Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation helps clients learn more about themselves and discover practical ways to overcome mental and behavioral health problems.

How Psychoeducation Works, and Who It’s For

Psychoeducation is a way to educate people—about their diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and everything in between. Education might sound like a given in a mental health facility, but the truth is, it’s not always standard practice.

This type of intervention is used to treat the full range of mental and behavioral disorders. Psychoeducation breaks down what is happening in your body, why a treatment was chosen and exactly what it will do, benefits and side effects of any medications, and coping strategies for long-term recovery. It includes information not only for clients, but for their family members as well.

What are the Benefits of Psychoeducation?

Knowledge is a powerful tool. Individuals are generally more at ease when they understand exactly why their therapist is recommending each kind of treatment. Psychotherapy is meant to break down information in a clear, understandable way.

Lower Relapse Rates

People are less likely to relapse if they know what is at the root of their behavioral or substance use disorder. Psychoeducation gives individuals hope and realistic options for the future.

Better Symptom Management

It’s easy for someone to think that their symptoms are just things that they have to live with. That’s hardly ever the case, and psychoeducation aims to inform clients on how to successfully manage symptoms.

Better Self-Care

Armed with information, and reliable, safe care, clients at Sequoia can take steps to better care for themselves. Knowledge of your condition and treatment can be a victory in itself, and that is just one small win for our clients.

The Sequoia Approach to Psychoeducation

At Sequoia, we approach treatment holistically. We understand that individual and family psychoeducation keep you at ease about your treatment programs during your stay. Psychoeducation is a major part of our group and individual treatment sessions. Aligned with our trauma-based approach, it focuses on getting to the root of the issue and treating the whole individual, not just masking the symptoms.

A pair of hands on a table with a coffee mug.

What We Treat

If you are struggling with your mental health, substance abuse, or both, we are here to help you regain control over your life. Our 30-day inpatient program is designed to treat a wide variety of mental, behavioral, and co-occurring disorders in a comfortable setting.

Mental Health Diagnoses

We diagnose and treat many mental health disorders, including trauma effects, dual diagnosis, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and codependency.

Addiction

Substance use disorders we treat include addiction to alcohol, opiates, fentanyl and prescription opioids, methamphetamine and other stimulants, benzodiazepines, cannabis, and other psychoactive substances.

Other Behavioral Health Concerns

A mental health crisis can be layered and confusing. If you don’t see your disorder listed—or don’t know exactly why you are struggling—reach out to us to see how we can help. We treat everyone at Sequoia on a personal level, and we’re ready to help you overcome whatever you may be facing.

Ready to Start Your Healing Journey?

Our experienced, compassionate team is here for you. Reach out to us today by calling us or scheduling a conversation at a time that works for you. All information will be kept private and confidential.

Sun setting behind some mountains.

Psychoeducation

Therapy Session

You may have heard the term "psychoeducation," but what does it mean? Simply put, "psychoeducation" refers to how mental health professionals educate others about their mental health conditions. People who receive a medical diagnosis want to know more about their situation. The same goes for those with mental health disorders.

Mental health conditions can bring strong emotions and unique challenges. Most people want to know their diagnosis and how it will affect their life. Psychoeducation answers these questions and dozens more.

The best part is the knowledge that you are not alone. Psychoeducation helps you understand what people with your condition usually experience and which treatments are most effective.

What is Psychoeducation?

Psychoeducation provides information to those seeking or receiving mental health services, often due to mental health conditions or life-threatening/terminal illnesses.

This form of education isn't just about passing on information. It involves learning healthy skills to live with the condition and providing ways to grow your support network.

Psychotherapy is a tool for everything from personal development to relapse prevention. By engaging in psychoeducation programs, you understand what to expect and how to improve your condition.

Origins of Psychoeducation

Psychoeducation appeared over 100 years ago, but C.M. Anderson popularized it in 1980. Although the term existed throughout the 20th century, it did not gain momentum until movements addressed the stigmatization of mental health concerns and worked to increase mental health awareness.

Today, psychoeducation is a treatment standard for nearly every type of mental health disorder. It provides people with information about the causes, symptoms, prognosis, and treatment of their diagnosed condition.

Who Benefits from Psychoeducation?

Anyone with a mental health condition benefits from learning more about that issue. Some mental disorders can keep people from retaining or comprehending new information, but psychoeducation works to meet you where you're at.

This form of education isn't just about passing on information. It involves learning healthy skills to live with the condition and providing ways to grow your support network.

