Brief systemic work in psychiatric settings where a family member has been diagnosed as schizophrenic

Abstract

In this paper I discuss work with the families of patients diagnosed as schizophrenic. The focus is on two particular aspects of such work: special features of therapy with these families and the important preparatory contextual work that needs to be done with colleagues in the professional network.

Schizophrenia: orthodoxy and heresies. A review of alternative possibilities

“…• Systems‐theory‐based family therapies which predate the orthodox ‘family management’ models can be effective in changing both family interaction and schizophrenic pathology ( Burbach 1996). Profound long‐term changes can be demonstrated which go beyond the more modest or pessimistic claims of family management protagonists ( Jones 1987).…”

“…This could be explained by the orthodox assertion that such work is heavily theoretical and descriptive, but poorly researched. Nevertheless, the omission of such evidence as Jones’s ( Jones 1987) detailed descriptions of successful casework with schizophrenic families is to be regretted. Systemic approaches to schizophrenic families have been routinely and effectively applied in community mental health centres in the UK since 1980 ( Proctor & Steveus 1984; Proctor & Pieczora 1993).…”

The Milan method—quo vadis?

“…It is perhaps not surprising that most of the writing in relation to the work of Cecchin and Boscolo has been done by others, since they occupy themselves primarily with teaching and do not often publish independently, while Selvini Palazzoli and Prata have continued to publish prolifically (e.g. Cronen et al, 1982Keeney, 1982Keeney, , 1983Deissler and Gester, 1983;Viaro andLeonardi, 1983, 1986;Bogdan, 1984a, b;Matthews, 1984;Miller, 1984;Speed, 1984Speed, , 1985Van Trommel, 1984;Campbell and Draper, 1985;Castellucci et al, 1985;Colapinto, 1985;Hoffman I 985;Efrann and Lukens, I 985;Fruggeri et al, I 985;Penn, I 985;Schmidt and Trenkle, 1985;Tomm, 1985Tomm, , I 987a, 6, 1988Anderson et al, I 986;Bennun, 1986;Blom, I 986;Lipchik and De Shazer, 1986;Fleuridas et al, 1986;Mendez et al, 1986;Sanders, 1986;Wynne et al, 1986;Anderson, 1987;Coleman, 1987;Durkin, 1987;Gelcer, 1987;Golann 1987Golann , 1988Jones, 1987;Lane and Russell, 1987; McNamee I 987, I 988; McNamee and Fruggeri, I 987; Meyerstein and Compass, I 987; Goolishian and Anderson, 1988).…”

“…comm. ), the new understanding of the functioning and possibilities for change in large organizations (Selvini Palazzoli, 1984, 1985aCastellucci et al, 1985;Fruggeri et al, 1985;McNamee and Fruggeri, 1987), and the reclaiming by family therapy of original territory in relation to work with 'psychiatric disorders' (Selvini Palazzoli and Prata, I 983; Prata and Masson, I 985;Selvini Palazzoli, 1986a;Jones, 1987), together with many other ventures, all ensure that the vitality and innovation generated by the unorthodoxy and intellectual courage of the Milan group will continue to stimulate the family therapy field in unpredictable ways. The use of the word 'research' in Paradox and Counterparadox ( 1978), and in Selvini Palazzoli's recent work (Selvini Palazzoli and Prata, I 983; Selvini Palazzoli, I 986a), has been criticized, since the work presented does not conform to academic research criteria (Anderson, 1986).…”

Family therapy and adult mental illness: schizophrenia and depression

“…A recent paper by Jones (1987) describes work with families in which a diagnosis of schizophrenia has been made. The aim is not to show that schizophrenia can be cured by family therapy, but rather to share the experience of one team working successfully with such families.…”