A Multidisciplinary First-Episode Psychosis Program

Understanding that young patients with first-episode psychosis have many continuities with the characteristics of older patients was a step forward in the field and led to the development of initiating first-episode psychosis programs and reducing the duration of untreated psychosis. As programs have developed, so have strategies to develop initial evaluations to clarify the health of the young patient with psychosis. The next steps of treatment include medication, talk therapy, family therapy, and team work. Beyond starting treatment, there are significant emerging issues such as use of long-acting injectable medication and strategies for patients who do not respond to first-line treatments, such as using clozapine. The integration of cognitive-behavioral therapy, cognitive remediation, and a day treatment center for the first-episode psychosis program are integral.