How to Conduct a Psychoeducation Group

Psychoeducation groups help individuals and their loved ones gain a greater understanding of a mental health, substance abuse or medical problem. These groups supply members with basic information about the problem, its possible causes, treatments and the recovery process. Educating individuals about their mental or physical health problems helps them to make informed decisions.

Instructions

• 1

  Give an overview of the topic that the group is designed to address. If this is the first group meeting, provide the group with basic background information on the topic and how it affects people in general. For example, a psychoeducational group for people with substance addiction should give an overview of the mechanisms of addiction, including how and why people become addicted, what physiological addiction means and the types of treatment that are most effective. Continue to present more detailed information in each consecutive meeting, so that the group is steadily learning more about the topic.

• 2

  Choose the method of presentation that best fits the group and encourage questions. This can be done either after you have formally presented information or while you are presenting the information. Allow plenty of room for group members to ask questions, since the point of a psychoeducation group is for individuals to learn more about their specific problems.

• 3

  Connect specific information with the goals of the group members. Help individuals to discover how the information provided has a real impact on their lives and process of recovery. For instance, in a psychoeducation group for people with substance abuse problems, you can discuss triggers for use such as people, places or events that lead to the desire to use. In this case, encourage group members to give examples of personal triggers for use and think of ways that they can prevent these triggers.