Families and Mental Illness: New Directions in Professional Practice

Focusing on new directions in professional practice with families of people with mental illness, this book offers a multidisciplinary systems-orientated examination of the theory, research, and practice in this area. Features of this text include a consideration of lifespan and family system and subsystem perspectives, as well as the inclusion of powerful personal accounts of family members. It is written from the perspective of a competence paradigm for clinical practice, which offers a constructive alternative to the more prevalent pathology models of the past. In the era following deinstitutionalization, families often have served as an extension of the mental health system. There is, however, evidence that the needs of families are often poorly met. In response to the shortcomings of the system and to their own anguish, families have become increasingly assertive in articulating their needs for respect, support, information, skills, resources and services. This volume is designed to provide professionals with increased understanding of the experiences and needs of families, as well as with concrete suggestions for enhancing effectiveness in meeting these needs.