Having conversations with a young person experiencing psychosis—especially during a first episode of psychosis—can feel overwhelming. Families often want to help but may be unsure what to say or do. Approaching these conversations with empathy, patience, and preparedness can make a meaningful difference in helping your loved one feel heard and supported.
Below are practical strategies to guide communication with someone experiencing psychosis.
Psychosis is a medical condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and perceives reality. Someone experiencing psychosis may hear voices, see things others do not, or hold beliefs that feel unusual or confusing. These experiences are very real to them. Responding with compassion rather than judgment is the first step in supporting a young person experiencing psychosis.
Learn more about psychosis on our "What is Psychosis?" page.
Ask open-ended questions with genuine curiosity.
Give space for your loved one to share without interruption.
Listen for emotions as much as content—sometimes “feeling heard” is more important than solving a problem.
Example: "Can you tell me more about what that feels like for you?" "Help me understand what’s going on in your mind."
This approach fosters trust, helps your loved one feel safe, and encourages open dialogue.
Use short, direct statements.
Share one idea at a time.
Avoid offering too many choices, which can feel overwhelming.
When a young person is experiencing psychosis, they may hold strong beliefs that feel very real, even if they seem irrational to others. Challenging or dismissing these beliefs can feel invalidating and shut down communication.
Avoid arguing about what they are experiencing.
Focus on listening empathetically, validating feelings, and offering a supportive presence.
You can use gentle phrases such as:
“I can’t see them, but I know you can.”
If your loved one has been open to discussing these beliefs in the past, you might gently explore them in a supportive way, asking what helps them manage or cope.
“Sometimes these thoughts come up—do you want to talk about what’s helping you cope with them now?”
By responding this way, you support connection and trust rather than confrontation, which is essential for encouraging your loved one to seek care or discuss their experiences openly.
Even if you disagree with what your loved one believes, their emotions are valid. Respond with empathy.
Example phrases:
“That sounds scary.”
“I understand how you might feel that way.”
Asking permission promotes autonomy and a sense of control.
Example:
“Is it okay if I ask a few questions?”
“I have an idea that might help—can I share it?”
Share that others have faced similar challenges.
Offer hopeful, supportive messages.
Gentle self-disclosure can reduce feelings of isolation: “I’ve felt scared and confused before too.”
If behavior feels frightening:
Give space and avoid crowding.
Move to a quieter environment if possible.
Speak calmly and clearly.
Seek professional help if you notice warning signs of relapse or acute risk.
If safety is a concern:
Call 911 or a local mobile crisis team and specify it is a mental health crisis.
Share relevant diagnosis and history.
Request a mobile crisis team if available.
Stay nearby to provide context to responders.
Building trust and understanding creates a safe space for your loved one to share their experiences, which can be a critical step toward accessing care and treatment during a first episode of psychosis.
Check out these resources for practical techniques and examples:
In these videos you will learn more about the information we shared here, plus some specific techniques and tools. We even do live demonstrations to help you implement what you have learned.
If you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of psychosis, help is available.
Call 203-200-0140 for a confidential screening and referral to care.