[A Soteria House in today's mental health services; a small-scale therapeutic approach for people with a first psychotic episode].

BACKGROUND: Thanks to the development in recent decades of mobile teams in the Netherlands and Belgium, ambulatory approaches have been created to offer effective treatment to patients with a first psychotic episode. If the support-network can no longer provide care, the person in crisis is referred to a hospital. The break with normal life and the associated stigma are often experienced as very radical by the patient himself, but also by his family. AIM: To explore the extent to which a Soteria House can have a place in current care for patients with an acute psychotic episode. METHOD: Description of the method of a Soteria House and reflection on the basis of the literature. RESULTS: A Soteria House offers a low threshold setting for people in a psychotic crisis, thanks to a destigmatizing approach. However, so far there is no scientific evidence of its effectiveness. In any case, the Soteria approach leads to greater satisfaction among patients and their family members. CONCLUSION: A Soteria House can offer a meaningful alternative to the hospital for the relief of an acute psychotic crisis. Also, from the Soteria model a number of elements can be included that benefit both out- and inpatient treatment of a psychotic episode. However, this model requires more thorough research before implementation in regular care is possible.