Family intervention and expressed emotion — clinical viva

Station structure

Time: 8–10 minutes. Depth: consultant teaching family work as evidence-based intervention, not optional soft skill — EE and family intervention evidence must be exam-ready.[1][5]

Core questions and model points

1. What is EE and why does it matter? Climate construct (criticism, hostility, EOI); meta-analytic link to relapse; not aetiological blame.[1][2]

2. What is in an evidence-based family intervention package for psychosis? Psychoeducation, communication training, problem-solving, early warning signs, reduced high-EE patterns; single-family or multifamily formats.[5]

3. How do you open with a critical parent? Validate, educate, reframe, skills — avoid counter-criticism that escalates EE climate.[1]

4. Name two other disorder-specific family approaches examiners may ask: FFT in bipolar; FBT in adolescent anorexia (separate protocols, same principle of mobilising family as resource rather than as cause).[5]

5. Confidentiality. Individual capacity and consent for what is shared; document agreements within family-intervention ethics.[5]

Pass criteria

• Accurate EE definition and relapse evidence without parent-blaming.[1][2]
• Concrete intervention components as in Cochrane-supported packages.[5]
• Safety and confidentiality handled.[5]
• Links to multi-element early intervention care.[5]