Therapeutic Therapy

A simple type of milieu therapy by which the total social structure of the treatment unit is involved in the helping process.

Goal and Objectives

1. To help the patient develop a sense of self-esteem and self- respect.
2. To help him learn to trust others.
3. To improve his ability to relate to others and with authority.
4. To return him to the community, better prepared to resume his role in living and working.

Elements

1. People
2. Organized activities
3. Environment

Characteristics of therapeutic community

1. Emphasis on social and group interaction
2. Focusing communication
3. Sharing responsibilities with patient
4. Living and learning abilities

Therapeutic Activities

1. Music appreciation thru arts
2. Craft and occupation therapy
3. Newspaper discussion
4. Bibliotherapy
5. Activities of daily living
6. Calisthenics
7. Indoor/ outdoor games
8. Play therapy

Therapeutic Meetings

1. Circle meeting – highlights of 24 hours
2. Small group – personal problems of patient
3. Community meeting – problems of patient encountered in the ward of general interest
4. Treatment planning – treatment regimen of a patient
5. Discharge planning conference – discharge plan for patient
6. Patient government meeting – officers of the patients discuss issue related to their welfare
7. Staff’s shift-to-shift meeting – discussion of the demotion and promotion of patient status

Attitude therapy

• Prescribed ways on how to handle mentally ill patients according to the behavior symptoms they manifest.

Types of attitude therapy

1. Active friendliness – withdrawn patient
2. Passive friendliness – paranoid patient
3. Kind-firmness – depressed client
4. Matter-of-fact – manipulative/ demanding client related
5. No demand – furious in rage

Characteristics of attitude therapy

1. Consistency must be used in order for the client to reach the maximum therapeutic value.
2. All persons who come in contact with the patient should have a uniform attitude.
3. Should be prescribed by the physician and should be individualized depending on the individual needs.