First-Episode and Early Psychosis Program

Specialized evaluation, treatment and education for adolescents and adults experiencing psychosis for the first time.

Early, specialized care

Support when psychosis first begins

The First-Episode and Early Psychosis Program (FEPP) offers highly specialized evaluation, treatment and education for people who are experiencing psychosis for the first time.

Who the program serves

  • People experiencing psychosis for the first time
  • Adolescents and adults between ages 14 and 35
  • Residents of Greater Boston

What the program offers

  • Medical and psychological evaluation
  • Diagnostic second-opinion consultations
  • Medication treatment
  • Education and family support
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis
  • Supported education and employment services

Coordinated specialty care

Care centered on recovery goals

FEPP provides team-based, recovery-oriented care designed for the early phase of psychosis. The team works with each patient and family to reduce delays in care, complete a comprehensive evaluation and build a treatment plan around the person's clinical, educational, employment and personal goals.

Clinical care

  • Phase-specific, evidence-based treatment
  • Medication management
  • Individual cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis

Recovery support

  • Family education and support
  • Supported education and employment
  • Peer support and care coordination

Your first visit

What to expect

During the initial visit, you will meet with a member of the clinical team. The clinician will ask about your mental health, medications and medical history and will work with you to determine which treatment program may best meet your needs.

You may be offered ongoing treatment through FEPP or directed to another appropriate treatment option. An initial visit does not guarantee ongoing treatment.

Program duration

Participation in FEPP is available for up to three years. At that point, the team evaluates the need for continued treatment and can help arrange a transition to appropriate care.

Request an evaluation

Referral and screening

The referral form may be completed by the patient, a family member or a healthcare provider.

  1. 1
    Complete the referral form

    Share the information the team needs to understand the reason for referral.

  2. 2
    Clinical screening

    The team reviews every referral for clinical appropriateness and may contact you for additional information.

  3. 3
    Initial appointment

    If appropriate, the team will arrange an evaluation and discuss the most suitable treatment options.

Open the FEPP referral form

The screening process may take time. Submitting a referral or completing an initial visit is not a guarantee of ongoing treatment.

Meet the people providing care

The FEPP team

FEPP brings together psychiatrists, psychologists, supported education and employment specialists, peer-support professionals, trainees and coordinators to provide coordinated specialty care.

Abigail L. Donovan, MD
Program Director

Abigail L. Donovan, MD

Director, First-Episode and Early Psychosis Program

Merranda M. McLaughlin, PhD, MS

Merranda M. McLaughlin, PhD, MS

Elena LaRose, PsyD Candidate, MA

Elena LaRose, PsyD Candidate, MA

Baktash Babadi, MD, PhD

Baktash Babadi, MD, PhD

Corinne Cather, PhD

Corinne Cather, PhD

Deena DiMaria

Victoria R. Hasler, PhD

Victoria R. Hasler, PhD

Carol Lim, MD, MPH

Carol Lim, MD, MPH

Shreedhar Paudel, MBBS

Shreedhar Paudel, MBBS

Hassan Ramadan

Faith Scanlon, PhD

Faith Scanlon, PhD

John W. Tyson Jr., MD

John W. Tyson Jr., MD

Alexandra C. Volpacchio, PsyD

Alexandra C. Volpacchio, PsyD

Lauren Utter, PsyD

Lauren Utter, PsyD

Drew C. Coman, PhD

Drew C. Coman, PhD

Jaclyn Ann De Paola

Jordan E. Zimmerman, MA

Jordan E. Zimmerman, MA

Suhani Dheer

Suhani Dheer

Emily Jean Petti

Cheryl Yunn Shee Foo, PhD

Cheryl Yunn Shee Foo, PhD

Laura Siracusa, MA

Temitope Ogundare, MD

Temitope Ogundare, MD

Elaine Shen, MD

Elaine Shen, MD

Thomas Damario

Portraits are displayed only where a clearly identified public professional photograph was available.