Family Ties: Engaging, Empowering, and Partnering with Families in the Treatment of Mental Illness
Presented by:
Michelle D. Sherman, PhD, LP, ABPP
Board Certified Couple and Family Psychologist
Editor-in-Chief, Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice
Fellow, American Psychological Association
Clinicians working with individuals experiencing mental illness are systemic jugglers—needing to listen, monitor, and respond to (sometimes conflicting) feelings and needs of the patient, family members, and other people in the healthcare team. Research addressing both patient and family perspectives has found that family support is critical to recovery. However, clinicians can encounter numerous challenges in working with families, such as their concerns about privacy, shame and stigma, distrust, cultural barriers, time, and high levels of family distress including anger (which can be directed to the treatment team and make collaboration challenging). This session will explore some of these difficult dynamics and offer specific skills and resources for managing common challenges.
Educational Objectives:
As a result of participating in this activity, you should be able to:
- Describe the rationale for supporting families in the treatment of mental illness
- Describe four common challenges clinicians can face in working with families
- Apply two specific skills for engaging and partnering with families in your work
Accreditation Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is accredited by the Massachusetts Medical Society to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation Statement: Silver Hill Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
NASW/Connecticut Statement: This program has been approved for 1.5 Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT and meets the continuing education criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal. Approval also meets the continuing education criteria for CT LMFTs, LPCs, and licensed psychologists. NASW/CT approvals are valid in MA, RI, and VT.
New York Social Worker Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0728. This program is approved for 1.5 contact hours.
New York Psychologist Statement: Silver Hill Hospital is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0227. This program is approved for 1.5 contact hours.
Planner Disclosure: No planners of this activity have indicated a relevant financial relationship with an ACCME defined commercial interest.