The therapist as mentor: an aspect of clinical work with schizophrenic outpatients

The schizophrenic's ability to master stressful situations, events, and internal states is a crucial dimension of his overall functioning. To the extent that the clinician can identify his patient's strengths and teach him how to utilize them constructively in moments of stress, he enhances the patient's potential to function more autonomously. The clinician must also have a good understanding of his patient's deficits, and must be aware of those times at which direct intervention in a patient's life may be necessary to prevent psychotic regression. This case history presents a clinical situation in which the therapist's understanding of his patient's strengths and weaknesses led to the resolution of a clinical crisis, and blocked the emergence of a full-blown psychotic episode. A model for understanding the nature of the therapeutic interaction is presented and discussed.