Reducing Stigma and Increasing Competence: An Introductory Graduate Curriculum on the Assessment and Treatment of Psychosis

Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Doctoral Research Paper

Degree Name

Psy.D.

Organizational Unit

Graduate School of Professional Psychology

First Advisor

Kim Gorgens

Second Advisor

Laura Meyer

Third Advisor

Nathanael Taylor

Keywords

Psychosis, Stigma, Graduate, Curriculum

Abstract

Psychosis is conceptually understood as a collection of psychiatric symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking, that often distort a person s reality (Freudenreich, 2020). While psychosis is a key feature of the various psychotic spectrum disorders, it can also appear as a feature of mood disorders or as a result of substance use. However, despite its prevalence across a variety of psychiatric disorders, it is seldom a focus of training within graduate psychology programs (Mueser et al., 2013; O'Connor & Yanos, 2021; Reddy et al., 2010; Roe et al., 2006). Research suggests the lack of education on psychosis directly contributes to the stigma of psychotic disorders and the current underrepresentation of psychologists in treatment settings serving persons with psychosis, which together may limit access to psychological treatment (O'Connor & Yanos, 2021). In an attempt to address the training needs of psychologists delivering care to persons with psychosis, this paper first highlights the need for graduate-level training in the assessment and treatment of psychosis followed by a brief review of the important aspects of an evidence-based addition to a graduate curriculum. A three-part curricular addition on the assessment and treatment of psychosis is then proposed to meet this need. By illuminating the need for psychosis-specific training and proposing a realistic introductory curriculum, this paper intends to ultimately increase provider competence and reduce the stigma associated with psychosis through proper education.

Copyright Date

11-20-2023

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.

Rights Holder

Brooke Davis

Provenance

Received from author

File Format

application/pdf

Language

English (eng)

Extent

32 pgs

File Size

375 KB

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