Resources for caregivers and those supporting people with lived experience of psychosis, curated by the ISPS-US Family Support Group.
1. Start Here: Understanding Psychosis
For family members who are new, or want to deepen their understanding
These resources provide a foundation in psychological and social frameworks for understanding psychosis — an essential first step for caregivers.
General Education
- ISPS-US Education – Webinars, events, and educational materials from ISPS-US
- A Disorder 4 Everyone! | Challenging the Culture of Psychiatric Diagnosis
- Mad Lit List - Madhouse - Google Docs
- Lived Experience Editorial – Writing and perspectives by people with lived experience
- PROGRAM | psychosissummit (Interviews)
- RootsUp.info
Understanding Hearing Voices & Unusual Experiences
These resources help family members understand the inner world of their loved one — including voice-hearing, paranoia, and other experiences often labeled as symptoms.
- National Hearing Voices Network – For people who hear voices, see visions, or have other unusual perceptions
- Wildflower Alliance – Peer support and alternatives to the traditional mental health system
- National Paranoia Network – Support and information for people experiencing paranoia
Recovery-Oriented Frameworks
- CBT for Psychosis – Handouts and Resources – Practical tools grounded in CBT for psychosis
2. Support for You as a Caregiver
Groups, communities, and reading specifically for family members
Caring for a loved one experiencing psychosis can be isolating. These resources offer community, peer support, and practical guidance for caregivers.
Support Groups
- ISPS-US Monthly Family Support Group (online) – Monthly online group open to caregivers, people with lived experience, and others
- Mad in America – Parent Resources – Weekly parent support groups (US/Canada) and monthly (US/Europe)
- Mad in America – Parent Resources – Weekly parent support groups (US/Canada) and monthly (US/Europe)
Family & Caregiver Organizations
- SAFE 4 Recovery – Survivors and Families Empowered for Recovery
- SAFE 4 Recovery Substack – Newsletter and ongoing updates from SAFE 4 Recovery3. Support for Your Loved One
Resources to explore together or pass along to the person you support
These are peer-led and community resources that may resonate with people who have lived experience of psychosis, voice-hearing, or other unusual experiences.
Peer & Community Support
- National Hearing Voices Network – Community and resources for voice-hearers
- Wildflower Alliance – Peer-run alternatives and support
- National Paranoia Network – Support for people experiencing paranoia
3. Navigating Treatment
Understanding options, alternatives, and medication decisions
ISPS-US supports informed decision-making about treatment. These resources offer perspectives on treatment alternatives and medication tapering that align with a psychological and social approach.
Treatment Alternatives
- Soteria House – Pathways Vermont – Residential alternatives to hospitalization
- Soteria – Kiva Centers – Another Soteria model program
- ISEPP – Critical Psychology and Psychiatry – Institute for the Science and Practice of Anti-Oppressive Psychotherapy
Psychiatric Drug Tapering
For families navigating medication reduction, these resources provide evidence-informed guidance.
- Psychiatric Drug Tapering – Center for Integrated Behavioral Health – Anders Sorensen
- Antidepressant Withdrawal – Dr. Mark Horowitz – Research and guidance from both patient and clinical perspectives
- Inner Compass Exchange – Community for people navigating psychiatric drug decisions
*These resources are provided for educational and informational purposes and are not intended to provide individualized guidance or recommendations. ISPS-US does not necessarily endorse the views, services, or approaches of the organizations and resources linked here, and we encourage families to explore multiple perspectives and consider the experiences and wishes of the person they support when making decisions about care and support.
