Focal therapy in the day hospital.

The authors describe their adaptation of focal therapy to the day hospital setting. Its goal is circumscribed characterological change through the interpretive uncovering of only one area of conflict. It has previously been used mainly with patients seen in individual outpatient treatment who are more likely to meet the regorous selection criteria; however, the day hospital's more intense setting permits it to be used with patients who would be disqualified in outpatient treatment. The authors present a case report of a severely disturbed woman who benefited significantly from the treatment technique.