Sarah Kopelovich, PhD, ABPP

Sarah Kopelovich, PhD, ABPP is a forensically-trained and board-certified clinical psychologist. She is Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, where she holds the first Professorship in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp). She is co-Director of the Center for Supporting Psychosis Innovation, Research, Implementation, and Training (SPIRIT Center) and serves as founding and core faculty for the Center for Mental Health, Policy, and the Law and the Washington State Center of Excellence in Early Psychosis.

 Dr. Kopelovich’s research focuses on expanding access to evidence-based care for individuals experiencing first episode and persistent psychosis through implementation science, workforce development, digital mental health innovation, and systems transformation. She has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on federally and state-funded research and implementation initiatives supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), state mental health agencies, and private foundations.

 A nationally recognized leader in CBTp implementation, Dr. Kopelovich chaired SAMHSA’s national expert panel on CBT for psychosis and led development of the federal Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis Implementation Guide (SAMHSA, 2021). She also co-authored the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) systematic review of psychopharmacologic and psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia spectrum disorders, which informed the American Psychiatric Association’s Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia (2020). Her work has advanced innovative approaches to scaling evidence-based care, including the development and evaluation of AI-enhanced psychotherapy training tools, statewide psychosis awareness and early identification initiatives, and implementation strategies that strengthen behavioral health systems.

 Dr. Kopelovich is a founding member and current President of the North America CBT for Psychosis Network, whose mission is to advance the dissemination and implementation of high-quality CBTp across North America. She is a frequent invited speaker and consultant, partnering with healthcare systems, government agencies, professional organizations, and community stakeholders to improve access to high-quality care for people experiencing psychosis and their families. Across her research, clinical, and policy work, Dr. Kopelovich is committed to closing the gap between scientific discovery and routine practice so that individuals experiencing psychosis and their families can access timely, evidence-based care regardless of where they live.