The potential of the Therapeutic Accompaniment as an instrument of madness demystification: an experience report

Background/Objectives: The Therapeutic Accompaniment (TA) started even before the psychiatric reform. With the creation of day hospitals in the 1940's and the beginnings of psychopharmacology in the 1950's, a „psychiatric assistant“ who could make the bridge between „madness“ and the outside world was much needed. We assume that accompaniment is therapeutic and serves as a catalyser between the person and the environment. Accompaniment can be delivered in individual or group settings. In Porto Alegre, the group intervention took place at a Basic Health Unit, and the individual approach at the patient's neighbour…