Integration of two forms of Adlerian-oriented therapy in the treatment of a psychotic child

Abstract

The clinical case of a 12-year-old psychotic child is presented in detail, including his medical history, family background, and behavioral observations made when he started elementary school, which led to the request for intervention (the child was withdrawn and did not participate in social life; he was always intent on playing with his object; unable to communicate verbally, with disharmonious movements and uncoordinated). A psychomotor approach was used to work on his body schema, his spatial-temporal dimension, and his interest in different objects. The other members of the educational team also adhered to these criteria, and by the second year, the patient was able to read, write, and keep up with the pace of the class. At the age of 12, the same patient underwent psychotherapy, in which an attempt was made to establish a deep transference relationship as an alternative to the disturbing one with his parents. Given the severity of the case, psychopedagogical tools were also used. In a third phase, work was done on his contact with reality, on structuring his personality, and on freeing him from his confused and delusional symptoms. The positive outcome of the therapy can be attributed to the fact that, with the help of teachers and parents, it was possible to create a well-coordinated and cohesive total therapeutic environment (Bettelheim)