Day Programs

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) was designed for individuals with borderline personality disorder and is useful for patients requiring assistance with suicidality and self-harm. The program is also beneficial to individuals with complex mental health issues and/or difficulties managing intense and volatile emotions. The program focuses on four key topics; mindfulness (being in the present moment), distress tolerance (coping with crises and overwhelming feelings), emotional regulation (the balancing of emotions) and interpersonal effectiveness (relationship skills).

Who might benefit: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is designed for patients requiring assistance with emotion dysregulation, problematic interpersonal relationships and suicidality and self-harm;

Entry requirements: Entry to the program requires assessment with a DBT group facilitator;

Duration: Minimum 6 months commitment is required;

When: Mondays & Wednesdays OR Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00am-2:15pm

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Young Adults

This DBT program focuses on the above difficulties as they relate to the unique difficulties experienced by young adults. This includes content related to alcohol and drug use, sexual behaviour, developing structure and routine after schooling, developing independence, tertiary study and developing healthy friendships and relationships;

Who might benefit: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy is designed for patients requiring assistance with emotion dysregulation, problematic interpersonal relationships and suicidality and self-harm;

Entry requirements: Open to young adults up to the age of approximately 25. Entry to the program requires assessment with a DBT group facilitator;

Duration: Minimum 6 months commitment is required but it is recommended to plan for attendance for 6-12 months;

When: Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00am-2:15pm

Mentalization

An evidenced based treatment which focuses on developing patients’ Mentalizing capacities. Mentalizing is the awareness of mental states, in the self and in others. Mental States include thoughts and feelings, attitudes, beliefs, intentions, and wishes. The model focuses on what happens to people’s mental states when their level of emotional distress rises. In this state the capacity to “mentalise,” (to maintain a complex picture of one’s own and others’ mental states) is compromised, leading to impulsivity and to misunderstandings which cause further distress. The mental states of other people are often misperceived when Mentalizing capacities are poor, leading to interpersonal problems or to isolation and high anxiety.

Who might benefit: Suitable for people with group experience seeking to further develop emotional regulation skills, awareness of self and others, and interpersonal skills;

Entry requirements: The program requires assessment with a group facilitator.

Duration: Minimum 6 months commitment is required;

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00am-2:15pm

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

The Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program is an 8-week closed therapeutic group that delivers short-term, skills-focused treatment for patients who experience anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. The program teaches patients about the connection between thinking styles, emotions and behaviour in relation to their current difficulties. Strategies are taught to assist individuals challenge unhelpful thought patterns and develop helpful coping strategies to their difficulties.

Who might benefit: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is designed for patients requiring assistance with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders;

Duration: 8 week closed group program. Contact our Day Patient Program Co-ordinator for commencement dates;

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00am-2:15pm

The Therapeutic Anorexia Nervosa Support Group (TANS) is an eating disorder therapy group that uses cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to address issues underlying eating disorders including eating disorder thoughts and behaviours. TANS also draws from other evidence based therapies such as mindfulness, dialectal behavioural therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. The group covers topics such as perfectionism, guilt, fear foods, flexibility, and values, and includes supervised support for morning tea and lunch.

Who might benefit: The Therapeutic Anorexia Nervosa Support Group is designed for individuals with restrictive eating behaviours or other disordered behaviours such as over exercising;

Entry requirements: TANS requires assessment with a TANS Group Facilitator;

Duration: A minimum of 2 months commitment is required. Group members are encouraged to continue until they have experienced some reduction in symptoms;

When: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00am-1:30pm

Life Skills is a day program run on Fridays.

The Life Skills group is a relapse prevention program consisting of psychoeducational content and activities utilising therapeutic skills. The group is designed to combine psychoeducation, social stimulation and professional support. The objective is to provide a therapeutic milieu where patients can experience a supportive group environment, learn new skills or to continue with skills learned in hospital. This group will support patients as they manage the daily challenges they face in life, as well as provide additional support for those waiting to engage in other day programs.

Who might benefit: The Life Skills program is designed for individuals who have recently been an inpatient and require some ongoing support for their mental health concerns, as well as for people who benefit from regular support and psychological assistance to maintain stable mental health.

Entry requirements: There are no entry requirements; enrolment is possible at any time;

Duration: There is no minimum or maximum attendance time required. Group members can continue to attend as long as they need ongoing support for their mental health difficulties;

When: Friday 9:00am-2:15pm

The Body Oriented Therapy group focuses on trauma psycho-education, mindfulness and the development of somatic/sensory resources for regulating arousal systems. This evidence-based therapy is an integrative treatment approach that utilises techniques from other therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, attachment and neuroscience.

Who might benefit: The Body Oriented Therapy Group is a program designed for people who have experienced trauma and have difficulty in stabilising their mood and emotions.

Entry requirements: The program requires assessment with a group facilitator

Duration: A minimum of 3 month commitment is required. Group members are encouraged to continue until they feel ready to graduate;

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a 12-week closed therapeutic group that focuses on building people’s psychological flexibility. The ACT Day Program covers the key ACT processes including mindfulness (unhooking from thoughts, dropping the struggle with feelings, contacting the present moment, noticing experiences) as well as increasing contact with personal values and engaging in committed action.

Who might benefit: The program is beneficial for people who experience anxiety, depression, substance use, OCD, psychosis, pain, and a wide range of other conditions.

Entry requirements: There are no entry requirements; enrolment is possible at any time;

Duration: 12 week closed group program. Contact our Day Patient Program Co-ordinator for commencement dates;

When: Mondays 9:00am-2:15pm