Psych Meds Decoded Workshop
Demystify psychiatric medications with practical tools and insights designed to enhance therapy, not replace it.
Psych Meds Decoded Workshop
Understand psychotropic medications from a psychologist’s perspective so you can support clients effectively and safely.
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What You Will Get
7Â hours of CPD in a face-to-face format
(Not offered online or via Zoom at this time.)
All workshop materials will be provided in hard copy on the day of the training.
Presented by Dr Al Griskaitis (Psychiatrist) and Jess O’Garr (Clinical Psychologist).
Course Outline
Most therapists were never properly taught psychopharmacology.
Yet every week, you sit with clients who are taking medication, stopping medication, thinking about medication, or struggling because of medication.
This workshop is designed to bridge that gap.
Psych Meds Decoded is a practical, clinician-focused training that explains how psychiatric medications actually work, using clear, memorable frameworks that make sense in the therapy room — not just in a textbook.
This is not a prescribing course.
This is a therapy-informed medication course.
It will help you understand what medication is doing to your client’s brain, emotions, behaviour, and therapy progress — so you can respond more effectively as a therapist.
Led by Dr Al Griskaitis, Psychiatrist, and Jess O’Garr, Clinical Psychologist, this workshop covers:
- How antidepressants actually work (beyond the serotonin myth)
- Understanding different classes of psychotropic medications and their indications
- Why emotional numbing happens
- How to identify when psychotropic medication may be blocking progress in therapy
- Red flags that suggest medication might need review
- A practical, clinician-friendly framework to discuss medication issues with clients
- When medication may be helping therapy
- When medication may be interfering with therapy
- The side effects and withdrawal considerations relevant to therapy
- How to collaborate effectively with prescribing doctors
- How to help clients make informed decisions about medication
- Real-life clinical examples demonstrating how medication interacts with therapy progress
This workshop bridges the gap between psychiatry and psychological practice, giving clinicians practical tools to navigate conversations about medications confidently, without stepping outside your professional boundaries.
Why This Workshop Matters
Many clinicians feel unsure when:
- A client says their medication “isn’t working”
- A client feels emotionally numb
- A client is more anxious after starting medication
- A client wants to stop medication
- A client asks, “Do you think I should be on meds?”
- A psychiatrist changes medication and the client suddenly changes in therapy
- Therapy has stalled and you suspect medication may be part of the reason
Most therapists were trained to either:
- Avoid talking about medication, or
- Tell the client to “talk to their doctor”
But with the majority of our clients on medications, this leaves us out of the conversation.
This workshop teaches you how to confidently work in that space.
What Makes This Workshop Different
This is not a lecture on drug names and dosages.
Instead, we teach medication through a simple, practical framework that explains how medications affect:
- Emotional sensitivity
- Mental arousal (racing thoughts vs fog)
- Physical arousal (anxiety, panic, agitation)
- Motivation and drive
- Sedation and sleep
Once you understand these five dials, psychiatric medication suddenly makes sense and you can start to see why:
- Some clients feel numb
- Some feel flat and tired
- Some feel wired and anxious
- Some can finally engage in therapy
- Some get worse instead of better
You will start to see medication not as “good” or “bad”, but as something that changes the conditions in which therapy happens.
 Don’t wait - places fill quickly! Book your spot today for only $400
Book The Workshop
Who Should Take This Course:
Workshop Details:
More Information
Do you include catering?
Where is Kirrawee Library+?
Is this available online?
Taught by Experienced Clinicians
Dr Al Griskaitis
Psychiatrist
Brings extensive experience prescribing and managing psychotropic medications for complex mental health conditions.
Jessica O’Garr
Clinical PsychologistÂ
Offers the psychologist’s perspective on integrating medication knowledge into therapeutic practice.
Together, Al and Jess bridge the knowledge gap between psychiatry and psychology, making the topic approachable and practical for everyday clinical work.
Testimonials
I've been to all of the Psych Collective workshops and they've been incredibly valuable.
Worth every dollar and hour taken out of my week. The content is well delivered and explained. Jess and Al are extremely knowledgeable in these fields. I'm looking forward to the next workshop they put together.
-Â Claudine
This learning experience was highly valuable and unique.
A psychiatrist who communicates the ways every day people talk, easy to understand, relatable and approachable. I would recommend this workshop without hesitation.
-Â Khoa
Jess and Al are very professional and down to earth.
I found the workshop effective, I learned skills now used with my clients with effective outcomes. Information shared is evidence based and used in real life situations. Highly recommend.
-Â Kelly
Fantastic!
Not only did Dr Al and Jess cover the topic with extreme depth and clinical knowledge, but they also motivated that professional development and enthusiasm. I found myself excited to share the knowledge with my client and put skills into practice. I can't wait for the next one.
- Cameron
This workshop is exactly what I was looking for as a clinician.
Medication has always been something I was seeking to gain further information of and I feel that Dr Al did a brilliant job of communication the essentials. This workshop was easy to follow and gave incredibly helpful insight. The resources provided or a great way to consolidate the information beyond the day.
-Â Lexi
Workshop Details
Location
Kirrawee Library+
6 Kiln Rd,
Kirrawee NSW 2232
Catering
Kirrawee Library+ is located in South Village Shopping Centre, which hosts multiple cafes, restaurants and grocery stores. There is a small fridge and microwave if you wish to self-cater.
Access
As a public venue, Kirrawee Library+ has disabled access.Â
Getting here
Kirrawee Library+ is in the Sutherland Shire in southern Sydney. It is 400m from Kirrawee Train Station, and parking is available at the underground car park.Â
Filming
We may choose to film all or parts of this workshop for our use later. The focus will be on the presenters, but some participants may be visible in wider shots. Please let us know if this is an issue. Â
Cancellation Policy
Full refund minus $25 processing fee with at least 14 days’ notice.
For cancellations under 14 days, booking fees will be forfeited.
