Psychotherapy training in a therapeutic community

Abstract

This paper outlines the formal aspects, academic and clinical, of a three-year training in psychotherapy offered in a psychiatric hospital functioning as a therapeutic community. The trainee's adjustment to the community is described, with reference to the overlap and intersection with the patient's experience in the community. Consideration is given to individual and group processes within the entire community. Erikson's concept of developmental stages is used, as well as a paper by Baird Brightman, to examine how crises in the training experience are managed by the trainee. © The Author(s).