FACILITATING FAMILY THERAPY SESSION

REQUIREMENTS

1. Chairs
2. Table
3. Pen and notepad
4. Patient’s folder (Electronic/Manual)
5. Assisting nurse

STEPS

1. Advance Preparation
   1. Set up an appointment with the patient and family
   2. Prepare the venue for the session
   3. Ensure patient has taken his/her medication, meal and is well groomed
2. Welcome patient and family and make them feel at ease
3. Sit patient and family members in a desired pattern (semi-circular/horse shoe/face – to -face) depending on the number of the family members present
4. Establish rapport (refer procedure) and explain the procedure to the patient and family
5. Ask patient and family members to introduce themselves
6. Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues of the patient and family members throughout the interaction
7. Identify a secretary for the session (assisting nurse)
8. Encourage open communication among the patient and family
9. Gather data regarding family history
10. Identify problems that concern the patient and family
11. Allow family to explore additional problems that have bearing on the present family concerns
12. Assess and analyze all the pieces of information given
13. Identify and assess the various roles each family member plays
14. Determine if the family roles are rigid or flexible
15. Suggest ways to resolve conflicts among the family members if any
16. Plan and formulate interventions for bringing about positive changes to resolve the identified problems with patient and family
17. Set date, time and venue for next therapy session
18. Summarize and close the session
19. Express appreciation to patient and direct him/her to the next activity
20. Document the procedure and any observation made in nurses’ notes/patient’s folder