ABSTRACT
Group psychotherapy for outpatients with psychosis has proven to be beneficial for the patients and is rewarding for the therapists. It can be applied in different settings and can have different short- and long-term goals. The patients with psychosis suitable for short- and long-term group psychotherapy form a heterogeneous group, as regards to their level of social functioning, phase of psychotic process, personality features, hospitalisation experiences and other life circumstances. The therapist should be trained in group psychotherapy, especially when working with long-term groups where elements of group analysis emerge and deeper insight is sometimes achieved by members. Long-term group work has important short- and long-term effects on quality of life, compliance with treatment, social functioning and stigma reduction. Patients should be intrinsically motivated and well prepared for group work. Short-term groups integrate well with individual psychotherapy, cognitive training, family support and other psychosocial interventions used in the treatment of early stages of psychosis.