Psychoeducation isn't just for those seeking treatment or diagnosed with a mental disorder. Family and loved ones can also benefit because they learn to understand the signs of mental illness and how to interact and handle situations in a loving and supportive way.

Goals of Psychoeducation

When a mental health professional engages a client in psychoeducation, they typically have four goals in mind. First, they want to provide relevant information. However, they also want to support you in releasing emotions, finding treatment options, and learning ways to help yourself.

Goal 1: Provide Information

Upon diagnosis, you likely won't know much about your condition. We understand that online information may be confusing or unreliable, even if you've previously heard of the disorder.

The first goal in psychoeducation is to prepare you and your loved ones for what the diagnosis means for you specifically. You'll learn about the genetic, biological, and environmental factors that play a role in the cause of your condition. You'll also identify what you can expect regarding symptoms and treatments.

Therapy Session

Goal 2: Release Emotions

Psychoeducation provides an opportunity to process feelings about the diagnosis. You and your loved ones will often receive psychoeducation in separate groups, providing the chance to express emotions freely.

Releasing uncomfortable emotions tends to reveal gaps in your understanding of the diagnosis. People feel anxious and overwhelmed when confronted with misinformation or misunderstanding. Psychoeducation works to provide relevant facts and help you come to terms with a realistic outlook.

Goal 3: Supportive Treatment

Psychiatric medications are a necessary part of treatment for many conditions. However, they will be unfamiliar to newly diagnosed patients. Even patients previously prescribed psychiatric medications must learn more before changing dosages or taking something new.

Psychoeducation teaches you how to take your medication, what side effects are common, and what to do if you miss a dose. You'll also learn how the medicine works and its effects on your body and mind. Lastly, you'll identify any restrictions associated with your prescribed medication.

Goal 4: Helping Yourself

Knowledge is power, and you can learn much about helping yourself with the proper instruction. Psychoeducation provides the tools necessary to recognize negative symptoms and know when to report them. It can also teach you about positive lifestyle changes and provide strategies to accomplish them.

Your mental health practitioner will teach you self-help skills that work to diminish or alleviate symptoms. They may also suggest books to read about your condition, support groups to visit, or other therapeutic modalities to try.

What Skills Can You Learn in Psychoeducation?

In addition to providing factual information, psychoeducation can supply a lot of other helpful skills for patients and families. Generally, skills fall into four key areas: assertiveness, communication, condition management, and problem-solving.

Assertiveness

Assertiveness addresses your needs without causing additional problems for yourself or others. Learning assertiveness skills allows you to communicate your needs clearly without being aggressive, passive, or passive-aggressive. It will enable you to be straightforward and honest without being unfairly demanding.

Communication

Effective communication helps avoid frustration and unnecessary conflicts. It allows you to work better with others and let them know what's important to you. Healthy communication makes your life easier by assuring you have a voice in consistently meeting your needs.

Condition Management

Condition management teaches you how to recognize the positive and negative symptoms of your mental health problems. It helps identify what symptoms to report and if they signal an urgent situation or emergency. It also helps to identify what conditions alleviate or worsen symptoms and what to do if you feel triggered.

Problem-Solving

When you have the support of a mental health professional, it's easy to want to wait to solve your problems with them. However, once you learn problem-solving techniques on your own, you can function better between sessions. This skill teaches you to identify problems as they arise, consider who's affected by the issue, assess solutions, and evaluate the best option.

Is Psychoeducation a Mental Health Treatment?

Psychoeducation combines the elements of individual therapy, group therapy, and education. It allows the patient, their family, and mental health professionals to work together for a better overall outcome.

Family and loved ones can also benefit because they learn to understand the signs of mental illness and how to interact and handle situations in a loving and supportive way.

Psychoeducation has no negative aspects when treating various mental illnesses and is best known for its treatment role in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Because of the cognitive changes patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder tend to experience, many medical professionals recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside family psychoeducation. Social skills training is an equally important treatment component.

Getting the Most from Psychoeducation

Every day, more and more people are beginning to see psychoeducation and mental health treatment as a team effort. When you approach it the same way, you'll become an active part of a treatment process that can dramatically improve your life. It's a simple process but is more effective when you're engaged.

You'll get the most out of psychoeducation when you participate in it actively and honestly. Whether you meet individually or in a group therapy session, be open to learning new information and practicing new skills. Ask questions when you don't understand something, and consider how general information might apply to you.

If you believe you may have a mental health condition or want to learn more about a diagnosis, reach out to us at Sequoia Behavioral Health. We offer state-of-the-art facilities and licensed therapists to help you work through the process in a safe and comforting environment.