Advantages of multifamily therapy for families of psychiatric inpatients

Abstract

This paper considers the effectiveness of multifamily therapy as a treatment for families of emotionally ill patients who are hospitalized. Multifamily therapy groups on two sections of the C. F. Menninger Memorial Hospital are described, with special reference to variations in the criteria for inclusion of members. Initial findings of a limited study of one of the groups suggest a high degree of agreement among parent-members as to the ameliorative effect of this type of therapy, notably its capacity to assuage feelings of isolation.