GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY WITH PATIENTS' RELATIVES

An attempt has been made to supplement psychiatric treatment of patients by concurrent group psychotherapy of their relatives. Weekly discussion meetings have been held of 4 to 30 relatives attending on general invitation or selected because of particular interpersonal difficulties with the patient. The technique was between repressive-inspirational and analytic, involving didactic explanations and group ventilation of interpersonal maladjustments. More resistance was encountered than in psychotherapy with patients, and many of the relatives were quite rigid, defensive individuals. Many of them reported relief at being able to participate, however, and many were able to change attitudes which had been deleterious to the patient. Younger relatives seem to have been influenced more than older ones. A few individual experiences have been described. Some suggestions have been made for the conduction of future projects of this type. No results can be reported separate from the effects of other treatment, but the impression is favorable for the addition of this technique to the battery of psychiatric therapy.