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Multifamily Groups in the Treatment of Severe Psychiatric Disorders

William R. McFarlane
Foreword by Harriet P. Lefley
Afterword by C. Christian Beels

Paperback
Paperback
September 7, 2004
ISBN 9781593850951
Price: $52.00
403 Pages
Size: 6" x 9"
Copyright Date: 2002
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This volume presents a proven psychoeducational therapy approach for persons with severe mental illness and their families. Pioneering schizophrenia treatment developer William R. McFarlane first lays out the theoretical and empirical foundations of the multifamily model. Chapters coauthored with other leading clinician-researchers then provide detailed “how-to” instructions for forming groups; implementing educational and problem-solving interventions; managing clinical, relationship, and functional issues that may arise; and integrating psychoeducation with other forms of treatment. Also addressed are applications of the model—some described here for the first time—to a variety of disorders other than schizophrenia, including bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and medical illness.

“[This book] deals with an area and a methodology that were little recognized even a few years ago and that are now recognized as being of primary importance for clinical practice, teaching, and research. Deserves a place on the bookshelf of every mental health professional.”

Psychiatric Services


“McFarlane has written a book that every clinical director, group program coordinator, and agency-based group therapist should read. He provides details of what he and his colleagues have done and lays out a path to a new and important area for group therapy in the treatment of severe and chronic illnesses.”

International Journal of Group Psychotherapy


“Provides information so detailed that the second portion of the book functions as a treatment manual....This volume is exceptionally accessible, and therefore, suitable for students interested in working with schizophrenic patients and those interested in better understanding the biological, psychological and social processes influencing the course and symptomatology of schizophrenia.”

The Clinical Psychologist


“I use this book as the primary text in a class for master’s-degree-seeking students who are preparing to work collaboratively in primary care medical settings. The book provides an excellent resource for these students, who need models of treatments that can harness the power of the family system and the social network in helping patients and families manage chronic and severe psychiatric conditions. Detailed, concise, and easily understandable, this book represents the state of the art in evidence-based practice.”

—Richard J. Bischoff, PhD, Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln


“William R. McFarlane has known for more than three decades that families have the power to deal with problems caused by a member struggling with serious mental illness. He developed multifamily groups as the tool to harness this power. Multifamily groups are opportunities for family members to swap information and share support, so that all involved can withstand the challenges of psychiatric disability. In this single authoritative book, McFarlane and his colleagues have captured the methods and strengths of the approach. This is 'must' reading and an exceptional resource for service providers.”

—Patrick W. Corrigan, PsyD, Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, University of Chicago


“Education of patients and their caregivers about mental disorders, and effective integrated biomedical and psychosocial treatment, are now well established as major components of effective mental health programs. McFarlane and his colleagues have pioneered and refined the multifamily group approach as an excellent means of providing long-term structured problem solving to facilitate clinical and social recovery from major disorders. This volume provides a clear description of the theory, practice, efficacy, and dissemination of the multifamily educational approach for psychotic disorders, as well as its integration with other evidence-based treatments.”

—Ian R. H. Falloon, MD, DSc, Department of Psychiatry, University of Auckland, New Zealand


“William R. McFarlane's work on developing the multifamily group intervention has been a leap forward in the treatment of serious mental illness. This extensive form of family psychoeducation results in reduced relapse rates as well as improved quality of life for both patients and family members. In this book, which includes contributions from a number of professionals using multifamily methods, Dr. McFarlane offers a virtually encyclopedic guide to the approach. It is essential reading for anyone working with people with serious mental illness.”

