SIDE-EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

Unwanted effects of psychotherapy were reported for the first time in 1970. Such negative effects occur in 10-15% of psychotherapies. This paper summarizes the state of the art of effect-process-research as a background to discuss unwanted psychotherapy effects. In most cases they are malignant regressions occurring in long-term analyses. A topic of recent interest are experiences of abuse in psychotherapy such as sexual abuse and narcissistic abuse. The importance of analyzing relations and of patient information is pointed out.