Course Description
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly disabling condition, and anhedonia is one of its most persistent and clinically challenging symptoms. Despite affecting the majority of individuals with MDD, anhedonia is often under‑recognized and not adequately treated by traditional monoaminergic antidepressants. This webinar will explore the complex neurobiological mechanisms contributing to anhedonia, including disruptions in glutamatergic signaling, inflammatory pathways, and reward‑related neural circuits. Learners will review emerging evidence for novel treatments along with practical considerations for dosing, monitoring, and patient selection. By strengthening assessment skills and treatment knowledge, this webinar aims to equip psychiatric pharmacists to more effectively identify and address anhedonia in clinical practice.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the biological and clinical mechanisms underlying anhedonia in major depressive disorder (MDD).
- Assess anhedonia in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) using evidence-based tools.
- Outline an evidence-based treatment plan to address symptoms of anhedonia in a patient with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Target Audience
If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or other health care professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of individuals living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, we invite you to participate in this online course.
Faculty
View biographical information
Lisa Harding MD is a board-certified psychiatrist and a leading expert in treatment-resistant depression, specializing in advanced interventional psychiatric treatments. As the owner and medical director of Mood Institute, a premier psychiatric intervention practice, she is dedicated to providing innovative mental health solutions tailored to the needs of her patients. Dr. Harding also serves as an expert consultant for Harding Consulting, advising hospitals, medical practices and pharmaceutical companies on effective treatment strategies for individuals suffering from depression.
A graduate of Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Harding completed her residency at Yale Psychiatric Hospital, where she was appointed chief resident of interventional psychiatry services. She currently holds the position of assistant clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale, where she remains at the forefront of breakthroughs in treatment-resistant depression. Her leadership roles include serving on the board of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and as vice president of the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners.
Dr. Harding has received numerous accolades for her teaching and mentorship, including the 2024 Irma Bland, MD, Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Residents, and the prestigious Rappeport Fellowship from the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. She is actively involved in shaping national psychiatric policy and advocacy, ensuring that the voices of patients and practitioners are heard in the evolving landscape of mental health care.
Course Requirements
To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:
- Register for this course.
- Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
- Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
- Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.
Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures
Activity Dates: 10/2/2026-10/2/2029
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.25
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-##-###-###-P (Application)
 | The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. |
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.
View Faculty and Program Planning Committee Disclosures of Interest
Faculty: Lisa Harding, MD has nothing to disclose
Planning Committee: Members and disclosures listed here.
View AAPP's Disclaimer and Disclosure Declarations
AAPP Disclaimer: Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without 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. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure: Faculty of this CME/CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. CME Outfitters, LLC, the faculty, planners, and American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.
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View AAPP's Fair Balance and Integrity Statement
It is the policy of AAPP to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in continuing education activities. Those involved in the development of this continuing education activity have made all reasonable efforts to ensure that information contained herein is accurate in accordance with the latest available scientific knowledge at the time of accreditation of this continuing education activity. Information regarding drugs (e.g., their administration, dosages, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, special warnings, and precautions) and drug delivery systems is subject to change, however, and the reader is advised to check the manufacturer’s package insert for information concerning recommended dosage and potential problems or cautions prior to dispensing or administering the drug or using the drug delivery systems.
Fair balance is achieved through ongoing and thorough review of all materials produced by faculty, and all educational and advertising materials produced by supporting organizations, prior to educational offerings. Approval of credit for this continuing education activity does not imply endorsement by AAPP for any product or manufacturer identified.