[Instrumentalism and psychosocial rehabilitation. Development of methodological processes related to the...

In psychosocial rehabilitation, institutional actors which are not focused on the "intermediate space" (term coined by the authors to describe the time-space of interpersonal, solution-oriented communication filled by the actor and the patient) are faced with an identity crisis and other problems, some of which are linked to a instrumental vision of their practice. Such a vision leads to a discursive and theoretical approach, yet interferes with potential partnerships. Also, it traps open and solution-oriented relational situations by favouring that which is focused on acts of a prescriptive and normative nature. This state of affairs is encouraged by several factors linked to the actor's status, to health policies and to the evaluation of such policies. In future, effective work in this "intermediate space" will require that actors use other inductive models on which to base their practice which, incidentally, remains at the fringe of social care and support.