Presented by:
Marla Smith, MS, LMHP, LMHC
Marla Smith has been an integral part of the Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) since November 2020. Her primary role involves coordinating behavioral health training, particularly focusing on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. As a licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Nebraska and Iowa, Marla brings extensive experience, having worked directly with clients of all ages for nearly 20 years. Her approach emphasizes the importance of connection, meeting individuals where they are, and using respectful, trauma-informed communication to support positive change. Marla holds a Master's degree in Youth and Family Services from Bellevue University. Outside of work, she cherishes family time and indulges in crafting as a favorite pastime.
Angela Schindler-Berg, MS, LMHP
Angela Schindler-Berg is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and has worked with primary care clinics and integrated community-based mental health services for over 25 years.
As the Nebraska Project Lead for HealthTeamWorks, Angie promotes healthcare delivery that utilizes evidence based mental health practices, effective team-based care, care management resources, quality improvement processes, and strategic population health to improve the quality of health/life for individuals. As a practice facilitator Ms. Schindler-Berg has worked on CMS/CMMI initiatives such as the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC+) and with SAMHSA on the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Initiative (PBHCI).
Currently, Ms. Schindler-Berg supports the University of Nebraska Medical Center-Munroe Meyer Institute as a contracted Regional Trainer with the Region 7 Mid-America Mental Health Technical Transfer Center (MHTTC) She facilitates a collaborative network of supports, focusing on resource development and dissemination, training and technical assistance, and workforce development for the mental health field.
Angie received her Master of Science with Drake University in Rehabilitation Administration and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. She brings expertise in integrated care, mental health, care management, crisis intervention and trauma informed care.
Learn more about this series: First Episode Psychosis Webinar Series & Learning Community
Presented by:
Marla Smith, MS, LMHP, LMHC
Marla Smith has been an integral part of the Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) since November 2020. Her primary role involves coordinating behavioral health training, particularly focusing on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. As a licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Nebraska and Iowa, Marla brings extensive experience, having worked directly with clients of all ages for nearly 20 years. Her approach emphasizes the importance of connection, meeting individuals where they are, and using respectful, trauma-informed communication to support positive change. Marla holds a Master's degree in Youth and Family Services from Bellevue University. Outside of work, she cherishes family time and indulges in crafting as a favorite pastime.
Learn more about this series: First Episode Psychosis Webinar Series & Learning Community
Additional Resources:
Privilege Grouping.pdf
Providing Culturally Responsive Care and Addressing Cross-Cultural Barriers in Early Psychosis.pdf
Presented by:
Marla Smith, MS, LMHP, LMHC
Marla Smith has been an integral part of the Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) since November 2020. Her primary role involves coordinating behavioral health training, particularly focusing on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. As a licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Nebraska and Iowa, Marla brings extensive experience, having worked directly with clients of all ages for nearly 20 years. Her approach emphasizes the importance of connection, meeting individuals where they are, and using respectful, trauma-informed communication to support positive change. Marla holds a Master's degree in Youth and Family Services from Bellevue University. Outside of work, she cherishes family time and indulges in crafting as a favorite pastime.
Learn more about this series: First Episode Psychosis Webinar Series & Learning Community
Presented by:
Jessica Christensen, M.Ed, holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and a master’s in Education. With over a decade of middle school teaching experience, she moved from the classroom to the non-profit sector. Following the conclusion of Please Pass the Love in May 2023, she transitioned from Please Pass the Love to a full-time role at MHTTC. Jessica offers valuable insights to enhance mental well-being in education, empowering educators, and guiding districts to strengthen their mental health frameworks.
Learn more about this series: First Episode Psychosis Webinar Series & Learning Community
View the slides:
Implementing Peer Support Specialists in a First Episode Psychosis Program
Author: Marla Smith, MS, LMHP, LMHC
Marla Smith has been an integral part of the Mid-America Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) since November 2020. Her primary role involves coordinating behavioral health training, particularly focusing on individuals diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. As a licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Nebraska and Iowa, Marla brings extensive experience, having worked directly with clients of all ages for nearly 20 years. Her approach emphasizes the importance of connection, meeting individuals where they are, and using respectful, trauma-informed communication to support positive change. Marla holds a Master's degree in Youth and Family Services from Bellevue University. Outside of work, she cherishes family time and indulges in crafting as a favorite pastime.
Learn more about this Learning Community: First Episode Psychosis Learning Community
Presented by:
Angie Schindler-Berg, MS, LMHP
Angela Schindler-Berg is a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner and has worked with primary care clinics and integrated community-based mental health services for over 25 years.
As the Nebraska Project Lead for HealthTeamWorks, Angie promotes healthcare delivery that utilizes evidence based mental health practices, effective team-based care, care management resources, quality improvement processes, and strategic population health to improve the quality of health/life for individuals. As a practice facilitator Ms. Schindler-Berg has worked on CMS/CMMI initiatives such as the Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC+) and with SAMHSA on the Primary and Behavioral Health Care Initiative (PBHCI).
Currently, Ms. Schindler-Berg supports the University of Nebraska Medical Center-Munroe Meyer Institute as a contracted Regional Trainer with the Region 7 Mid-America Mental Health Technical Transfer Center (MHTTC) She facilitates a collaborative network of supports, focusing on resource development and dissemination, training and technical assistance, and workforce development for the mental health field.
Angie received her Master of Science with Drake University in Rehabilitation Administration and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling. She brings expertise in integrated care, mental health, care management, crisis intervention and trauma informed care.
Learn more about this Learning Community: First Episode Psychosis Learning Community
Author: Dr. Nicholas Breitborde, Ph. D.
Dr. Nicholas Breitborde is Professor and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University and Director of the OSU Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICENTER). He serves as a Content Area Expert for the Global Burden of Disease Study and is a member of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Serious Mental Illness/Severe Emotional Disturbances. To date, his research has been cited over 40,000 times and has been funded by agencies such as the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Learn more about this Learning Community: First Episode Psychosis Learning Community
Additional resource:
National School Mental Health Implementation Guidance Modules and Related Projects
Presented by:
Jessica Christensen, M.Ed, holds a bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and a master’s in Education. With over a decade of middle school teaching experience, she moved from the classroom to the non-profit sector. Following the conclusion of Please Pass the Love in May 2023, she transitioned from Please Pass the Love to a full-time role at MHTTC. Jessica offers valuable insights to enhance mental well-being in education, empowering educators, and guiding districts to strengthen their mental health frameworks.
Learn more about this Learning Community: First Episode Psychosis Learning Community
