Although telephone contact is an economical option to foster therapeutic engagement, only five published studies have explored telephone intervention for individuals with schizophrenia. Telephone intervention was provided via landline in four studies of up to 4 months duration and by cell phone in a single pilot investigation of 5 months duration. As a group, these investigations demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of telephone intervention for schizophrenia and provided preliminary evidence of telephone intervention's effect on medication adherence. More research is needed to identify the broad program components of successful telephone intervention for individuals with schizophrenia and to determine whether similar interventions may be of benefit to family members of individuals with this disease. The current study examined perspectives of family members of individuals with schizophrenia to identify family needs that could feasibly be met using telephone-based interventions. On average, between 50% and 80% of individuals with schizophrenia live with family caregivers. Family caregivers report an extreme care giving burden that negatively affects family health. Caregiver burden on the family results from problem behavior, resource demands, and