The Illness/Non-Illness Treatment Model: Psychotherapy for Physically Ill Patients and Their Families

Abstract

The model is based on four theoretical concepts: Duality, Contradiction, Complementarity, and Unity. This article presents the responses of patients to therapeutic interventions utilizing Differentiation/Integration Work to draw the distinction between Illness and Non-Illness in the psychotherapeutic themes and attitudes of the physically ill and/or disabled. The findings indicate that in this special population, the patient is stimulated to learn the language of change and how to overcome difficult situations. The model suggests a new clinical mode of treatment in which the physically ill and/or disabled are helped to cope with actual motifs and thoughts related to Non-Illness or Non-Disability.