Otto Allen Will Jr. (April 26, 1910 – November 17, 1993[1]) was a U.S. psychiatrist whose work in psychoanalysis focused on treatment of patients with schizophrenia[2] using intensive psychotherapy. He is also credited for his advancement of attachment theory[3] and milieu therapy.[4]
Will received his medical degree from Stanford University, School of Medicine. After his residency and service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he received post-doctorate training at Washington School of Psychiatry and the Washington Psychoanalytic Institute. Through this training he joined the Interpersonal psychoanalysis movement founded by Harry Stack Sullivan, Frieda Fromm-Reichmann, and others.
He served as Director of Psychotherapy at Chestnut Lodge from 1954 to 1967. From Chestnut Lodge, he was hired as Medical Director for the Austen Riggs Center.[5] During his work at both institution he establish an international reputation for his work with schizophrenic patients using intensive psychotherapy instead of biological or psychopharmacological treatments.[6][7]