Five core assumptions relating to the family-nurse relationship are presented. Nurses and families each bring strengths and resources to the relationship and have specialized expertise in maintaining health and managing health problems. Reciprocity in the relationship is emphasized, with the relationship characterized as nonhierarchical. Feedback processes are described as they simultaneously occur at several different relationship levels among nursesfamilies, and other systems. Clinical implications of the five core assumptions are discussed. Questions are provided for the nurse to use when reflecting on her own relationship with thefamily and when interviewing the family about her relationship with them.

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offers singlesession therapy (SST) to clients. This study was designed to measure client satisfaction and clinical outcomes of walk-in SST (clients aged 18-80 years). Participants (N = 98) completed measures (Distress Thermometer, Snyder State Hope Scale, Problem Evaluation Summary, Service Satisfaction Survey) at pre-session, post-session, and 1-month follow-up. Participants endorsed high satisfaction with the service, with 44% reporting that one session is enough. Results suggest a significant decrease in distress level (p < .001) and a significant increase in hopefulness post-session (p < .001) with increased improvements at 1-month follow-up (p < .001). Also noted were a significant decrease in problem severity (p < .001) and a significant improvement in coping at 1-month follow-up (p < .001). The findings suggest that an individual's decline in problem severity at time 3 is best explained by the pathways created during the session as well as his or her improved coping and decreased distress level at follow-up. The study provides support for this type of treatment.

Like a pebble that creates ripples when dropped into still water, depression is a health problem with an impact that reaches beyond the individual to touch family members. This health problem can limit the individual's ability to function and can create distress for loved ones. In this article, the authors present a clinical vignette about maternal depression to highlight the reciprocal nature of depression and family functioning. Family focused interventions based on the Calgary Family Intervention Model and the Illness Beliefs Model are presented and include psychoeducation, circular pattern diagrams, and therapeutic letters. The authors conclude the article with a discussion of implications for nursing practice.

Integrating family nursing into a busy mental health urgent care setting is a challenge given the high acuity of patients and the demands of delivering service 7 days/week, 14 hours/day. In this article, the authors describe the development of a Mental Health Urgent Care Practice Framework that incorporates four elements: mental health/psychiatric assessment, physical health assessment, family nursing, and integrated behavioral health care. Sample family nursing skills and ladders for mental health urgent care practice are highlighted.The framework and ladders have implications for recruitment and hiring, orientation, peer mentoring, performance appraisals, and continuing education and supervision. A clinical vignette illustrates sample conceptual/ perceptual and executive skills used to apply the framework and ladders in practice. Family nursing is conceptualized as an integral component of nursing care provided to individual and families in this unique setting.