Psychotherapy Can Be Helpful for Schizophrenics

Abstract

Karon’s work with Mr. X reflects the model that he and I use generally in doing psychoanalytic psychotherapy with schizophrenic patients. In my experience, this work is frequently met with considerable skepticism and at times outright antagonism from the professional mental health community. In this commentary I explore 10  possible reasons for these negative reactions and why I believe the reactions are off target from the central clinical fact that Karon’s model has a track record of success. These reasons include such areas as the roles of diagnosis, medication, a detailed developmental history, the therapist’s distinctive personality and style, and the therapist’s level of activity in treating patients diagnosed as schizophrenic.