Inspiration for this Project
Hello! My name is Alyssa, and I am a clinical psychology doctoral candidate currently working in a forensic setting. The inspiration for this project grew from a deep compassion I have long held for individuals who hear voices—people whose experiences are so often misunderstood and marginalized. That compassion was further ignited during my practicum work with individuals impacted by the complex intersection of trauma, houselessness, criminal justice involvement, and serious and persistent mental illness. Listening to their stories and engaging in my own research, I began to understand how profoundly trauma and psychosis are intertwined—and how rarely this connection is acknowledged or centered in traditional clinical frameworks.
In my second year of graduate school, I was introduced to the Power Threat Meaning Framework by both my dissertation chair and clinical supervisor. It was a turning point. This framework offered a lens that moved away from medicalizing experiences like schizophrenia and toward honoring the personal meaning, context, and humanity behind them. It resonated deeply with me and aligned with the kind of clinician I aspired to be—one who doesn’t pathologize, but listens, understands, and centers lived experience.
As I searched for a dissertation topic, I realized the answer had been with me all along—in the clients I worked with, the stories I carried, and the passion that guided my clinical work. This project reflects the heart of what I care about and the direction I hope to continue pursuing throughout my journey as a graduate student and future clinical psychologist.
This website is a space I’m creating to share the insights I’ve gathered through both research and clinical experience—insights that have deeply shaped the way I understand and approach psychosis. My hope is that it will inspire other clinicians just as I’ve been inspired along my journey. I believe that by offering education, shifting perspectives, and centering the lived experiences behind psychosis, we can foster more compassionate and effective therapeutic relationships. More than anything, this site aims to uplift and amplify the voices of those who experience psychosis—honoring their stories, strengths, and humanity.
Lastly, this space is meant to be a collaborative hub for others working in similar fields—a place to share resources, literature, and insights that can deepen our collective understanding. By learning from one another, we can strengthen our work and better serve the individuals and communities at the heart of what we do. With that said, please feel free to reach out using the email address provided below to share such insights! :)