Spirit of Gheel Program Overview
Psychotherapeutic Services and Programs
Therapeutic services at the Spirit of Gheel are at the core of all our programs and all that we do as a therapeutic community. While there is no cure for serious and persistent mental illness we do believe that it is possible for people to reach a state of well-being. It is our intention in all of our programming to create a context whereby healing is possible.
- Group Therapy
The therapy groups meet weekly at each facility and are led by our Social Worker. The essence of these groups focuses on both internal themes, specific to each persons unique ”issues” as well as interpersonal issues between friends which can sometimes emerge as a result of living in community.
- Case Management
Case management includes activities which are both unique to the individual as well as having a therapeutic component. Case managers are assigned individually. The intention of case management is to help the friend address individual issues as well as helping them learn coping strategies to assist them in interacting with the outside world.
- Individual Psychotherapy
Individual Psychotherapy is available to the residents through services offered by several psychotherapists who work independent of and outside our community. While all individual psychotherapists that we recommend are professionally “screened” by our staff the friends have the right to choose a psychotherapist who they believe is the best “fit” for their unique needs.
- Psychiatric Services
Our medical director is a psychiatrist who meets with each “friend” at least once a month for an in depth review of the “friends” medications. Our medical director/psychiatrist is trained as a clinician and believes it is important for him to understand the complexity of the conflicts and dilemmas of each friend. He is on-site every other Wednesday and available to us via phone at all other times. The exception regarding the regularity of visits with the psychiatrist exists in those rare circumstances where the resident has chosen to receive psychiatric care from a psychiatrist outside our community.
- Community Meeting
Community Meeting occurs weekly and represents a meeting between all staff and all friends from both of our facilities, together. The intention is to offer information which is of importance to the members of the community as well as offering a forum to discuss issues which are of importance between friends, staff the greater community.
- Expressive arts
Friends are encouraged to participate in various forms of artistic self-expression. Our morning art therapy program offers a forum for unique self expression. The artistic endeavors use a variety of mediums to assist the friend in exploring psychotherapeutic themes of relevance to them as well as encouraging them to work artistically in areas previously unknown to them. The expressive arts program includes issues as diverse as reading/literature, paper-making, painting, candle making, sculpting, fabric printing, and mosaics. The instructors goal is always to assist the friend in finding their own therapeutic process and to help them expand their lens for viewing themselves and the world.
Music, Library and YMCA
Weeknight activities always include several opportunities for exercising the mind and the body. One night per week we offer either music group, led by a local musician, or art group, led by a local artist, alternating weeks. Beyond this evening excursions are scheduled at least twice a week to the local library or the newly renovated YMCA where we have access to swimming, walking tracks, and exercise equipment.
Yoga
Friends and staff are both encouraged to join our weekly Hatha Yoga sessions. Hatha Yoga is a gentle form of the ancient practice focusing on stretching and breathing. Our instructor is an experienced professional having studied, practiced and taught yoga for over 30 years. No prior experience is needed; our classes are designed to meet the needs of the individual.
Transitional Living:
Beyond our residential facilities we offer a Transitional Living Program. This program is designed to enable our residents the opportunity to live independently in a nearby community while still receiving supportive services via our case management system. The level of case management and services is “menu driven” and determined by the needs and wants of each individual. This means that residents who are living in an apartment off campus may choose which services or internal programs they feel will be useful to them. Program costs are individualized based on the level of care and services purchased under this plan. The types of additional services often purchased under this plan often include medication management, menu and budgetary planning, and vocational counseling.