Therapeutic community as treatment

The Cassel Hospital and the way it operates, is an adapted example of a therapeutic community (TC).

A therapeutic community is a form of community group living therapy, in which the lived experience of having a personality disorder is explored in depth. The therapy is based on collaboration in a culture of enquiry, democracy, tolerance and responsibility.

All TCs follow the principal of staff and patients working together.

The therapy looks at every aspect of patients’ daily living both in treatment and at home.

How does therapeutic community work?

In keeping with the principles of a TC, people learn from getting on – or not getting on – with other people in the treatment group.

The community differs from ‘real life’ in that any disagreements or upsets happen in a consistently safe, contained space.

TCs have been shown to be effective for mild to moderate personality disorders. They require a high level of commitment from everyone involved and all patients attend on a voluntary basis.

If you would like to know more about the work we do, please get in touch.