A Virtual Forensic Family Education and Support Group: Examining the Impact [2021-11-16]

The aim of this presentation is to offer an overview of a Forensic Family Education and Support Group pilot project that examines virtual forensic specific education and support to family members and caregivers with a loved one in the forensic system of Ontario. Forensic social workers provided weekly 2-hour group sessions, over the course of 10 weeks, on various topics of importance as outlined by group participants prior to group format and content creation. Weekly meetings were held with group facilitators to review successes and issues as well as any evaluation feedback that could be included in the following week’s group sessions. Measures of psychological distress and caregiver burden were distributed pre and post group involvement in order to identify any changes in distress levels and subjective burden. Sociodemographic variables of group participants and preliminary data will be presented. Implications and steps for future directions will also be discussed.

PRESENTERS:

Jori Armishaw | The Brockville Mental Health Centre

Caitlin Carter | The Brockville Mental Health Centre

Katy Eaton | The Brockville Mental Health Centre

Danielle Hicks | The Brockville Mental Health Centre

Richard Robins | The Brockville Mental Health Centre

Nicole C. Rodrigues | The Brockville Mental Health Centre

Rebecca Stewart