Implementation

Partnering With Families Affected by Concurrent Disorders - Facilitators' Guide

In Implementation:

Engaging family members

People who participate in family education and support groups are usually highly motivated. But we know that motivation can vary over time, and can be affected by experiences with others, including the group facilitators. We also know that some families come to the group with negative attitudes about service providers. Often these feelings have been shaped by previous experiences with service providers who, while they might have been kind, supportive and well-meaning, did not know what to do when a family member asked them for information or help.

We see every contact as an opportunity to connect and engage with the family member. This starts with the first telephone call, and continues during the preparation process for the group. Never let the need to get forms filled out outweigh the chance to attend to the concerns of the person you are seeing. Helping the person to feel welcomed and settled can go a long way to getting the information you need.

We usually start our first meeting with the family by asking them to give us an overview of their situation and to talk about how the group might help. When you first meet with families, you will often find that they have what may seem like an inexhaustible need to tell you their stories. You may find that you are the first service provider to give the family member a chance to express their concerns and worries and that by actively listening you begin to build a relationship. From a practical perspective, you will also get valuable insights into the family’s situation. You can help them focus their story so that they don't feel that they need to share all the details in the first group meeting. We have found that it helps to remind family members that this meeting is not the only chance they will have to share their story and that one of the purposes of the education and support group is to give them an opportunity to give and receive help and support from other group members.

Drop-outs

Family members may drop out of the group because some life event has occurred that makes it impossible for the person to attend, because they have lost interest in the process, or because something happened in the group that offended or upset them. Whatever the case, we encourage proactive encouragement and outreach. A phone call, whether or not the person sent regrets, can help to keep the person in touch with what the group has been discussing and exploring. Keeping positive and encouraging contact can help the person who feels disconnected feel still welcome in the group. For example, we called one of our group members twice to let her know that we were thinking about her and wanted to know how things were going. We let her know that she could reconnect with us at any time and that she could join another family group later on. Of course, in the end, it is important to respect a group member’s decision not to continue. However, every group member should know that if they want to reconnect, the door is still open. If the issue has to do with the group process or the group composition, or if the person is seeking support of a different nature, help them as best you can to find alternative resources.

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Partnering With Families Affected by Concurrent Disorders - Facilitators' Guide

Implementation

Engaging family members

Drop-outs

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