Clinical Wisdom

Abstract

A diversity of cultural, economic and social factors influence our professional work as psychotherapists, and hardly anything we do with our patients is not dependent upon society’s political and moral choices. Moreover, what can be regarded as wisdom is difficult to agree upon, more so for group analysts. It must be felt wise, maybe more easily seen at a distance, and best found by asking men or women, in whom we trust. This article will explore fundamental ideas and assumptions regarding the art of helping patients by psychotherapy. The focus is on group analytic psychotherapy and the use of it in psychiatry. Some of the questions are: What shall be modified in the method and technique to make it helpful to the patients, and will it be possible to meet the requirements of validation from the public health services? Can research and the researcher be of use in group analysis and do we at all have a mutual case? Clinical knowledge from psychotherapy research and retrieved reflections from wise colleagues, on what can be regarded the most essential experiences in therapeutic groups, are presented. Emphasis will be on the therapist’s personal development and existential challenges. Shakespeare’s tale about ‘the choice of the three caskets’ illustrates some moral choices, which can also be regarded as choices for the therapist.