Facilitating a therapeutic milieu in the families of schizophrenia

For many years, mental health professionals and the families of schizophrenics have coexisted in an atmosphere of mutual distrust and hostility. In this paper, we would like to present some of our experiences in creating a more productive relationship with the families of long-term schizophrenic clients in an aftercare setting. We have found that it is possible to engage these families as allies in the long and difficult process of psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy and resocialization. In many instances, these families actually provide several of the major functions of a vital therapeutic milieu, including containment, support, and structure (Gunderson, 1978).