13461. MOOD DISORDERS: A FOCUS ON BIPOLAR DISORDER FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE TREATING CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST. Following an overview of the prevalence, etiology, and symptomatology of the principal mood disorders (i.e., major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder), this paper focuses on the diagnosis and treatment (medication and psychotherapeutic) of bipolar disorder (focusing on bipolar I and bipolar II). The intended audience for this review is the clinical psychologist. Although medication treatment under the primary direction of a psychiatrist is the generally accepted first-line treatment for both major depression and bipolar disorder, “talk therapies” (particularly cognitive-behavioral therapies) under the direction of a skilled and trained clinical psychologist are a vital adjunctive treatment modality in mood disorders. 27 pages, 42 footnotes, 28 bibliographic sources.