Psychosis & Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Identify, Diagnose, Treatment

Psychosis & Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders:

Identification, Diagnosis, and Appropriate Treatment

Krissa Rouse, MA, LCPC and Caroline Silva, MA, LCPC will provide an engaging and informative session to demystify psychosis—a complex symptom that spans diagnoses, cultures, and experiences.  This presentation is designed to introduce Maryland therapists to the tools and knowledge needed to identify, assess, and treat psychosis effectively and compassionately within outpatient mental health programs, and even private practice!

What You’ll Learn:

• What is Psychosis?
  Explore the spectrum of psychotic experiences, their causes, and how culture and context shape their meaning.
• Why does early identification matter?
  Understand the importance of recognizing symptoms early to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP).
• Am I equipped to assess & diagnose schizophrenia spectrum disorders?
  Be introduced to tools like SIPS and SCID to assess symptoms and differentiate between attenuated psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, mood disorders with psychosis, and other conditions.
• What treatment pathways might I offer my clients and their families when psychosis shows up in therapy?
  Discover options, such as coordinated specialty care clinics, and discuss when continuing to provide care or offering a referral to a specialist is appropriate. 
• Are there effective, evidence-based treatments for schizophrenia spectrum disorders?
  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp), Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and other proven psychosocial treatments for psychosis will be summarized.
• Why involve families in care?
  Highlight family-focused interventions, such as CT-R for Families, and support networks like NAMI, Schizophrenia & Psychosis Action Alliance, and SeizingPsych.

Whether you're new to working with psychosis or looking to deepen your expertise, this presentation offers practical insights, clinical tools, and community resources to support recovery and resilience for those living with psychosis.

KRISSA ROUSE  is a licensed clinical professional counselor, who earned her MA degree in clinical psychology from Towson University with a focus on severe psychopathology and psychosis. Prior to obtaining her graduate degree, she worked in the medical field for more than 20 years, a portion of which was spent in clinical research. Krissa has experience working in community mental health as a child, adolescent, and adult therapist, as well as in inpatient settings as an occupational therapy assistant. Understanding the importance of healthy work-life balance, Krissa spends her time outside of the clinic gardening, hiking, running, camping, backpacking, skiing, and crabbing, as well as enjoying leisure time with family and friends.

Cost:  LCPCM members - $30  /  Non-members - $40 ($5.00 fee for all refunds)

CEUs:  2    (10am to 12pm)  No  partial credit will be given

Registration limited!  

Registration will end and payment must be received by November 10th at 11:59pm

Zoom link will be emailed to those registered approximately 24 hours prior to class.

Class evaluation and CEU certificate link will be sent on the following Monday (November 17, 2025)