Psychiatric Research and Practice

I have long been interested in questions related to how knowledge is produced, and ought to be produced, in the field of psychiatry. I am currently examining the application of feminist standpoint theory to the field of psychiatry, asking whether lived experience can underlie the potential for a unique epistemic advantage within psychiatric research. A related project explores how participatory research in psychiatry should be shaped by the field's unique history, its reliance on subjectivity, and the nature of disagreement within the field. 

I have also been involved in several qualitative research projects in psychiatry. Two projects I am currently involved include an investigation of the experiences of participants and family members in the community-based mental health program, Parachute, and an exploration of the themes of identity and wellbeing among youth participating in the coordinated care program OnTrackNY.

Representative Papers:

• Friesen, P. (2019) Expanding Outcome Measures in Schizophrenia Research: Does RDoC Pose a Threat? Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology. * winner of the Jaspers Award from the Association for the Advancement of Philosophy of Psychiatry 

• Friesen, P., Lawrence, R. E., Brucato, G., R, G. R., & Dixon, L. (2016). Hopes and Expectations Regarding Genetic Testing for Schizophrenia Among Young Adults at Clinical High-Risk for Psychosis. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 22(6), 442-449.

Recent/ Forthcoming Papers:

• Wusinich, C., Lindy, D., Russell, D., Pessin, N., Friesen, P. (2020) Experiences of Parachute NYC: An Integration of Open Dialogue and Intentional Peer Support, Community Mental Health Journal.

• Friesen, P., Lignou, S., Sheehan, M., Singh, I. (2019) Measuring the Impact of Participatory Research in Psychiatry: How the search for epistemic justifications obscures ethical considerations. Health Expectations. Special Issue: Showcasing Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement in Mental Health Research. 

• Cohen, E., Wusinich, C., Friesen, P. (2019) Considering the social variable in psychiatric hospitalization: A case for structural competency. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry. 

Recent/ Upcoming Talks:

• “Participatory Research in Psychiatry: Unpacking Ethical and Epistemic Justifications” (May, 2019) at the Annual Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Philosophy and Psychiatry, San Francisco 

• “Parachute NYC: Experiences of Participants, Family Members, and Team Members” (November, 2018) at ISPS (panel, with Lavy, T., Cohen, E., and Wusinich, C.)