FAMILY CENTERED GROUP THERAPY WITH CHRONIC SCHIZOPHRENIC PATIENTS:' A FIVE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP STUDY

Abstract

After decentralization of the Colorado State Hospital in 1962 into geographic divisions, each serving an area of the state, the greatest challenge has been the treatment of large numbers of chronic schizophrenic patients. On the Pueblo Division we became interested in using group therapy with seven selected schizophrenic male patients. These men, although in good physical condition and in the prime of their life, had been allowed to drift into a totally unproductive way of existence, destined to remain in the hospital for the rest of their life. In order to establish a first link between these patients and the community, we decided to involve their families in their treatment.