Running head: Family Counseling Research Paper 1
Samantha Henderson
Family Counseling Research Paper
Liberty University- Coun 601
Running head: Family Counseling Research Paper 2
Abstract
Psychoeducational Model theory is a unique form of therapy used in collaboration with other
therapy models in helping create unique interventions for families. The Psychoeducational theory
is designed to assist families dealing with troubled family relationships as well as family
members presenting with mental health issues. Alongside other paraprofessionals families have
the opportunity to build stress management and skill building techniques allowing clients to have
a vital role in their therapeutic progress. Integrating Christian practices into Psychoeducational
therapy allows for clients to develop a more faith based outlook as well as learning therapeutic
interventions.
Running head: Family Counseling Research Paper 3
Family Counseling Approach
The Psychoeducational therapy model is very diverse, it cover a wide range of family therapy
techniques. According to Goldberg & Goldberg (2013), the Psychoeducational therapy model
includes the combination of family systems theory, cognitive behavioral therapy education
psychology and aspects of structural therapy. The implementation of various therapy models aid
in the successful treatment of clients and their families while incorporating psychoeducational
therapy. Psychoeducational efforts are directed at educating families in how best to maximize
their effectiveness as they attempt to cope with mentally or physically disabled family members
or deteriorating family relationships (Goldberg & Goldberg, 2013). In order for treatment to be
successful, families, doctors and the client needs to be on board with therapy goals. Clients to t
take an active role the progress of their treatment, doing so empowers them to be resilient and
more equipped to handle future obstacles.
The history of the Psychoeducational model of therapy can be found in the humanitarian
writing in the early 1800’s by Pestalozzi. However, it was the “mental hygiene” movement in the
early 1900's that strengthened and promoted this humanistic approach for the treatment of those
who experience psychological and behavioral disorders. Early in his profession Freud also
contributed to the birth of the Psychoeducational Therapy Model. His recognition of the
importance of childhood experiences on one’s psychological development, the influence of
unrecognized motivations, and his practice of listening closely to what individuals have to tell
are important components of today’s psychoeducational practice. His recognition of the
importance of trusting relationships for good mental health is another foundational pillar. Fritz
Redl and David Wineman developed modern Psychoeducational approaches which were dated
back to (1902-1988). Their approach was focused on services populations that had not been
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previously covered in early literature. The believed in the inherent goodness of children, and
sought to help them cope with negative events that had damaged their emotional growth
(McIntyre, 2006). The term “psychoeducation” was first employed by C.M Anderson and was
used to describe a behavioral therapeutic concept consisting of 4 elements; briefing the patients
about their illness, problem solving training, communication training, and self-assertiveness
training, whereby relatives were also included (Bäuml, 2006).
Dealing with family members with mental health issues can be a very daunting and
exhausting process. Family members also have to face economic hardships, decline in financial
resources, decline in community resources and support. They also have to face strained family
and marital relationships due to the demand of having to take care of mentally ill family. Not
only that, increases stressors increase the need for more community and outside supports. The
article written by Caqueo-Urizar, Alejandra (2014) noted that Caregiver's stress and burden have
also been associated with low quality of life expressed through body pains, decrease in vitality
and health in general (even developing depressive and anxiety disorders), restrictions in physical
role and social categories.
The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMH) suggests that there other alternatives in
combination with therapy that aid in effective treatment. With the use of technology clients can
use apps on their phone such as a deep breathing app called BellyBio Interactive Breathing asks
users to place their smartphone on their stomachs and it guides them through deep breathing
exercises. Also, the CBTReferee app adopts the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy model (CBT)
users that use the app can log their thoughts versus having to write them down afterward users
are able to reflect on their distortive thinking process. Also reported is that nutrition can play a
vital role in mental health. Research suggests that maintaining a healthy physical lifestyle
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alongside proper mental health treatment can significantly increase mental health maintenance.
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that “regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids
can be beneficial in the treatment prevention of mental illness” (Battista, 2015). In addition to
increasing physical activity yoga and meditation have been proven to have a therapeutic effect.
