Social Psychiatry, Vol. 54 No. 2, 2026.
Meeting abstract
https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.166
Adaptations of Psychotherapeutic Approach and Technique in Long-Term Analytic Group Psychotherapy for Persons With Psychotic Disorders
Branka Restek-Petrović
; Special Hospital Primamed, Frana Folnegovića 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
*
Majda Grah
; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia
Nina Mayer
; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The psychotic process disrupts personality functioning
in all aspects (emotional, cognitive, volitional–
instinctual), resulting in impaired interpersonal
and social functioning. Psychotherapeutic
goals are generally focused on socialization
and improving the quality of interpersonal relationships,
as well as on acceptance of the illness
and its treatment. The group-analytic setting, as
a democratic situation, is a unique conceptual
format that does not exist in other psychotherapeutic
approaches. Emphasis on communication,
interaction, and participation in long-term
group-analytic work, together with psychotherapeutic
interventions at different levels of communication
(actual, transferential, projective, and primordial) and the development of the group
matrix, has a positive impact on improvements in
object relations, self-image, and the reconstruction
of defense mechanisms. Group-analytic work
with psychotic patients requires adaptation of
psychotherapeutic technique: a more supportive
approach in the initial phases of group work, flexibility
regarding boundaries, and modifications of
certain aspects of the therapeutic contract over
the course of the group process. It is important
that the therapist is prepared to move from analytic
to supportive interventions and back again
in situations of individual and group crisis and
in advanced phases of the group process. Clinical
vignettes from long-term group psychotherapy
with this category of patients will be used to illustrate
these features of the therapeutic process.
Keywords
group psychotherapy; psychosis; modifications of the psychotherapeutic approach
Hrčak ID:
352282
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2026.
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