Psychiatric Day & Evening Program

The Clozapine Group provided follow-up monitoring for patients who have been prescribed clozapine.

Facilitators: Psychiatric Day and Evening Program Staff

Objectives of the Group

• To provide the opportunity for patients taking clozapine to express any concerns that may occur due to clozapine therapy.
• To provide the opportunity for staff to assess the mental and physical status of patients taking clozapine.
• If patients are unable to attend the group, arrangements can be made for follow-up every one, two or four weeks.

Criteria for Admission

• Patient registered with Novartis and has a CSAN number
• Patient prescribed clozapine by psychiatrist or family physician
• Patient is an outpatient
• Patient is able to manage in the community with support

Frequency of Documentation

• Every visit on clozapine checklist

Location

Stratford General Hospital - Special Services Building - Room 108

Group Schedule / Format

• Once weekly, every Wednesday.
• Lab draws blood samples, clozapine is dispensed by Stratford General Hospital Pharmacy and dispensed to patients.
• Group time to discuss issues or concerns, allows for social time for group members

Referral Process

• From Inpatient Mental Health Unit after being started on clozapine
• Psychiatrist or family physician referral
• Through central intake assessment

Cost

• No cost

Using the Dialectical Behavioural Skills Training (DBT) Manual developed by Marsha Linehan, this program is a broad-based cognitive- behavioural treatment, for patients with Borderline Personality Disorder and for individuals who struggle with both over control and under control of emotions and associated cognitive and behavioural patterns.

Objectives

• To educate clients on how to assess and identify thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
• To provide education and training in the areas of mindfulness, interpersonal skills, emotion regulation and distress tolerance.
• For individuals that require more intensive support, 24-hour access to telephone coaching by the Huron Perth Helpline and Crisis Response Team for brief contact and coaching on DBT skills will be available. Criteria for this support will be assessed by the facilitators or referring source.

Criteria for admission

• Clients who have difficulty with exhibiting self-destructive or impulsive behaviours.
• Clients that need assistance managing negative core beliefs and emotions will benefit from this group.
• Client must be able to tolerate two hours of group instructions and dialogue. Clients will be expected to complete homework as assigned.

Location and Schedule

Stratford General Hospital - Special Services Building

There are two separate DBT Groups:

• One group will be held once a week for 8 months.
• The second group will be run continuously (once weekly) with new group members being given the opportunity to enter the group at the start of each new module. The second framework would run for 6 months.

Referrals

Referrals can be made by clinicians, central intake, family physicians or self-referral.

• Please call 519-272-8210 ext. 2570 or Toll-free 1-888-275-1102 ext. 2570

As this group is a highly sought after group, the facilitators are requesting that referral source appreciate that priority will be given to individuals who have not yet completed the program.

The Family Group provides education and support to family members of individuals who are currently participating in the Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills group.

• Focus of this group is to assist family members in understanding and supporting their loved ones' treatment goals and skill building.
• Important content and skills will be shared in this group so that family members can support the new coping skills and strategies adapted by their loved ones.

If you are an adult and you have a loved one who is currently participating in the DBT skills group, you may request more information or register for this group by calling 519-272-8210 ext. 2570 or Toll-free 1888-275-1102 ext. 2570.

This group runs every four to five weeks.

The Mind Over Mood Group provides a cognitive approach to change the way one feels by changing the way one thinks. Participants focus on learning cognitive skills to improve mood.

Criteria for Admission

• Clients experiencing negative mood patterns
• Clients willing to commit to a 10-week program
• Client is able to read, write and comprehend abstract principles of cognitive therapy
• Client is willing to complete homework assignments and actively participate in the group process

Location and Schedule

Stratford General Hospital - Special Services Building.

The program runs over 10 weeks with groups taking place once a week.

Cost

Clients are asked to purchase the book "Mind Over Mood"

Registration

Please call either number below to begin the intake process

• 519-272-8210 ext. 2570
• Toll Free 1-888-275-1102 ext. 2570

The Panic and Anxiety Group helps clients develop tools to cope more effectively with managing panic and anxiety.

• This group encourages use of effective coping strategies and is aimed at providing education regarding negative self-talk, mistaken or false beliefs, assertiveness, self- esteem, personality styles that perpetuate anxiety and how to identify and express feelings.

Individuals who are currently struggling with panic and anxiety or phobia's which limit their daily functioning and participation in normal or usual activities of daily limit would benefit from participating in this group.

Schedule

This is a ten-week program with the group taking place weekly. Dates and times to be determined.

Referral Process

• For a new referral please call 519-272-8210 ext. 2570 or Toll-free 1-888-275-1102 ext. 2570 to speak with our central intake clinician who will ensure you are set up with the right service and/or program.
• Clients already active with Outpatient Mental Health Services please ask your clinician about groups available.

Criteria for Participation

The client has minimal/no social supports.

• The client has minimal/no positive activities in their life.
• Clients must be able to participate in verbal and written exercises.
• The client is isolated with little knowledge of community resources available to help them in their recovery process.
• The client will be stable enough to set goals and with support, work towards achieving them.
• The client must demonstrate adequate self care skills.
• The client is expected to transport themselves to and from program.
• This group is ideal for individuals seeking a deeper sense of purpose and meaning for their lives.

Referrals

• For a new referral please call 519-272-8210 ext. 2570 or toll-free 1-888-275-1102 ext. 2570 to speak with our central intake clinician who will ensure you are set up with the right service and/or program.
• Clients already active with Outpatient Mental Health Services please ask your clinician about groups available.

Schedule

16-week program, once weekly

Solid Ground is a psycho-educational art therapy group to help women who have experienced a sexual assault/abuse. to better understand how the assault/abuse affected them, better understand their reactions and how to respond and take care of themselves in healthier ways.

This group has an open format in order to provide a service that woman can access at any point in order to avoid a long wait time to connect with the Sexual Assault Treatment Program.

Objectives

To facilitate participation in a group focusing on helping participants learn about the effects of abuse. As well, help participant's better respond and take care of themselves in order to facilitate healing and a healthier life.

Criteria for Participation

Participants need to be female and 16 years of age or older. They need to be registered with the Sexual Assault Treatment Program and have met with the Central Intake Worker or the Huron Perth Crisis Intervention Program for an initial assessment.

All women who are referred to the group will be met for an initial assessment appointment. The topics that will be discussed at this meeting will be:

• Goals for therapy
• Current coping mechanisms
• Information about the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program and the group
• Crisis Planning

Schedule

10-week program, once weekly

Dates & times to be determined