The SPIRIT (Supporting Psychosis Innovation through Research, Implementation, & Training) Lab at the University of Washington is comprised of faculty, continuing education specialists, trainers, research staff, program coordinators, and an administrative support team committed to improving the care of individuals who have or are at risk for a serious mental illness (SMI).
Together, we work to support stakeholders within and across the healthcare system to provide empirically-supported and culturally-informed treatments. Despite established effectiveness of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) to improve recovery-oriented outcomes for adults and families experiencing a serious mental illness, few clinical settings deliver these services consistently or with high fidelity. Since 2006, SPIRIT faculty (formerly Evidence-Based Practices for Adults, EBPA) have provided training, consultation, technical assistance, and fidelity assessment to agencies across the state to support sustainable implementation of EBPs that can substantially enhance the functional recovery of individuals living with mental illness.
Improving Health and Healthcare
Improving Health and Healthcare
In the U.S., a person with schizophrenia has a life expectancy that is on average 15-20 years shorter than the general population.
Epidemiology & Impact of Psychosis
Epidemiology & Impact of Psychosis
Compared to their peers, people with psychosis are much more likely to experience unemployment, incarceration, or homelessness. Effective treatment can improve these outcomes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp)
Despite an evidence base that spans more than 20 years, CBTp is not widely available in community mental health settings in the United States.
Early Psychosis
Early Psychosis
Approximately 114,000 adolescents and young adults in the United States experience Early Psychosis each year (calculated from Simon et al., 2017).
Family & Caregiver Support Programs
Family & Caregiver Support Programs
Receiving a diagnosis of a psychotic spectrum disorder and the subsequent treatment that is necessary for a patient to thrive can be stressful for the individual, but also for his or her family.
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
ACT is an effective, evidence-based, recovery-oriented mental health service delivery model that utilizes a trans-disciplinary team approach providing intensive outreach-oriented services to individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses and co-occurring disorders.
New Lab Publication!
Lab PIs Sarah Kopelovich, Maria Monroe-DeVita, Akansha Vaswani-Bye, and Lydia Chwastiak, along with Research Operations Director Rachel Brian and Research Coordinators Chris McCain, Victoria Shepard, Wenqi Zhang, Mackenzie Tennison, and Sarah Fikre collaborated on a publication entitled “Supporting Psychosis Research, Implementation, and Training Through an Academic Intermediary–Purveyor Organization.”
The article, published in the peer-reviewed journal Psychological Services, describes the ways in which the SPIRIT Lab blends public and private funds and works with diverse stakeholders to support translational research, implementation, training, and innovation in psychosis care. The article includes recommendations to support the behavioral health workforce in the U.S.
If you’re interested in research opportunities with the lab, please contact our Director of Research Operations: Rachel Brian