Chairperson(s): Wieland Machleidt (Hannover, Germany), John R. Bola (Los Angeles, USA) 08.30 - 10.00, Holiday Inn - Room 4

The results of the treatment of first psychotic episodes using the Soteria approach show the great therapeutic impact of the ward milieu and "being-with" on the treatment's course. The European Soteria-types (e.g. Bern and Munich) indeed can be run economically having the advantage of an disorder specific and effective early treatment. The implementation of Soteriaelements on acute wards modifies the treatment milieu in a positive way and besides of this offers the possibility of an early treatment of acute psychosis in general psychiatry. Topics: Acute Psychosis Treated in Soteria: Results and Future Perspectives Acute Treatment of Pschosis in the Soteria-Setting: Indications, Contraindications, Some Answers and Many Questions... Soteria and Cost Effectiveness - No Contradiction! Elements of Soteria in Acute Psychiatry - Impact on Ward Management and Structure in Early Treatment of Psychosis