Bipolar Disorder: Assessment, Therapeutic Interventions, and Treatment Planning.

This 4-week hybrid course provides a comprehensive, clinically focused exploration of bipolar disorder across the lifespan. Participants will gain the knowledge and practical skills needed to accurately assess, diagnose, and develop evidence-based treatment plans for individuals experiencing bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, and other specified or unspecified bipolar disorders.

The course integrates theoretical frameworks, neurobiological underpinnings, and psychosocial factors contributing to mood dysregulation. Participants will learn to identify early warning signs, manage comorbidities, assess suicide risk, and apply phase-specific interventions tailored to depressive, manic, hypomanic, and mixed episodes.

Evidence-based interventions, including pharmacotherapy collaboration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), psychoeducation, and family-focused therapy, will be emphasized. The hybrid format combines live interactive sessions, recorded lectures, applied exercises, case consultations, and reflective assignments, equipping participants with practical skills for stabilization, symptom management, and long-term relapse prevention.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Accurately identify and diagnose bipolar spectrum disorders using DSM-5-TR criteria
• Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, including risk and functional impact evaluations
• Develop individualized, phase-based treatment plans addressing manic, hypomanic, depressive, and mixed episodes
• Apply evidence-based psychosocial interventions and collaborate effectively with prescribing providers
• Integrate culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and ethical practices into treatment planning
• Support long-term stabilization, functional improvement, and relapse prevention