"Communicative psychotherapy" was developed in the 1960s by the East German psychotherapist and psychiatrist Christa Kohler (1928-2004) for the treatment of "neuroses". Similar to established present-day psychotherapeutic methods, such as cognitive behaviour therapy, it combined diverse therapeutic approaches into an integrated treatment programme. This included individual and group therapy, exercise, work and occupational therapy. In contrast to modern psychotherapeutic practice, communicative psychotherapy was based on a firm system of values, namely socialist ideals. According to this system, psychological breakdown was viewed and treated ideologically. In addition, any lack of conformity with the East German system was likewise regarded as a psychopathological deviation, which should be subjected to psychological treatment. The latter concept requires a critical analysis from a current-day perspective. For the first time, this paper concentrates on Kohler's work on neuroses and the theory and practice of her communicative psychotherapy, albeit without neglecting Kohler's other scientific works, her biographical information and her Stasi documents.

Kohler's approach shows a clear, yet improper amalgamation of medical science and political ideology. Future research must show in how far this is typical for her concept only or for the whole of GDR social psychiatry.

No abstract