Products and Resources Catalog

December 1, 2021   Join us for this listening session to gain insight on the early signs and symptoms of psychosis, review the research on early intervention, and access tools that help young people connect with care. Specialized early intervention provides the best hope for recovery and growth for teens and young adults who are starting to experience psychosis.   To download the slides, click here. To watch the recording, click on "view resource".   Presenter(s):  Kelsey Johnson, MPH Dan Johnston Raquelle Mesholam-Gately, PhD Courtney Spitzer Martha Staeheli, PhD  

ABOUT THIS RESOURCE "Family Bridger Pilot Program: Preliminary Feasibility and Acceptability of a Peer Navigator Model of Support for Caregivers of Loved Ones Experiencing Early Psychosis," poster produced by Matthew Christiansen, Akansha Vaswani-Bye, and Maria Monroe-DeVita for the 2021 Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) Annual Convention. What is the Family Bridger Program? The Family Bridger (FB) is a novel peer-to-peer model of support to address unmet needs of caregivers of loved ones experiencing early psychosis. While family and caregiver engagement is critical to improving long-term outcomes of individuals experiencing early psychosis, negative caregiver experiences can impede recovery. Peer navigator models have been demonstrated to be a successful method of addressing unmet caregiver needs, though such support for caregivers of loved ones experiencing psychosis is limited. The Family Bridger Program was developed to train caregivers with long-term lived experience caring for an individual experiencing psychosis (Family Bridgers) to serve as peer navigators to address these needs for newer caregivers via interpersonal support, education, advocacy, resource provision, and skill building. Family Bridgers work collaboratively with caregivers to identify needs, co-develop a plan of action, and work with families to meet identified needs. This pilot program was hosted by the Northwest MHTTC in partnership with the SPIRIT Lab at the University of Washington, the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and the Washington State Center of Excellence in Early Psychosis. Terms of use and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) disclosure statement

The presenters discussed the ways that people change for the better after experiencing an episode of psychosis and what may facilitate such change.    

October 22, 2021 Presenter(s): Michelle Friedman-Yakoobian, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. She is the Co-Founder and Director of Research and Development of the Center for Early Detection, Assessment, and Response to Risk (www.cedarclinic.org), the first program in MA that provides early intervention to youth who are at clinical high risk for psychotic disorders. Dr. Friedman-Yakoobian’s career has been devoted to the development and implementation of effective psychosocial interventions for individuals experiencing psychosis (or signs of risk) and their families. Emily E. Carol, PhD, is the clinic director of the Support, Treatment, and Resilience (STAR) Program at McLean Hospital. In this role, she is involved in STAR’s clinical, outreach, research, and training initiatives. Her expertise is in early identification and intervention for emerging serious mental illness in teens and young adults, including psychosis spectrum and bipolar disorders. She is also a member of the Laboratory for Early Psychosis (LEAP) Center.  

Family psychoeducation is an evidence-based treatment for individuals with psychotic disorders. In this introductory presentation, we will review the common elements of family psychoeducation and benefits of this intervention. We will also discuss specific considerations for clinicians providing family psychoeducation to relatives of individuals early in the course of a psychotic disorder.

Family psychoeducation is an evidence-based treatment for individuals with psychotic disorders. In this introductory presentation, we will review the common elements of family psychoeducation and benefits of this intervention. We will also discuss specific considerations for clinicians providing family psychoeducation to relatives of individuals early in the course of a psychotic disorder.

This presentation will focus on discussing the importance of integrating cultural humility and structural competence within the Coordinated Specialty Care service delivery framework. We will review the Cultural Formulation Interview and discuss ways in which it can be effectively used when working with program participants and family members to gain a better understanding of the individual's cultural context and inform treatment practices.   To watch the recording, click here.  Presenter: Iruma Bello is a clinical psychologist, Co-Director, and Clinical Training Director of OnTrackNY, and an Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Iruma received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa and completed her clinical internship and post-doctoral training at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School. She has a broad background in public sector clinical psychology with specialized training in evidence-based practices and cognitive behavioral therapy. Iruma’s career has focused on research and practice aimed at improving outcomes for individuals diagnosed with first-episode psychosis. As the Clinical Training Director of OnTrackNY, she is responsible for helping to develop effective implementation strategies through the delivery of technical assistance and consultation, to support the dissemination of the OnTrackNY treatment model both in New York and across the United States.

