Intervening Early in Psychosis: A Team Approach

A growing body of both research and clinical experience confirms that
intervening early in the progression of psychotic symptoms may delay or even
prevent the movement toward more serious psychiatric illness. Young people at
clinical high risk of developing psychosis, or those with a recent onset of
psychosis, can benefit from a range of tailored interventions each emphasizing
recovery and return to functioning.

Achieving recovery and remission for
people experiencing psychosis requires a multifaceted, team-based response, and
it is precisely this sort of a holistic approach Intervening Early in Psychosis:
A Team Approach provides. With expert guidance on tailoring care to the needs of
young people experiencing a first-episode psychosis, this book-the first of its
kind to focus on the U.S. health care environment-begins with an overview of the
history of early psychosis services in the United States and the development of
coordinated specialty care (CSC) services.

Clinical case examples then
illustrate the application of a range of evidence-based interventions, from the
psychological and psychosocial-including cognitive-behavioral therapy for
psychosis and supported employment and education-to peer, family, lifestyle, and
technological interventions. All of these interventions are examined in
individual detail, but it is the effectiveness of the interplay between them
that the authors of Intervening Early in Psychosis emphasize. The collaboration
of multidisciplinary stakeholders, including licensed therapists, medical
providers, employment and education specialists, and peer specialists, is
central to the success of the multimodal care model outlined in the guide and is
examined at length.

This interdisciplinary approach is underpinned by
recovery-oriented language that focuses on healing and recovery rather than
disability and illness management. The book also provides an individual and
family perspective on the lived experience of psychosis that underscores the
importance of engaging clients and their support network in a philosophy of
shared decision making.

With additional chapters that discuss advocacy
issues and policy considerations when establishing CSC services and the
importance of reducing the duration of untreated psychosis to optimize clinical
and functional outcomes, this is the most comprehensive resource for clinicians,
case workers, peer and vocational specialists, family members, and anyone else
interested in expanding their knowledge of the early identification and
treatment of individuals with psychotic disorders.