Radical Therapy for Men

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Men radical therapy (also men radical therapy , men practice radical therapy , abbreviated MRT ) is a strongly structured program for therapeutically oriented self-help and self-awareness groups of men. It was derived in 1975 in the Netherlands from the self-help group therapy concept for women FORT - Feminist Oefengroepen Radicale Therapy . MRT is widespread in the German-speaking area in the gender-critical men's movement and beyond. The aim of the MRT is to promote social change through the promotion of mindfulness for one's own needs and feelings, training in empathy for others and awareness of internalized relationships of power and oppression. MRI is purely a self-help approach, it is practiced free of charge and communicated to those interested. Together with FORT and Trans * Inter-NonBinary groups based on the concept of radical therapy , it forms the self-help movement RT (radical therapy) . According to reports from the field of social work , elements of the MRI have been used in groups of fathers and violent offenders and in work with young people.

concept

MRI focuses on forms of thinking and behavior that stand in the way of development. In self-help by small groups without a hierarchical order, unlike usual psychotherapy and with personal responsibility, the forms of thinking and behavior should be recognized and changed. In a closed room, protected by rules, new behavioral possibilities should be tried out and practiced together with other men without the dominance of individuals. The rules relate to B. on binding time agreements, clear communication agreements and desired basic attitudes. Each session is divided into alternating short and intensive phases and should therefore be kept varied and attention-grabbing. MRT is further developed through learning by doing by practicing groups, passed on by experienced participants (“starters”) and reflected in a few theoretical treatises and written basics.

origin

The term “radical” in the RT refers to its historical origin from the radical rejection of hegemonic psychiatry . “The origins of the self-help therapy concept lie in the radical psychiatry movement that emerged in 1968 in Berkeley (USA), supported by the student movement. The abuse of power in psychiatry was attacked (...). Therapy groups emerged from this movement. B. worked with techniques of transaction analysis . However, these groups still worked with psychiatrists or with experienced group leaders. The RT self-help model is a Dutch invention. From the 1970s, feminists there combined their experiences from self-help groups with the ideas and theories of radical psychiatry and co-counseling and called the concept FORT (translated: women practice radical therapy). MRT (men practice radical therapy) is a new development of the FORT concept for groups of men (...) ”.

method

RT is practiced in groups that meet at regular intervals in the evening. Fixed rounds structure the meeting. The meetings are led by two people alternately.

A traditional process begins with the flashlight , an exchange of the current mental and physical state of mind. This is usually followed by a round of good and new with personal reports from the previous week with an explicit focus on positive experiences. During working hours , individual people who are assisted by a supporter are given full attention. In this round, important and current personal issues are dealt with. The session usually ends with the so-called cuddling round , in which those present give themselves and each other recognition.

Other basic elements are the rancor round , made in anger anger, frustration and other divisive feelings towards other group members aware pronounced discharged and be re-evaluated, and the Gespinsterunde , can be checked in the perceptions and fantasies about others from the group. This is used to clarify relationships, reveal transferences, and train intuition and emotional competence.

"Each group decides for itself whether and how these elements are used ... Between these fixed rounds there is also time for body work, massages, games, imaginary journeys, dancing, yoga, and the like. B. an evening about sexuality, separation, fatherhood / motherhood, parents etc. ... "

Web links

literature

  • G. Hellerich: Radical Therapy and De-Therapy. In: MM Wambach (ed.): Museums of madness and the future of psychiatry. Suhrkamp, ​​Frankfurt am Main 1980, ISBN 3-518-11032-2 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Leah Carola Czollek, Gudrun Perko, Heike Weinbach: Textbook: Gender and Queer. Basics, methods and fields of practice. Juventa, Weinheim / Munich 2009, ISBN 978-3-7799-2205-6 .
  2. ↑ Ed. Collective Commune Book: The Commune Book: Everyday life between resistance, adaptation and lived utopia . Verlag Die Werkstatt, Göttingen 1996, pp. 277f. (online, pdf; 35 kB)
  3. ↑ Ed. Collective Commune Book: The Commune Book: Everyday Life Between Resistance, Adaptation and Lived Utopia Verlag Die Werkstatt, Göttingen 1996, pp. 276–289 (online, pdf; 35 kB)
  4. ↑ Ed. Collective Commune Book: The Commune Book: Everyday Life Between Resistance, Adaptation and Lived Utopia Verlag Die Werkstatt, Göttingen 1996, p. 280 (online, pdf; 35 kB)