The Emerge Model & Study

The Emerge Model

The Emerge multidisciplinary model is developmentally focused on emerging adults. Emerge focuses on all developmental and social aspects of wellness that are important in emerging adulthood: friends, romantic relationships, sense of belonging, work, school and career exploration, developing independent living skills and decision-making. Emerging adulthood occurs approximately between ages 17–27, spanning late adolescence and young adulthood. 

Emerge Tools & Resources

View full slide deck from Emerge Model Webinar with resources and information about TAY team philosophy, design and impact.

5 Features of Emerging Adulthood

Age of possibilities: Most change possible compared to any other time in the life span, and sense of hope.

Instability: Change is to be expected. Mental health challenges cam make it difficult to navigate instability.

Reorganization of Relationships: Major shift from relying on caregivers to relying on self, friends, & community

Self-Focus: Young people have less adult responsibilities & less oversight, and are focused on figuring out who they are.

Emerge Research Study

Examining Feasibility of Community-based Multidisciplinary Team-based Model (Emerge) for TAY with Serious Mental Health Diagnoses: Comparing young people’s experiences with Emerge services (community support, care coordination, evidence-based therapies, Peer Support, Supported Employment & Education + prescribing) to those in adult-services-as-usual, and developing a manual, fidelity scale, and training tools for Emerge replication in Illinois and nationally (NIDILRR-funded; 2022-2025).

Study Participation

View the FACT sheet for details about study participation, eligibility and enrollment.
Contact rebecca.johnson1@austin.utexas.edu to learn more and enroll.

TIEMH Emerge Publications

  • “Integrating Positive Youth Development into Coordinated Specialty Care for a recent onset of psychosis”
    Klodnick, V.V., Johnson, R. P., Cohen, D. A., Fagan, M., Fetzer, P., & Clark, H. (2022). Journal of Social Work in Mental Health, 21(2),180-202. 

Study Partners