1st Step team members with Professor Patrick McGorry, Australian of the Year 2010
Our story began in Australia several decades ago. 1st Step was influenced by the treatment approach first developed by Dr. Patrick McGorry and the team at the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) in Melbourne. Having a team dedicated to treating psychosis at the earliest stages of the illness proved so beneficial to individuals, families and communties that the early psychosis intervention (EPI) model has been adopted across Canada and around the world.
1st Step has been serving Waterloo, Wellington and Dufferin Counties since 2006. We are pleased to bring specialized knowledge of psychosis to the mental health sector in this community. 1st Step works with individuals between the ages of 14-35 who are experiencing an early episode of psychosis. Our team includes social workers, nurses, a family educator, a Recovery Program Coordinator, an occupational therapist, a dietician and a psychiatrist. We are all dedicated to the successful treatment of psychosis. We have the ability to arrange specialized assessments as needed.
We are equipped to see a client from the early phase of a psychotic illness through to recovery. We offer individual and group counseling for our clients and assist them in pursuing their life goals. We also provide support and education about psychosis for families and loved ones.
We expect recovery and believe that early intervention is the key to effective treatment.
Some of the Services Offered to Clients Attending 1st Step- Assessments
- One-on-one counseling and support focused on recovery
- Support for families and loved ones
- Psychiatric services with medication and its effectiveness monitored by a psychiatrist and nursing staff
- Vocational assessment and assistance attaining goals such as returning to school or work and resuming meaningful activities
- Support groups for clients and families to promote understanding about psychosis, relapse prevention, treatment options and community participation
- Skill building groups to prepare program participants for independent living
- Recreation and fitness groups to have fun, feel healthy and meet new people during the recovery process
