About Us
Who We Are
Missouri’s Early Psychosis Care (EPC) Center is a partnership between the Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH), the Missouri Institute of Mental Health (MIMH), and the Missouri Behavioral Health Council (MBHC). Our goal is to highlight the importance of early identification and intervention for first episode psychosis (FEP). Both are key for reducing FEP’s effect on individuals, their loved ones, and the community. The EPC Center is working with behavioral health centers across the state to improve the quality of care for individuals experiencing FEP. We use education and outreach to raise awareness. In these efforts we share new research, best practice, trends, and strategies.
Get To Know Us Better
JJ Gossrau, MSW, LCSW
Director
Early Psychosis Care CenterDirector of Young Adult Services
Missouri Department of Mental HealthJJ Gossrau is the Director of the Early Psychosis Care Center. Her responsibilities include supervision of the development of the Early Psychosis Care Center and connecting with key stakeholders including state government offices, private and nonprofit community service agencies, universities, and community behavioral health provider agencies. She is passionate about transforming psychosis care for young people and ensuring timely access to effective early intervention services. JJ received her Master of Social Work from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog Jessie and spending time with her husband and 2 boys.
Rachel Kryah, MSW/MPH
Associate Director
Early Psychosis Care CenterAssociate Director of Research
Missouri Institute of Mental HealthRachel Kryah is the Associate Director of the Early Psychosis Care Center. Her responsibilities include collaborating with external stakeholders to drive our initiatives, identifying and evaluating new resources, coordinating projects, and overseeing the smooth function of the Early Psychosis Care team. She is passionate about driving innovation in early psychosis care and spearheading initiatives that enhance access, reduce stigma, and promote community integration. Rachel received her Masters of Social Work and Public Health from St. Louis University. In her free time, she enjoys running, yoga, reading, and spending time with her husband, two children, two cats, and puppy.
Rebecca N. Preston, PhD
Clinical Lead
Early Psychosis Care CenterSenior Clinical Research Scientist
Missouri Institute of Mental HealthDr. Rebecca Preston is the Clinical Lead of the Early Psychosis Care Center. She received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Hosftra University with training strongly rooted in evidence-based treatment modalities and rigorous research methods. Her research interests concentrate on stressors and impaired self-regulatory behaviors that both predate and maintain disorders of self-control and co-morbid psychiatric disorders in vulnerable populations. With the Early Psychosis Care Center, Rebecca develops trainings and facilitates the implementation of evidence-based practices to prevent the onset of and provide treatment for early psychosis in individuals in Missouri. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, cooking, and hanging out with her family.
Jodi Woodruff, PhD
Lead Evaluator
Early Psychosis Care CenterAssistant Research Professor
Missouri Institute of Mental HealthDr. Jodi Woodruff is the Lead Evaluator of the Early Psychosis Care Center. Her responsibilities include the use of data to tell stories about how programs like Early Psychosis Care are working to improve lives. She is passionate about using data to inform the best care for individuals experiencing early psychosis. Jodi received her PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Missouri in St. Louis. In her free time, she enjoys spending as much time as possible outdoors, yoga, and hanging out with family.
Brooke Holterman, MSW, LCSW
Learning & Development Manager
Early Psychosis Care CenterLearning & Development Manager
Missouri Behavioral Health CouncilBrooke Holterman is the Learning & Development Manager at the Missouri Behavioral Health Council and partners with the Early Psychosis Care Center. Her responsibilities include connecting behavioral health providers to the Early Psychosis Care Center, executing learning strategies and training programs, and tracking learning effectiveness. She is passionate about improving access to treatment and overall patient care for those diagnosed with serious mental illness. Brooke received her Master of Social Work from the University of Missouri and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Missouri. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, visiting with friends and family, and being outdoors.
Katie Horstman, BS
Director of Education and Engagement
Early Psychosis Care CenterDirector of Education and Engagement
Missouri Behavioral Health CouncilKatie Horstman is the Director of Education and Engagement of the Missouri Behavioral Health Council. Her responsibilities include connecting Missouri Behavioral Health Council members to Early Psychosis Care initiatives and providing them with information about training and events. She is passionate about coordinating and providing first-class conferences, events, and training, as well as breaking the stigma around behavioral health. She received her bachelor’s in Business Administration at Lincoln University. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. She also enjoys farm life in the booming metropolis of New Bloomfield, Missouri.
Grace Chapel, BS
Youth and Family Liaison
Early Psychosis Care CenterProgram Support Coordinator
Missouri Institute of Mental HealthGrace Chapel is the Youth and Family Liaison of the Early Psychosis Care Center. Her responsibilities include emphasizing the youth perspective and ensuring our materials and outreach resonate with those we aim to serve. She is passionate about empowering and fostering a sense of optimism in young people experiencing psychosis and their families. Grace received her Bachelor of Science in communication disorders from Florida State University. In her free time, she loves to travel, crochet, and play board games with friends.