Treatment Groups:

The profound distinction between the TC and other treatments and communities is the use of community as a method for changing the whole person.

As such, at a TC the community is the agent for change. The community is made up of staff and resident members, with resident members having clear “ownership” of the environment as, for the period of engagement in the program, the TC is their home. As such the resident members have input into decision making processes and participate in maintaining the facility.

Formal structured group and individual therapy sessions are of major importance, but so too are the more reality-based therapies of working together, recreating together, relaxing together, decision-making, problem-solving, empathizing, reaching out, helping and teaching. All activities are considered part of therapy, and are directed towards assisting the person to develop their skills and identity and work toward managing their own recovery. Even the most fundamental necessities, such as laundry, cooking, maintenance and office work can be therapeutic, and are also vital in developing essential life skills. In fact, work is one of the most distinctive components of the therapeutic community (TC) model. Over the years we have used a wide variety of groups like Transactional Analysis, Neuro Linguistic Programming, Gestalt, Reality Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Art Based Therapy, Psycho education, Daily Problem Solving, Cognitive Retraining and Rehabilitation.

Mentor Group:

This group consists of 4 or 5 staff who meet every 6 to 8 weeks with the resident to organize their treatment plan and set short term goals towards successfully completing their treatment.

Cognitive Retraining Group: Persons suffering from schizophrenia may display cognitive impairments, which affect their social skills and functioning. In order to regain and reinforce these mental faculties, retraining is done on a gradual basis, which is similar to other modes of cognitive remediation

Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP): NLP is recognized as an effective means for enhancing performance and fulfilling the potential in many areas of life, including work, education, sports and personal development. NLP-based tools are used to help residents deal more effectively with psychological issues, including fears and phobias, weight management, smoking cessations and other.

NLP provides the means to manage the mind effectively so that we can think, act and hold beliefs that allow us to perform to our best abilities.

Peer Group: This is a group designed for clients to freely share information among themselves and discuss problems and disputes that arise and provides a forum for exchange of ideas and feelings on any topic related to the day-to-day functioning of the community. It is also a group for planning the different household responsibilities that members have to undertake for the smooth functioning and cleanliness of the community.

Individual Psychotherapy: Individual therapy is a process between therapist and resident that aims to facilitate change, confront barriers that interfere with emotional and mental well- being. This helps to explore their feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change.

Daily Meeting: These meetings are composed of both staff and residents. Discussion focuses mainly on day to day life in the Community.

Recreational Activities: We provide opportunity for a lot of indoor games for its residents. Some of the games are not only a pastime but also stimulate the cognitive faculties. Residents play amongst themselves and also with staff. All staff and residents birthdays will be celebrated in the community. This is a forum for singing and dancing and often ways to express talents. Residents also taking leadership roles like being the Master of Ceremonies at parties.  Football and cricket are two outdoor games where the boys participate with lot of enthusiasm.

Daily routine activities: Can cleaning be therapeutic? A regular part of each resident’s routine involves cleaning an allotted part of the house and sharing in preparing breakfast for the community. All these activities are taking care by residents in an organized way.

Yoga: Simple yoga exercises and cyclic meditation are taught which helps in keeping the residents’ active and focused.

Family Therapy: Over the months, through visits and therapy sessions, family members are drawn into the evolving growth of the resident. Some family members also undergo counseling regarding their issues in dealing with their loved one. The process is similar to other family therapy approaches.

The spirit of ASV embraces & encourages involvement of family members in our community. Our doors are always open to the families and friends of our residents for meetings and visitation. We welcome and encourage the scheduling of formal family meetings to review therapeutic progress and express any concerns.