Intensive Outpatient Service

The INTENSIVE OUT-PATIENT PSYCHOTHERAPY PROGRAMME offers an 18 month treatment programme to people who suffer from emotional and behavioural disturbances, particularly those who have problems in controlling their impulses and those who engage in self-harm.

This is part of the Halliwick Psychotherapy Unit located at St. Ann's Hospital Tottenham London and forms part of the services of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust.

The Programme was developed from the work and expertise gathered by the Halliwick Psychotherapy Unit and is implemented by a dedicated team.

The aim of the Programme is to explore how difficulties have come about, particularly in relation to past experiences; to identify factors that maintain the problem; and to find ways of dealing with the problems as they affect the individual now.

The Programme comprises of three elements:

Individual therapy: one individual session on a weekly basis for 50 minutes with the same therapist;
Exploratory group: this group has 6 and 8 people in it and lasts 1 and ½ hour. It helps individuals to explore relationships with others, what past experiences influence them, and how these experiences affect their present relationships;
AIMS group: this group has between 12 and 16 people in it and lasts for 1 and ¼ hour. The group targets ways of helping individuals to control their affect, impulses and helps them to retain motivation and self-awareness. It may include homework like problem-solving skills.

Confidentiality is provided within the confines of the team that looks after the patient.

These elements were considered by the Day Unit patients to be the most important aspects of their treatment whilst at the Day Unit. We followed their recommendations and patients who have completed the treatment have confirmed these views.

In addition to the three elements mentioned above, psychiatric reviews are integral to the programme and are offered to discuss medication and how the treatment is progressing. This may involve other health professionals who form part of the patient's care.

The Intensive Out-patient Programme is research-based and presently the focus of a randomised controlled trial. Research questionnaires and interviews are confidential and are not used by the therapist. Feedback on patients' answers is available if requested to the patient.