Episode 1: Early Psychosis - Why Catching It Early Changes Everything
Early Psychosis - Why Catching It Early Changes Everything Changing the Trajectory of Psychosis: A Conversation with Dr. Ashley Weiss
Welcome to the very first episode of The Conn Job with Dr. Ann Conn.
In this powerful debut, I sit down with Dr. Ashley Weiss, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, Program Director for Child Psychiatry at Tulane University, and a nationally recognized leader in early psychosis intervention. Dr. Weiss is the founder of EPIC New Orleans, an early intervention program for psychosis, and CALM New Orleans, a community mental health advocacy organization.
Her work has reshaped the landscape of mental health care in Louisiana and brought hope to countless families. This episode is deeply personal for me, my own sons, Austin and Colin, suffered from psychotic illness. Their experiences, and the gaps in care that ultimately contributed to their loss fuel her mission to illuminate the realities of psychosis, challenge stigma, and advocate for better systems of care. Episode Overview In this episode, you’ll hear: Dr. Weiss’s path into child and adolescent psychiatry How early curiosity shaped her training Navigating stigma within the medical field How she found her calling working with teens and young adults in psychiatric crisis Understanding psychosis What psychosis actually is How it manifests Why psychosis is a symptom, not a diagnosis What the internal experience of disconnection from reality feels like Why early intervention matters and how it can change lives The origin story of EPIC New Orleans How Dr. Weiss became fascinated with early psychosis care The cold-call to Yale’s STEP program director who became her mentor Starting EPIC with just a few borrowed clinical hours How the program grew into a comprehensive, long-term care model serving young people across Louisiana CALM New Orleans: Reducing stigma and increasing awareness How CALM (Clear Answers to Louisiana Mental Health) educates the public Tools for families to recognize early signs of psychosis How CALM encourages earlier self-referral Their work to shift community attitudes about serious mental illness Why the U.S. is behind on early psychosis care and what’s changing Why young people are often psychotic for more than a year before receiving care The role of stigma across patients, families, and clinicians Systemic failures in early detection How early intervention programs prevent decades of suffering Changing the trajectory of serious mental illness What outcomes data from Europe and abroad shows Why early intervention works Why continuity of care past the 2–3 year mark is crucial for long-term success Success stories from Dr. Weiss’s clinic Insight into her research as a principal investigator for the NIH Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET) The urgent need for community mental health care
We discuss:
Why psychiatric illnesses require the same seriousness as ICU-level medical events The need for a mental health “medical home” How multidisciplinary teams (therapy, medication, family support, peer groups) create stability and hope
Why This Episode Matters
Psychosis is stigmatized, misunderstood, and often missed until crisis emerges. Families frequently navigate trauma, confusion, fear, and isolation on their own. This episode brings light to a subject often met with silence. Whether you’re a clinician, caregiver, family member, student, or someone seeking understanding, this conversation offers: clarity compassion scientific grounding hope It is a call to action for early recognition, early intervention, and community-based support.
Resources Mentioned EPIC New Orleans – Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic CALM New Orleans – Clear Answers to Louisiana Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Early Psychosis Intervention Network (EPINET)
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