Developing a group-analytic culture in a day project for psychotic patients

Abstract

This article describes the flexible application of group-analytic principles in a long-term group psychotherapy programme for psychotic patients, within the wider containing structure of a weekly day project in a community setting. Clinical vignettes illustrate the steady development of a benign group therapeutic culture which helped patients achieve deeper levels of communication and understanding, resulting in better functioning and a greater capacity to cope with everyday life and establish satisfactory relationships. Reference is made to some of the relevant literature as back-up to evidence-based practice. The paper aims to stimulate further group case studies and process research with this population, as well as to encourage practitioners to increasingly use psychodynamic therapy groups in the treatment of psychosis.

Keywords:

• Group-analytic psychotherapy
• psychosis
• metaphors