Family therapies

• What is the aim of family therapies?

  Treat family members as well as the person with SZ
• What do family therapies attempt to reduce?

  High expressed emotion
• What did the NCCMH find about family therapy?


  Reduction in relapse rate and hospital admissions with family therapies
• What did Leff find about family therapies?


  Family therapy is a comparatively effective theory, especially in the short term
• What are the strengths of family therapies?

  • Useful if patient lacks insight into illness or coherency
  • Decreases relapse rates
  • May be more cost effective as family can be educated to help with medication
  • Young patients who live at home with families may benefit
• What are some negatives of family therapies?

  • Expensive
  • Patient may not want to open up