Psychosis and Schizophrenia

In my practice I specialize solely in psychosis and clinical high risk for psychosis using an evidence based CBT approach. Labels and specific diagnosis are irrelevant. I take a person centered, truly collaborative approach to help you overcome your distress and achieve your goals.

I specialize in working with those who have both positive and negative symptoms. I am educated in psychotropic medication management and am available to advocate for proper care.

When symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, begin we can often recognize them as worrisome and questionable. As time passes, however, locked into this mind space of fearful questioning, these symptoms can progress and overtake in a debilitating way. With medication + therapy, one can learn the skills necessary to process and manage these thoughts and experiences, and with ample support it is completely possible to live a meaningful and fulfilling existence.

I have received specialized training in CBT for Psychosis. I have worked in community mental health, a psychiatric hospital, and a residential facility where individuals experience psychosis regularly. This approach is helpful for individuals who have some insight, support, and/or want to learn how to manage psychosis in more ways than just medication.

I've worked with many individuals who at times, do not share my same reality. They may hear voices or have a sense that they are in danger. The harder we work to get rid of these symptoms, the stronger they can often become. Medications can often help turn down the volume so to speak but we will also work together on how to best manage your experience to minimize it's disruption to your daily life.

For the past 4 years, I worked with this population. I have experience working with these individuals by providing access to community services. This includes medication management and compliance. I received evidence based training around effective therapy for this population.

This is probably where I do the best, as I have been exposed to persons dealing with psychotic disorders such as Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective disorder, Bipolar with psychotic features, and Major depression with psychotic features. Even extreme anxiety dysfunctions can bring about mis-perceptions in reality. All of this I take seriously and work effortlessly with you to get you the best treatment that works for you listening intently and empathetically. These clients I can see weekly.

I first began working with severe mental illnesses 6 years ago and consider it to be a foundation of my practice.

I am trained and certified in both the SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders) and the SIPS (Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes) which help to clarify a diagnosis as well as to assess for psychic features that may be indicative of a psychotic disorder. The SCID can help to clarify a diagnosis while the SIPS will help us to hone in on what we call prodomal symptoms. One or both of these may be used in detecting fitness for this treatment.

I have been working with a variety of forms of psychosis as a clinician since 2003. I have served as an assistant program manager and a program manager for several agencies that serve individuals struggling with [psychotic disorders. I have also managed programs and specialized in working with young adults (18 to 25 years) who are at an age where they experience early symptoms of psychosis and need support in navigating what is occurring and if it will be a short term difficulty or lifelong.

I have expertise in providing CBT for Psychosis (CBTp) for adults in inpatient and outpatient. As a former staff psychologist at a state psychiatric hospital, schizophrenia and other psychotic-related disorders were prevalent among the patient population. The aim of CBTp is to mitigate distress related to psychotic symptoms, reduce stigma by normalizing the client's experience, and promote functional recovery to enhance their quality of life.

20+ years of experience in working with people living in the community with thought disorders. trained in CBT for psychosis and IMR (illness management and recovery).

I have 25 years of experience working with adults diagnosed with a mental illness ard/or complex co-morbidities. I have provided direct care services in a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) and Linkage Case Management program serving individuals post-discharge from hospital settings. I have supervised case management programs which have successfully assisted and supported individuals in the community.

I have specialized training in Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery (PSR) and utilize several evidence-based treatments to include: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Psychosis, Illness Management and Recovery, and Social Skills Training.