Accompanying loved ones suffering from a mental health problem on a daily basis is an experience that profoundly transforms the identity of families. Such families must often cope with feelings such as guilt and helplessness. The psychiatric hospitalization of a family member suffering from mental illness hardly improves the situation. In this context, the existing literature recognizes the benefits of including family members involved in care, as much for the afflicted person as for family and the professionals involved. However, these families inevitably feel excluded from care and unrecognized in their role, resulting in significant consequences. This critical review of the literature analyzes the obstacles to practicing a family-oriented approach by nurses working in mental health units, in order to propose recommendations aimed at transforming present clinical practices in this regard. A systematic study of literature was carried out on the CINHAL, PsychInfo, and PubMed databases and the literature analysis was carried out based on Collerette’s theory of change. The results demonstrate that confidentiality, lack of abilities and expertise, as well as certain organizational problems constitute the principal barriers to the practice of nursing interventions for families on a daily basis.