Building hope through early psychosis support
For Dr. Ashley Weiss, psychiatry has always been about understanding people. Long before medical school, she was fascinated by how the mind works and motivated by a desire to help individuals navigate life's most complex challenges.
That curiosity only deepened as she studied psychology, philosophy and medicine. But it was during her training, while caring for individuals experiencing psychosis, that she discovered where she truly belonged.
Early in her residency, Dr. Weiss cared for a young person experiencing a first episode of psychosis, which changed the course of her career.
She saw firsthand how patients and families often struggled to understand what was happening and how few specialized resources were available to support them during the earliest stages of illness.
Determined to better support patients and families, Dr. Weiss immersed herself in scientific literature and sought guidance from leaders in early psychosis care.
Dr. Weiss partnered with colleagues to launch an early psychosis program from the ground up. What began with a small team and limited dedicated clinical time gradually evolved into EPIC-NOLA, a program that now serves approximately 250 individuals through a comprehensive, team-based approach to care.
Her goal is for patients to feel that the clinic is more than a place to receive treatment. It's a place where they are welcomed, respected and understood.
I’m so proud of how authentic the work is that we do here. Everyone genuinely cares about our patients, from the clinical staff to the front desk administrator.
That philosophy extends beyond the clinic walls. Through CALM (Clear Answers to Louisiana Mental Health), the clinic's advocacy and outreach initiative, Dr. Weiss and her team promote early identification of psychosis, provide educational resources and work to reduce stigma. They also empower individuals with lived experience to share their stories and become advocates for others navigating similar challenges.
Unlike many treatment programs, Dr. Weiss's clinic does not automatically discharge patients after a set period of time. Instead, long-term relationships are seen as an essential part of care.
Many of the individuals she serves have been with her for seven, eight or even ten years. During that time, she has watched patients graduate from school, pursue careers, build relationships and achieve accomplishments that once felt out of reach.
Seeing my patients move through life and reach milestones is the most rewarding part of my work.
Through every conversation, every challenge and every step toward recovery, Dr. Weiss remains committed to ensuring that patients experiencing psychosis are met not with judgment or assumption, but with compassion, understanding and hope. And for many of the individuals and families she serves, that can make all the difference.
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