This is a psychopharmacology consultation line with Dr. Rajiv Tandon & Dr. Matcheri Keshavan.   Slides:           

This presentation discussed 3 clinical cases that challenged the stereotypes consistently found when assessing, diagnosing, and treating Latino individuals who suffer from a severe mental illness such as psychosis.   Slides:      Presenter: Dr. Luis Sandoval is an experienced bilingual and bicultural scholar-researcher-clinician who is trained in multiple psychotherapy modalities and has applied them across diverse multicultural populations and settings. His experience in psychotherapy, research, and teaching, in both Spanish and English, over the past 18 years in the U.S. and Mexico, allows him to translate both theoretical and clinical knowledge into a clinical, research, and academic setting and to long-term research projects.   He has developed a long-term research agenda that connects different disciplines within the field of psychology. In addition to leading his own research projects, he has collaborated with multiple studies funded by the NIH, the NIMH, PCORI, NASA, and various private foundations. His research program is divided into three main areas: 1) Digital Psychiatry and Human-Computer Interaction to improve symptoms on Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders, 2) Cognitive Remediation in psychotic disorders, and 3) Mental health innovation to improve outcomes in underrepresented groups and communities.    Currently, Dr. Sandoval is a clinical researcher in the department of public psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.    

View Dr. Sarah Kopelovich's presentation given on March 4, 2021, as part of the UW Psychiatry and Addictions Case Conference series (UW PACC). Learning objectives: Review updated facts and figures concerning psychosis outcomes to enable more accurate psychoeducation. Review key considerations relevant to differential diagnosis in a primary care setting. Review core practical skills for a clinical encounter of any nature. Learn high-yield behavioral interventions and the steps to skill building. Access the slide deck here. About the UW PACC Series The UW Psychiatry and Addictions Case Conference series (UW PACC) is a free, weekly teleconference that connects Washington community providers with UW Medicine psychiatrists and addictions experts. Any community providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and mental health professionals) in Washington State are welcome to join the weekly teleconference. This series includes both an educational presentation on an addictions or psychiatry topic and case presentations where providers who participate receive feedback and recommendations for their patients. UW PACC sessions take place Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:30 PM Pacific. Modeled after the University of New Mexico's Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), the three main aims of UW PACC are: Train the fellows to deliver a regional peer learning and support network for treating mental health and addictions across the state of Washington Expand the mental health and addictions care capacity of health care professionals in remote, underserved areas of Washington Offer telehealth resource support to build the confidence and skills of providers who care for patients with mental and behavioral health conditions   Presenter Sarah Kopelovich, PhD, is a forensically-trained, licensed clinical psychologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine, based at Harborview Medical Center. Dr. Kopelovich is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and holds a Professorship in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis. Her research aims to enhance implementation and dissemination strategies for psychosocial interventions indicated for individuals with Psychotic Spectrum Disorders. She leads the only CBT for psychosis Provider Network in the country, which has received continual state funding since 2015. She regularly conducts workshops, seminars, and professional consultation across the country for mental health practitioners in CBT for psychosis (CBTp) and CBTp-informed care; Coordinated Specialty Care for First Episode Psychosis and Assertive Community Treatment; and diagnostic, suicide, and violence risk assessment. Dr. Kopelovich is one of the founding faculty with the Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center.

View Dr. Lydia Chwastiak's presentation given on February 25, 2021, as part of the UW Psychiatry and Addictions Case Conference series (UW PACC). Learning objectives: Understand the 5 principles that guide evidence-based safe antipsychotic prescribing Know the recommended first-line medications for treatment of psychosis Identify two changes they can make in current practice to mitigate the metabolic risk among their patients who are treated with antipsychotic medications Access the slide deck here About the UW PACC Series   The UW Psychiatry and Addictions Case Conference series (UW PACC) is a free, weekly teleconference that connects Washington community providers with UW Medicine psychiatrists and addictions experts. Any community providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and mental health professionals) in Washington State are welcome to join the weekly teleconference. This series includes both an educational presentation on an addictions or psychiatry topic and case presentations where providers who participate receive feedback and recommendations for their patients. UW PACC sessions take place Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:30 PM Pacific. Modeled after the University of New Mexico's Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), the three main aims of UW PACC are: Train the fellows to deliver a regional peer learning and support network for treating mental health and addictions across the state of Washington Expand the mental health and addictions care capacity of health care professionals in remote, underserved areas of Washington Offer telehealth resource support to build the confidence and skills of providers who care for patients with mental and behavioral health conditions   Presenter   Lydia A. Chwastiak, MD, MPH, is a Co-Director of the Northwest MHTTC and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at University of Washington.  She is an internal medicine physician and psychiatrist. Over the past 15 years, her clinical and research interests have focused on the intersection of chronic medical illness and serious mental illness. Her clinical work involves integrated care models for patients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in both primary care and community mental health settings.  She has conducted health services research that has investigated the prevalence, impact and costs of cardiovascular disease among veterans with serious mental illness. More recently, she has adapted and implemented evidence-based integrated care models for low resource settings in the US and in Southeast Asia. Dr. Chwastiak’s current projects include developing and testing a community mental health center-based team approach to treating poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes among outpatients with schizophrenia. Want more information? Visit the Northwest MHTTC's Resource Library and Websites by Topic  and sign up for our monthly newsletter for regular updates about events, trainings, and resources available to the Northwest region.

