Developing an alliance with schizophrenic patients in day hospital treatment.

For schizophrenic patients, denial of illness and resistance to treatment are pervasive during the subacute phase of the illness. The authors conceptualize these phenomena from a developmental perspective, with particular emphasis on self-reintegration. Theoretical concepts are discussed and guidelines for developing a treatment alliance are described. Clinical examples drawn from experience with schizophrenic patients in a day hospital setting are provided.