[Psychotherapy: present state and developmental trends (author's transl)]

Psychotherapeutic theories and techniques are multiplying explosively. However, the newer developments are reducible to a few basic concepts, namely 1. training, learning, conditioning and information, 2. suggestion, 3. persuasion, 4. counselling, 5. insight (making conscious), 6. group-effects, 7. cartharsis, ecstasis and acting-out. In the present situation a therapeutic schedule based entirely on methods and theories is no longer acceptable and has been replaced by a patient-centred approach, i.e. the method is chosen on a pluralistic basis according to optimum fulfilment of the requirements of patient, therapist and institution. Apart from psychotherapy in the narrower sense, a psychotherapeutic attitude is recommended as an essential method of secondary prevention in all health and social services.