Working with People with Schizophrenia and their Family (2HR)

Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness whose symptoms impact someone’s cognition, relational abilities, judgment, and reality testing. It is an illness that typically emerges in adolescence and early adulthood. The emergence of the illness requires people with schizophrenia and their family to develop new coping techniques and new ways of communicating with each other. This workshop will describe the development of schizophrenia and the course of the illness, mainly how it influences relationships. We will discuss the influence of the illness on family relationships and how families can develop ways of supporting their family members with schizophrenia while maintaining their well-being.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Define the symptoms of schizophrenia, its emergency in adolescence and early adulthood, and the cognitive, emotional, and relational impacts of the illness.
• Determine what effects schizophrenia has on families’ lives, such as experiences of isolation and stigma, challenges managing mental health crises, and caretaking responsibilities
• Identify treatment models, especially multifamily treatment, for people with schizophrenia and their families.

This course qualifies for 2 CE hours of Clinical, Psychopathology, Evidence-Based Practices, and General Skill Building training.