From the Guidelines
Family-focused treatment is a therapeutic approach that involves working with the entire family system to address an individual's mental health or behavioral issues, and it is particularly effective for conditions like bipolar disorder, as evidenced by a study published in the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology in 2022 1. This treatment modality recognizes the importance of family dynamics in addressing an individual's mental health or behavioral issues. In family-focused treatment, therapists help family members improve communication patterns, resolve conflicts, and develop healthier interaction styles. The approach typically includes:
- Psychoeducation about the condition affecting the family member
- Communication enhancement training
- Problem-solving skills development Sessions usually occur weekly for 12-21 weeks, with the entire family participating. The theoretical foundation of family-focused treatment is that psychological symptoms often develop and persist within the context of family relationships, and therefore, healing must involve the family system. By improving family functioning, the approach creates a supportive environment that facilitates recovery and prevents relapse. Family-focused treatment acknowledges that families are not the cause of mental illness but can be crucial allies in the treatment process and recovery journey, as supported by research on family psychoeducation plus skill building 1. Some key aspects of family-focused treatment include:
- Decreasing expressed emotion (EE) and improving family relationships
- Providing psychoeducation regarding symptom management, stress and coping strategies, mood charting, and prevention planning
- Enhancing communication and problem-solving skills
- Improving family functioning and creating a supportive environment for recovery Overall, family-focused treatment is a valuable approach for addressing mental health and behavioral issues, particularly in conditions like bipolar disorder, where family dynamics can significantly impact recovery, as demonstrated by studies on family-focused treatment for adolescents (FFT-A) 1.
From the Research
Definition of Family-Focused Treatment
Family-focused treatment is a type of therapy that involves working with the entire family to manage and treat a family member's mental health condition. This approach recognizes that mental health conditions can affect not only the individual but also their loved ones, and that family dynamics can play a significant role in the development and maintenance of these conditions.
Key Components of Family-Focused Treatment
- Psychoeducation: educating family members about the mental health condition, its symptoms, and its treatment 2, 3
- Communication enhancement training: teaching family members effective communication skills to improve relationships and reduce conflict 2, 3
- Problem-solving skills: helping family members develop skills to manage stress and solve problems related to the mental health condition 2, 3
- Cognitive-behavioral skills: teaching family members cognitive-behavioral skills to manage symptoms and improve overall well-being 4, 5
Applications of Family-Focused Treatment
- Bipolar disorder: family-focused treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of bipolar disorder and improving family relationships 2, 3
- Childhood depression: family-focused treatment has been developed and shown to be effective in treating childhood depression 4, 5
- Long-term conditions: family-focused care interventions have been shown to improve clinical and biological health measures, self-care outcomes, and family relationships in families with a member with a long-term condition 6