First Episode Psychosis Team

The First Episode Psychosis Team is an evidenced-based, wrap-around, team-based model that provides support to individuals, ages 15 to 40, during the on-set of psychosis. This model has been proven to greatly improve a person’s quality of life and long-term outcomes.

 

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois believes in serving the whole person and now offers this as a service. Additionally, LSSI is part of the FIRST.IL network of First Episode Psychosis (FEP) providers. 

What is psychosis?

The symptoms of psychosis are:

  • Hearing and seeing things that others do not (hallucinations)
  • Firmly holding false beliefs (delusions)
  • Disordered thinking and a loss or decrease in the ability to initiate, plan or organize

Some warning signs for psychosis include:

  • Suspiciousness, paranoid ideas, or uneasiness with others
  • Trouble thinking clearly and logically and/ or difficulty telling reality from fantasy
  • Withdrawing socially
  • Unusual or overly intense ideas, strange feelings, or a lack of feelings
  • Decline in self-care or personal hygiene
  • Disruption of sleep
  • Confused speech or trouble communicating
  • Sudden drop in grades or job performance

What does a FEP Team do and how can it help you?

  • The Team Lead will meet with the client (and a loved one) to develop a treatment plan based on their goals and challenges.
  • Clients have the ability to choose which team supports they would like to use in order to meet their goals, additionally, if there are supports outside of the Team that are needed, a Care Coordinator will help coordinate those for the client.
  • Clients will work with a therapist to set therapy goals, learn about their illness, and develop coping skills to help them rebound from negative experiences and minimize relapses.
  • Supported Employment Specialists help clients maintain jobs and class schedules. Services are provided at work/school sites in the community.
  • The team teaches family members and significant others about psychosis. This helps those around the client develop realistic expectations as well as improve communication and problem solving.
  • Case managers can help link to services in the community and assist with daily activities. This allows for the client to gain greater independence. They are also there to provide crisis management.
  • Our Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will work with the client to manage their symptoms, which may include prescribing psychiatric medications and addressing any side effects.

Interested in the FEP program? Call LSSI Connect!

Call LSSI Connect to find the right help by speaking to a trained professional over the phone. We listen, assess the situation, and refer you to programs that meet your specific needs. You can reach LSSI Connect at 833.610.5774. The phone call is free and confidential.