PSYCHOEDUCATIONWORKSHOP FOR FAMILIES

Workshop Agenda n 10:00 am: Light Breakfast n 10:30 am: Workshop begins n 12:30 pm: Lunch n 1:30 pm: Workshop resumes n 4:00 pm: Workshop ends

Stages of a Psychoeducational Multifamily Group Joining Family and patient separately 3-6 weeks Educa- tional workshop Families only 1 day Ongoing MFG Families & patients bi-weekly for 1 year

The Value of Employment The Value of Employment n An Opportunity to be part of the Community n Increases Self-Esteem n Reduces Stigma n Contributes to Quality of Life n Provides Structure to Daily Life n Reduces Dependence on Public Assistance

Myths about Employment n Work is too stressful n An extensive evaluation is required before working n Sheltered Workshops are preferable to competitive employment n Any work is better than no work n People do not want to work

Barriers to Employment Barriers to Employment n Stigma/Poor Self-Image n Stress/Deficient Coping Skills n Loss of Benefits n Lack of Child Care/Transportation/Stable Housing n Lack of Experience/Education n Inadequate Social Support System n Deficient Communication Skills n Mental & Medical Illness/Drugs &Alcohol

Stress I n Identifying signs of stress –Anger/Irritability –Anxiety –Argumentative –Social Withdrawal –Insomnia –Sadness

Stress II n 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 StressorsPsychological Vulnerability Preventative Factors Social Support Job Skills Vocational Rehabilitation Program Results from Rehabilitation Impairment Handicaps Disabilities GoodBad

Specific Employment Strategies n Looking for Work –Pounding the pavement –Talking to friends/family for suggestions –Internet/ /Online applications n Local Resources/CT Policies (FFI staff) n Keeping a Job –Working with others –Difficult co-workers/managers/supervisors –Appropriate on-the-job behaviors

Employment (Basics) n Gives and Gets –An investment you make when you work at a job –A payoff you receive from working n Knows and Don’t Knows –Things about your job with which you are familiar –Things you want to learn more about n Sweats and No Sweats –Parts of your job that cause stress –Parts of your job that are your workplace strengths

Employment (Advanced) n Job Improvement –What do you want me to do? –When do you want me to do it? –How am I doing? n Staying Motivated –Identify motivators and de-motivators –Using your support system

Family Psychoeducation n Correcting Stigma about being unemployed, underemployed, single mom, victim of domestic violence, etc. and capacity to work/school, low SES, low academic achievement n The value of and ways to provide Family Support in the Vocational/School process. n Engaging Relative/s as sources of active, ongoing support in the Job/School Development process. n 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: l Learn about barriers to work l Find ways around the barriers l Provide a healing environment l Have realistic hope l Keep the whole family strong

HELPFUL FAMILIES HELPFUL FAMILIES l Accept the person as needing help l Set realistic, attainable goals l Include the person in the family l Keep a loving distance l Have a calm atmosphere l Give frequent praise l 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 n Stop and Think n Define the Problem n Possible Solutions n Evaluate each Solution n Choose and Plan to Implement your Solution n Resource Management n Pick a Time and Do It!

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 stepsto 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 n Transportation n Child Care n Housing n Job/Educational Development/Retention/Satisfaction n Health n Developing Support n Socialization and Recreation n Domestic Problems n Stigma (social, family, etc.)