—Dale L. Johnson, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Houston; Past President, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

Table of Contents

Contents

I. Theoretical and Empirical Foundations: The Scientific Basis of Multifamily Group Treatment

1. The Psychobiology of Schizophrenia

2. Families, Social Networks, and Schizophrenia, Ellen P. Lukens and William R. McFarlane

3. The Therapeutic Social Network: A Healing Community

4. Empirical Studies of Outcome in Multifamily Groups

II. The Practice of Multifamily Group Treatment in Schizophrenia: A Psychoeducational Approach to Developing a Healing Social Network

5. An Overview of Psychoeducational Multifamily Group Treatment

6. Joining with Families and Patients, William R. McFarlane, Susan Gingerich, Susan M. Deakins, Edward Dunne, Bonnie T. Horen, and Margaret Newmark

7. Educating Families: A Multifamily Workshop on Schizophrenia, William R. McFarlane, Susan Gingerich, Susan M. Deakins, Edward Dunne, Bonnie T. Horen, and Margaret Newmark

8. The Initial Sessions of a Psychoeducational Multifamily Group: Forming a Healing Network, William R. McFarlane, Susan Gingerich, Susan M. Deakins, Edward Dunne, Bonnie T. Horen, and Margaret Newmark

9. Problem-Solving in Multifamily Groups: A Psychoeducational Approach to Treatment and Rehabilitation, William R. McFarlane, Susan Gingerich, Susan M. Deakins, Edward Dunne, Bonnie T. Horen, and Margaret Newmark

III. Applications in Other Disorders and Contexts: Expanding the Range and Relevance of Multifamily Group Treatment

10. Family-Aided Assertive Community Treatment, William R. McFarlane and Susan M. Deakins

11. Training Staff of Supportive Housing Programs in Principles and Practices of Psychoeducation: Creating a Family-Like Social Environment, Bonnie T. Horen and Jules M. Ranz

12. Multifamily Groups for Bipolar Illness, David A. Moltz and Margaret Newmark

13. Multifamily Group Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder, Gabor I. Keitner, Laura M. Drury, Christine E. Ryan, Ivan W. Miller, William H. Norman, and David A. Solomon

14. Multifamily Psychoeducational Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder, Cynthia B. Berkowitz and John G. Gunderson

15. Multifamily Behavioral Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Barbara Van Noppen and Gail Steketee

16. Application of Multifamily Groups in Chronic Medical Disorders, Sandra Gonzalez and Peter Steinglass

17. Implementing Multifamily Groups in the Real World: The New York State and Ohio Training and Dissemination Programs, Lisa Dixon and Edward Dunne

Afterword, C. Christian Beels


About the Author

William R. McFarlane, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Vermont and Director of Research and former Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Maine Medical Center. Previously, he was Director of the Biosocial Treatment Research Division of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. His main interests are in developing and testing family and psychosocial treatments for major mental illnesses and determining their application in the public sector. Dr. McFarlane has published more than 40 articles and book chapters, as well as one previous book, and has served on the Board of Directors of the American Orthopsychiatric Association, on the Council of the Association for Clinical Psychosocial Research, and as President of the Maine Psychiatric Association.

Contributors

Cynthia B. Berkowitz, MD, Walker Home and School, Needham, MA

Susan M. Deakins, MD, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY

Lisa Dixon, MD, MPH, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD

Laura M. Drury, MSW, Butler Hospital, Providence, RI

Edward Dunne, PhD, Ackerman Institute for the Family and Pride Institute, New York, NY

Susan Gingerich, MSW, Delaware Psychiatric Center, Newcastle, DE

Sandra Gonzalez, PhD, Department of Family Medicine, Harbor—UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA

John G. Gunderson, MD, Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA

Bonnie T. Horen, MA, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY

Gabor I. Keitner, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI

Ellen P. Lukens, MSW, PhD, Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY

Ivan W. Miller, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI

David A. Moltz, MD, Sweetser/Shoreline, Brunswick, ME

Margaret Newmark, MSW, private practice, New York, NY

William H. Norman, PhD, Meadows Edge Recovery Center, North Kingstown, RI

Jules M. Ranz, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY

Christine E. Ryan, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI

David A. Solomon, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI

Peter Steinglass, MD, Ackerman Institute for the Family and Cornell Medical College, New York, NY

Gail Steketee, PhD, Boston University School of Social Work, Boston, MA

Barbara Van Noppen, MSW, Angell St. Wellness Collaborative, Providence, RI

Audience

Anyone working with clients with serious mental illness and their families, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, clinical social workers, counselors, and nurses, as well as students and residents in these areas.

Course Use

Serves as a supplemental text in advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses.