What is Institutional psychotherapy? Institutional psychotherapy is a type of psychotherapy that originated in France in the 1950s and 1960s. It is an approach to therapy that takes into account the social and political context in which mental health issues arise. Institutional psychotherapy focuses on the therapeutic relationship between patients and staff, and the therapeutic community that forms within a psychiatric institution. Institutional psychotherapy views psychiatric hospitals and institutions as places where individuals are subjected to dehumanizing treatment and deprived of their autonomy. It seeks to transform psychiatric institutions into places where patients can live in a more humane and supportive environment, with opportunities for social interaction and meaningful activities. Institutional psychotherapy is based on the principles of psychoanalysis, existentialism, and Marxism. It emphasizes the importance of group therapy and the therapeutic community, and encourages patients to participate in the decision-making process of the institution. Overall, institutional psychotherapy seeks to create a more democratic and egalitarian environment in psychiatric institutions, with a focus on improving the well-being of patients and staff alike.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 