A Group Treatment Program for Masochistic Patients

Three women therapists conducted a group treatment program for 11 extremely dependent masochistic women patients who had previously been treated individually and had not improved. The patients identified behaviors they wanted to change, and the therapists designed tasks to help them reach their goals. In the course of the program the therapists identified five stages in the treatment of masochistic patients. They planned an extra group activity outside the original group for patients in each treatment stage. All patients in the group showed positive changes in behavior.