ABSTRACT
In the 1970s, most students of psychology in West Germany were excited by the ideas of MRI, and Paul Watzlawick was a prominent exponent. Out of a nonconformist rejection of fashion, I did not read his books at that time. So it was only after some years of practice in psychiatry that I approached the publications of authors from MRI. At that time, I was looking for an approach beyond my training in client-centered and behavior therapy, and beyond psychiatrist's mere common sense. My search was mainly for an effective and concise method of bringing about change in psychotic and nonpsychotic in-patients, and to deal successfully with everyday problems in their treatment. I felt immediately attracted by the systemic views and the concept of brief therapy as developed at MRI and decided that I had to have some personal contact with MRI. In 1983, I spent five enjoyable and inspiring weeks at MRI under the monthly residency program. Afterwards, I felt more competent in manipulating even severely disturbed patients into doing what was thought to be positive, such as taking their medication, resuming a job, or giving up some of their symptoms. I had adopted new ways of doing therapy with individuals and with families. Principles of brief therapy seemed to be adjustable to conventional psychiatric settings and to work within them very well.
