SARAH LYNCH, LCSW has been a national trainer through Maine Medical Center and the PIER Training Institute since 2005. For the last two decades, she has dedicated her career to early intervention in psychosis and evidence-based treatment models. She re-launched the Portland Identification and Early Referral (PIER) Program, a first episode and clinical high risk for psychosis treatment team at Maine Medical Center in 2015 and continues to work toward expansion and sustainability of these services statewide. This Coordinated Specialty Care model includes team-based treatment, a more creative approach to engagement involving family and supports, cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis, multifamily group psychoeducation, employment/education support, case management, medication management, peer support, family partners, and ongoing community outreach and education. Prior to 2015, she was the Deputy Director for the RWJF-funded Early Detection and Intervention for the Prevention of Psychosis Program (EDIPPP) multisite study and the Clinical Team Leader of the PIER Program under Dr. William McFarlane. She has been training and providing supervision to clinical teams nationally in early detection and team-based care, community outreach, and multifamily groups since 2005. She also now trains clinicians in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp).
Sarah is most excited by the paradigm shift in the mental health field to a more proactive, hopeful, and individualized model of treatment. She is inspired by the influence graduate parents and participants have in engaging new participants and educating our community through their stories, advocacy and ideas. The roles of Peer Support and Family Partners offer new possibilities for reducing barriers and stigma. Ms. Lynch received her Master Degree in Social Work at Columbia University and her Bachelor of Arts at Connecticut College.
When not working, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors with her family – she loves riding her bike, swimming, and singing.
Sarah Lynch
LCSW
“I am inspired by young people and families finding community and healing in one another. Multifamily Groups offer mutual support, more perspectives, education, and social change for peers, families, supports and providers alike.”Sarah Lynch, LCSW
- Lynch S, Jaynes, R, Nyguany, N, Engaging Individuals and Families in Treatment. In: Intervening Early in Psychosis: A Team Approach, edited by K.V. Hardy, J.S. Ballon, D.L. Noordsy, S. Adelsheim. Washington DC: American Psychiatric Publishing, 2019.
- Lynch, S., Mason, N., McFarlane, W.R.. (2018). Family Psychoeducation in the Treatment of Mental Illness: Historical Context, Current Practice and Future Directions. In: Rosenberg, J. & Rosenberg, S., Eds Community Mental Health: Challenges for the 21stCentury 3rd edition). New York: Routledge.
- McFarlane, W.R., Susser, E., McCleary, R., Verdi, M., Lynch, S., Williams, D., et al. Reduction in Incidence of Hospitalizations for Psychotic Episodes Through Early Identification and Intervention. Psychiatric Services in Advance [serial on the Internet]. 2014.
- Lynch S., McFarlane, W.R., Joly, B., Adelsheim, S., Auther, A., Cornblatt, B.A., Migliorati, M., Ragland, J.D., Sale, T., Spring, E., Calkins, R., Carter, C.S., Jaynes, R., Taylor, S.F., Downing D. Early detection, intervention and prevention of psychosis program: Community outreach and early identification at six US sites. Psychiatric Services (in advance of print) January 2016.
- McFarlane, W.R., Cook, W.L., Downing, D., Ruff, A., Lynch, S., Adelsheim, S., Calkins, R., Carter, C.S., Cornblatt, B. (2012). Early Detection, Intervention, and Prevention of Psychosis Program: Rationale, Design, and Sample Description. Adolescent Psychiatry, 2, 112-124. d their journeys to recovery
- McFarlane, W.R., Lynch, S., Melton, R. (2012). Family Psychoeducation in Clinical High Risk and First-Episode Psychosis. Adolescent Psychiatry, 2, 182-194.
- Migliorati, M., Salvador, M., Spring-Nichols, E., Lynch, S., Sale, T., Adelsheim, S. (2012). In the First Person: A Window into the Experience of Early Psychosis and Recovery. Adolescent Psychiatry, 2, 146-152.
- Owens, E. and Lynch, S. Multifamily Group Psychoeducation: Evidence-based practice with a multidisciplinary approach. Advance for Nurses, August 29, 2005 – Vol. 7, Issue 19, Page 41.