Psychotherapeutic Communities: Group-Analytic Model

Psychotherapeutic Communities: Group-Analytic Model

Basic goals
The treatment of patients without confinement and exclusion, mainly with psychotherapeutic methods, without excluding any other approach, as long as it respects the personality of the patients, but also does not compromise the self-respect and dignity of the therapists (Tsegos, 2012). Ultimately, the ideal goal is to make all members of the Community (patients and therapists) authentic, spontaneous, stable and capable of assuming responsibilities (Tsegos 2002, p. 241).

Mental illness can only be due to a disturbed relationship of the individual with his own social network and, in this way, it is not possible for the latter to be cured, except by the normalization of this basic relationship (Foulkes 1975, p. 12).

The Group-Analytic Psychotherapeutic Community is an original scheme, which is part of the multifactorial approach of the Therapeutic Sector. In the O.P.C. the therapeutic orientation is clearly pragmatic (clinical), i.e. emphasis is always placed on what is useful for the patient, after a comprehensive personality assessment has been carried out.

Clinical Orientation and Flexibility
Our theoretical starting points, Group Analysis and TC, are not accidental. They are both group-based, suitable for multifactorial schemes and with significant results in the treatment of serious psychiatric disorders (Tsegos 1995). Group-analytic theory in its essence, we believe, favors flexibility and creative adaptation. These characteristics, moreover, permeate all of Foulkes’ work. He states characteristically: Indeed, it is inherent in the group-analytic approach that rigid organization and institutionalism are avoided in order to allow maximum flexibility in conditions of constant change. Arrangements must be made, creatively and with a view to real conditions (Foulkes 1964, p. 238).

Definition
Right from the beginning we decided not to copy any pre-existing community model from abroad. This simple principle was indeed wise and salutary for the progressive formation of the philosophy, which was based on a clinically effective orientation. The result was that the community element permeated the multiplying activities, expanding the theoretical reflection, which also resulted in the formulation of a definition:

Therapeutic or Educational Community is the method of psychotherapy or education, which with clarity, responsibility and flexibility mobilizes and uses the healthy and real part of the clients’ Ego with the aim of personal development but also the smooth functioning of the space, seeking to derive the maximum in knowledge and experiences in relating and coordinating (Tsegos, 1988, and 2002).

Indications – Who is referred
Those who present with any type of mental disorder (anxiety, depression, psychosis, personality disorders).
Mainly those that are considered serious, with obvious symptoms, such as isolation, withdrawal, lack of contact with reality, low functionality and do not respond positively to monotherapy (pharmaceutical treatment, dual psychotherapy of any approach).

Who Refers
Psychiatrists, Psychologists and more generally Psychotherapists who assess that their patient needs an additional therapeutic / supportive framework.
Systematic cooperation and information of the referrer is necessary.