Finding Treatment for the early stages of psychosis

What is the CSC Method of Treatment?

Instead of relying solely on traditional medication-only models, Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) is a recovery-oriented, team-based approach. A team of medical and behavioral health professionals collaborates directly with the individual and their family to create a personalized treatment plan focused on life goals. [1, 2, 3]

Core elements of a standard CSC model (such as the NAVIGATE or OnTrackNY frameworks) include: [1]

  • Low-Dose Medication Management: Tailoring medication to the individual's exact needs, focusing on the lowest effective dose to minimize side effects. [1, 2]
  • Individual & Group Psychotherapy: Using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically adapted for psychosis to build personal coping strategies and resilience. [1, 2]
  • Supported Employment & Education: Assigning an education/employment coach to help the person stay in school or keep their job. [1]
  • Family Education & Support: Teaching family members about psychosis while building communication and problem-solving skills. [1]
  • Case Management: Assisting with practical daily needs, healthcare coordination, and navigation. [1]
  • Peer Support: Connecting individuals with someone who has lived experience and is navigating their own recovery path. [1, 2]

What is EPINET?

The Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET) is a national learning healthcare system sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [1]

  • How it works: EPINET links dozens of local, community-based CSC clinics together across regional scientific hubs.
  • The benefit: By participating in EPINET, clinics collect anonymized, uniform data from real-world patients. This allows researchers and doctors to immediately see what treatments are working best in real-time, accelerating clinical quality improvements directly back to the individuals receiving care. [1, 2, 4, 5]

Questions to Ask When Contacting a Treatment Facility

When reaching out to prospective treatment programs, ask these practical questions to ensure they offer the comprehensive level of care required for first-episode psychosis:

Care Model & Team Structure

  • Do you offer a formal Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) program or an evidence-based FEP framework (like NAVIGATE)?
  • Is your clinic affiliated with EPINET or a local university medical center network?
  • Who makes up the care team? Will we have a dedicated case manager, a supported employment/education coach, and a family specialist?
  • How does your program approach medication? Do you focus on lower-dose protocols tailored to first-episode patients? [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8]

Logistics & Intake

  • What are your age requirements and eligibility criteria for this program? (Note: Many early psychosis programs target teens and young adults aged 15–30).
  • How long after the onset of initial symptoms can someone qualify for your first-episode track?
  • What is the typical duration of the program? (Many CSC tracks are designed around a 2-year recovery model). [1]

Insurance & Financials

  • Is this program covered under standard health insurance plans, or is it supported by public grants (like the Mental Health Block Grant)?
  • Are non-clinical services—like supported education, job coaching, or peer support—billed separately or included as part of the program? [1]

Where to Find a Program

To locate verified CSC programs across the United States, you can search via  or explore active network locations directly on the National EPINET Clinics Directory.