We held a follow-up Discussion/Q&A session stemming from Drs. Li and Bogan’s 12/16/20 webinar on the need for cultural competency when treating patients with psychosis.

A CEDAR Clinic clinical brief that discusses why early intervention for youth at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis is important. 

About this Resource:  Serving as an accompaniment to Dr. Cotes' presentation on "Updates in First Episode Psychosis Care," this infographic summarizes psychosis and symptom progression, highlights the importance of early intervention, and reviews barriers to and tips for treatment engagement. 

  Early First Episode Program at the University of New Mexico's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences provides multidisciplinary and recovery-oriented Coordinated Specialty Care to young adults experiencing a first episode of psychosis (FEP). Members of the Early team will present on best practices for (i) initial engagement, assessment, and family involvement, (ii) psychosocial interventions, and (iii) pharmacological treatment when working with LatinX youth experiencing psychosis for the first time. The presentation will be targeted for clinicians from across disciplines who may encounter this population in their daily work (Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatric PAs, PCPs, social workers, psychologists, school counselors, etc.).   You can click the download button for the slides.

In this session, we discussed key cultural issues for understanding the causes and manifestations of psychiatric disorders in persons of Indian origin from India/South Asia in the United States. We will also discuss approaches to the management of such clinical presentations.

About this Resource:  The first episode of psychosis is a crucial time to intervene and potentially change the trajectory of a schizophrenia-spectrum illness. With the number of coordinated specialty care (CSC) teams expanding rapidly across the US, there are more services available for people with first episode psychosis than ever before. Dr. Robert Cotes provides an update on the phenomenology, services, and treatments available for people with first episode psychosis as well as lessons learned from the perspective of someone who has worked on a CSC team.      About the Presenter:  Robert O. Cotes, MD, is an Associate Professor at Emory University School of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He attended West Virginia University School of Medicine then completed his psychiatry residency at Dartmouth. He serves as Co-Director of the PSTAR Clinic (Persistent Symptoms: Treatment, Assessment, and Recovery), Director of Project ARROW (Achieving Recovery through Resilience, Optimism, and Wellness), and Co-Director of Open Dialogue Atlanta at Grady's Outpatient Behavioral Health Clinic. His research focuses on clozapine, cardiometabolic side effects of antipsychotic medications, digital biomarkers, and first episode psychosis. Dr. Cotes is the principal investigator for multiple clinical trials focused on treatment options for psychosis. Dr. Cotes serves as a Psychiatrist Expert for the American Psychiatric Association's SMI Adviser initiative.

A CEDAR Clinic clinical brief that support the screening of psychosis spectrum symptoms.

On December 16, Dr. Li and Dr. Bogan from FAMU discussed the need for cultural competency when treating patient with mental illness. This is part of an important effort to assist the mental health workforce in better recognizing and responding to multicultural issues for people with severe mental illnesses. Learning Objectives • Learn about how psychosocial experiences may increase risk for a mental health crisis • Get to know protective habits for mental health from a cultural perspective • Get to know cultural factors that may impact processing initial and subsequent episodes • Get to know cultural sensitive strategies working with clients from minority backgrounds.   To view/download the slides, click here. 

Learning Objectives: present the steps of developing a safety plan, with special considerations of the limitations imposed by the current pandemic; risk management including the use of involuntary commitment in clients experiencing psychosis; crisis planning and potential harm reduction strategies to decrease risk of violence for when clients have encounters with law enforcement.

On September 30th, Dr. Guyer discussed the hardships of developing a behavioral health workforce who is knowledgeable about psychosis diagnosis and treatments across a state.  About our Presenter: Dr. Guyer works with MAPNET as the Director of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health's Early Psychosis Initiative. She is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and dissemination of evidence based practices within the Department of Mental Health and among community providers. Dr. Guyer is a clinician and researcher who has worked with people with severe mental illness for more than 20 years.   Resources: Prevention and Recovery in Early Psychosis (PREP1): Building a public-academic partnership program in Massachusetts Development of a Boston Treatment Program forYouth at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis:Center for Early Detection, Assessment, and Response to Risk (CEDAR) NIMH White Paper - Evidence-Based Treatments for First Episode Psychosis: Components of Coordinated Specialty Care MAPNET

A clinical brief that describes Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) and its benefits for psychosis treatment. 

A CEDAR Clinic clinical brief that describes telehealth and discusses its benefits in the treatment of young people at risk for psychosis.  It also discusses the benefits of using telehealth vs. traditional therapy.  

The 2020 Southwest First Episode Psychosis Conference took place virtually on August 3rd through the 5th. In this session, Dr. Aaron Brinen, Assistant Professor Psychiatry at Drexel College of Medicine, discusses the obstacle that negative symptoms can pose to recovery for individuals with psychosis. Dr. Brinen shares innovative strategies to overcoming challenges of motivation and connection. Download the session slides.