[ThisWayOut]

If you could design your own "treatment center", with no regard to limits on finances or what seems "impossible", what would find most helpful to you?

I am not sure how this topic came up this morning, but I ended up having a long discussion with my mom about what my ideal treatment would look like. It does not exist at this time, but it is based off of my experiences both professionally and personally. A lot of it sounds impossible with today's treatment models and financial limitations, but I think, at least for me, it would be hugely beneficial.

I have found I need a certain level of intensity to safely and effectively get through my issues, so I would want something that is residential, however I would want to keep my freedoms (access to my music, animals, nature, ability to leave if I need a change of scenery even if it means going with someone, access to my positive coping skills, access to my social supports and the community). I would want access to supportive and trained people at all hours of the day and night (because let's be honest, most crises don't keep themselves to a schedule, so if one arises, I want to be able to deal with it appropriately in the moment); a holistic treatment team that takes my input into account and helps me implement my ideas (as appropriate and available); a safe environment where added supervision is available, but personal choice is also a key component; staff that maintains a level of compassion even if I get super annoying and needy; availability for staff to decompress and engage in self-care as needed; down-time to regroup from dealing with something very heavy; people that are open to challenging me on my trouble points but also understanding of places I may be stuck; flexibility in treatment plans; openness to new ideas and new ways of doing things; limited judgements on how I present and a willingness to look at what may be underlying my symptoms/presentation; freedom from stigma around any particular symptom, behavior, or mood-state; people that listen to and hear what I have to say; people with patience around helping me figure stuff out; people to help me build a vocabulary and a method of expression for things I cannot adequately express; people that are willing to sit with me through challenging times, and gently insist that I get through the triggered symptom to find out what's "on the other side" of it; catering my treatment to me as an individual, and respecting me as an individual with certain likes and dislikes; going at treatment with "kid gloves" knowing that sometimes things will get way worse and way more challenging before they get better; having a treatment team that is ok taking over when my judgement goes south, but still open and receptive to what I am trying to communicate... Also an openness to "thinking outside the box" and coming up with new treatment ideas if the current ones do not work.

It would be incredibly expensive, and incredibly intensive, but I think it would work for me. A girl can dream, right?

So, if you could design your ideal treatment based on what has and has not worked for you in the past, or what you have seen work or not work for others, what would it be?

[Silent Void]

Death. It is the only thing that will cure me.

[Asiablue]

Your vision sounds perfect! And I agree expensive and non existent. (unfortunately)

My fantasy would be 24/7 access to my therapist. A residential element a few days a week or as needed with her and maybe holistic therapists too. And just hugs. Lots of them. A nurturing safe place I can go when things get tough.

Mine also doesn't exist.

[Willowleaf]

I love the idea. I think mine would be knowing I had a holistic team available for support when I need them but a well worked out plan that means as time goes by I become less dependent on it not more. So that I could envisage a time when I wouldn't need them.
I liked your dream, if I didn't have kids I'd go for it!

[Leah123]

90 minutes three times a week, email in between. Sigh.

[Silent Void]

Thanks for the hugs. You guys are sweet.

Not needing it in the first place would be good.

[ThisWayOut]

Originally Posted by Silent Void

Death. It is the only thing that will cure me.

I wish I could help ease that suffering some... but I can also relate to the way you are feeling. I'm there a whole lot of the time.

Outside of death, is there anything, no matter how "outlandish" is may be, that you think might help you? Maybe someone to sit with you, and really hear what's wrong, some way to ease all that pain to make it more bearable? Maybe having someone just be there while youa re breaking down and not try to stop it, but not let it get too bad? a hug? a pony? a way to release the tension? Something you secretly wish you could get that you think would make thigns better, but it feels foolish to say or ask for? (again, other than death)

[NowhereUSA]

how do we go into business together? i wish i knew the people because i think this is a great idea.

