Therapeutic Communities offer an opportunity for those struggling with their mental health to come together and form a community. These communities will provide a supportive environment for members.
The idea is that Therapeutic Communities offer residents the chance to learn many skills and techniques, whilst also showing providing them with therapy.
The manifesto of The Consortium of Therapeutic Communities states 10 key core values that should be implemented at each community. In this article, we look at the ten.
What are Therapeutic Communities?
Therapeutic Communities: Therapeutic Communities are for people with long-standing and complex emotional problems. These communities host groups of people, where individuals will often attend for weeks, and even months in some cases – typically attending a large house. Most therapy is provided in small groups. Patients are taught about interacting with others, and by partaking in group activities, learn the importance of getting on with others. When disagreements arise, the patients in the treatment are entrusted with setting rules to prohibit conflict. The patients also improve social skills by engaging in common behaviour – such as meal preparation. Not everyone is allowed into a Therapeutic Community, with the patients already situated at the community deciding whether or not an individual can enter. Overall, these measures can lead to an improved chance of recovery.
The Consortium for Therapeutic Communities
The Consortium for Therapeutic Communities is an organisation that is dedicated to Therapeutic Communities and their long-term success and survival.
They are seen as the organisation that set the standards for Therapeutic Communities across the United Kingdom. Their website has a wealth of information on it.
They are also raising money on JustGiving. Their campaign aims to raise more money and help the charity to survive.
The 10 Core Values of Therapeutic Communities
The 10 core values are:
- Attachment: It is suggested that healthy attachment is an important requirement and basic human right.
- Containment: This is the belief that everyone needs a safe and supportive environment in order to develop, grow and change.
- Respect: People need to respect others and feel respected too. They should not be defined by their past issues.
- Communication: Communication is important and needs to be understood. All behaviour has meaning, and represents communication.#
- Interdependence: This is the theory that personal well-being is helped by relationships which recognise mutual need.
- Relationships: Relationships are crucial. The quality of a person’s relationships then determines the quality level of their intimate, family, social and working life.
- Participation: This is the ability to influence your own environment, whilst also having the belief that relationships are necessary for personal wellbeing.
- Process: There needs to be respect for the belief that recovery is a process that will take time to happen. It is important to reflect on your recovery instead of expecting rapid improvements.
- Balance: This is the belief that both positive and negative experiences are inevitable, and that we can learn from both of these.
- Responsibility: Each individual in the Therapeutic Community has a responsibility to others, while others have a responsibility towards them too. This collective responsibility is what helps a community to work as intended.
Summary
By having these rules and values, it means that residents should be able to live together in a healthy way, whilst also seeing an improvement in their mental health.
Therapeutic Communities are normally very effective, and the rules outlined maximise the chances of these communities being helpful. Ultimately, the aim is for recovery.
See Also
- Therapy Home
- Everything You Need To Know About Talking Therapy
- FAQ’s About Talking Therapy
- Therapeutic Communities: Everything You Need to Know
- The Advantages and Disadvantages of Therapeutic Communities
- 8 Things You Should Know About Therapeutic Communities
- What Are The 10 Core Values of a Therapeutic Community?
- Is a Therapeutic Community and a Halfway House the Same Thing?
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