Psychological Treatments: Family Therapy

Question 1

What is meant by family therapy?

Answer 1

Treatment which aims to improve quality of communication between family members and reduce stress within the family.

Question 2

What does family therapy aim to reduce?

Answer 2

Enmeshment - relationships with no boundaries.

Question 3

Give 2 aims of family therapy.

Answer 3

1. Reduce levels of expressed emotion.
2. Form therapeutic alliance between family members.

Question 4

How long does family therapy usually last?

Answer 4

Between 3 to 12 months.

Question 5

What are 2 strengths of family therapy?

Answer 5

1. Better than drug therapy.
   Treats underlying family dysfunction + informs families of SZ.
   Shows better than drug therapy which only treats symptoms.
2. Long lasting effects.
   Research found that family therapy reduces rate of relapse + rate of hospitalisation.
   Shows it improves quality of life.

Question 6

What is one weakness of family therapy?

Answer 6

1. Ethical issues.
   Therapy may stress family out + make members feel as though they’re being blamed.
   Shows therapy is likely to have high drop out rates.