What does PIER offer?
The PIER Program is a Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) team. This means that being part of the PIER Program offers you access to professionals trained in many different disciplines who offer a variety of services.
As a coordinated team, we work together to provide participants and their families the most high-quality, specialized care that exists in mental health treatment today. We are most proud of integrating participant and family voice in all aspects of the treatment and the community outreach that we deliver.
Multifamily Group (MFG)
Multifamily group offers a different way of approaching recovery where participants and families support each other. In this safe space, we explore confusing symptoms and experiences, what helps and what hurts, and the family’s important role in better understanding how to help.
The group is structured with a focus on problem solving and thoughtful planning toward goals.
The group allows for participants and families to learn from each other and offer each other hope and connection.
Involving Family and
Key Supports in treatment
One of the hallmarks of care at PIER is the involvement of loved ones in treatment. The more that loved ones understand the relationship between stress and symptoms, the more that they are able to respond in a helpful way.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp)
CBTp is a type of therapy that normalizes experiences of psychosis. It explains that symptoms happen along a spectrum from subtle to very intense. It helps to make sense of thoughts and experiences that can feel very scary and unfamiliar. It teaches skills to manage symptoms so that you can continue to live your life.
Peer Support
A “peer” is someone who has personally experienced challenges related to their mental health. Many peers have engaged in mental health treatment themselves. With this lived experience, they understand both the challenges and benefits of getting help. Peer support focuses on building supportive relationships, how to move forward in the midst of struggle, and provides hope for the future.
Care Management
The care manager works with participants and families to build connections within the program and resources in their communities. The care manager helps participants move towards independence through exploring medical and housing options, assisting with health care coverage and other needs.
Educational Support
The education specialist provides assistance to students so they can successfully return to or stay in school. The education specialist works to develop goals, request helpful accommodations, assist with organizational skills, and provide IEP preparation and support.
Employment Support
The employment specialist assists clients in finding and keeping a job that capitalizes on their strengths and interest. Examples of services include connection to resources, resume building, on-site job coaching, and improving interview skills.
Psychiatric Consultation and
Medication Management
The psychiatrist works closely with you and other team members to provide medication management, diagnostic clarification and ongoing treatment planning.
PIER & Resilience Monthly Education Workshop
Offered 3rd Thursday of every month from 4:00pm – 5:30pm on Zoom
Access the link here:
https://zoom.us/j/5648774072?pwd=aVA5dnV4M2Y3UmYwaVRuOWtHVENuZz09
Learn more about early psychosis and what family/supports can do to help
If you are referred to the program, we have a monthly opportunity to meet (over Zoom) with young people and family members about their experiences with psychosis and what they found helpful. Please contact our Outreach and Referral Coordinator at pierreferrals@mainehealth.org for more information.
We are offering a portion of the PIER/Resilience Community and Family Education workshop online. Click play to view.
Program Materials
Early Symptoms Flyer
This flyer gives examples of some symptoms that could indicate early warning signs of psychosis.
PIER Brochure
Brief overview of the PIER program.
Resilience Brochure
Brief overview of the Resilience program.
Maine Medical Center 66 Bramhall Street Portland, Maine 04102
The PIER Program is part of the Maine Medical Center Department of Psychiatry and MaineHealth Institute for Research.
Funding for PIER comes from the Mental Health Block Grant through the Department of Health and Human Services.