Therapeutic Community thoughts and experiences

[Epicene]

Hi all

I'm being referred to a day therapeutic community (one day a week) and I was curious about other peoples' experiences. In particular, what were the benefits and the challenges, and what kind of difference it made to your recovery?

I've spoken to some people in person who thought TCs were key in terms of moving forward, so I'm feeling somewhat hopeful.

[sherlock holmes]

I only have experience as an inpatient in this kind of environment. It wasn't without its challenges, I think the key to making a TC work is effective communication. We were encouraged to be very open and honest about our feelings and how we felt within the TC which at times felt uncomfortable especially if another resident had an issue with my behaviour. But ultimately I learned a lot about myself and how my thoughts and behaviours impacted on others. (it was also the place that made me go from needing medical treatment in A&E every time I self harmed to never needing it again).

[sherlock holmes]

If others in the TC have a similar diagnosis or presentation to you then it can be like looking into a mirror. At first it's challenging, but ultimately it's a very useful tool to aid you in your recovery.

[Foxtrot Oscar]

I spent a year in a therapeutic community as an inpatient and it was tough, really tough. However, I learnt a lot about myself and I made good friends. I completely agree with the above comment though. I used to say to my team at home that I felt frustrated with Joe Bloggs etc because I saw something of me in them and that's challenging, but can also be a really good avenue for change. I did a three month stint as community chair, alongside another patient, and it taught me a lot about what skills I have and what I can achieve and ultimately what I needed in my life to feel fulfilled. It was a role I missed when my time was up. One can make strong connections with people when in a TC and it can be very sad when people leave. I was really upset when my closest friend, and roommate, left, and it was a really wobbly period. If you do go, I'd encourage you to go the full course, even if it gets really hard, because then I think one gets the best out of the experience.

Without wishing to hijack the thread, Sarah were you on a section when you were treated in a therapeutic community? Genuinely wondering if being sectioned or informal, as I was, makes a difference to how one fairs.

[sherlock holmes]

I was informal. It was the self harm unit at the Bethlem (which has now gone) and it pretty much operated as a therapeutic community. We all had fixed stays of 6 months (I did actually last the 6 months even though for a while I seriously considered leaving). We were free to come and go from the unit, though when groups were on we were strongly expected to attend the groups. If we were absent we were called up on it at the evening meeting or the community meeting the next morning!