Products and Resources Catalog

  View the slides: Cultural Linguistic and Appropriate Services (CLAS)   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     Learn more about this series: First Episode Psychosis Webinar Series & Learning Community

About the Session: This 60-minute session provides a brief overview of what early psychosis is, including signs and symptoms, how symptoms occur on a continuum, treatment options, the promise of early intervention and common barriers to care, and how school providers can recognize and respond to early signs. Session slides can be accessed by clicking the DOWNLOAD button above The video recording can be accessed below Resources of interest shared during the session can be accessed here Intended Audience: This introductory-level learning series is geared toward the following school personnel from middle and high schools: School mental health providers, such as school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and other mental health professionals (those hired by the school and those who work for a community organization and come into the school to provide school mental health services) School nurses/school health aides, and other primary care partners working in schools School educators, administrators, school resource officers, and mental health peer leaders Please note: This is session 1 of a 3-part Introductory Series, Early Psychosis 101: Basics for Supporting Students. Learn more about the speakers for this session and access information about the other sessions in the series here.

This clinical brief is intended to introduce mental health providers to the current understanding of culturally responsive care in early psychosis by providing an overview of culturally responsive tools and models for early psychosis (EP) care and highlighting the need for the continued development of a culturally responsive care (CRC) model within EP care.

  Up to one-third of individuals experiencing early psychosis use cannabis and one in four meet criteria for a cannabis use disorder. Cannabis use is associated with multiple devastating outcomes, including relapse, rehospitalization, increased psychotic symptoms, reduced treatment engagement and medication adherence. Cannabis is considered the most preventable cause of psychosis relapse. This presentation will disentangle some of the myths and facts of cannabis such as, “Is cannabis addictive?” and provide contextual information for how cannabis has changed since legalization of a retail market. The rationale and importance of addressing cannabis use in psychosis treatment informed by the current science will be reviewed. Best practices for cannabis assessment and consequences will be briefly described including the challenges posed by retail cannabis markets and products. Motivational enhancement therapy for cannabis misuse, an evidence-based practice, will be presented.   Presented by: Denise Walker is a Research Professor at the University of Washington, Director of the Innovative Programs Research Group and is a licensed clinical psychologist. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico, completed her predoctoral internship at Yale University and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington.  A main area of her research expertise is on the development and evaluation of interventions for cannabis use disorders for both adults and adolescents, utilizing brief interventions (Motivational Enhancement Therapy, MET), longer courses of treatment (MET+CBT), and aftercare. She has been involved in the development and evaluation of the Teen Marijuana Check-Up (TMCU), a school-based intervention to elicit self-referral by heavy using adolescents.  The TMCU has been the focus of five clinical trials and is identified as an “Evidence Based” intervention on the NREPP.  For the past three years, Dr. Walker has been applying her work to psychosis populations and is currently the PI of two grants focused on the adaptation of MET to address cannabis use among young adults with psychosis.     Learn more about this series: First Episode Psychosis Webinar Series & Learning Community

This is a recording of Region 9's webinar, "California CARE Court: What Providers Need to Know" that took place on August 8, 2023.    In this session, the Pacific Southwest MHTTC brought together key stakeholders in the California’s CARE Act, including Orange County’s Chief of Mental Health and Recovery Services Dr Veronica Kelley, Urban Los Angeles NAMI Executive Director Harold Turner, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Honorable James Bianco and the former Director of the Saks Institute for Mental Health Law, Policy, and Ethics, Christopher Schneiders.  These subject area experts each presented an overview of the CARE Act and discussed the opportunities and challenges to self-determination for individuals with serious mental illness (SDM, PADs, Care Plans). Pacific Southwest MHTTC’s Research Associate, Amanda Lipp moderated this panel and a discussion on the CARE Act's new framework for family members and other stakeholders to petition the courts and provide support during the CARE process.   This panel presentation video is suitable for a viewership of leaders within the peer, family-advocacy, judicial, and mental health field.

  Presented by: Marla Smith, MS, LMHP, LMHC 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

Behavioral health practitioners and organizations are often required to determine whether a particular intervention meets the needs of their clients, staff, and/or funders. The Best and Promising Practice (BPP) Fact Sheet Library, developed by the MHTTC Network, is designed to provide the mental health workforce with information about a wide array of evidence-based and promising approaches. Each fact sheet in the library summarizes a specific behavioral health practice, its evidence base, and steps for successful implementation.  In this sheet, we provide an overview of the principles and practices of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp).

Individuals recovering from a first episode of psychosis are prone to high rates of comorbid medical disorders due to a combination of lifestyle, medication, and self-management factors. This presentation provides practical guidance regarding strategies for promoting a healthier lifestyle and integrated training in mental health and physical illness self-management. Principles of effective supports to improve physical health in persons with FEP, as well as multi-episode clients, are illustrated with clinical vignettes.   Presenter: Kim T. Mueser, Ph.D. is Professor of Occupational Therapy and Psychological and Brain Sciences, researcher at the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University, and Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. His research interests are on the development and evaluation of psychosocial interventions for persons with serious mental illnesses.   This webinar was co-hosted by the Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET).   View a recording of this 7/28/23 session here. 

