[The inpatient group in a psychiatric clinic--structure, interaction regulations, patient judgments]

Structure and functioning of a group therapy comprising all patients of a psychiatric ward is described in terms of psychoanalytic and group dynamics, behaviour therapy and cognitive psychology. 34 acutely-ill patients with heterogenic diagnoses reported their experiences with this group technique at day of discharge. Aims of therapy are discussed in respect of desired effects and risks for delusional patients. This psychotherapeutic procedure with inpatients is conceived as part of "psychiatric psychotherapy".