Family Psychoeducation (FPE)
FAMILY PSYCHOEDUCTION (FPE)
Family Psychoeducation (FPE) is a recovery-oriented intervention approach that maximizes disease understanding, support and problem solving with consumers and families. Initially developed for people diagnosed with Schizophrenia, this approach has been successfully extended to recipients diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. While entitled Family psychoeducation, the treatment model works with all types of natural support to ensure that recipients are surrounded by people who understand and promote recovery. FPE practitioners develop a working alliance with consumers and their support people. The psychoeducational components helps recipients and support people to understand the mental illness. Other elements of the intervention support problem solving and mutual aid. The combination helps recipients and their support people to respond more effectively when symptomatic behaviors emerge.
Findings indicate that FPE:
- Reduces relapses and hospitalizations
- Increases knowledge & self-management of disease
- Decreases family burden
- Decreases use of higher cost services
- Increases active consumer involvement in recovery
Challenges for Providers:
- Designed for consumers who still have support systems
- Expensive program with areas of rigidity
- Expensive to train staff and ensure proper supervision
- Credentialing is individual so staff turn-over can create problems
Upside for Providers:
- Decreases the systemic costs of service
- Maintains supportive family involvement
- Family supports decrease need for professional intervention
- Provides additional partners in supporting consumer recovery
- Groups become enjoyable and can be autonomous once they are developed
- Promotes socialization
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