family therapies

• What is family therapy?

  A form of therapy carried out with members of the family with the aim of improving their communication and reducing the stress of living as a family. Family members have regular meetings to solve problems and work towards achieving individual and shared goals. They also receive communication skills training. Family members learn to listen and express emotions healthily and discuss issues. They learn how to compromise and negotiate as a family.
• What are the aims of family therapy?

  To educate relatives about schizophrenia. To reduce the feelings anger and guilt which may lead to stress and contribute to relapse. To improve family communication and how to handle situations. To teach patients and families more effective stress management techniques.
• McFarlane et al (2023) - strength of family therapy

  Reviewed evidence and found that family therapy resulted in reduced relapse rates, symptom reduction, improved family relationships and increased patient wellbeing.
• Economic implication - strength of family therapy

  Schizophrenia Commission (2012) Estimates that family therapy is cheaper than standard care by over £1,000 a patient over 3 years. Relatively cost-effective treatment and a good investment.
• Pharaoh et al (2010) - strength of family therapy


  Reviewed nearly 3,000 families in Europe, Asia and USA. Compared family therapy to antipsychotics. Concluded that there is moderate evidence to show that family therapy significantly reduces hospital readmission over a year & improves quality of life for patients and their families. Family therapy reduced relapse rates by 50-60% during treatment and in the 24 months after.
• Ethical issues - limitation of family therapy

  With the emphasis on “openness”, there are ethical issues that arise when family members are reluctant to share sensitive information as it may cause or reopen family tensions. This limits the effectiveness of the treatment.