Trust The Process Counselling, Luton
To provide effective rehabilitation from alcoholism and drug addiction in the UK.
About us:
Our comprehensive Primary Care programme includes:
Detox: Our clients have often been drinking alcohol or using drugs right up until the point of arrival at the centre, so an appointment is always made with our doctor for them. If required, the client will be prescribed a medically supervised detoxification, which alleviates much of the discomfort of withdrawal for the individual. Detoxification usually takes a maximum of two weeks and clients are fully supported via detox-specific groups. Being housed in the community whilst detoxing, clients are still confronted with everyday issues helping them to face up to the reality of their addiction, whilst all the time having the support of the centre, the counsellors and their peers.
Process group: Process group helps clients to gain fresh insight into their thinking and behaviour, working with their peers and counsellor on real life issues. Process group is a place to get support and discover new coping mechanisms, by talking about feelings and learning how to trust other people.
Step groups: The 12 step recovery programme has been operating for 75years and has been proven to bring about lasting change in alcoholics and addicts with a genuine desire to stop. At Trust The Process, clients receive thorough instruction in all 12 steps, as part of the full 12 week programme. Clients are given worksheets which invite them to explore their attitudes, thinking, feelings and past behaviour around the themes of each step. Clients read out their work to their group, with feedback from peers and counsellors. These groups are crucial to help our clients understand they are suffering from a condition from which they need to recover and that 12 step recovery is a very effective solution. The feedback clients receive on their work is a very powerful means of removing the isolating effects of this illness, where individuals can feel that they are the only person who has suffered in this way.
1-2-1 counselling (as required): Our programme at Trust The Process is based largely on groups working together, as this produces the best results. In certain circumstances it may be necessary for our clients to have 1-2-1 counselling. Should this be the case, arrangements will be made for the individual by their focal counsellor.
Daily diary: Diary sheets are written at the end of the treatment day by every client, allowing them to focus on what is happening for them in daily units. Clients find discipline and self-awareness through this activity, as well as learning to pay more attention to what is happening that day rather than analysing events in the past or the future. Progressing through treatment, diary sheets typically become more expressive, allowing counsellors to spot addictive processes and signs of recovery. At the end of treatment, the diary sheets are returned to the client. This is an excellent tool for the client to appreciate the changes they have made.
Meditation: Each treatment day begins with morning meditation. Clients can go into a meditation room together, without staff or volunteer supervision, to prepare themselves for the day. Soft music is played in a restful atmosphere. At this same time of the day, clients can also choose to sit in a silent room to think and reflect, read recovery literature or work on their written assignments.
Art therapy: Art therapy is a very effective way to express feelings and gain insights into character. Clients are given a theme and spend the first part of the session preparing their canvasses. This is an important opportunity for people who have difficulty expressing their inner world of feelings verbally, to try to express themselves through art. The second part of the session is where clients describe what they have drawn or painted. The therapist and peers then give feedback of their impression and insights. Clients’ artwork is hung on the walls of the centre if they wish – to give recognition to artists.
Drama therapy: Drama therapy provides an opportunity to uncover hidden, unresolved or problematic feelings. Through methods such as role play, clients learn alternative ways of dealing with life situations. They can explore new ideas and life strategies by playing different roles, helping them to see things from different people’s perspectives, enhancing understanding of the dynamics of human relationships.
Creative activities: Music, writing, dance – indeed any creative activity which our clients are interested in – is actively encouraged and supported at our centres. Recent examples included a band forming and performing at a number of events, a group of clients choreographing and performing a dance and dozens of clients getting involved in producing a DVD. These activities show clients that it is possible to have fun in recovery, whilst learning new skills. Creative activities also boost self-esteem, as clients overcome fears and experience a sense of accomplishment.
Exercise and sporting activities (optional): Moderate exercise can have a very beneficial effect for clients in early recovery, building physical strength and quietening the mind. Once a week, a walk in the park, or a game of rounders or football in the good weather, allows clients to appreciate simple and free activities, whilst bonding with peers.
Social activities
It is very important to learn how to relax and socialise effectively in recovery. Without alcohol and drugs, these vital social skills need to be relearned or sometimes learned for the very first time. Accordingly, we run weekly buffet nights with social activities such as a quiz night – an opportunity for everyone to have a bit of fun. Senior clients also have access to computers, including the internet, as part of a system of privileges at our centres.
Peer groups and support: Peer groups develop clients’ responsibility for themselves, with a number of different group formats. Peer evaluations promote clients’ insight into other people’s observations of their behaviour, both positive and negative. This enables each individual to be given the support and guidance that they need in order to continue on their journey. House and community meetings encourage effective communication on a domestic, social and personal level. Topic-related workshops provide focus on the recovery programme and encourage information sharing and identification.
All clients are assigned a buddy on arrival. This is somebody of the same sex, living in the same house, who has been at the centre for at least a month. The buddy will ease you into life in the centre, answering questions and supporting you with any worries you have. In Primary Care, clients are required to be in groups of three at all times outside of the centre, for their own safety and mutual support.
Family days: Often critical to long term abstinence is the understanding and support of family members. Clients are also encouraged to see things from the family’s perspective as well. We run family days to support the often difficult process of the client leaving treatment and returning home, with a new set of behavioural codes which they must apply to stay well. Families are welcomed at our centres and are given an invaluable insight into the illness of addiction, how we treat it and how they can support their loved one and themselves through the early stages of recovery. If deemed beneficial by the counselling team, one to one family meetings for clients and their families are available towards the end of treatment.
12 step fellowship meetings: We advocate very strongly that all clients should become involved in 12 step fellowship meetings to support their recovery, so whilst in treatment clients are required to attend external meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. This helps clients to network with addicts and alcoholics in recovery living in the wider community who have years of sobriety, providing great hope and encouragement to people in their first few days and weeks of recovery. It helps them understand that making friends with positive and stable influences in recovery will aid them on their own journey.
Our comprehensive Secondary Care programme includes:
An individual care plan providing very focused support with life goals:
* physical health goals
* mental health goals
* social goals
* financial goals
* recovery programme goals
* personal / family relationship goals
* life skills goals
* education goals
* career goals
Secondary Care is a totally bespoke programme. The individual care plan created for each client details objectives that will effect a smooth transition back into life. Secondary Care is particularly appropriate for clients who have suffered a lot of consequences as a result of their drinking or using, who need structured, professional support to put these things right so as not to risk their recovery.
Half of the treatment week (approximately 14 hours) is very structured group work, where clients work with direction and guidance from counseling staff and support services. The rest of the week is dedicated to goal implementation. Secondary Care clients can also participate in all of the timetabled activities for Primary Care clients, as part of their programme.
Contact Details:
Trust The Process Counselling
Telford Place
1 Telford Way, Luton
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 1HT
Telephone: 0845 241 4588