The South Southwest MHTTC Case Conceptualization Series for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) brought together FEP providers, including therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders, from across the south southwest region to learn about how case conceptualization can guide team-based, recovery-oriented FEP services. The three-part series included nine sessions and covered the basics of case conceptualization and three different evidence-based approaches for case conceptualization: Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P), Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia, and Compassion Focused Therapy for Psychosis.

In March 2023, the South Southwest MHTTC hosted Dr. Jason Schiffman for the webinar “Education, Special Education, and Accommodations for Students with Psychosis: Working with Youth, Families, Teachers, and Schools.” The recording from this presentation and handouts can be viewed here. During this webinar, audience members brainstormed accommodations that might assist students with psychosis.     The following list was generated from those responses. This list can serve as a guide in identifying accommodations that may be helpful for you, a loved one, or someone you are working with. This list, however, is not meant to provide any requirements or recommendations for an individual student, as each student’s needs are unique.  

The South Southwest MHTTC hosted Dr. Samantha Reznik who presented on Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) from October – December 2022. In these three sessions of the series, attendees were introduced to case conceptualization and building a CBT-P case conceptualization for young people in early psychosis programs. The series included both didactic and experiential components.     Facilitator: Samantha Reznik, PhD       Samantha Reznik is a licensed clinical psychologist and Research Associate with the Advancing the Early Psychosis Intervention Network in Texas (EPINET-TX) project at the Texas Institute for Excellence in Mental Health (TIEMH), University of Texas at Austin. She has specialized training in providing recovery-oriented services to individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and other underserved populations. She completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Arizona. She trained in Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) at the Early Psychosis Intervention Center (EPICenter) in Tucson, Arizona. She completed an advanced clinical fellowship in rehabilitation and recovery for SMI at VA San Diego Healthcare System/University of California San Diego (VASDHS/UCSD), where she expanded her training in CBT-P and learned how to integrate Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R). She also completed a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded clinical internship at University of Kansas Medical Center to specialize in working with underserved populations. Visit Website Email at [email protected]  

The South Southwest MHTTC hosted Dr. Amy Weisman de Mamani who presented on Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia (CIT-S) from January – March 2023. In these three sessions of the series, attendees were introduced to building a CIT-S case conceptualization for young people in early psychosis programs. The series included both didactic and experiential components.     Learning Objectives Conceptualize and treat people with schizophrenia and their family members using a systems framework that shifts blame away from any one person in the family system and instead helps the family view themselves as a team with shared mutual goals. Draw upon clients’ cultural, religious, and spiritual beliefs, traditions, and practices in helping them cope with symptoms of mental illness and live a healthier, happier life. Assist clients by helping them establish communication patterns and problem-solving skills that will allow them to better manage their mental health and advocate for themselves effectively and respectfully, in a manner that aligns with their cultural values.         Amy Weisman de Mamani, PhD Amy Weisman de Mamani is a Professor at the University of Miami and a licensed clinical psychologist. She earned her doctorate at The University of Southern California and completed her clinical internship at UCLA. Her research is focused on family and cultural factors that influence the course and outcome of serious mental illness. She has published approximately 100 manuscripts in areas related to culture and mental illness. In 2021, she published a treatment manual on her Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia, in the Treatments that Work Series by Oxford University Press. Her research has been funded by NIMH, The John Templeton foundation, APA, and other agencies. In 2018, she was the recipient of the Stanley Sue Award for Distinguished Contributions to Diversity in Clinical Psychology by APA’s Division 12 (Clinical Psychology). In 2021, she received the Trailblazer Award from ABCT’s Psychosis and Schizophrenia Spectrum Special Interest Group. Visit Work Website View Curriculum Vitae View Flyer for Culturally Informed Therapy for Schizophrenia: A Family-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Approach, Clinician Guide Email at [email protected]  

The South Southwest MHTTC hosted Dr. Charlie Heriot-Maitland who presented on Compassion Focused Therapy from April - June 2023. In these three sessions of the series, attendees were introduced Compassion Focused Therapy case conceptualization for young people in early psychosis programs. The series included both didactic and experiential components.   http://relatingtovoices.com/       This is the first video of The Engaging with Voices videos series. These videos are intended as inspiration and support for people interested in compassionate approaches to voices. Please find the entire series on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdzGLNoWU8c&t=1s.   Facilitator   Charlie Heriot-Maitland, PhD, DClinPsy I am a clinical psychologist, researcher, author, and trainer at Balanced Minds, UK (balancedminds.com). I have recently spent five years researching the application of Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) for people in United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) who are experiencing distress in relation to psychosis as an MRC Research Fellow at King’s College London and University of Glasgow. I provide CFT therapy, supervision, consultation, and training. I have run over a hundred various compassion training workshops both nationally and internationally, and have co-authored (with Eleanor Longden) a new self-help book for voice-hearers.     Email at [email protected]