When other measures of recidivism are examined, such as hospitalization, family therapy also shows a higher success rate than alternative treatments. Studies have shown that marriage and family therapy has been successful in treating alcoholism, anorexia and other eating disorders, psychosomatic asthma, overly aggressive children, juvenile delinquency, and other problems. The use of marriage and family therapists has increased dramatically in recent years. Many major private insurers and managed care programs in Georgia, including Bell South Enterprises, use marriage and family therapists as key providers of mental health care. Many major private insurers and managed care programs in Georgia, including Bell South Enterprises, use marriage and family therapists as key providers of mental health care.
Family therapy can also reduce relapse and re-hospitalization rates for severe mental illness.
Millions of Americans are affected by severe mental illnesses. An effective system of health care must include comprehensive mental health services and encourage the use of less costly, appropriate and effective outpatient care. In an era of skyrocketing health care costs, the generally accepted trend in physical health care is toward short-term hospitalization with recuperation at home, and home treatment of chronically ill patients whenever possible. Shifting resources toward increased use of effective forms of outpatient treatment also makes sense for the treatment of mental illness. Marriage and family therapy should be an important component of comprehensive mental health services.