Innovative Programs for Successful Living
Sanctuary House Program
 |
For adults who do not need (or prefer an alternative to) psychiatric
hospitalization but who are unable
to live independently, Sanctuary House provides attractive surroundings
with an ideal combination of privacy and family atmosphere. The facility
is an historic, beautifully furnished late-Victorian house, which offers
a warm, home-like environment.
The Sanctuary House Program serves a maximum of twelve adults who are experiencing emotional difficulties; the program focuses on teaching clients independent living skills and socialization skills necessary for successful community living. In addition, Sanctuary House provides a comprehensive clinical program designed to help clients cope with intra-psychic issues that interfere with an independent lifestyle. |
Professional staff, who have developed an expertise in residential care, provide a team approach to treatment. The clinical team (which includes psychiatrist, psychologist, consulting physician, marriage, family and child therapists, art therapist, music therapist, movement therapist and vocational coordinator) offers a wide range of supportive services in the areas of medication evaluation, psychotherapy, family counseling, educational guidance and pre-vocational/vocational training.
An excellent staff-to-client ratio provides 24 hour individualized treatment.
Upon entering the Sanctuary House residential program, each client is assigned a primary therapist. Together they assess personal strengths and problem areas, structure short and long term goals, and develop an individualized treatment plan which is evaluated weekly throughout the course of treatment.
Sanctuary House maintains as its goals:
In collaboration with each client's psychiatrist, the staff and Medical Director develop an optimal medication regimen with the lowest effective dosage. The Medical Director and clinical staff continually review current research in the area of medication to provide the most therapeutic plan for each client.
Clients are encouraged to understand the importance of proper medication management throughout the course of their treatment in the program and during aftercare.
All medications are monitored by staff, and the treatment team facilitates the client's ultimate achievement of the goal of responsible self-administration of medications.
A comprehensive Independent Living Skills program component focuses on areas of responsibility that clients will encounter in independent living. An orderly and well-maintained environment is important in psychiatric rehabilitation, and the staff instructs and assists clients in the daily maintenance of the house and in their individually assigned home management responsibilities. Instruction and assistance are provided in the preparation of all meals, menu planning, grocery shopping, comparison shopping and budgeting. Instruction in the use of public transportation is also provided.
Clients are required to clean their rooms and launder their clothes. Other areas of personal hygiene are addressed on an individual basis.
The acquisition of independent living skills is an important aspect in making the transition to successful independent living. These skills, which so many of us take for granted, are often undeveloped in individuals with a history of mental illness. Success at these simple tasks increases self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment, a vital first step toward the ultimate goal of returning to the community.
As a major part of the program, Sanctuary House provides groups and activities which are designed to help clients develop and improve interpersonal relationships. The daily program includes activities such as Art Therapy, Movement Therapy, Music Therapy, Pre-Vocational and Vocational Guidance, Men's Issues, Women's Issues, Communications Group, Relationship Group, Self-Esteem Group, Pet Therapy, 12-step AA/NA Group to address dual diagnosis issues, and Group Therapy, which focuses directly on interpersonal relationships among the members of the house.
Many of the therapeutic groups which are scheduled as part of the clinical program offer clients an opportunity to develop relationships with peers and to learn to rely upon each other for support. Groups become forums for cooperative participation and understanding of and tolerance for individual differences. As self-esteem increases, clients are encouraged and supported to take leadership roles in these groups.
Other available activities which enhance socialization, general health and independent living skills are: Vocational Group, Arts and Crafts Projects, Applied Arts, Medication Education, Nutrition Group, Walking Group, YMCA Outings and other regularly scheduled recreational activities. Additional groups and classes evolve from client requests and staff areas of expertise.
Each client works with a primary therapist throughout the course of the program. Together the therapist and client establish an individualized treatment plan consisting of short term and long term goals. In weekly sessions the therapist and client discuss the progress toward these goals and intra-psychic issues that may arise. Because of the excellent staff-to-client ratio, individual therapy is available 24 hours per day.
Sanctuary House also provides a comprehensive Volunteer/Intern program in which qualified individuals, working toward professional degrees and licenses in the field of psychology, share their educational experience and expertise with clients as "community friends." Interns participate with clients in recreational activities, help them register for classes and collaborate on projects. They work both one-on-one with clients and in group activities. Interns are active in all of the programs at Sanctuary Psychiatric Centers.
Sanctuary House recognizes that the families of clients also experience a need for support in the treatment process. Family members are encouraged to participate in the family support services as much as possible. Meetings of family members, the client, the primary therapist and the Program Director may be scheduled on a regular basis at a time convenient to the family, as travel is often a consideration.
In addition to family counseling, the clinical staff provides education for families to help them gain an understanding of mental illness and its effect on family dynamics. A resource library on the premises is available for all families and clients who seek further information regarding mental illness.
The staff is always available to family members for support and advice, and families are provided with regular progress up-dates.
Vocational training is an important aspect of independent living and gradual reintegration into the community. As part of the program focus on independent living skills, Sanctuary Psychiatric Centers offers a Vocational Services Program. Each client explores and assesses interests and abilities toward the goals of employment in the community, enrolling in classes or finding an activity of interest that is on-going. Clients are expected to prepare for a pre-vocational or vocational activity within the first two months of the treatment program. Clients usually begin by making an inventory of skills and interests, and then, when appropriate, by initiating work in the community at a level that will assure success. Many clients start with a part-time volunteer position, one or two classes at the community college or in adult education, or, if there is a work history, they may choose to seek part-time paid positions.
The Vocational Services Program staff works closely with the client and the primary therapist in determining at what level community involvement should begin. Once a client is ready for community work activity, the Vocational Services Program staff assists in appropriate job placement; follow-up monitoring, job coaching and perhaps reassessment are on-going.
The Vocational Services Program staff utilizes resources available at the Career Counseling Center at Santa Barbara City College, the Career Planning Department at UCSB, and the State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, and consults regularly with other professional vocational experts who donate their time to the program.
Sanctuary House firmly believes that recreation and exercise are vital components in recovering from psychiatric problems. Recreational activities bring clients together in community settings and provide an opportunity to socialize and find diversions that are enjoyable, educational and healthful.
Group activities may include attending plays, concerts, films, art exhibitions and lectures, as well as whale watching expeditions, hiking, sailing, horseback riding, bicycling, overnight camping, taking walks in nearby city parks and on the beach, and utilizing the membership at the YMCA. Often special outings will be planned such as trips to Hearst Castle and the J. Paul Getty Museum; other activities are available in the Los Angeles area, which is 90 minutes from the facility.
Recreational activities also provide an opportunity for clients to find outlets for managing stress. Group outings enable clients to explore common interests and to form friendships.