2023 marked a significant expansion of behavioral health resources for individuals, families, and providers in Massachusetts. Beginning this year, Massachusetts implemented key components of its Behavioral Health Roadmap at the same time the Massachusetts Psychosis Access & Triage Hub (M-PATH) began providing services. Combined, Community Behavioral Health Centers (CBHCs), DMH’s Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL), and M-PATH have vastly expanded access to behavioral health services across the Commonwealth. This is an overview detailing the who-what-when-where-why-and-how (to access) these critical new resources.   Presenters: Dr. Margaret Guyer, PhD, Michael Stepansky, MPP   This webinar was co-hosted by the Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET, www.mapnet.online)   View a recording of this 6/30/23 event here. 

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.

The New England MHTTC is one of 10 regional Centers funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Our mission is to support the dissemination of evidence-based mental health practices across Health and Human Services (HHS) Region 1, which includes the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Our team is led by the Yale Program for Recovery and Community Health, in partnership with the Harvard Department of Psychiatry, and C4 Innovations. Our activities are guided by a robust advisory team consisting of people with lived experience, direct care practitioners, family advocates, and organizational and state leaders. Collectively, these partnerships support our efforts to address mental health priorities across the lifespan in a manner that is responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.   This report describes our work in Year 4 from August 15, 2021 thru August 14, 2022

Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based technique for engaging ambivalent patients in conversations about behavior change. Dr. Kline presents her research on adapting motivational interviewing for family caregivers of adolescents and young adults with first episode psychosis and other mental health and substance use disorders.   Dr. Emily Kline is a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. She serves as the Director of Psychological Services for the Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis team and leads the Motivational Interviewing for Loved Ones lab at Boston Medical Center.   This webinar was co-hosted by the Massachusetts Psychosis Network for Early Treatment (MAPNET, www.mapnet.online)   View a recording of this 4/28/23 session here. 

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]  

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]  

This handout was prepared for the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) for Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) providers in region 6. This contains a list of resources to help CSC providers support young people in CSC to access the best school accommodations possible for their needs. As each young person experiencing psychosis needs something different, the list describes education law and a range of possible accommodations.  

The purpose of the Case Conceptualization for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) series is to introduce FEP therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders to three different case conceptualization approaches. In the first three sessions of this series, attendees learned the basics of building a Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) case conceptualization. Please see attached for the presentation slides from Session 3, which took place on December 8, 2022.

The purpose of the Case Conceptualization for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) series is to introduce FEP therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders to three different case conceptualization approaches. In the first three sessions of this series, attendees learned the basics of building a Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) case conceptualization. Please see attached for the presentation slides from Session 3, which took place on December 8, 2022.

The purpose of the Case Conceptualization for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) series is to introduce FEP therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders to three different case conceptualization approaches. In the first three sessions of this series, attendees learned the basics of building a Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) case conceptualization. Please see attached for the presentation slides from Session 3, which took place on December 8, 2022. Understanding my experiences with CBT-P:  Fillable Form

The purpose of the Case Conceptualization for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) series is to introduce FEP therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders to three different case conceptualization approaches. In the first three sessions of this series, attendees learned the basics of building a Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) case conceptualization. Please see attached for the presentation slides from Session 3, which took place on December 8, 2022. Understanding my experiences with CBTp Worksheet: Fillable Form

The purpose of the Case Conceptualization for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) series is to introduce FEP therapists, skills trainers, and team leaders to three different case conceptualization approaches. In the first three sessions of this series, attendees learned the basics of building a Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-P) case conceptualization. Please see attached for the presentation slides from Session 3, which took place on December 8, 2022.  

This webinar was presented on January 19, 2023, and was hosted by the South Southwest MHTTC.  This recorded webinar provides a strong philosophical and practice foundation for integrating developmentally-attuned evidence-based vocational service strategies to promote work and school engagement among young people with serious mental health needs. Dr. Vanessa Vorhies Klodnick, Ph.D., LCSW, Laura Stevens, M.Ed., LPC, and Eshawn Spencer, MS, QIDP, CRC, LPC, share both direct practice and program management strategies based on their successful integration of effective multidisciplinary service models, which include clinical, vocational and peer elements. Participants will leave the training energized and armed with simple strategies that can be integrated into a program, team, and individual practice level to promote vocational engagement and career development. Download Presentation Slide Deck Here

The CBT-P worksheet above is meant to be completed with one of the people on your treatment team. You do not have to participate in CBT-P therapy to complete this worksheet. The worksheet can help you:    •Better understand your experiences or patterns in your life    •Explain your experiences to a treatment team member    •Come up with new ideas for changing things in your life you want to change    •Share experiences with family, friends, or other support people