision-making, and system-specific challenges.

    • Advanced: Participants have extensive experience in correctional mental health, possess a strong grasp of psychopharmacology, and seek to refine their skills in complex case analysis and advanced application of medication management strategies within carceral environments.

  • Practice Setting

    Non-prescribing mental health providers practice in secure, highly regulated carceral environments where care is delivered under custody operations and strict medication policies. They support justice-involved individuals with serious mental illness by coordinating referrals for psychiatric treatment and managing challenges like structural rigidity, nonadherence, and diversion in collaboration with security and medical teams.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • County and municipal jails
    • State and federal prisons
    • Correctional health clinics within facilities
    • Forensic inpatient units in state hospitals
    • Court-based mental health clinics and diversion programs
    • Probation/parole offices and community reentry programs
Presented By

Lauren Stossel, M.D.

Dr. Lauren Stossel completed medical school at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, residency training in Psychiatry at Weill Cornell, and a fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at NYU. In 2018, she began working on Rikers Island, New York City's jail complex, as a supervising psychiatrist on a specialized unit housing individuals with serious mental illness who commit violent infractions in the jail setting. For six years, she worked in a variety of capacities with Correctional Health Services, including as a Senior Psychiatrist in general population clinics and specialty therapeutic units for seriously mentally ill patients, Director of Psychiatric Education, Medical Director for Mental Health, and most recently as Chief of Mental Health. In 2024, Dr. Stossel transitioned to Kings County Hospital where she now pilots an outpatient clinic focused on treatment of individuals with chronic psychotic disorders. She also completes forensic psychiatric assessments in private practice. 


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Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction to Psychiatric Disorders: Identifying conditions that require medication

  • Common Psychiatric Medications: Overview of frequently used medication classes

  • Decision-making Considerations: When to refer patients for pharmacologic treatment and factors to consider when working with patients who take psychiatric medication

  • Case Study Discussions: Review and comment on clinical scenarios involving the use of psychiatric medications in correctional settings

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
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CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.