Schiffian Reparenting Theory Reexamined Through Contemporary Lenses: Comprehending the Meanings of Psychotic Experience

Abstract

This article undertakes a critical review of the theories and practices developed by Jacqui Schiff and her colleagues. The ethics procedures that resulted in Schiff’s loss of her training status within the International Transactional Analysis Association and subsequent lack of systemic reappraisals of reparenting methods are examined at length. The therapeutic challenges in the face of psychotic processes are then discussed through the lens of contemporary models.

Keywords:

• Transactional analysis
• reparenting
• Cathexis Institute
• Jacqui Schiff
• ethics violations
• psychosis
• schizophrenia
• therapeutic community
• regression
• ego states

Disclosure statement

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

William F. Cornell

William F. Cornell, MA, is a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy) who maintains an independent private practice of therapy, consultation, and training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as leading frequent training groups in Europe. He is the consulting editor of the Transactional Analysis Journal, the editor of the Routledge book series Innovations in Transactional Analysis, and the author of numerous articles and books. Bill is also Founding Faculty of the Western Pennsylvania Community for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapies. He can be reached at 145 44^th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201-3038, USA; email: [email protected].