Teaching problem-oriented therapy

The therapeutic concept is problem- and patient-oriented. In analogy to it the didactic concept is problem- and therapist-oriented. The essential point is learning in groups from practical cases. Problem-oriented in this context means that the problems-solving process in which the patient and the therapist are engaged is supported by the observer group. Therapist-oriented means that the learning process should take account of the different preferences and experiences of the therapists. That can only be accomplished by problem-oriented learning. Each psychotherapy training group consists of 4 assistant doctors and a supervisor and stays together about 1 year. The strongly structured concept of problem-oriented therapy (POT) [Blaser et al., 1988] offers the beginner a framework by which he can guide the dialogue with the patient. The eclecticism of POT allows the more experienced therapist to try out new methods without losing track of the problem. The constantly changing role of being observer or therapist supports the group coherence, and furthermore it promotes an important element of therapeutic competence, the ability to get into a close relation with the patient and at the same time being able to observe oneself, the patient and the therapeutic process from a more distant view. In addition to the POT training group tutorials in special psychotherapy methods and single supervision sessions are offered.