ABSTRACT
Therapeutic programs are systematic and extensive efforts to modify the behavior of groups of patients, usually in an institutional setting and usually by means of a combinative approach that utilizes the multiple activity resources and personnel of the institution rather than a single therapist. Most inpatient programs are designed for chronic regressed patients, mainly schizophrenics. Specific outcomes aside, some of the studies not only illustrate that controlled research to evaluate therapeutic programs can be done, but also show that it has been done; it is to be hoped that such research will set a trend for evaluations to keep pace with innovations. The goals of therapy are central not only to patients' and therapists' perceptions of success but also to the interpretation of the meaningfulness of research findings. The therapists represent a cross-section of those who do therapy in the various settings in which the research has been done.
