It's well established that for many people who experience psychosis and other extreme states, childhood trauma and problematic family dynamics lie at the root of their distress. It's also clear that regardless of whether or not a person's psychosis is clearly rooted in problematic family dynamics, providing effective support for the person can be very difficult for caring family members. In this presentation, Dr Paris Williams will outline what he feels are some of the family dynamics that are so problematic, he will outline practical methods for developing more beneficial family and relational dynamics, and invite discussion around these themes.

Paris Williams is the author of a 3 part series on Madness and the Family, see Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.  This online meeting will provide an opportunity to expand on the ideas in those articles and to get into more detail about what family work may entail and how to deal with the challenging paradoxes that emerge as family members struggle to do things like be involved but not over-involved, and to both support a fight against a possible descent into destructive patterns while also supporting emerging autonomy in a family member.  Please bring all your most challenging questions about family work, and join us as we explore these complex issues together!

(By the way, you can find out more about Paris Williams and about his book, Rethinking Madness, at his website, http://www.rethinkingmadness.com/

ISPS-US online meetings are free to ISPS members, with a donation of $5-$20 requested from others, though no one turned away for lack of funds.  Please do register if you want to attend!