Experimenting with Naikan-Morita Therapy

Abstract

  This is an account of the experimental ‘Naikan-Morita Therapy’ that we have conducted for several patients at our psychiatric hospital since 2019, in which Naikan Therapy is substituted for the initial ‘bed rest’ phase of Morita Therapy. We have found that this combined form of therapy provides similar benefits to patients who undergo stage 1 of Morita Therapy with bed rest, while also offering them additional benefits. In the following, we will first discuss the similarities and differences between Naikan Therapy and Morita Therapy; then we will explain the significance of using Naikan as the first stage of Morita therapy; and finally, we will provide one case report of a patient’s experience with Naikan-Morita Therapy.