The key to recovery for people living with psychosis is early intervention. If a teen or young adult suffers from psychotic symptoms — or an even younger person is displaying early warning signs of psychosis — the EPICENTER at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers research-backed treatment that can lead to better outcomes.
Our ultimate goal is to help each person return to daily life feeling more secure and positive about the future, knowing their illness does not need to define their future or their goals.
A national resource
As one of the largest psychosis programs in the nation and the largest in Ohio, we provide an extensive range of therapies, all coordinated across a multidisciplinary team that includes experts in psychology, psychiatry, nursing and social work.
EPICENTER treatment and services
Welcoming input and collaboration with providers, our team creates specialized, phase-specific treatment plans for youth and young adults who have had at least a first episode of psychosis within the last five years or are showing early warning signs of a psychotic disorder, placing them at clinical high risk of psychosis.
Depending on each person’s unique circumstances, we may place them on one of four treatment paths:
- Risk and Resilience – Clinical High Risk for Psychosis (CHR-P) Program: To prevent the onset of psychosis among those who are at high risk of developing a psychotic disorder based on current symptom presentation and family history.
- Early Recovery – First Episode of Psychosis (FEP) Program: To establish the earliest possible recovery for those who have experienced their first episode of psychosis.
- Stability and Growth – Longstanding Psychosis Program: To support stability and growth for those who have graduated from our Early Recovery Program or are seeking care later in the progression of their illness.
- New Hope – Treatment Resistant Psychosis Program (including Clozapine Clinic): This is for those who may have struggled to find a treatment to help control their symptoms.
Learn more about EPICENTER care, including conditions managed, as well as the treatments, services, support and education provided to individuals, families and the community.
Collaboration and presentations
We welcome opportunities to share more about our Early Psychosis Intervention Center’s approach with providers and medical groups across the country. Call 614-685-6052 if you’d like one of our providers to present at a conference or educational event.
We also have a video library of topics you can explore in our EPICENTER Speaker Series.
Learn more about EPICENTER
Learn about our specialized clinical program using a multidisciplinary approach in treating the early stages of psychosis and psychotic disorders.
More about the EPICENTER
To refer a person to the EPICENTER, please call 614-685-6052 or email epicenter@osumc.edu to speak with a staff member in our clinic. All referrals are reviewed prior to acceptance to ensure eligibility and that our program can meet their individual needs.
An individual may be appropriate for one of the following programs if they meet the criteria below:
- Risk and Resilience – Clinical Risk for Psychosis (CHR) Program: Individuals must be between the ages of 12 and 25 and exhibiting risk factors for psychosis. They will need to complete an assessment prior to acceptance into this program.
- Early Recovery – First Episode Psychosis Program: Individuals must be between 15 and 35 years old, diagnosed with a primary psychotic disorder or mood disorder with psychotic features and have had a first episode of psychosis within the last five years.
- Stability and Growth: Longstanding Psychosis Program: Individuals must be over the age of 15 and have experienced their first episode of a primary psychotic disorder or mood disorder with psychotic features more than five years ago, or they are over the age of 35 at the time of the referral.
- New Hope – Treatment Resistant Psychosis Program (and Clozapine Clinic): Individuals with a primary psychotic disorder or mood disorder with psychotic features who have had multiple failed trials of treatment and are either prescribed, or may be a candidate for, Clozapine.
Mental health care remains a national challenge, and through initiatives such as EPICENTER, Ohio State is committed to making a difference. The reality is that your financial support might ultimately lead to the next breakthrough in psychosis research, patient care or treatment innovation.
If you’re ready to help, please review the available donation options below:
Want to open your own psychosis clinic?
We want to help providers across Ohio and the United States expand psychosis treatment and services. If you are interested in establishing a psychosis clinic based on the EPICENTER model, we can help you test, evaluate and validate treatment methods.
To get started, contact us at 614-685-6052.