Psychotherapy in schizophrenia: The Therapist's Dilemma

Abstract

The therapist's dilemma to be discussed here has as one of its two main components the therapist's conscious wish - supported by external pressure - to help the schizophrenic patient through psychotherapy. The second main component of the dilemma - which may undermine the therapist's endeavour on a conscious as well as on an unconscious level consists of several factors external to the patient-therapist relationship.

The concepts of hope and countertransference will be discussed in this context: hope as a crucial factor in the psychotherapy of schizophrenics, and countertransference as an indispensable too] in that work. A particular emphasis will be placed upon the need to define countertransference in such a way that it encompasses all the forces impinging upon the therapist in this most difficult task of working with schizophrenics. □ Psychotherapy -schizophrenia - countertransference.

The author received his medical education in Iceland and his psychiatric training in the USA, where he studied psychotherapy of schizophrenia in particular. He now spends his professional time between hospital work and private practice.