New life for schizophrenia psychotherapy in the light of phenomenology.

Recent contributions to the theoretical conception and empirical evaluation of schizophrenia in the light of phenomenology are opening the way to new perspectives in psychotherapy. The phenomenological conception understands schizophrenia as a disturbance of the basic sense of selfhood (ipseity) characterized by hyper-reflexivity and diminished sense of self. Evaluation consists of examining the anomalous self-experience in a series of domains, which makes the conception presented operable. On this basis, a phenomenologically informed psychotherapy is introduced. Its characteristics are pointed out and early intervention is reviewed (the last frontier in psychosis) from this perspective. Finally, a series of psychotherapies which, although they do not have a phenomenological origin, may be seen from that perspective, are re-examined. These are the narrative, mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapies. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages: • The phenomenological conception can contribute to a new understanding of schizophrenia. • The phenomenological conception can contribute to evaluation of the subjective experience. • The phenomenological conception opens a new perspective for psychotherapy of schizophrenia.