Perceptions of adolescents' family members about therapeutic workshops in a child psychosocial care center.

Objective: To learn the perceptions of adolescents' family members about therapeutic workshops in a Child Psychosocial Care Center (CAPSi).

Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study conducted in 2013 in Santa Catarina, comprising 18 family members of adolescents being cared for in a CAPSi. Information was gathered through interviews construed based on content analysis.

Results: Two themes were identified: (un)awareness about therapeutic workshops and recognition of therapy workshops. Nine family members were not familiar to the activities carried out in therapeutic workshops, whereas the other nine ones said these involve games, cooking, behavior, reading, music, beauty, craft and painting. Therapeutic aspects were highlighted, such as improved self-esteem of adolescents, behavior and coexistence. However, some families perceived no changes. The development of income-generating projects was suggested.

Conclusions: Therapeutic workshops nurture social living spaces, health education and social, psychological and pedagogical support. However, family members are hardly included.