The first phase of this intervention involves the therapist taking the time to get to know the family, their situation, and their concerns. The family also begins to reflect on how schizophrenia has impacted their family and relationships. It is the shorter of the two phases and typically is completed after the first session. 

FAM-SOTC Phase 1: Assessment 

Xavier University

One type of family intervention is family strengths- oriented therapeutic conversation, or FAM-SOTC. One form of FAM-SOTC took place over the course of four weeks (one hour long session per week). The intervention aimed to examine how schizophrenia has affected the patients and families, helping them to look at their experience in a new light and help them establish a sense of normalcy, help the family develop coping skills, and promote growth in the family. 

Family Strengths-Oriented Therapeutic Conversation (FAM-SOTC)

Hsiao, C. -Y., et al. (2022). Effectiveness of a brief family strengths-oriented therapeutic conversation intervention for patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12741

Effectiveness of a brief family strengths-oriented therapeutic conversation intervention for patients with schizophrenia and their caregivers

Phases of Family Strengths-Oriented Therapeutic Conversation (FAM-SOTC)

The support that they receive, especially from their family members, motivates patients to continue their treatment. It also makes treatment feel safer and more effective and patients feel as if their needs are being met. 

FAM-SOTC Intervention Effect on Patients 

FAM-SOTC has been known to have a positive effect on family caregivers. They have demonstrated that their coping skills had significantly improved and they were able to turn towards social support. Their sense of burden also decreased. 

FAM-SOTC Intervention Effect on Family Members/Caregivers 

There have been mixed findings over whether or not FAM-SOTC has long term effects on patients and families. Some studies have found that the positive effects of FAM-SOTC can last from three to eight months. However, other studies have demonstrated that FAM-SOTC failed to have an affect at the three month follow up. One potential reason for this is because schizophrenia is long lasting and incapacitating. Therefore, it may take more time to properly develop these skills. 

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