Community-Based Family-Inclusive Treatment

Community mental health centers provide integrated care that incorporates an array of public mental health services including case management and programming to assist with housing and employment. These coordinated services also include family support. Specifically, family psychoeducation models involve education, support, and skills training to improve individual and family functioning. This chapter will highlight the rationale behind, opportunities for, and clinical methods for involving families in supporting the autonomy and recovery of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) receiving treatment at community health centers. The chapter also summarizes the research evidence supporting family intervention for serious mental illness and culturally competent care for diverse families and concludes with a case vignette.