after a screening, people would be assigned a preliminary level of safety risk based on some scale designed by people with the type of education i don't have. for the first 24 hours, they would be kept under watch like at a standard facility to make the preliminary diagnosis was correct. during this time they would meet with a therapist for at least two hours for an intake, a psychiatrist, and someone to handle the administrative things (a visitor's list, for example, so that the person can determine who can come to see them).

after 24 hours, they would be transferred to a more open environment which would have a garden (and it would be a designated 'quiet space' - no cell phones), there would be an entertainment room, and so forth.

there would be a therapist on call 24 hours (so it wouldn't always be the same t) as well as a psychiatrist. the nurses would be trained in basic therapeutic techniques to assist until the patient could meet with the t on call (though people would have assigned times to see a t and it would, as reasonably as possible, always be with the same t).

visitation would be done on a schedule for logistic purposes, but would not be limited. there would be a designated location as well, so that patients could see their children if need be.

i'd love to expand it for postpartum mothers who can bring their babies with.

and there'd be programs and whatnot.

this is just me musing of course

[ThisWayOut]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

how do we go into business together? i wish i knew the people because i think this is a great idea.

after a screening, people would be assigned a preliminary level of safety risk based on some scale designed by people with the type of education i don't have. for the first 24 hours, they would be kept under watch like at a standard facility to make the preliminary diagnosis was correct. during this time they would meet with a therapist for at least two hours for an intake, a psychiatrist, and someone to handle the administrative things (a visitor's list, for example, so that the person can determine who can come to see them).

after 24 hours, they would be transferred to a more open environment which would have a garden (and it would be a designated 'quiet space' - no cell phones), there would be an entertainment room, and so forth.

there would be a therapist on call 24 hours (so it wouldn't always be the same t) as well as a psychiatrist. the nurses would be trained in basic therapeutic techniques to assist until the patient could meet with the t on call (though people would have assigned times to see a t and it would, as reasonably as possible, always be with the same t).

visitation would be done on a schedule for logistic purposes, but would not be limited. there would be a designated location as well, so that patients could see their children if need be.

i'd love to expand it for postpartum mothers who can bring their babies with.

and there'd be programs and whatnot.

this is just me musing of course

I totally forgot about those logistics, but yes, all of that. I think visits and supportive people are very important...

[JustShakey]

Well, I've been wanting weekly sessions, and I plan to ask for it at my next session. 90 minute sessions would be nice. I'd like to do art therapy as well, or maybe something more somatic, OT-ish. Sensory stuff is very soothing...

[ThisWayOut]

Originally Posted by Asiablue

Your vision sounds perfect! And I agree expensive and non existent. (unfortunately)

My fantasy would be 24/7 access to my therapist. A residential element a few days a week or as needed with her and maybe holistic therapists too. And just hugs. Lots of them. A nurturing safe place I can go when things get tough.

Mine also doesn't exist.

I would add all fo this to mine also, though maybe the 24/7 access to a therapist, not necessarily mine, because I know they need breaks too.

[ThisWayOut]

Originally Posted by JustShakey

Well, I've been wanting weekly sessions, and I plan to ask for it at my next session. 90 minute sessions would be nice. I'd like to do art therapy as well, or maybe something more somatic, OT-ish. Sensory stuff is very soothing...

OT and sensory and arts/expressive therapies would def be in mine too, as well as animal therapies and "safe spaces"...

[NowhereUSA]

Originally Posted by JustShakey

Well, I've been wanting weekly sessions, and I plan to ask for it at my next session. 90 minute sessions would be nice. I'd like to do art therapy as well, or maybe something more somatic, OT-ish. Sensory stuff is very soothing...

right now i like mostly where i'm at. if i were going to tweak my current t schedule, i'd like to see him for longer sessions and i'd prefer to be in his dbt group (but most of that is on me - my insurance doesn't do longer than 60 minutes and i can't attend his dbt group because of the day it falls on).

