[From family therapy to work with relatives or from the therapeutic to the preventive-rehabilitative paradigm in schizophrenia treatment].

Although family therapy (or family psychotherapy) originated from schizophrenia research and therapy, it seems to be labouring particularly under the difficulties presented by schizophrenia; in the author's opinion this is due to an epistemological error. A promising new approach has emerged in recent years, once again originating from schizophrenia research, namely, "family education" or co-operation with closest relatives of the patient. The present article compares family therapy and family education, describes an updated and valid model of schizophrenia, and derives from this a preventive-rehabilitative approach.