UCLA Aftercare Research Program

The UCLA Aftercare Research Program is a joint clinical and research program located in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry specializing in the treatment of individuals with schizophrenia and related disorders who are in an early phase of their illness. For the last 40 years, our Program treatment team has been providing free services to young-adult patients, most of whom are in their late teens or early twenties (ages 18 to 45 are eligible). Our primary treatment aim is to assist patients through the tumultuous first years after the onset of psychosis, and to help treat their psychosis while getting them back on their feet again. Our program is providing medication management, psychotherapy, and cognitive remediation as part of our ongoing clinical evaluation of improved treatment for the early phase of psychotic disorders. All patients will also participate in cognitive training designed to enhance concentration, memory, and problem solving. An additional “Bridging Group” will help identify how these skills can be helpful at work or school. Half of all patients will also participate in a home aerobic exercise program that includes exercise for approximately two and a UCLA Aftercare Program half hours per week and the other half of the patients will participate in a group to learn healthy living skills.