title: Focal family therapy: theory and practice.
abstract: During the past 30 years, the prescription of neuroleptic medication has made a major impact on the treatment of symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. Nonetheless, for many patients, symptom remission and social functioning remain less than optimal. Consequently, clinicians have employed a combined approach of drugs, psychosocial therapies, and psychiatric rehabilitation to treat the range of deficits presented by individuals suffering with this illness. In this article, we describe Focal Family Therapy, a model of family therapy developed for working with families and patients who are struggling with schizophrenia. Using the example of a particular case, we illustrate the following: (a) the identification and formulation of the Focal Issue; (b) the targeting of behavior and attitudes that will constitute the Focal Change; and (c) the techniques of Focal Family Therapy.
authors.affiliation: Continuing Care Division, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Levene
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jeffries
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000628:therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012944:Social Support