Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)
FACILITATION OF A FAMILY THERAPY SESSION IN THE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT
Family therapy is a type of psychological counselling done by the RCPN at the facility for clients and family to help them improve upon their communication and resolve conflict. The nurse facilitates the sessions with respect to health needs and crisis identified in the family.
Purpose
- Promote effective communication in the family
- Promote recovery
- Help mitigate crisis in the family and promote conducive home environment
- Identify appropriate coping mechanism(s)
Indications
- Facilitating family therapy in the mental health unit for clients and their families.
- Improving family communication and resolving conflict.
- Promoting recovery and identifying appropriate coping mechanisms.
Equipment
- A Well-Equipped home visit bag (refer to content)
- Community Map and or GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS)
- Manual/electronic area register/ records of the client
- Means of Transportation
Preparation
- Prepare the venue for the family therapy session at the mental health unit.
- Review the client's records and identify the issues that concern the family.
Procedure steps
- Read map of the community or use GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS) address to identify the location of the centre
- Announce your presence, enter on response, greet and introduce yourself to client, family and significant other
- Establish rapport (refer to procedure) and enquire about the general health of family
- Explain purpose of the therapy
- Ensure privacy and confidentiality by asking the family to identify a suitable place for the session
- Ensure the environment is clean, safe and conducive for the assessment
- Observe the sitting position of the family members
- Commence the session in a calm and respectful manner to gain family confidence and cooperation
- Introduce the subject for the session
- Encourage open communication amongst family members
- Gather data regarding family history
- Identify problems that concerns the family
- Probe further to identify additional problems
- Assess the various roles each member plays
- Determine if the family roles are rigid or flexible
- Suggest ways to resolve conflict if any
- Formulate interventions to bring about positive change in the family
- Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest mental health unit or health facility
- Discuss with family and agree on a date for the next session
- Leave your contact with family and encourage them to call when necessary
- Document the care and findings in the report book
- Express appreciation and depart
Precautions
- Ensure privacy and confidentiality by asking the family to identify a suitable place for the session.
- Ensure the environment is clean, safe and conducive for the session.
- Commence the session in a calm and respectful manner to gain family confidence and cooperation.
- Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest mental health unit or health facility.
Aftercare
- Discuss with the family and agree on a date for the next session.
- Leave contact details with the family and encourage calls when necessary.
Nursing considerations
- Observe the sitting position of family members and gather data regarding family history.
- Assess the roles each member plays and determine whether the roles are rigid or flexible.
- Formulate interventions to bring about positive change in the family.
Patient education
- Encourage open communication among family members.
- Suggest ways to resolve conflict and identify appropriate coping mechanisms.
Documentation
- Document the care and findings in the report book.
References and further reading
Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.
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