Resources for Individuals with Psychosis
Experiencing a psychotic episode can be a scary and stressful experience. However, there are a number of communities, treatment programs, and resources available to help.
The SPIRIT Lab at the University of Washington trains a number of clinicians, agencies, and concerned individuals in evidence-based treatments for people experiencing psychosis.
Please see below for a short collection of available programs and resources for diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnosis and Assessment
After experiencing your First Episode of Psychosis (FEP), there are several places within Washington state that provide resources for an initial assessment and diagnosis. One of those is New Journeys, a statewide program designed to support people experiencing FEP.
Treatment
The most common early treatment model for psychosis is Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC), a program that typically includes common elements such as low doses of atypical antipsychotic medications, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, family education and support, peer support, and case management.
To this end, there are several CSC programs available in Washington State, with varying levels of intensity. At SPIRIT lab we specialize in:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp); a type of talk therapy designed to help individuals experiencing psychosis understand and manage their delusions, provide them with skills training, and begin working towards recovery
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT or PACT); a more intensive form of coordinated care for people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders or bipolar disorder who often access high intensity services (i.e. inpatient, jail) and have difficulty functioning on their own. ACT assigns these individuals a care team that aims to be available to the service user 24/7.
Early Psychosis Treatment in Washington →