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This book was first published in 1938. The present enlarged and revised edition, arranged by Schilder's widow, Dr. Lauretta Bender, provides a definitive statement of his attitude towards and technique of psychotherapy. It forms a valuable introduction to psychotherapy for any student of psychiatry; the author himself says that he 'attempts to survey the field of psychotherapy in general' and has not tried to write an introduction to psycho-analysis.
In the original edition the introduction to the general principles of psychotherapy was based on a survey of the psychology of organic and psychopathological symptomatology and of somatic and psychic health as experiences. The 'technical outlines of psychotherapy' were dealt with by discussing the relationship of the physician to the patient as seen in the various psychotherapeutic systems and during group psychotherapy of Schilder's own unique type. The final third of the book dealt with treatment of the specific types of neuroses, psychoses, and psychopathies.
In the present edition the additions consist chiefly of relevant excerpts from papers published by Schilder since 1938. Additional material concerning the treatment and prevention of crime, mental health in relationship to childhood, adolescence, studenthood, old age, etc., and further information concerning the use of drugs, hypnosis, etc., during psychotherapy, and the implications of insulin treatment, shock treatment, etc., on psychotherapy are included.
All teachers who wish to ensure that their students know the eclecticism of Schilder's approach will greatly value this book. To those who have never heard Schilder speak, his manner of teaching is still pleasantly apparent in reading it. An appended bibliography of 22 pages forms a valuable reading list on problems related to psychotherapy.
Schilder's attitude to psycho-analytic treatment at the time he wrote this book is inadequately stated in the few pages devoted to describing psycho-analysis as a psy