Family Therapy + Evaluation

aims of family therapy

improve family communication and reduce stress of living as a family

how it helps

reduces expressed emotion and improve's family's ability to help. i.e form therapeutic alliance

model of practice

burbach: 7 phases from providing emotional/practical support through identifying unhelpful oatterns of interaction to maintenance for the future

Family therapy is based on what theory?

expressed emotion

what does a therapeutic alliance do?

reducing the stress of caring for a schizophrenic relative and the emotional climate within the family

family therapy improves the ability of families to?

anticipate and solve problems

families' knowledge, beliefs, and behaviours are ... towards schizophrenia?

improved

Pharaoh et al 2010

Support for effectiveness, reviewed 53 studies investigating effectiveness of FT. found that, in comparison to standard care, FT increased compliance with meds, reduced relapse risk, reduction of hospital admission after 2 yrs.

Long term solution

FT teaches the family and client skills to tackle schizophrenia. i.e. communication, problem solving, education. relapse severity can be reduced. antipsychotics however need continuous administration.

ethical issue of blame on family

FT can make the family feel slightly responsible for the disorder. as the aim of FT is to change the family dynamics to reduce relapse, it suggests family is responsible. could affect mental health of relatives.

no side affects

non-invasive, more willing patients, therefore chances of successful treatment increases and relapse rates reduces

not appropriate for everyone

commitment is required from many people. difficulty can arise for all members to attend. family may believe treatment needs to be individual and won't engage fully.