The Athens multifamily therapy project

Selakovic, Mirjana; Galanis, Dimitris; Fragkiadaki, Eva; Theodoropoulou, Pica; Pomini, Valeria

Abstract

The present paper aims at describing a pilot study on the impact of a multi – family group therapy process for families with a child who has experienced a first psychotic episode. The sample consisted of 18 members of 6 families who participated in one multi – family group therapy process which took place in an outpatient clinic in one of the large public hospitals in Athens. The members of the group therapy process described what they found helpful and/or unhelpful at three different times: in the middle of the therapy process, at the end of therapy and at 6 months follow up period. A second source of data was obtained by the written feedback of the two therapists – facilitators of the group. Data were analysed with an inductive, “data – driven”, form of coding based on the methodology of thematic analysis. The members discussed how they moved from fear and embarrassment to feeling comfortable discussing their experiences of the diagnosis and psychopathology, highlighted the impact of the group processes on the family communication, reflected on their emotions, valued the problem solving and empathy techniques in the group and also identified the obstacles they encountered in the group sessions.

Citation

Selakovic, M., Galanis, D., Fragkiadaki, E., Theodoropoulou, P., & Pomini, V. (2021, September). The Athens multifamily therapy project. Paper presented at 8th Qualitative Research in Mental Health Conference, Malta

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 8th Qualitative Research in Mental Health Conference
• Conference Location: Malta
• Start Date: Sep 9, 2021
• End Date: Sep 11, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 21, 2022
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/7785059