| When people talk about mental health care and | | | | issues. This puts a strain on relationships. Many |
| treatment, they often refer to group therapy. While the | | | | treatment facilities invite friends and family members of |
| term may sound curious to those who have never | | | | their patients to participate intherapy with the patient in |
| experienced it, this is a way for patients to work | | | | order to strengthen and heal these relationships. Issues |
| through their issues. It helps them get better. | | | | that are dealt with in these sessions may include |
| There are different kinds of group therapy, depending | | | | addressing past indiscretions as well as ways to |
| on the type of treatment and illness involved with the | | | | prevent similar patterns in the future. Seen more as a |
| patient. For example, people with schizophrenia and | | | | healing type of therapy than an accusatory one, these |
| bipolar disorder may be in the same therapy group | | | | group discussions are facilitated by a doctor or case |
| even though they have different illnesses. | | | | worker assigned to the patient's mental health care. |
| Patient Therapy | | | | Support and Education |
| During inpatient treatment, programs are structured to | | | | Aside from participating in therapy sessions for a |
| put a number a patients with similar struggles in a | | | | mentally ill loved one, many mental health clinics or |
| group setting where they can talk about issues and | | | | facilities will offer support groups for friends and family |
| experiences. While they may not all have the same | | | | members as well. Caring for or living with mentally ill |
| diagnoses, they can often relate to each other's | | | | people can leave those around them feeling |
| successes and difficulties. They may offer advice, | | | | emotionally drained. Participating in a support group with |
| support or simply listen. Group therapy is facilitated by | | | | others in a similar situation gives people a chance to |
| a mental health professional who acts as a moderator | | | | work through their own frustrations, hopes and fears |
| to keep the therapy session on track. The idea is to | | | | while the patient is in a rehabilitation program. |
| help patients cope with what ails them in a productive | | | | Aside from support group counseling, caregivers and |
| way. | | | | loved ones of patients also need information and |
| Family Therapy | | | | professional advice on how to deal with them at |
| People who are mentally ill or are substance abusers | | | | present and in the future. Mental health facilities usually |
| are not the only ones affected by mental illness. | | | | offer therapy or training and educational programs to |
| Friends and family members are often left to handle | | | | help the caregiver assist in a patient's recovery. |
| behavioral crises and sometimes the resulting financial | | | | |