NPACE Mental Health, Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics, & Precision Medicine Bundle 2026

Details

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This Mental Health bundle is essential for practitioners practicing in a Primary care or Mental health setting. This 13 course bundle has everything you need to prepare you to tackle anything Mental Health with confidence. There is an in depth focus of pharmacology within the course list. Topics include but are not limited to trauma and stress, care of veterans, epigenetics, treating anxiety and depression and treatment of the adolescent.

FORMAT OPTIONS

Streaming Online Video

ACCESS INSTRUCTIONS

This bundle is hosted on the site of our educational partner, NPACE. After you purchase the bundle, you will immediately receive a confirmation email from APEA's CE Center with instructions on how to access your purchase. You will be required to create an account on NPACE.org.

Once logged in on NPACE, you will need to complete all of the components of each individual course in the bundle. Each course is comprised of a pre-test, presentation, course evaluation, and post-test. You will have unlimited attempts to pass the post-test. Upon completing these components and passing the post-test, you will receive your CME certificate.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Precision Medicine for ADHD: Genetics, Neurobiology & Treatment

This presentation discusses updated diagnostic criteria and psychometric approaches to improve case identification, diagnosis & treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorders. ADHD is redefined in the context of epigenetics and neurobiology, with specific attention to contemporary pharmacological approaches to manage the symptoms. Practical applications for nurse practitioners are presented.

Neurobiology, Genomics & Precision Medicine for Bipolar Disorders

Updated disease models and diagnostic criteria for bipolar spectrum disorders are reviewed to improve case identification, diagnosis & treatment. Bipolar affective pathophysiology is redefined in the context of epigenetics and neurobiology, with specific attention to contemporary pharmacological approaches to manage bipolar disorders. Practical applications for nurse practitioners are presented.

Neurobiology & Personalized Treatment of Anxiety Disorders

Updated diagnostic criteria and disease models for anxiety disorders are reviewed. Neurobiological and epigenetic mechanisms that underlie anxiety symptoms are presented as the basis for therapeutic interventions. Specific attention is given to the formulation of rational, genomically-informed pharmacologic treatment approaches for anxiety disorders. Practical applications for nurse practitioners are presented.

Precision Medicine: Personalized Treatment of Depression

Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs. This science has given rise to the practice of “precision medicine,” which combines pharmacology (the study of medication) and genomics (the study of genes and their functions) to help prescribers make more personalized medication choices. These include which medications to prescribe to different individuals and what doses will have the best effects. This presentation integrates concepts of neurobiology and neuropathology with genetics and genomics to produce new models for diagnosis and personalized treatment for depressive disorders. The results of the GUIDED study are presented to highlight the efficacy of this approach.

The Basics of Precision Healthcare: Introduction to Psychiatric Pharmacogenomics

The pharmacology of psychotropics is complex, and one of the most contemporary tools available to facilitate clinical decision-making is Precision Medicine. Based in pharmacogenomics, this approach combines pharmacology (the study of medication) and genomics (the study of genes and their functions) to help prescribers make more personalized medication choices. This session lays the groundwork for these concepts as the basis for a multitude of applications in precision mental healthcare.

Precision Medicine for Substance Use Disorders

This presentation reframes and reinforces a working knowledge of substance use and dependence in a neurobiological context. Updated disease models are presented as the basis for development of pragmatic clinical approaches. Concepts of pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine are applied to diagnosis and treatment of this challenging set of clinical issues.

Precision Medicine: Genomically-Informed Pain Management Strategies

Every day, more than 90 Americans die after overdosing on opioids. The misuse of opioids is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as social and economic welfare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the total economic burden of prescription opioid misuse in the United States exceeds $78.5 billion annually, including the costs of healthcare, lost productivity, addiction treatment, and criminal justice involvement. The knowledge and application of pharmacogenomics to the treatment of pain operationalizes one of the major priorities of the Department of Health & Human Services to address the opioid crisis.

Epigenetics, Neuroplasticity & Mental Health Interventions

In this foundational course, Dr. Josh Hamilton reviews what epigentics is, why it matters in the development disease, and in what pathways. Learners are encouraged to brush up on cell biology a bit with this presentation and are introduced to topics like: Posttranslational gene modification, acetylation, methylation, ubiquination, and more. Learn about neurohormonal stress, the importance of brain development, pleiotropy and more! This course is critical for all NPs to understand how disease develops and can be passed on to offspring.

Precision Healthcare for Impaired Reality Testing

This session explores the presentation and treatment of psychotic symptoms. Focus is directed to the treatment of schizophrenia, an incurable neuropsychiatric disorder. Up to 34% of patients with schizophrenia have treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Most current treatments for schizophrenia have focused exclusively on dopamine, which can improve the positive symptoms of schizophrenia; however, these therapies are often associated with adverse effects. None of the currently available therapies were designed to specifically target the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Recently, the development and investigation of agents targeting the muscarinic system have demonstrated that these agents may be viable treatment options for patients with schizophrenia and have been shown to improve the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. This session assesses the symptom and treatment burdens faced by patients with schizophrenia and examines the mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of emerging agents with novel therapeutic targets to treat all symptoms associated with schizophrenia.

