{"id":32852,"date":"2016-09-09T12:22:33","date_gmt":"2016-09-09T19:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=32852"},"modified":"2016-09-09T12:22:33","modified_gmt":"2016-09-09T19:22:33","slug":"psychoeducation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/psychoeducation\/","title":{"rendered":"Psychoeducation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"FivePsychoeducation refers to\u00c2\u00a0the process of providing education and information to those seeking or receiving\u00c2\u00a0mental health services<\/a>, such as\u00c2\u00a0people diagnosed\u00c2\u00a0with mental health conditions (or life-threatening\/terminal illnesses) and their family members. Though the\u00c2\u00a0term has been in use for most of the 20th<\/sup> century, it did not\u00c2\u00a0gain traction until movements addressing\u00c2\u00a0the stigmatization<\/a> of mental health concerns and working to increase mental health awareness began in earnest.<\/p>\n

The Purpose of Psychoeducation<\/h2>\n

Psychoeducation, the goal of which is to help people better\u00c2\u00a0understand (and become accustomed to living with) mental health conditions, is considered to be an essential aspect of all therapy<\/a> programs. It is generally known that those\u00c2\u00a0who have a thorough\u00c2\u00a0understanding of the challenges they are facing as well as knowledge of personal coping ability, internal and external resources, and\u00c2\u00a0their own areas of strength are often better able to address difficulties, feel more in control of the condition(s), and have a greater internal capacity to work toward mental and\u00c2\u00a0emotional<\/a> well-being.<\/p>\n

One study\u00c2\u00a0showed psychoeducation, when administered to those with schizophrenia<\/a>, helped to both reduce rehospitalization rates and decrease the number of days a person\u00c2\u00a0spends in the hospital. This education\u00c2\u00a0is also a component of most trauma therapies.

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Many individuals who have\u00c2\u00a0a mental health condition\u00c2\u00a0know little or nothing about the condition they have been diagnosed with, what they might expect from therapy, or the positive and negative effects of any medications<\/a> they may be prescribed. Literature on these topics given to them by medical professionals may be confusing or otherwise difficult to comprehend and thus of little help.<\/p>\n

Offered in both individual and group formats<\/a>, psychoeducation can benefit the individual diagnosed, parents and other family members, and caregivers and friends. It is not an approach to treatment in itself but represents an important early step in treatment, as it offers those individuals involved in a person’s care information on both how to offer support and how to maintain their own emotional health and overall well-being and provides them with the opportunity to develop a thorough understanding of the mental health concern(s) affecting their loved one. Participating in psychoeducation may have a positive impact on quality of life<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Understanding the\u00c2\u00a0Psychoeducation Process<\/h2>\n

Psychoeducation may be general or highly specified and can be provided in a number of ways, though it is broadly steered by four main goals: transfer of information, medication and treatment support, training and support in self-help and self-care<\/a>, and the provision of a safe place to vent emotional frustrations.<\/p>\n

All of the following may constitute psychoeducation:<\/p>\n