(On a Journey toward) Improving Outcomes for Individuals with Psychosis

Dr. Tara Niendam

In this presentation, we will discuss the continuum of psychosis, consider how social and structural factors impact the course of psychosis, and think about how interventions for psychosis (e.g. coordinated specialty care) could address the variety of factors impacting outcomes.

Dr. Tara Niendam (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist and a Professor in the UC Davis Department of Psychiatry. Tara Niendam (she/her) identifies as a white, cisgender, heterosexual woman and a consumer of mental health services. She comes to this work from both personal and family experiences. She obtained a B.A. in Psychology from Northwestern University and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. As the Executive Director of the UC Davis Early Psychosis Programs (EDAPT and SacEDAPT Clinics), Dr. Niendam supervises clinic and training activities, and coordinates outreach and educational presentations within Sacramento and across California. With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, California Mental Health Service Oversight and Accountability Commission, and National Institutes of Mental Health, Dr. Niendam’s research uses mobile health technology to enhance early identification and treatment of youth and young adults with serious mental illness, with a focus on improving clinical and functional outcomes. The EPI-CAL project, led by Dr. Niendam in partnership with UC San Francisco, UC San Diego, University of Calgary, One Mind, and multiple California counties, brings client-level data to the clinician’s fingertips, and enables large scale data-driven approaches to improve outcomes for EP care. She also directs the EPI-CAL Training and Technical Assistance Center, which seeks to bring evidence based early psychosis care to all Californians.