Psychoeducation advocates maintain that helping members gain knowledge of how the
disorder and learn specific coping skills is essential in supplementing medication. By combining
antipsychotic drugs and psychoeducational interventions, they provide a therapeutic package
aimed at reducing family stress and preventing symptomatic relapse. (Goldberg & Goldberg,
2013. p. 417). An article on Psychoeducation’s Role in Integrated Healthcare reports that,
psychoeducation programs are often short-term or long-term. Short term programs lasts six
months or less and offer education, coping skills, stress management and support. These
programs have been proven to provide reduced psychiatric symptoms and improved treatment
adherence. However, short-term programs that primarily focus on psychoeducation are usually
under-funded and under-researched (Baker, Landwehr, 2012).
The Cross- Cultural Perspective of Family Psychoeducation indicates that with appropriate
cultural adaptations, the basic psychoeducational model of information about schizophrenia and
other serious mental disorders, illness management techniques, behavioral skills training,
problem-solving strategies, and family support are effective across and within national
boundaries (Lefley, 2012). Incorporating Psychoeducational Therapy a study was shown that
African-American and Mexican American families needed most support in the following areas;
extended family and multifamily format; length of treatment, and differential use of authority. In
many cultures religion and spirituality are the guiding light of dealing with mental illness, rituals
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such as praying, voodoo and sacrificial ceremonies are examples of various worship activities
that different cultures engage in, in order to treat mental illness.
Psychoeducational Therapy has also been linked to other conditions and have shown an
increase in treatment progress since incorporating family psychoeducaion (FPE). In regards to
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) researchers found that Psychoeducational Therapy
proved to be beneficial when family members were equipped with education about OCD
behaviors such as, red flags, and mood shifts. A study shows that family members of clients with
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) participated in a program called REACH and data showed
REACH participation to be significantly associated with increased knowledge, empowerment,
coping, improved relationships and reduced symptoms among family members and veterans with
PTSD (Dixson, Downing, Lucksted, McFarlane, 2012).
Early intervention of mental health issues have shown to decrease the percentage of relapse
which is managed through inpatient hospitalization or crisis services and involves serious life
disruption for the consumer and family members, the potential savings in pain, worry, healthcare
costs, and lost productivity of reducing relapse are staggering. Studies have shown that
Psychoeducational Therapy can be cost-effective however, insurance companies private, public
or commercial rarely reimburse for family intervention Recent reforms in U.S. health care
financing, particularly national mental health parity (Public Law 110-343) and 2010 national
healthcare reform, may help the feasibility of widespread Family Psychoeducation (FPE)
implementation in this country. Under healthcare reform, more U.S. citizens should have private
health insurance, and parity could induce more insurance providers to cover Family
Psychoeducation (FPE) and other psychoeducational interventions. Healthcare organizations may
then be more likely to offer Family Psychoeducation (FPE) and psychoeducation in general as
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ways to improve outcomes and lessen the need for more expensive services (Dixon, Downing,
Lucksted, McFarlane, 2012).
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed by Segal, Williams and
Teasdale is a group-based, 8-week, mind-body intervention that integrates psychological
educational aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for depression with meditation
components of mindfulness-based stress reduction. Compared to Psychoeducational Therapy,
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy has proven to be more effective in improving depressive
symptoms in clients with bipolar disorder. In addition, MBCT has been proven to be cost
effective reducing societal costs and increasing effectiveness of care. Also, proven were a
decrease relapses and recurring hospital visits associated with relapse (Lahera, Bayón, Bravo-
Ortiz, Rodríguez-Vega, Barbeito, Sáenz, M, de Dios, (2014). For more severe clients MBCT has
proven to be more successful than just psychoeducation and medication alone. Unfortunately
MBCT does not provide any form of psychoeducation for families and how they should reinforce
interventions learned once clients have completed the program.
When assessing the effectiveness of psychoeducation, research found that family
discouragement, over involvement or high levels of expression of critical emotions can
contribute to relapse among persons with mental illnesses on the contrary, when families
participate in psychoeducation alone or with other family members, they learn coping skills that
can in return help the client with their illness. A study showed that 100 of randomized controlled
trials of family psychoeducation found that clients had fewer relapses, reduced hospitalizations
and overall an improvement in quality of life. Multifamily psychoeducation has shown much
improvement in problem solving ability and reduced burdens on families (Braude, Daniels,
Delphin-Rittmon, Dougherty, George, Ghose, 2014).
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Lastly, Psychoeducational Therapy is a great need that needs to be integrated in schools.
