Josina James, LCSW

Josina received her Bachelors in Psychology at Fairfield University where she served for three years as a research assistant under Dr. Judy Primavera studying family reunification, the impact of race perceptions on aggression, and childhood psychological disorders. She also served as a teaching intern for Developmental Psychology as well as the vice president of Fairfield University's Psi Chi chapter, and received the Michelle Belle-Isle Award for outstanding achievement in psychology.

After graduating with her Bachelors, Josina pursued her MSW degree at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work where she majored in casework with a focused area of study in mental health and substance abuse. While at UConn, Josina completed her first year field placement at the Meriden Rushford Child & Adolescent PHP/IOP Program working as a clinician and running groups, and her second year field placement with the Yale Psychiatry's STEP (Specialized Treatment Early in Psychosis) Clinic where she served as an individual clinician as well as a facilitator for the Social Cognition and Interaction Training (SCIT) group and family educational workshops.

Upon completion of her MSW, Josina stayed in the world of treatment for first episode psychosis (FEP), and went to work as a clinician at the Institute of Living in the Young Adult Services POTENTIAL Program before returning to STEP. Here she serves as a clinician, providing individual psychotherapy to young adults early on in the course of a psychotic disorder as well as support and psychoeducation to family in addition to coordinating care with members of the interdisciplinary STEP team and key players in clients' lives in order to facilitate and promote wellness and recovery for the whole person.