What we can learn from families experiences of family therapy in an adolescent mental health day program setting?

Objective: Over the past 50 years Family Therapy has become a widely used treatment approach for emotional and behavioural problems in children and within families [Sargent, 1997. Family therapy in child and adolescent psychiatry. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 152-171]. Within Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Family Therapy is recognised as a cornerstone of holistic treatment with meta-analysis showing the general effectiveness of such treatments [Hoagwood, Burns, Kiser, Ringeisen, & Schoenwald, 2001. Evidence-based practice in child and adolescent mental health services. Psychiatric Services, 52, 1179-1189]. However, there is a general paucity of literature about Adolescent Mental Health Day Programs and no recorded evidence of the use of Family Therapy within these settings in child and adolescent psychiatry. This study draws upon the experience of two families to explore the use of Family Therapy within Adolescent Mental Health Day Programs. Method: A mixed methodology was employed using the SCORE-15 and semi-structured interviews. Results: The families considered that participating in Family Therapy contributed positively to individual and family outcomes. The case studies highlight the needs and issues in engaging other family members, the importance of both the Family Therapist and mental health clinicians being involved, and that the family approach was seen overall as a positive satisfying experience for families. Discussion: This study provides limited but valuable support for the application of Family Therapy within an Adolescent Mental Health Day Program setting. The study highlights the value of documenting lived experience, as well as indicating further areas for research, including the clinicians experience of this approach.