Joint endeavors of the administrative physician and psychotherapist

Summary

• 1. A method has been described whereby patients undergoing intensive psychotherapy are jointly treated by a psychotherapist and by an administrative physician.

• 2. The method facilitates psychotherapy, since the therapist is free to give full attention to the patient’s emotional problems.

• 3. Through contact with the administrative physician, whose dynamic point of view he appreciates, the patient derives additional security. This makes the method particularly valuable with suicidal patients.

• 4. The functions of the administrative physician are partly psychotherapeutic, especially in the case of the psychotic.

• 5. The method facilitates the adjunct psychotherapy of the family.

• 6. The technique of dual management typifies a current trend; namely, a convergence in attitude between intensive psychotherapy and administrative psychiatry.