Individual psychotherapy and schizophrenia.

Conceptual issues in approaching the role of psychotherapy in the treatment of schizophrenic patients are discussed in the context of trainee supervision. Eight important variables which require consideration in conducting and evaluating the psychotherapy of these patients are elucidated. It is suggested that psychotherapy variables are conceptually distinct from those which belong to the frame of reference of the disease model or syndrome diagnosis, and thus demand separate attention.