About Deb | Psychosis treatment

For more than two decades, I have dedicated my career to helping people recover from Psychosis and reclaim meaningful, fulfilling lives. During my years at UT Southwestern Medical Center, I led both research and clinical teams focused on evidence-based approaches to understanding and treating Psychosis. My passion for this work began in graduate school and continues to inspire the way I help clients and families navigate the path toward healing and hope.

Over the years, I have sought out specialized training in approaches that truly support people living with Psychosis in their day-to-day lives. I have advanced training in cognitive remediation, a method that uses targeted, often computer-based exercises to strengthen attention, memory, and problem-solving — areas that are frequently affected in conditions like Schizophrenia. I also draw on social cognition interventions to help people better understand social cues, emotions, and relationships, which can make everyday interactions feel less confusing and more manageable.

My work is grounded in validated therapies, including CBT for Psychosis and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which help people relate differently to voices, beliefs, and difficult emotions, rather than feeling controlled by them. In addition, I am informed by the Hearing Voices Movement and The Safe Programme, which emphasize making meaning of unusual experiences in a respectful, collaborative, and non-pathologizing way. Together, these approaches allow me to tailor treatment to each person and family, honoring both their strengths and their lived experience.

As Conversations Therapy continues to grow, I am excited to expand support for people with Psychosis and those who care about them. Beginning in April 2026, I am launching a lived experience group for young adults called PACT: Psychosis And Coping Together, a space where young people who have experienced Psychosis can connect, share strategies, and feel less alone in what they’re going through.

I am also starting a new Multi-Family Support Group called FLEX: Families with Lived Experience of Psychosis, designed for parents, partners, siblings, and other support members. FLEX offers education, practical tools, and a supportive community so families can better understand Psychosis, respond more confidently, and feel supported themselves as they walk alongside their loved one.

Together, PACT and FLEX reflect my commitment to building community, reducing isolation, and creating more hopeful pathways for recovery for both individuals and families.