Multifamily Psychoanalysis Groups: a successful approach for the treatment of severe mental disorders

Multifamily Psychoanalysis is a theoretical-clinical model that introduces a recontextualization of classical psychoanalysis, aimed to treat severe mental disorders. Created in the 1960s by Jorge García Badaracco, the model... [ view full abstract ]

Multifamily Psychoanalysis is a theoretical-clinical model that introduces a recontextualization of classical psychoanalysis, aimed to treat severe mental disorders. Created in the 1960s by Jorge García Badaracco, the model was implemented in the largest public neuropsychiatric in Argentina and then moved to Spain, Italy, Uruguay and Portugal.

It consists in numerous heterogeneous groups that function as a 'mini society', which means that what gets managed there can also be transferred to the outside of the group. The participants develop skills to build healthier bonds, through working with the multiple identifications that take place there. The cornerstone of the approach implies that the therapist can look at the patient as potentially healthy beyond the symptoms, so that the person can continue with their growth. Universal hypotheses are used to go from the particular to the general and vice versa.

This device reduces the percentage of readmission because it works with the environment in which the patient is going to reinsert once discharged. Its effectiveness lies on the work with sick bonds built in daily life throughout family history. The dilemma without exit –typical among psychotic families- becomes problematic and with solution.

The group's core variables are trust, security, respect and solidarity. This increases the tolerance of violence and insanity. The shared emotional atmosphere generates a sort of symmetry between everyone, whether patients or therapists. This facilitates the listening of the participants.

This paper presents a theoretical-practical articulation that includes clinical material of patients attending the psychoanalytic therapeutic community of multifamily structure called 'Ditem'. It was founded and is directed by María Elisa Mitre, disciple of Jorge García Badaracco.