Other critics, particularly proponents of behaviour family therapy, have seen trauma models as parent blaming, and have emphasised the fact that families are usually the main, and often only, source of support for people diagnosed with severe mental illness. Lucy Johnstone has pointed out that some critics advocate family interventions for adult psychiatric patients whilst at the same time maintaining that childhood experiences are not causal as regards mental illness – as if family members can only have a helpful or damaging impact on their adult children.
Critics, particularly supporters of behaviour family therapy, view trauma models as placing blame on parents. They highlight that families are typically the primary source of support for individuals with severe mental illness. Lucy Johnstone has noted that some critics recommend family interventions for adult psychiatric patients while simultaneously asserting that childhood experiences do not cause mental health issues – suggesting that family members can only influence their adult children in positive or negative ways.