Rutgers opens first-episode psychosis outpatient clinic

Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care recently opened a first-episode psychosis outpatient clinic in its Edison Metroplex location for individuals aged 15 to 35 years.

“There are big changes that happen in the brain from about 2 years before the onset of psychotic symptoms to 3 years after,” Steven Silverstein, PhD, director of the Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care clinic, said in a press release. “This is why early identification of people in need of treatment, and provision of treatment as early as possible, are critical. Unfortunately, the average person with a first episode of psychosis currently can go 15 months or longer with symptoms before treatment is provided, leading to greater challenges in helping a person recover.”

The clinic is funded by a grant from the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

The first-episode psychosis program serves individuals within 2 years of psychotic symptom onset and can treat up to 50 individuals at a time. Prior hospitalization is not required to qualify for treatment.

The clinic will provide treatment weekly, or as needed, with multiple members of the treatment team, including a therapist, psychiatrist, family therapist, peer support and wellness specialist and substance abuse counselor.

Services from an employment and education specialist are also available to patients, which could be utilized to transition back into a job or schooling.

Individuals will receive treatment for 1 year before transitioning to a traditional outpatient program.

“The goal is to reduce a person’s symptoms so they can return to their lives, needing less treatment,” Silverstein said in the release. “Ideally, after an initial period of more frequent assistance, they can scale back to coming to this clinic or another program once a week or less.”