Management of schizophrenia presents a challenge to family counselors and families. Marriage and family counselors can play important roles for both the person with schizophrenia and his or her family. Although the medical treatment of schizophrenia remains the domain of psychiatry, family counselors provide treatment and support for formerly hospitalized or newly diagnosed individuals and their families. The nondrug therapies offered by counselors are attractive to persons with schizophrenia because they are low risk and not physically intrusive. This article provides a resource for family counselors that includes a clinically relevant summary of the schizophrenia literature, its associated family burden, and applicable interventions and issues.
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