Psychiatric Disorders: Day Treatment Centers

A day treatment center may be beneficial to psychiatric patients who have schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and various types of addiction. A day treatment center provides a community based, coordinated set of individualized treatment services to individuals with psychiatric disorders who are not able to function full-time in a normal school, work, and/or home environment. Day treatment centers are usually less “medically” involved than the typical hospital-based day treatment centers. Day treatment leads to the attainment of specific goals through specific therapeutic interventions and allows for transition of the patient to an outpatient level of care (DHHS, 2015).

A facility with a home-like setting may be beneficial for individuals who

are struggling with schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and various types of addiction. This type of setting will provide a peaceful environment that incorporates ADL’s and will allow the residents to participate in role play. Role play will help educate the patient on how to interact in real-life situations, while integrating social skills, communication and language skills. This type of setting provides transitional services to help prepare the patients to move from the hospital to the community. The residents will go through an initial evaluation to determine the status of their stay.
This particular setting starts with an in-patient setting, then transforms into an outpatient setting. The residents typically begin with a 30-day in-patient setting that focuses on teaching the individuals how to identify and deal with their problems. As they progress, they are transitioned to intense out-patient care and eventually to just out-patient care. The residents are required to follow a set schedule, designed by a team of therapists. Each resident will have his or her own schedule based on their diagnosis. The daily activities are designed to help integrate this population of psychiatric patients to independent community living. Once they have demonstrated that they can function under these conditions, residents are discharged to independent community living. After being discharged, the patients are required to continue out-patient therapy sessions.
This facility will look like a modular home with several different areas for the patients to interact. The facility will be painted with bright colors to help enhance positive attitudes and atmosphere. Peaceful pictures will be placed on the walls to help soothe the soul. A more enhancing atmosphere will promote a positive attitude throughout the day’s therapeutic interventions. Each in-patient resident will have his or her own room, which will be more like a bedroom found in their personal home. The idea of the bedroom is to simulate what it will be like when they are released and how they maintain it. The group therapy room will be more like a living room, the residents will be more comfortable when talking about their experiences. A more comfortable environment allows for individuals to let their guard’s down and express their true feelings.
One on one therapy sessions will be available along with group therapies throughout the day.

One on one therapy helps the therapist and resident build a therapeutic relationship. A therapeutic relationship is crucial with this type of population, because it helps promote a successful outcome. This type of therapy allows for the individual to point out his/her strengths and weaknesses. It also helps them identify how to deal with their problems independently. Group therapies allow the individuals to share their experiences with others who have similar struggles. This allows the individuals to build off of each other’s struggles and successes. It also promotes success from the identification with individuals who have a first-hand idea of their

problem.
The day treatment plan is based around the cognitive-behavioral and client-centered theories. According to Mary Beth Early, cognitive-behavioral approaches link a participating event to a person’s thoughts about the event and then to the feelings these thoughts evoke. For example, if an individual has a negative thought about something, they are also going to have negative feeling. “Cognitive-behavioral treatment focuses on both cognition and behavior and on the relationship between them (Early, 2009).” In cognitive-behavioral treatment, the therapist works one on one with the client to identify negative thoughts that lead to the behaviors and help them solve their problems. Client-centered therapy focuses on the individual’s subjective view of the world. Carl Rogers was the mastermind behind this theory and he believed the therapist should be warm and welcoming. “The purpose of Roger’s humanistic therapy is to increase a person’s feelings of self-worth, reduce the level of incongruence between the ideal and actual self, and help a person become more of a fully functioning person (Simply Psychology, 2015).” In a client-centered theory, a therapeutic relationship is built, in which the therapist gives and the client receives. Both of these theories include psychotherapy and focuses on the self as a whole.
Psychiatric patients who have schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and various types of addiction may benefit from a wide array of group therapies.

For instance, individuals who have schizophrenia may benefit from groups like schizophrenia anonymous (SA) and art therapy. Schizophrenia anonymous helps inform the individuals about their illness and allows for them to interact with people facing the same mental illness. According to Psychcentral.com, art therapy helps patients with schizophrenia express themselves freely and helps motivate them. Individuals who have bi-polar disorder may benefit from exercise groups like swimming and yoga. “Being active can help release built-up energy during highs and provide a positive boost to your physical energy and mental outlook when you’re going through a low period (Everyday Health, 2015).” These continuous exercises help individuals relieve stress and relax. Although addiction never ceases, there are several groups that can help keep the individual occupied. Music and art groups can help the individuals express themselves by creating images of who they once were. It also allows for them to discover new things about themselves and occupies time they previously abused. “Even for those without any former experience, codifying experiences through art, drama or music can illuminate facts about the self that were previously hidden (American Addiction Centers,

2015).”
Day treatment centers focus on the overall health of the residents or clients. Occupational therapy’s main goal is to help the individuals become as self-sufficient as possible. A day treatment center is typically less medically involved than the typical hospital. A psychiatric patient who has schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, or an addiction may find day treatment centers very beneficial. The purpose of day treatment is to include therapeutic interventions and activities to help the individuals who cannot function full-time in a normal school, work, and/or home environment. Day treatment centers are considered transitional services because they allow for transition to an outpatient level by setting therapeutic goals. With the help of day treatment centers and occupational therapy, residents can live a new self-sufficient life!