Objective:

To introduce the conceptual foundations and clinical operators of Institutional Psychotherapy (IP) to an English-speaking readership.

Approach:

• Conceptual Review: The article presents a conceptual review of Institutional Psychotherapy, focusing on its historical development, key concepts, and clinical applications.

Key Findings:

• Institutional Psychotherapy emerged as a response to the alienation in psychiatric institutions during World War II.
• IP is characterized by its critical approach to psychiatric care, emphasizing the importance of the socio-economic context and collective therapeutic environments.
• The movement integrates psychoanalysis, libertarian Marxism, and phenomenology, offering a flexible conceptual toolbox rather than a fixed methodology.

Interpretation:

Institutional Psychotherapy offers a unique perspective on the treatment of psychosis, focusing on the interplay between individual experiences and broader institutional and societal factors.

Limitations:

• IP has never constituted a unified theoretical school, leading to variability in its application and understanding.
• The article does not aim to provide an exhaustive review of all texts or authors associated with IP.

Conclusion:

The article emphasizes the relevance of Institutional Psychotherapy for contemporary psychiatric practice, particularly in addressing the complexities of psychosis within collective settings.