When Did Psychoeducation Become Important in Psychology?
Early psychotherapies did not emphasize client education.
Physicians began using psychoeducation to help clients understand their treatment and improve adherence in the early 1900s.
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In mental health, the researcher C M Anderson first introduced using psychoeducation with clients diagnosed withschizophrenia.
The research looked at the impact of providing education tofamily membersto improve treatment outcomes.
Psychoeducation can also mean teaching clients specificcoping skillsthat they can use to manage their symptoms.
A therapist can also provide psychoeducation to family members when appropriate.
Is Psychoeducation Effective?
Psychoeducation is often used as a component ofmotivational interviewing, a client-centered and evidence-based therapy intervention.
It also emphasizes identifyingspecific, measurable, and attainable goalsthat fit with the clients values.
Instead, psychoeducation involves giving the client accurate information about their diagnosis and treatment options.
The client can use this information to make their own decision about how they will engage with their care.
Psychoeducation is not a one-time conversation.
Clients might have more questions as new symptoms emerge or as their situation changes.
It can be difficult to vet sources this way, and misinformation is rampant.
Appropriate psychoeducation can prevent this.
Finally, psychoeducation can build thetherapeutic relationship.
This connection and trust are the foundation for progress in treatment.
Effectiveness of a mindfulness-based Psychoeducation Group Programme for early-stage schizophrenia: An 18-month randomised controlled trial.Schizophrenia Research.
2019;212:140-149. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2019.07.053
Unterecker S.Compliance and psychoeducation.NeuroPsychopharmacotherapy.
2005;1(1):91-111. doi:10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.143833
