The Concept of Motivation for Treatment
WILLIAM E. HOLT M.D.1
1 Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, St. Louis University School of Medicine
The concept of motivation for treatment is of little practical value, principally because motivations are inseparable from the patient's infantile conflicts and defenses. A decision concerning therapy would be much better based on the patient's needs and capacities. The author feels it is unreasonable to insist that the psychiatric patient be made responsible for deciding he is in need of treatment.
