A non‐experimental exploratory study examining a multifamily discussion group for colorectal at‐risk individuals and their families is described. Four families attended a 90‐minute four‐session psychoeducational programme at a genetics centre of a Portuguese public hospital. A post‐programme focus group interview was performed to assess practical and psychosocial impact, and collect participants' views. Participants reported that the programme responds to the patients' and families' needs, enhancing their adaptation and coping to genetic illness. Results reinforce the need to integrate family‐centred interventions in genetic counselling services and address the holistic experience of hereditary disease. We conclude that the programme provides an integrated healthcare setting to help at‐risk individuals and their families cope with the specific biopsychosocial demands of their increased genetic susceptibility. Practitioner points Multifamily psychoeducational groups have a useful role in genetic counselling services. Family‐based approaches to genetic susceptibility to cancer need to be based on a family life‐cycle model incorporating the stage the cancer is diagnosed. Because of the reproductive implications of susceptibility, wider family members (and possibly adolescents) should be involved in the intervention.