Harm Risk in Early Psychosis: Psychotherapy Strategies and Case Discussion
Michelle West, Ph.D
This presentation will provide a brief overview of how harm risk (suicidality and self-injury) can present in young people experiencing early psychosis. We will then review a selection of psychotherapy strategies that can be helpful in targeting these concerns, highlighting functional analysis, distress tolerance skills, and the CAMS (Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality). We will discuss these strategies in the context of disguised client examples, and encourage suggestions and case consultation from the audience.
Dr. West is a clinical psychologist who specializes in assessment, treatment, and research for young people showing possible early risk for psychotic spectrum illnesses. She is particularly interested in adapting psychosocial treatments, including treatment of co-occurring concerns like risk for self-harm. She is the director of a psychosis risk program (“PEACS”) through University of Colorado School of Medicine. She previously worked in Massachusetts, where she was Assistant Director for the CEDAR Clinic. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and philosophy at Colgate University, her master's in forensic psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and her doctorate in clinical psychology at the City University of New York (CUNY).
This webinar is hosted in collaboration with the New England MHTTC