Group therapy with schizophrenic patients: a short-term, homogeneous approach |
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Authors: | N Kanas |
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Affiliation: | Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco. |
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Abstract: | The author presents a short-term, homogeneous model for treating schizophrenic patients in discussion-oriented therapy groups. Typically, patients attend nine sessions in the open inpatient groups and 12 sessions in the closed outpatient groups. The two goals of this co-therapy approach are to help patients cope with psychotic experiences and improve their interpersonal relationships. Discussions focus on hallucinations, delusions, loose associations, and maladaptive relationships, and anxiety-producing topics are avoided. The format is interaction-oriented and emphasizes the here and now. Empirical evidence supports the value of this short-term group therapy approach when it is used in conjunction with antipsychotic medications and long-term follow-up. |
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