“We have an overwhelming body of evidence that minimizing psychotic symptoms leads to better outcomes for individuals” said the program’s Director, Philip Cawkwell, MD, “This fully in-person, intensive outpatient program will provide folks comprehensive help at a critical juncture in their lives”
SAN JOSE, Calif. (PRWEB)
July 12, 2022
Bay Area Clinical Associates (BACA), a leading provider of mental health services to children, youth and families across California, has officially begun accepting adolescent and young adult patients and referrals into a new evidence-based, early intervention, intensive outpatient program (IOP) for those experiencing the first symptoms of a psychotic illness. It is the only psychosis-specific IOP in the Bay Area that accepts major insurance.
Brighter by BACA is an innovative psychosis intensive program for emerging adults who are experiencing, or have recently experienced, an episode of psychosis. Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts and behaviors are signs of psychosis that warrant treatment. This program is for individuals who are interested in learning skills to help move forward and reach their unique objectives.
The purpose of Brighter by BACA is to facilitate independence and achievement of life goals. The program includes individual therapy, psychiatry, and group sessions focused on skill-building, including social skills, problem solving, communication skills, coping skills & techniques, and understanding psychosis. Our team is highly adaptable with a desire to support individuals educational or vocational goals.
“For years BACA has been working towards developing a program for early treatment of psychosis,” said Executive Director Tom Tarshis, MD, MPH. “The benefits of a high-quality early treatment program can drastically alter the future for these youth. BACA hopes our program will save lives, decrease homelessness, substance use and fractured families that result from inadequate services and care systems that presently exist.”
BACA has recruited and built a diverse, highly specialized team of mental health professionals trained in recognizing and responding to the early features of psychotic disorders. The program is led by Child, Adolescent & Adult Psychiatrist Philip Cawkwell, MD. The interdisciplinary team consists of psychiatrists, clinical therapists and associate therapists
Treatment is individualized to meet the unique needs of each participant. Sessions include multiple treatment modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, process work, social skills, problem solving, and healthy living.
“We have an overwhelming body of evidence that minimizing psychotic symptoms leads to better outcomes for individuals” said the program’s Director, Philip Cawkwell, MD, “This fully in-person, intensive outpatient program will provide folks comprehensive help at a critical juncture in their lives”
Brighter by BACA is an immersive, in-person, intensive outpatient program based in BACA’s San Jose clinic. The program meets 4 days per week (Mon-Thurs) from 12PM – 3PM for 8 weeks.
For more information or to schedule an intake assessment to determine if there is a good fit for our program, please place a request online: https://www.baca.org/brighter
About Bay Area Clinical Associates
Since 2007, BACA’s clinicians have provided innovative mental health services to youth and families from across the San Francisco Bay Area. We believe that all youth, regardless of socio-economic status, should have access to gold-standard mental health interventions. As a social justice agency working on behalf of children and families, we strive to cure mental illness in our patients, help them develop healthy habits, and realize their full potential. We are opening additional offices throughout California and currently have offices in San Jose, Berkeley, and San Diego. Future sites will include San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Mateo and Austin, Texas.
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