Focal Point Summer 2016

Summer 2016 Focal Point cover

"Early Psychosis Intervention" (2016), v.30

This issue explores early psychosis intervention services. Throughout history psychosis has traumatized and permanently disrupted people's lives, but early psychosis intervention is showing that much of this trauma and disability can be prevented. Early psychosis intervention services are rapidly becoming available in every state of the US, and thousands of people who have lived through psychosis are speaking out and proving that we have every reason for hope.

Access Articles in this Issue

  • Introduction: Early Psychosis Intervention

    Tamara Sale

    This introduction from Guest Editor of Focal Point Tamara Sale, Director of the Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA), outlines the various perspectives from which this issue's authors examine early intervention.

  • Early Psychosis Intervention: The International Context

    Pat McGorry & Heather Stavely

    This article describes the research that informed the development of early intervention in psychosis and the spread of early intervention best practices in treatment programs throughout the world.

  • Expansion of Coordinated Specialty Care for First-Episode Psychosis in the US

    Susan T. Azrin, Amy B. Goldstein, & Robert K. Heinssen

    Expansion of coordinated specialty care is underway in the US. New tools and resources emerging from research funded by agencies including NIMH, SAMHSA, and CMS are discussed in this article.

  • The EASA Young Adult Leadership Council: Our Experiences and Vision

    Nicholas Buekea & Nybelle Caruso

    Young adults with lived experience of psychosis explain their collective outlook and why they serve on EASA's Young Adult Leadership Council.

  • Our Experience with EASA

    Ken Purdy & Tena Purdy

    Parents of a young man who experienced psychosis describe their journey from first connecting with EASA to their family's successful participation in EASA Multi-family Group.

  • Data Trends: Seeking Help for Family Members Experiencing their First Episode of Psychosis

    Andre Pruitt & Shannon Blajeski

    This Data Trends summarizes the results of studies on underlying causes of delayed treatment of psychosis. Based on the findings, the authors provide recommendations for reducing delays in seeking help.

  • Quality Assessment in First Episode Psychosis Treatments

    Donald Addington

    The use of performance measures and fidelity scales can ensure that early intervention programs meet standards of care. Several reliable measures and fidelity scales are enumerated by the author.

  • A Curious Lens: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Recovery and Resiliency

    Sara Deal & Valerie Alt

    This article explains how clinicians employing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis collaborate with clients to decrease the distress caused by symptoms of psychosis.

  • Individual Placement and Support Model of Supported Employment: Modifications for First Episode Psychosis Programs

    Ryan Melton & Sandra L. Reese

    This article provides tips for modifying Individual Placement and Support services to accommodate the typically younger audience that is affected by first-episode psychosis.

  • Perceptions: Using the Senses to Navigate Early Psychosis

    Marrissa Gottlob & Sean Roush

    Persons experiencing psychosis often display specific sensory processing patterns. This article offers suggestions for helping to manage the needs created by these patterns.