Therapies

Therapy at St Mary's begins with the environment created for patients and the interactions with staff both formal and informal. All staff are trained in therapeutic approaches and receive clinical supervision where they can reflect on their interactions with patients. Using ideas from Therapeutic Community approaches, we aim to empower patients to make or participate in decisions as much as possible, with support where necessary. Regular community meetings are part of the therapeutic programme and enable this participation. Community meetings also allow patients and staff to challenge each other appropriately and learn to solve problems which occur in living together. The aim is to foster a collaborative approach where the power differential between staff and patients is minimized rather than emphasized.

CBT Approach - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Led by Head of Neurorehabilitation, the team use a broad CBT approach to manage behaviour and enhance skills where indicated. The emphasis is on a positive approach with all patients having clear targets for change, broken down into achievable steps, focusing on what is adaptive and appropriate, rather than on what is inappropriate and negative.

Activity

Part of promoting adaptive behaviour is the use of meaningful and valued activity, promoting valued social roles. All patients have a daily and weekly planner/timetable, developed in conjunction with their clinical team. This includes daily activity, community access where appropriate and use of leisure time. Rehabilitation Co-therapists work with the patient to engage in activity and take an active role in planning their own rehabilitation.

Occupational Therapy

Senior OTs assess all patients and provide an analysis of their strengths and needs, in terms of Activities of Daily Living and occupational skills. Supported by Activity Co-ordinators and Rehabilitation Co-therapists (RCTs), the OTs are responsible for organising and delivering a range of activities and therapies to promote independence and increase skills. These include:

• Cooking
• Budgeting/shopping
• Self care
• Life skills
• Vocational planning
• Using leisure time/purposeful activity
• Education
• Community access
• Relaxation
• Practical activities e.g. woodwork
• Arts/crafts
• Gym/exercise
• Gardening

Psycho-educational Interventions

St George Healthcare Group offers a range of psycho-educational interventions according to the needs of the patient, which can be delivered on an individual basis or in groups. These include Anxiety Management, Coping with Anger, Relaxation, Social Skills, Living with Others, Thinking Skills, Problem Solving.

Psychological Interventions: group and individual work

Individual and group therapy is available according to patient need. Therapy may address mental health needs, past trauma or offending. Interventions aimed at reducing risk include Substance Misuse treatment and Sex Offender treatment. Therapy is offered by trained and experienced staff, all of whom have regular clinical supervision.