When a family member is diagnosed with a mental or emotional illness, it can often be a confusing and overwhelming experience. It leaves the rest of the family trying to understand what’s going on with the individual and often leads to uncertainty about how to provide the best support for their loved one. When a patient is admitted to Psycamore, the family members also may not understand what Psycamore therapy programs are about and what the family members need to do to help with the treatment issues and goals.
We understand that this situation can be difficult for families, which is why Psycamore offers a Family Support Group. These groups are designed to help the patient and the family members better understand the diagnosis, medications, and therapies used with their loved one.
What Are Family Support Groups?
Family support groups at Psycamore are meetings that occur twice a month providing education and emotional support to families of patients who have been diagnosed with mental illness and admitted to Psycamore. These meetings are led by experienced Psycamore clinicians who have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and more. The goal of the family support group is to provide information about their family member’s mental health issues as well as foster communication between family members so they can better understand each other’s experiences and support the individual.
Please note that Psycamore offers this service as part of an Intensive Outpatient Therapy program. It is not a stand alone service. You will receive this therapy as part of your program should your therapist deem it necessary.
What Happens During Family Support Group Sessions at Psycamore?
The Psycamore family support group is designed to address concerns that the family members have about the patient, her or his illness, medications, and therapies. Also addressed are concerns regarding emergencies or crises, return to work or school, or normal function. The family support group meets from 5:30 pm to 6:20 pm on the first and third Tuesday of each month and is led by a therapist. Group attendance is strongly encouraged at least two times for family members.
During family support group sessions, our experienced team facilitates discussions between all participants. We focus on helping the family gain an understanding of the patient’s specific mental health issues, as well as information on how different treatments work together as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. We also provide education on medication schedules and discuss any potential side effects or other considerations related to prescribed medications.
Depending on the situation, we may also work closely with families to develop a relapse prevention plan so they know what steps they need to take if symptoms return or worsen over time.
Who Should Attend a Family Support Group?
Our family support group was designed to support, educate, and address the concerns of families of patients admitted to Psycamore’s therapy programs. This includes parents, guardians, caregivers, siblings, extended relatives, partners, spouses, and significant others who want to better understand and support a patient’s treatment goals. Anyone interested in learning more about how to best assist their loved one should consider joining this group. The overarching goal is to empower everyone involved in the patient’s care and ensure that everyone has access to accurate information about the patient’s condition.
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