Early Psychosis Intervention

Durham Amaze Early Psychosis Intervention (EPI) program is an outpatient, early intervention service for individuals 14-35 years of age offered through Lakeridge Health. Services are offered to clients for a period of up to three years.  Our interdisciplinary team consists of psychiatrists, registered nurses, social workers, mental health clinicians, youth workers, and a peer support specialist. All of our staff have training and expertise in the early intervention of first episode psychosis.

What You Can Expect

Durham Amaze provides a range of supports tailored to individual needs, including:

• Psychoeducation and information;
• Primary psychiatric care;
• Psychiatric nursing support;
• Individual and group therapy;
• Community-based activities;
• Family education and support;
• Vocational and educational support.

Our Specialized Approach involves:

Our program is designed to be responsive, flexible, and client-centred. We offer:

• Prompt referral processing and timely initiation of care
• Comprehensive interdisciplinary assessments
• Creative and flexible engagement strategies
• Services delivered in locations that feel most comfortable—whether in-office, at home, at school, or in the community
• Evidence-based therapies, including Individual Resiliency Training, cognitive restructuring, and behavioural activation
• Support navigating the health-care system for both clients and families
• Collaborative care planning, including relapse prevention and recovery plans
• Thorough transition planning at program completion
• Ongoing program evaluation and quality improvement

How We Can Help

Our goal is to support recovery and minimize the impact of psychosis by:

• Reducing the duration of untreated psychosis to improve outcomes and quality of life
• Helping individuals set and achieve meaningful recovery goals
• Minimizing disruption to education, work, and social roles
• Reducing the broader impact on mental health, physical health, and social service systems
• Supporting families and reducing the stress and disruption they may experience
• Guiding clients and families through the mental health system

Eligible Individuals Must

• Be 14–35 years old
• Have a diagnosis of a psychotic mental health disorder (affective or non-affective) 
• Be within five years of initial diagnosis
• Participate voluntarily 

There will be no exclusions based on prior psychiatric treatment, substance use, autism, or developmental disability – provided applicants are able to meaningfully engage in the program.  In such cases, eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis during an intake assessment.   

Individuals are Ineligible if: 

• Psychosis is caused by a medical condition 
• Individual has received a cumulative 3 years of service from one or more EPI teams 

Referrals will continue to be accepted from:

• Health-care professionals
• Teachers
• Family members
• Self-referral 

For internal referrals: 

•  Continue to submit through Epic using the standard referral process. 

For external referrals:

• Call: 905-440-7534 (or toll-free at 1-833-392-7363)
• Fax: 905-440-7560
• Email: CentralConnectMHA@lh.ca
• Use the patient self-referral form
• Use the health care provider e-referral form.

Location and Contact Information

Whitby Mall
1615 Dundas St. E.
Lang Tower, 2^nd Floor, Unit W-214
Whitby, ON
Phone: 905-721-4747 ext. 8

The Whitby Mall is located on Thickson Road, south of Dundas Street. To find the EPI office:

1. Standing just outside the main mall entrance (where the Bell Store is), you will see another set of doors to your left. Do not enter the mall. The doors to the EPI program are accessed from outside
2. Those doors will have a stairwell and an elevator inside.
3. Enter and go to the second floor.
4. Our office is at the end of the hall and is clearly labelled – EPI Program, Unit W-214.