Despite the home environment being a major source of stress and relapse, mental health occupational therapists do not traditionally provide family work. Relapse is far more prevalent in environments with high expressed emotion and the goal of family work is to reduce expressed emotion. A case study describes and reflects on a family intervention led by occupational therapy. It found the occupational therapists well placed to provide family work because of their unique skills in environmental modification and behavioural management. The successful discharge of the service user to the home suggests that family work can be a valued activity for occupational therapists.
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