Realizing the Potential of Rapid-Acting Treatments for Depression

Optimal management of depression begins with adequate screening and early introduction of appropriate therapy; however, monoaminergic antidepressants, which are currently considered the standard of care, have several limitations, including low therapeutic response times, suboptimal efficacy and remission rates, and adverse effects that may impact patient adherence. This session explores novel pathways involved in the etiology of depression, including glutamatergic and GABAergic modulation. Newer pharmacologic agents, including neuroactive steroids and glutamatergic antidepressants are introduced; practical considerations for nurse practitioners are presented and applied to real-world cases.

NPACE KEYNOTE: Renewing the Primary Care Commitment to Mental Health

This keynote discussion surfaces issues related integrated mental health and primary care. Two career nurse practitioners discuss key concepts of integrated healthcare, including tips and practice pearls for nurse practitioners who are striving to address the mental health concerns of patients in the primary care context.

Precision Medicine for Trauma & Stressor-Related Disorders

Updated diagnostic criteria and disease models for trauma and stressor-related disorders are reviewed. Neurobiological and epigenetic mechanisms that underlie stressor-related symptoms are presented as the basis for therapeutic interventions. Specific attention is given to the formulation of rational, genomically-informed pharmacologic treatment approaches for trauma and stressor-related disorders. Practical applications for nurse practitioners are presented.

To Prescribe or Not to Prescribe? Benzodiazepines in an Era of Prescription Drug Abuse

This presentation will focus on the class of anxiolytics known as the benzodiazepines. Over the years, prescribers have had a love/hate relationship with these controlled substances. Upon completion of this presentation, participants will learn the benefits and risks related to the safe prescribing of benzodiazepines for individuals with various symptom presentations. The presentation will address the risks and cautions related to the prescribing of benzodiazepines with various medications, including the opioids and stimulants and in various healthcare settings. Participants also will receive tips to identify the warning signs of benzodiazepine abuse and techniques to safely taper and discontinue these medications to minimize the discomfort of withdrawal.

TIME TO COMPLETE

After you access this bundle on NPACE's website, you will have 90 days to complete the entire contents of the bundle and claim all contents.

CREDITS

NPACE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 14.25 CNE credit(s), of which 11.5 is pharmacology credit. Courses' Expiration Date: December 31st, 2026

DISCLAIMER

The material presented in this continuing education program is being made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to represent the best or only methods, medications and/or guidelines appropriate for the medical situation discussed. Rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the presenter(s), which may be helpful, or of interest to other practitioners and should not be used by clinicians without the evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. NPACE disclaims any liability, loss, injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information given in a presentation.

DISCLOSURE OF UNLABELED USE

This educational activity may mention the uses of products that are not approved by the FDA for the indication(s) being discussed. The presenter(s) are instructed to notify participants when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. The opinions related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the presenter(s) and are not endorsed or recommended by NPACE. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

There is no commercial support for this activity.

ACCREDITED PROVIDER

Provider Accreditation Statement

Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC).

In addition to ANCC, NPACE is approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by: the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP8720 and Florida CE Broker #50-1476.

FACULTY

Josh Hamilton, DNP, RN-BC, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CTMH, CNE, FAANP

Dr. Josh Hamilton bases his clinical practice in Las Vegas, NV. With more than two decades of nursing experience, he also holds professorial appointments, leadership positions and consults extensively in the higher education space. Previously, he was Associate Medical Director for the largest managed care behavioral health network in the Desert Southwest. He served on the Nevada Board of Nursing’s Advanced Practice and Educational Advisory Committees and spearheaded the Donate Life campaign at the state level.

His professional interests include neurobiology, pharmacology and epigenetics. He is an internationally-recognized speaker on these (and related) topics at conferences and professional meetings. He works with a variety of organizations to develop, review and present live and enduring continuing education activities. Engagements include the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Myriad Neuroscience, MedIQ, Nurse Practitioner Continuing Education Associates (NPACE), and Vindico Medical Education. He serves on the psychiatric medication working group at the Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science & Innovation, a FDA-sponsored project at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Hamilton earned his doctorate in nursing from Rush University in Chicago. At the University of Wyoming, he earned a baccalaureate degree in Natural Science and Mathematics as well as a master’s degree in Nursing. He also has an undergraduate degree in Biology. He is nationally certified as a psychiatric-mental health nurse; family nurse practitioner; family psychiatric nurse practitioner, telemental healthcare provider, and nurse educator. He was recognized as a doctoral scholar by the National League for Nursing, and he is a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. He was recognized for establishing a unique clinic structure that improves access to cost-effective, convenient, quality mental healthcare. His academic connections fostered synergies and renewed attention to nursing education that focuses on care for the vulnerable mentally ill population in Nevada and across the nation. Dr. Hamilton is also a master clinical psychopharmacologist (through the Neuroscience Education Institute), and he was the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus at his alma mater, the University of Wyoming. He is the Nevada state representative for AANP.

A classically trained pianist, Dr. Hamilton enjoys live music, international travel and automobiles. He is an active supporter of local animal rescue and rehoming efforts, as well as charities that provide critical transportation for patients in need of distant life-saving specialty healthcare. Dr. Hamilton grew up in Casper, Wyoming, with his sights set on medical school. He originally pursued a nursing degree thinking the experience would make him a better physician. Along the way, he discovered an affinity and passion for the humanistic, health-promoting philosophy of nursing. He has since devoted his career to clinical practice, furthering the cause of the profession and educating future leaders in the healthcare field.

Learn more about Dr. Josh Hamilton at www.linkedin.com/in/hamiltondnp