[HazelGirl]

I think I'm pretty close to what is ideal. My T is available at any time if I need (outside of vacations and such), and she is very warm and compassionate, and understanding of my life and situation. I have wondered sometimes if a residential treatment might be beneficial (although definitely cost-prohibitive), but I think at this point, it's more beneficial for me to be in the real world dealing with real-world problems.

[Ambra]

With contact encouraged between sessions. "Allowed" isn't enough for me as I don't seem to be able to reach out. It's just stronger than me. Last time T told me to please call if I needed her (I didn't dare call/write anyway, but being allowed to do that even if it is not supposed to be an option made me feel cared for). The ideal therapy would be T checking in with me between sessions then.

[guilloche]

I love your ideas, ThisWayOut!

I wish there was someplace "spa-like" where you could schedule a vacation (pre-planned trip, you can leave when you want, not necessarily counted as "medical") to do healing work.

It would be peaceful, serene, with lots of other activities that can be tied back to healing: hiking, writing, art, music. Nothing would be forced (no forced medication), but there would be alot of support available from trained, compassionate, caring people with tons of expertise. You'd have individual T twice a day between hiking and massages and painting classes. As you said, you'd be able to bring the things you need, and still have contact with anyone you wanted to. And the food would be *fabulous* whole foods based, cooked from scratch by chefs, and very healthy and tasty.

On a more realistic note, one funny thing that I've often thought would absolutely make me LOVE my therapist (or any therapist) would be if they'd bring in a therapy dog. It would have to be big, fluffy, well-trained and smart enough to stay away if someone doesn't want doggy-time. But I imagine walking in to therapy to find a big happy golden retriever who sits by me on the couch and lets me bury my face in his fur... I think I'd be so completely crazy with joy and disbelief, that all my doubts about therapy would instantly go "whoosh" out the window.

[pmbm]

90 minute sessions twice a week. 2 hours in karate studio with therapist every other week. Acupuncture three times a week. Time with massage therapist 1-2 times a week. An hour a day to journal. An hour a day to meditate. 90 minutes with my priest once a week. Of course being a mom with three special needs children does not lend itself at all to that kind of healing process.

[Solepa]

I would love to just have a room that feels safe with my T inside. Where I can go anytime I wish. In a fantasy world where I would be brave enough to let this happen I would like her to hold me if I cry.

[scorpiosis37]

I would love 90 minute sessions twice a week. (I actually see my T once a week for 55 min).

Additionally, I'm writing a book a right now (I'm an academic) and I'm struggling to find a quiet place to write as well as balancing my writing with all of my other responsibilities. I'm incredibly stressed out, tired, and depressed. I'd LOVE to create a place where I go and write and get "taken care of"-- have food brought provided, have laundry done, etc. Being able to spend a month in a place like that would help SO MUCH with my stress/depression and allow me to be productive. Include 2 therapy sessions a week, and I couldn't imagine anything better. Too bad it doesn't exist...

[stopdog]

I would find the material that explained everything, read it, and I could use the information without a therapist being involved.

[JustShakey]

Originally Posted by stopdog

I would find the material that explained everything, read it, and I could use the information without a therapist being involved.

If only! This is my favorite way of dealing with things too. Doesn't work unfortunately. Damn limbic brain.

[IndestructibleGirl]

Basically, this. Except we're sister cats instead of mummy cat and kitten

God, I am such a freak. Ah well, so be it.

[ThisWayOut]

Originally Posted by IndestructibleGirl

Basically, this. Except we're sister cats instead of mummy cat and kitten

God, I am such a freak. Ah well, so be it.

that looks very comforting and safe... I would appreciate somethign like that from a trusted person.

[IndestructibleGirl]

Originally Posted by ThisWayOut

that looks very comforting and safe... I would appreciate somethign like that from a trusted person.

My heart bursts with cute cat overload and I keep watching it

I think it pulled all my strings on a personal level because I don't have outward meltdowns in therapy. In the same way the kitten is asleep and twitching in the nightmare, even when I'm very distressed I'm mostly controlled, with only bits of my distress leaking out in a halting way.