First Episode Psychosis

Understanding, Normalizing & Moving Beyond

May 5, 2025, 1:00 - 3:00pm CST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0

Course Description

Prodromal Symptoms

Brief history, indicators, Open Dialogue, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), Three common experiences of altered states: Defense mechanisms, Spirituality and Non-Ordinary experiences, developmental stages and increasing support

Barriers to Treatment

Things that get in the way, stigma, family and community uninformed

Relapse Prevention/ Monitoring

Learning about previous experience and timelines to keep an eye out for, include family, normalize the experience so can help people talk about escalation and not just avoid, how to express when we need extra support and the multiple degrees before hospitalization, build resiliency (self-compassion, positive psychology)

Learning Objectives

After participating in this session, attendees should be able to:

Evaluate 3 prodromal indicators of impending altered states escalations.
Provide 2 normalizing statistics related to the experience of altered states.
Differentiate between 3 common experiences of altered states.
Convey 3 barriers to obtaining effective treatment for altered states.
Apply effective skills to increase self-compassion and grounding around experiences of altered states.

About the Trainer

Chelsea Mackey, PsyD

Chelsea Mackey, PsyD is a licensed psychologist in Northern California and works almost exclusively with individuals who have experienced altered states, experiences of psychosis, voice hearing, spiritual emergencies or the multiple experiences described as schizophrenia. Dr. Mackey works with individuals from a psychodynamic and humanistic perspective incorporating Positive Psychology, Compassion Focused views, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Mindfulness Based strategies. Dr. Mackey believes that all people deserve support, connection and deep compassion as they navigate through the difficult times that altered states can bring. She is a long-time member of The International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis (ISPS-US) and has presented at 4 of their national conferences as well as twice at the international ISPS conferences. For several years she was the lead therapist at the Kaiser Permanente psychiatry departments outpatient Thought Disorder Program in Sacramento, CA and she has presented at one of their local psychiatric hospitals for staff regarding working with individuals with altered states. Dr. Mackey works with individuals and families to incorporate aspects of recovery based models that bolster empowerment and respect to those with lived experience. Many of her clients also attend a weekly process group where we discuss topics, learn skills and connect around similar experiences. Additionally, she provides consultation to therapists interested in strengthening their work with their own clients who have experienced altered states. Dr. Mackey has presented several Continuing Education Seminars with PESI and Zur Institute on altered states and she presents annually to doctoral students and post-doctoral interns regarding working with altered states and enhancing their compassion for what these individuals experience. For several years Dr. Mackey also ran a free Hearing Voices Network group for individuals in the community. For the past 18 years Dr. Mackey has worked with individuals experiencing altered states and she is deeply appreciative for being allowed to be included in their lives.