Methods and plan of treatment

Abstract

In spite of enthusiastic attempts in recent years no generally effective and definitive therapeutic approach for schizophrenia has been developed. The project on which our experience is based, was planned as one of many efforts currently being made to acquire new knowledge and find new approaches to this major mental health problem. As we stated in the “Introduction,” our thinking about the actual treatment plan to be followed was based upon the concept of the family as the primary unit of mental illness. Our approach, therefore, was to treat the schizophrenic and his family as a unit via a group therapeutic technique in the home setting.