Mental Health Disorders

Recovery Road Medical Center provides intensive outpatient treatment which is designed for patients who have an acute exacerbation of their symptoms of a mental health disorder, but yet do not require inpatient hospitalization and they can contract for safety in regards to thoughts of harming their self or others. Some patients may have been recently hospitalized but require a level of care that is more intense than that which can be provided at the individual counselor or psychiatrist level. The patient has to be organized enough to benefit from the treatment program and not to be disruptive to other patients.

These patients may still require medication management, but at the same time, their recovery may be hampered by recurrent negative thoughts that exacerbate the mental health disorder. Through the group process provided at the Recovery Road Medical Center the patient can experience daily support as they are trying to stabilize their symptoms. They learn techniques to help them challenge the negative thoughts and self-defeating beliefs, while at the same time, developing needed skills such time out, sharing and asking for help. The program can provide an intensive training experience in using cognitive behavioral techniques in changing self-defeating cognitions or attitudes.

Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program
In addition to the groups that patients attend, patients also meet weekly with their program counselor to monitor progress towards their goals in their treatment plan. For those patients without a referring psychiatrist one of the medical directors will meet weekly with the patient regarding medication concerns or other medical issues. Where there is a referring psychiatrist, he or she may provide the weekly psychiatric consultation. The program is designed to be able to work in parallel with a patient’s primary psychiatric care and/or counseling program. Patient staffing is conducted weekly at the center.

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE:

1. Improvement in mood, anxiety and anger.
2. Development of skills such as assertive communication or boundary setting.
3. Develop stress management techniques such as the ability to take time out, share and ask for help.
4. Development of relaxation techniques.
5. Reduction in cognitive distortions which increase dysfunction and increase depression, anxiety or anger.
6. Addressing other co-occurring issues if present.
7. Development of acceptance of self, based upon respect for each person’s uniqueness.
8. Ability to accept feelings and emotions and development of skills to modulate them, rather than be afraid of them.
9. Involvement of family and friends in mental health recovery.

TOPICS FOR MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION GROUPS INCLUDE:

1. What are Feelings
2. Anger
3. Depression
4. Grief
5. Anxiety
6. Self Soothing
7. Crisis Management
8. Relapse Prevention
9. Drama Triangle
10. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
11. Relationships.
12. Shame
13. Codependency
14. Problem Solving/Goal Setting
15. Communication
16. Stress and Caring
17. Cognitive Distortions
18. Medication Management

Cognitive Behavioral Skills and Practice are integrated into the educational sessions and process groups.

1. Daily thought and mood recording.
2. Practicing Reframing of thoughts.
3. 10 common cognitive errors.
4. Core Belief and the Childhood contribution to Core Belief.
5. Challenging negative distorted thinking and beliefs.
6. Practicing techniques that work best for that individual.

At the end of the program the patient is provided with a discharge plan and is referred back to the referring specialist.