Being able to equip school counselors and teachers with the tools to provide therapeutic
interventions to emotionally and behaviorally disturbed students, will create a jumpstart on a
decrease in school bullying and violence. As stated above Fritz, Morse and Long improved
mental health services for children and youth. Long and colleagues have advocated for teachers
that are therapeutically trained to be placed in the classroom. Changes must be made in how we
prepare undergraduate teachers for special education. One option would be to offer a degree at
the Master's level in Emotional and Behavior Disorders (EBD), requiring a specific amount of
clinical hours and clinical skills prior to graduation. Faculty changes also need to be sought in
order to prepare teachers to deal with behavior and emotional behaviors. It is sugguestes that in
addition to student teaching, students need to have experience in a mental health treatment
facility to understand the continuum of services needed (Wood, 2015). When it comes to therapy
clients and families need to feel empowered and that are in control of their treatment. Equipping
clients with the proper tools needed to be successful, Psychoeducational Therapy can help clients
and families achieve their goals and lessen family burden and strengthening the family unit.
Personal Integration
I consider myself very spiritual meaning I have a sacred relationship God. When it comes to
counseling and spirituality, unless you are an identified Christian counselor practicing in an
environment with Christian identified clients spirituality should be taken out of the equations. I
do think that counselors should be more aware of spiritual and cultural issues when it comes to
working with a certain population. According to the American Counselors Association (2014),
“counselors are aware of and avoid imposing their own values, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors
Running head: Family Counseling Research Paper 9
on clients”. Counselors should respect the diversity of all clients and meet them at their need
level.
When I am dealing with issues regarding my Major Depressive Disorder, I pray and turn to
God and ask for guidance. I know it is only through him that I can and will be healed. I don’t rely
on medication because for one I am very inconsistent when taking it and two I believe that I can
manage my mental health issues without medication. However, being in the counseling field I
know therapeutic interventions to do when I feel an episode coming. I have a testimony and at
every chance I get I do tell people about the wonderfulness of God and his grace and mercy.
While working with clients I am mindful not to self-disclose too much while providing services.
I do believe it is my job as a believer to tell people about the greatness of God and in my
profession I want to provide the best available services to clients. I want to be a direct reflection
of God’s love for me and other, to be able to be compassionate, show empathy and express
kindness to everyone. Counseling can be defined by someone as conservation in at least two
ways. First, it is a person-to-person relationship and second, it is a relationship in which one
person turns to another for assistance (Evans, 1960). As someone who loves God and prays to
live most like him, I would love nothing more than to tell clients about his greatness but I have to
be reminded that not every culture practices Christianity and not every person believes in God.
For myself and my family I think the best counseling approach would be the behavioral
therapy approach. There is a lot of strained family dynamics and past hurt that keeps many
family members estranged from one another. Behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that
helps people identify and change maladaptive behaviors. In practice, it often is combined with
cognitive therapy, which focuses on helping people recognize and change self-defeating thought
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patterns. This combined approach, known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is one of the
best-validated forms of treatment for depression (Wasmer-Andrews, 2010).
Behavioral therapy helps the client decrease undesirable behaviors and increase desirable
ones, this process helps change maladaptive behaviors. I believe that this form of therapy will
help my family identify the source of the dysfunction but also help us identify how we can work
past the issues at hand. My family is composed of an evangelist, minister and a pastor and deeply
rooted in the Christian faith with the collaborative efforts of the psychoeducation and behavioral
therapy I have no reservations that if we were to ever purse counseling, it would prove to be a
long emotional and positive journey. I think coming from a family with a dysfunctional
background it helps me cater more to clients because many situations I have seen first had and
having family members that are so involved in the church and spirituality, it will help me
integrate those clients that are of Christian faith and those that would to integrate spirituality into
their therapy. My goal is to become a better Chrisitan so that even if my clients do not practice a
specific religion I can assist them because I will be working through Christ and it will show
through my work.
The bible says in Proverbs 31:26 she openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is
the law of kindness (www.kingjamesbibleonline.org). The majority of my friends practice
Christianity and for me this is so wonderful because it helps me stay grounded and continue to
focus on remaining faith to God. In order for me to teach and inspire others. Colossians 1:28 tell
us that whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we
may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (www.kingjamesonlinebible.org). Overall, the
Pyschoeducational Therapy Model has proven to help clients maintain a stabled lifestyle with the
collaboration of other mental health professionals.
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References
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