[Overview of brief psychotherapies--a basis for discussion of problem-oriented therapy].

Historical and pragmatic reasons justify short term practice of psychotherapy. Some of the better known methods are discussed in respect to their concept, indication and setting: Malan and the Tavistock-group; Mann: Time limited psychotherapy; Sifneos: STAP, Short term anxiety provoking psychotherapy; Davenloo: Broad focus short term dynamic psychotherapy; Strupp: TLDP, Time limited dynamic psychotherapy; Luborksy: Supportive-expressive psychoanalytic psychotherapy; Klerman: Interpersonal psychotherapy; Beck: Cognitive therapy. After a cross-comparison arguments are given why there is still a need for a more problem- and patient-oriented, eclectic and limited psychotherapy. Besides theoretical reasons there are practical and didactic aspects in favour of such a method.