Understanding Psychosis Risk: What the SIPS Assessment Can Tell You
When something feels off with your thinking, perceptions seem unusual, thoughts feel harder to hold together, or reality seems slightly less solid than it once did, it can be difficult to know where to turn or what those experiences mean. For years, many individuals have gone without an accurate picture of their mental health simply because the right tools weren't available to them. At Resolutions Therapy Practice, that is changing.
We are proud to share that one of our licensed clinicians, Patrick Warf, has recently become certified through Yale University's PRIME Clinic to conduct the Structured Interview for Psychosis-Risk Syndromes, known as the SIPS assessment. This certification requires specialized training through one of the country's leading psychiatric research programs, and it means that this level of thorough, evidence-based psychosis evaluation is now accessible right here in Kentucky, both in person at our Florence office and through telehealth.
What is the SIPS Assessment?
The SIPS is considered a gold-standard tool for identifying clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. It is a clinician-administered interview that evaluates a range of symptoms—including unusual thought content, perceptual disturbances, disorganized thinking, and changes in social functioning—to determine whether a person may be at risk for a psychotic syndrome or already experiencing one. The assessment takes approximately 90 minutes and is conducted by a trained, certified professional.
The SIPS is designed to diagnose three specific clinical high-risk syndromes: Attenuated Positive Symptom Syndrome, Brief Intermittent Psychotic Syndrome, and Genetic Risk and Deterioration Syndrome. It can also identify the presence of a full psychotic syndrome when present. Importantly, this tool can be used with individuals between the ages of 12 and 45, making it a valuable resource for adolescents as well as adults.
Why Does Early Assessment Matter?
Research is clear that early intervention dramatically improves long-term outcomes for people experiencing symptoms of psychosis. The period just after symptoms first appear, often referred to as the critical window, is when treatment is most effective at altering the course of illness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is consistently recommended as the first-line treatment for those at clinical high risk, and it is most impactful when begun early.
Many people who could benefit from a psychosis assessment never receive one, often because they do not know such a resource exists or they are unsure whether their experiences "count." If you or someone you love has reported unusual perceptual experiences, paranoia, difficulty concentrating, or other symptoms within the past year, you may be eligible for a SIPS evaluation.
Who Can Access This Service?
This assessment is available to our own established clients, to clients of other clinicians within our practice, and to outside referrals who are simply seeking a one-time evaluation. For clients who are already working with a therapist at RTP, the process is straightforward: they would meet with our certified clinician for the assessment session and one brief follow-up to review results and address any questions.
A free phone screening is offered prior to the assessment to help determine eligibility. Appointments are available both in person at our Florence, Kentucky location and via telehealth throughout the state.
If you have been wondering what your experiences mean, or if you have had concerns about psychosis risk for yourself or a loved one, this assessment can provide clarity you may have been searching for. You do not have to sit with uncertainty.
Ready to learn more about the SIPS assessment or schedule a free phone screening? Contact us today to get started.
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