Jürg Willi

Catamnestic study of ecological brief therapy

Ecological brief psychotherapy has been practised at the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic at the University Hospital Zurich since 1990. The aim is to use the development-oriented challenges posed by important others in the therapeutic process. The effectiveness of this form of therapy is investigated by reviewing the outcome of 28 completed treatment cases. While results at completion of therapy come up to the expectations, the long-term results were surprisingly positive. 96.4% of those surveyed reported they felt considerably better at final assessment 1 to 6 years after the therapy than they did at the beginning. Positive changes continued after the completion of therapy. We presume that our coevolutive focus brought resolution of blocked developmental steps in relationships that further stimulated changes that continued after the conclusion of therapy, even without further therapeutic support. Furthermore, the treatment effects provided by ecological brief psychotherapy apply to personality disorders as well.