A therapeutic group links the sick and healthy parts of the community, affording the inpatient a minimum of social interaction and effective intellectual stimulation. For the outpatient it is a defense against the demands of the community. Inpatients in a therapeutic group can no longer withdraw or maintain fixed attitudes. When re-entry into society places too great a strain on a schizophrenic, he is relieved by association in a group with others who have similar needs. Ideally the group provides a demonstration of the contrast between the pleasure principle and reality. For depressives, group support enables them to accept more intensive treatment than they would otherwise tolerate.