[Psychotherapy in schizophrenia--theory and practice of individual treatment. A review].

Psychotherapy together with pharmaco- and social therapy plays an important part in the treatment of schizophrenia. The following paper gives an introduction into the method of individual psychotherapy for schizophrenic patients. In the first part substantial psychodynamic theories of schizophrenia are reviewed within their historical background. Although none of them can explain the total spectrum of schizophrenic symptoms they may provide the psychotherapist some help to understand the patient. The second part of the paper deals with important elements of the psychotherapeutic situation: The therapist's personality and motivation, the nature of the therapeutic relationship, criteria of suitability, therapeutic goals, techniques and limits. Finally the question is discussed in which way individual psychotherapy of schizophrenia can be taught.