TY - JOUR
T1 - Adapting the Multifamily Group Model to the Veterans Affairs System
T2 - The REACH Program
AU - Sherman, Michelle D.
AU - Fischer, Ellen P.
AU - Sorocco, Kristen
AU - McFarlane, William R.
PY - 2009/12/1
Y1 - 2009/12/1
N2 - The Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center modified an evidence-based model of family psychoeducation (the multifamily group model; McFarlane, 2002) and implemented it for the first time in a VA setting and with veterans living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Named the REACH Program (Reaching out to Educate and Assist Caring, Healthy Families), the 3-phase program begins with 4 weekly "joining sessions" with the individual veteran and his/her family focused on rapport building, assessment, and goal setting. Phase II consists of 6 weekly diagnosis-specific educational/support sessions for cohorts of 4 to 6 veterans and their families. In Phase III, veterans/families attend 6 monthly multifamily groups to support the maintenance of gains. This article describes the rationale for modifying the original Multifamily Group Program (MFG) for a unique setting (the VA) and the needs of families of veterans in a new diagnostic group (PTSD). The changes to the MFG curriculum are specifically described, and details of the new REACH intervention are explained. Attendance, retention, and satisfaction data for 2 diagnostic cohorts, PTSD and affective disorders, are also presented.
AB - The Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center modified an evidence-based model of family psychoeducation (the multifamily group model; McFarlane, 2002) and implemented it for the first time in a VA setting and with veterans living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Named the REACH Program (Reaching out to Educate and Assist Caring, Healthy Families), the 3-phase program begins with 4 weekly "joining sessions" with the individual veteran and his/her family focused on rapport building, assessment, and goal setting. Phase II consists of 6 weekly diagnosis-specific educational/support sessions for cohorts of 4 to 6 veterans and their families. In Phase III, veterans/families attend 6 monthly multifamily groups to support the maintenance of gains. This article describes the rationale for modifying the original Multifamily Group Program (MFG) for a unique setting (the VA) and the needs of families of veterans in a new diagnostic group (PTSD). The changes to the MFG curriculum are specifically described, and details of the new REACH intervention are explained. Attendance, retention, and satisfaction data for 2 diagnostic cohorts, PTSD and affective disorders, are also presented.
KW - PTSD
KW - affective disorders
KW - family psychoeducation
KW - family therapy
KW - multifamily group
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=72949112660&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=72949112660&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/a0016333
DO - 10.1037/a0016333
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:72949112660
VL - 40
SP - 593
EP - 600
JO - Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
JF - Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
SN - 0735-7028
IS - 6
ER -