PSYCHOEDUCATION
WORKSHOP
FOR FAMILIES
Workshop Agenda
 10:00
am: Light Breakfast
 10:30 am: Workshop begins
 12:30 pm: Lunch
 1:30 pm: Workshop resumes
 4:00 pm: Workshop ends
Stages of a Psychoeducational
Multifamily Group
Joining
Family and patient
separately
3-6 weeks
Educational
workshop
Families only
1 day
Ongoing
MFG
Families &
patients
bi-weekly for
1 year
The Value of Employment
An Opportunity to be part of the Community
 Increases Self-Esteem
 Reduces Stigma
 Contributes to Quality of Life
 Provides Structure to Daily Life
 Reduces Dependence on Public Assistance
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Myths about Employment
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Work is too stressful
An extensive evaluation is required before working
 Sheltered Workshops are preferable to competitive
employment
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Any work is better than no work
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People do not want to work
Barriers to Employment
Stigma/Poor Self-Image
 Stress/Deficient Coping Skills
 Loss of Benefits
 Lack of Child Care/Transportation/Stable Housing
 Lack of Experience/Education
 Inadequate Social Support System
 Deficient Communication Skills
 Mental & Medical Illness/Drugs &Alcohol

Stress I
 Identifying
signs of stress
– Anger/Irritability
– Anxiety
– Argumentative
– Social Withdrawal
– Insomnia
– Sadness
Stress II
 Coping
with Stress
– Avoiding stressful situations
– Learning to use stress reduction skills
– Develop/mobilize a social support network
– Cognitive Restructuring
Factors that affect Work Capacity
Socio-Environmental Stressors
Psychological Vulnerability
Preventative Factors
•Social Support
•Job Skills
•Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Impairment
Disabilities
Handicaps
Results from Rehabilitation
Good
Bad
Specific Employment Strategies

Looking for Work
– Pounding the pavement
– Talking to friends/family for suggestions
– Internet/Email/Online applications
Local Resources/CT Policies (FFI staff)
 Keeping a Job
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– Working with others
– Difficult co-workers/managers/supervisors
– Appropriate on-the-job behaviors
Employment (Basics)

Gives and Gets
– An investment you make when you work at a job
– A payoff you receive from working

Knows and Don’t Knows
– Things about your job with which you are familiar
– Things you want to learn more about

Sweats and No Sweats
– Parts of your job that cause stress
– Parts of your job that are your workplace strengths
Employment (Advanced)

Job Improvement
– What do you want me to do?
– When do you want me to do it?
– How am I doing?
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Staying Motivated
– Identify motivators and de-motivators
– Using your support system
Family Psychoeducation
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Correcting Stigma about being unemployed, underemployed,
single mom, victim of domestic violence, etc. and capacity to
work/school, low SES, low academic achievement
The value of and ways to provide Family Support in the
Vocational/School process.
Engaging Relative/s as sources of active, ongoing support in
the Job/School Development process.
Engaging Relative/s as sources of active, ongoing support in
the Follow-up Support state once the client is employed or
registered at school
FAMILIES CAN HELP:
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Learn about barriers to work

Find ways around the barriers
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Provide a healing environment
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Have realistic hope

Keep the whole family strong
HELPFUL FAMILIES
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Accept the person as needing help
Set realistic, attainable goals
Include the person in the family
Keep a loving distance
Have a calm atmosphere
Give frequent praise
Give specific criticism
FAMILY
EVENTS
AND THE
COMPARISON
WITH OTHERS
THE EASIEST TASKS BECOME
EXTREMELY DIFFICULT
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
1. MOVE FORWARD ONE STEP AT A TIME
•Recovery is a slow process
•Staying calm and relaxed is important
•Maintain optimism
MAINTAIN HOPE
Functional
Level
Time
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
2. MAINTAIN A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT
•Being enthusiastic is normal  do not get excited
•Disagreement and getting mad is normal  do not
get excited
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
3. PROVIDE ENOUGH PERSONAL SPACE
•Privacy is important
•It is okay to offer it
•It is okay to reject it
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
4. SETTING LIMITS AND NORMS
-Everyone should be aware of norms
-With a few norms, everything is clearer
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
5. ACCEPTING WHAT WE CANNOT CHANGE
•Understanding what you can give up
•Do not ignore violent behavior
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
6. EXPRESS YOURSELF CLEARLY, CALMLY
AND CONSTRUCTIVELY
•Simplifying things lead to better understanding
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
7. TEMPORARILY REDUCE EXPECTATCTION
•Use personal experience
•Compare this month with previous good months,
rather than last year or next.
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
8. FOLLOW DOCTOR’S SUGGESTIONS
•TAKE MEDICATION AS PRESCRIBED
•Do not take medication that is not prescribed to
you
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
9. REESTABLISH FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
AND DAILY ROUTINES ASAP
•Return to a good routine ASAP
•Maintain strong ties with family and friends
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
10. ABSTAIN FROM DRUGS AND ALCOHOL
-Voids effects of medication
-Worsens treatment
-Worsens side effects
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
11. DETECTING WARNING SIGNS OF STRESS
•Observe relevant changes
•Immediately consult with case worker or doctor
PRIMARY PATHS OF HELPING
FAMILIES
CREATE AN OPTIMAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
12. SOLVE PROBLEMS STEP-BY-STEP
-Gradually introduce changes
-Work on one thing at a time
Intervention Techniques I:
The Problem Solving Method
Stop and Think
 Define the Problem
 Possible Solutions
 Evaluate each Solution
 Choose and Plan to Implement your Solution
 Resource Management
 Pick a Time and Do It!
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PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD
FIRST STEP:
STOP AND THINK
•One must be calm before he/she can concentrate
•Once relaxed, we can use the problem solving
steps to resolve difficult issues
PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD
SECOND STEP:
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
•It is essential to determine exactly what is the
problem to have any chance of solving it
•Discuss the problem thoroughly
•Listen carefully to all everyone’s opinions
PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD
THIRD STEP:
LIST THE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
•Include all suggestions without judgment
•The first solution might not be very good
•Everyone should provide a potential solution
PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD
FOURTH STEP:
EVALUATE EACH SOLUTION
•Examine the Advantages and Disadvantages
•Make a List of the Advantages
•Make a List of the Disadvantages
PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD
FIFTH STEP:
SELECT THE “BEST” SOLUTION
•The “BEST” depends on each person
•The solution with the most advantages and least
disadvantages might be the best solution
PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD
SIXTH STEP:
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
-Identify the resources needed to get the job done
-Anticipate and address barriers
PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD
SEVENTH STEP:
CARRY OUT THE SOLUTION
•Decide the appropriate time and place
•Put in the required effort
•Correct any errors
•If it does not work, try again with a “better” solution
PROBLEM SOLVING TOPICS
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Transportation
Child Care
Housing
Job/Educational Development/Retention/Satisfaction
Health
Developing Support
Socialization and Recreation
Domestic Problems
Stigma (social, family, etc.)