Psychosis-Spectrum Care
Specialized Telehealth for Complex Clinical Presentations
Standard outpatient clinics often refer psychosis cases out, citing “acuity” or “complexity.” At Mad River, these are the cases we are built for. We provide a structured, phase-oriented model for individuals and families navigating Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Treatment-Resistant Psychosis.
Beyond Symptom Management
We don’t just “manage” symptoms — we work to understand their function. Our framework integrates evidence-based tools with deep psychological inquiry.
CBTp (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis)
High-fidelity tools for reality-testing and managing auditory or visual hallucinations. Includes Observer Self development, collaborative reality testing, and early warning identification for relapse prevention.
Containment & Symbolization
Drawing on Bion and Object Relations to help the psyche process "unthinkable" experiences and turn them into meaningful language. The therapist functions as a containing presence — a mind that can hold what the client cannot yet hold alone.
Systemic Advocacy
Working with families and support networks to create a stable holding environment that prevents burnout and promotes long-term stability. Treatment is coordinated with prescribers when medication optimization is part of the clinical picture.
The Phase-Oriented Model
Treatment is organized into distinct phases to ensure safety and measurable progress. Phases are not rigid — regression to earlier-phase work is understood as the plan working, not breaking down.
Safety & Stabilization
Establishing a reliable therapeutic alliance and creating a container for crisis.
Developing Capacity
Building the psychological tools needed to observe thoughts and sensations without being overwhelmed by them.
Integration & Meaning-Making
Exploring the underlying structure of the experience and restoring a sense of agency.
Functional Recovery
Transitioning from surviving the diagnosis to navigating a life of purpose and social connection.
Conditions Treated
We work with a range of psychosis-spectrum presentations, each requiring individualized treatment planning and clinical precision.
- Schizophrenia (all subtypes)
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Brief Psychotic Disorder
- Bipolar I with Psychotic Features
- Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder
- Treatment-Resistant Psychosis
- Psychosis with co-occurring trauma or neurodevelopmental conditions
Clinical Oversight & Safety
For high-acuity psychosis care, safety is paramount. Daniel Elliott (License #61673311) provides all clinical services under the specialized supervision of Dr. Brent Potter, PhD, LMHC (License #LH00007704), ensuring a high-level second mind is active in every case. Existential-phenomenological approaches take seriously the meaning-structure of psychotic experience, not just its symptom profile.
How to Begin
We offer a specialized consultation to determine if our phase-oriented model is the right fit for your current needs.