Each treatment unit is staffed by a multidisciplinary treatment team, headed by a physician or psychiatrist. Treatment teams are composed of the unit physician, nurses, social workers, a psychologist, an activity therapist, or a psychiatric teacher-counselor. A pastoral counselor, therapeutic dietician, forensic coordinator, dentist, psychiatric technicians, teacher assistants, and a case management agency liaison or case manager and other ancillary staff also may be part of the treatment team.

Teams meet as often as necessary to assure each patient is properly evaluated, diagnosed and treated. A physician, registered nurses and other nursing personnel are available around the clock to meet the patient's treatment needs.

The following treatment modalities are available to all patients. The appropriate referral (s) are made by the patient's treatment team.

Adult Basic Education

Adult basic education provides patients with appropriate academic training in attaining or maintaining basic educational skills commensurate with the patient's basic intellectual capacity and current emotional status. Approaches are based on age-specific needs and requirements.

Patient and Family Education

Consistent with the Institute's mission and vision, patients and their families shall receive education, which promotes their active participation in the treatment process and fosters emotional health and successful return to home and community. The Institute-wide program for education of the patient and family shall be designed to:

• Enhance understanding of the patient's current state of health, choices of health care management and consequences of choices made
• Facilitate involvement in the treatment planning process
• Encourage participation in the planned treatment program
• Increase care skills and ability to follow care plan
• Support ability to deal with treatment outcome and ongoing care needs
• Foster a healthy lifestyle

Clinical Consultation

Clinical consultation services are available within the Institute through the office of the Assistant Superintendent of Clinical Services or the appropriate clinical department head.

Counseling

Counseling encourages the individual to gain perspective on a situation, articulate alternative solutions, and plan for change. The goal of this process is to minimize or end maladaptive behavior patterns without investigation or reorganization of the individual's personality.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a form of treatment based primarily on verbal communication in which a therapist establishes a professional relationship with the goal of alleviating symptoms, changing patterns of maladaptive behavior, and promoting positive personality growth and development.

Family Therapy

Family therapy is provided to enhance each family member's understanding of their family's strength's and weaknesses, and to help each family discover ways to improve the group's functioning so that each member interacts in a healthy manner.

Group Therapy

Group therapy is a form of treatment based on verbal communication among a group of patients (usually six to ten) in the presence of one or more therapists. Group members share thoughts, feelings, and behavior to gain insight about more effective ways of dealing with stress.

Industrial Therapy

Industrial therapy is a treatment program whereby a patient is assigned a job and/or referred to Vocational Rehabilitation. Therapy includes work experience and counseling regarding job-related problems or improving work skills.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Vocational rehabilitation is an educational program designed to assist a handicapped person in becoming employable by correcting or minimizing physical and/or mental disabilities, while increasing vocational skills.

Recreational Therapy

Recreational therapy is prescribed, goal-directed, outcome-oriented treatment which uses recreational activities and skill development groups to enhance the patient's ability to function independently. Recreational therapy components are designed to meet the patient's assessed needs in such areas as social skills, cognitive skills, leisure education and stress management.

Therapeutic Recreation

Therapeutic recreation provides recreational opportunities adapted to the needs of the patient population. Activities are provided both on and off the units, for small and large groups as well as individual patients. When appropriate, patients and recreational therapists may plan activities jointly. Open therapeutic activities are available to patients with building privileges. Off-campus trips are conducted regularly to familiarize patients with leisure time opportunities in the immediate area. Therapeutic recreation is designed to focus on the patient's areas of physical and psychological health.

Discharge Planning

Discharge planning begins at admission and continues throughout hospitalization. The need for continued care is continuously reviewed by behavioral health organization and/or other designated managed care organizations. Continuity of care is maintained by an active liaison with case management agencies, which offer a variety of community services. Liaison workers and case managers from the managed care organizations, and the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services also work with the patient and treatment team to develop discharge plans. Patients also may choose to receive post-discharge follow-up from private providers.