Abstract
The present research was designed as a pilot study where a therapy method designed to treat schizophrenic clients was evaluated. The method, called ego consolidation therapy, is a combination of the cognitive and the phenomenological approach to treatment. The method was assessed according to how the schizophrenic clients' level of psychopathology changed over a period of four weeks, during which ego consolidation therapy was implemented. The quality of the therapeutic relationship was also assessed over time, because previous research has found that therapists find it difficult to develop a good therapeutic relationship with this client group. 11 client-therapist dyads were recruited, and the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the quality of the therapeutic relationship at three different points in time. The schizophrenic clients’ level of psychopathology was observer rated. Finally, the schizophrenic clients were invited to participate in a short interview regarding their experiences of ego consolidation therapy. The results of the present investigation showed that the level of psychopathology significantly diminished during the four weeks. Moreover, the quality of the therapeutic relationship was rated as positive by most clients and therapists following the first session, and the relationship continued to improve during the four weeks of treatment. Finally, the qualitative data obtained from the interviews supported the quantitative data regarding the strength of the therapeutic relationship. These results are interesting when taking account of previous research where therapists have reported difficulties in engaging this client group in therapeutic relationships. The potential practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.