Amanda Bowman & Amy Pierce: Finding Connection When Realities Don't Match - 2024 FEP Conference

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 📌
In this 60-min session we will explore the common challenges providers face when supporting people who see, hear, and otherwise experience things that others around them do not. Tasked with time-sensitive concrete requirements, such as completing an eligibility assessment or person-centered recovery plan (PCRP), professionals may struggle to meet the needs of the behavioral health system while also prioritizing the more immediate and subjective needs of the human being in front of them. Join Amy and Amanda as they share from both their relevant personal and professional experience regarding this challenge and highlight ideas for staying connected with yourself and the people you support. Although the session is brief, attendees can expect story-telling, short examples, and a few take-home resources.

𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 ✅
1. Describe two actions that promote trust and partnership during a mental health distress
2. Name two behaviors professionals should avoid that can damage the relationship with people who are hearing and seeing things that others do not
3. Identify an approach that simultaneously balances the needs of the person and the system

𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐦𝐚𝐧, LCSW-S, PSS (she/her) is a clinical social worker, certified peer specialist supervisor, and WRAPⓇ facilitator, using her professional and lived experience with mental health challenges to promote person-centered practices in behavioral health care. Coming from direct social work practice and administrative leadership within the public mental health system, she joined Via Hope in 2013, where she served as Recovery Institute Director until 2023. In this role, she oversaw the development and delivery of organizational change programs, which included statewide initiatives to support the implementation of person-centered planning, peer support services, and trauma-responsive work environments. Now the owner of Sidecar Consulting, Amanda uses her passion for participatory learning methods to facilitate collaborative learning events and serves as a subject matter expert for programs designed to support change within and across agencies.

𝐀𝐦𝐲 𝐏𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 (she/her) has been working in the Peer Movement in the State of Texas for almost two decades. She currently serves as Recovery Institute Associate Manager at Via Hope by serving as a subject matter expert on the implementation of peer services and other recovery-oriented practices. She has extensive experience in the peer support sector, having started the first peer support program in the state hospitals in Texas, implementing peer support programs in the community as well as the Program Coordinator for a transitional peer residential housing project.  Prior to Via Hope, she was the CEO of Resiliency Unleashed, an international training and consulting company. Amy is a peer, and family member, with both mental health and addictions experience. Amy was previously Chair of the PAIMI Council in Texas and currently serves on the Disability Rights Texas Board of Directors. 

𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦: https://mhttcnetwork.org/wp-content/u...
𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦: https://mhttcnetwork.org/fep-virtual-...

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 📌
- New South Wales (NSW) Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalh...
- Psychosis MH First Aid Guidelines: https://www.mhfa.com.au/wp-content/up...
- Video - The Voices in My Head by Eleanor Longden:    • The voices in my head | Eleanor Longden  
- Video - The Hearing Voices Approach:    • Beyond Possible: How the Hearing Voic...  

The 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐇𝐓𝐓𝐂 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐏𝐬𝐲𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬 (𝐅𝐄𝐏) 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 was held virtually from June 5-6, 2024. Participants dedicated to enhancing FEP care, including individuals with lived experience, family members, providers, and researchers, came together to celebrate achievements and explore a future of sustained growth and accountability in FEP care. ‪@TIEMH‬

𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦: https://mhttcnetwork.org/south-southw...
𝘞𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦:    • 2024 First Episode Psychosis Conferen...  

00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:49 Amy Pierce
00:03:35 Amanda Bowman
00:06:09 Session Objectives
00:07:39 Challenges for Providers
00:12:14 Communication During Psychosis
00:13:27 Defining Psychosis
00:18:30 Myths & Misconceptions about Psychosis
00:37:23 A Review of Strategies
00:56:47 Recourses & Questions

#livedexperience #psychosis #psychosisawareness