ABSTRACT
Self-help groups have been trying to learn from psychotherapy groups and we, the group therapists, undoubtedly have much to learn from these self-help groups. The study of the self-help groups, their creation, development, dynamics, contexts, interactions, leadership, therapeutic factors, influence and results is becoming a growing need and interest for social psychology, sociology and also for the group psychotherapies. With all the difficulties, group psychotherapies in the psychoses have existed for a century, with spectacular advances and developments in all types of institutions and contexts. The existence and development of psychotherapeutic programmes with psychotic patients is a quality indicator of psychiatric care in a country, region or territory, just as the existence of pharmacological monotherapy applied to these patients is an indicator of a low care level. All the therapeutic interventions in persons suffering psychotic disorders are synergic and complementary and should be integrated into flexible care programmes adapted to each patient.
