Day Treatment Program
What we do
The Day Treatment Program is a provincial eight-week, holistic group therapy program for adults who have been diagnosed with a major psychiatric illness.
Through group-based therapy, the goals of the program are to help you:
- understand your psychiatric illness,
- reduce symptoms of your illness,
- develop positive coping skills, and
- promote recovery and wellness.
Group therapy is provided through:
- group discussions
- educational groups
- activity-based groups
- skill-building groups
These groups assist you in gaining knowledge and insight into your illness and empowering you to make positive changes in your life. You are encouraged to apply the skills learned in the program to your everyday life.
Each of the eight weeks in the program is assigned a theme for the week. These eight themes are:
- self-esteem,
- finding a balance,
- reducing and managing stress,
- support systems,
- recovery and relapse prevention,
- motivation,
- emotions, and
- self-awareness.
In addition to sessions on the particular theme for the week, there are weekly sessions on such topics as cognitive behaviour therapy, assertive communication, relaxation training, spirituality, specific psychiatric illnesses, community resources and healthy living.
Our team
- Psychiatric nurses
- Occupational therapist
- Occupational therapy support worker(part-time)
- Clinical pharmacists
- Secretary
- Spiritual care clinician (who facilitates a weekly spirituality session)
How to access this service
Participants must be:
- adults (18 years of age or older)
- diagnosed with a major psychiatric illness such as: depressive, bipolar, anxiety and other related disorders;
- currently followed by a psychiatrist who is willing to consult with the team, as needed, while the client is attending the program;
- stable in terms of illness symptomatology, such as: not actively suicidal, not abusing substances and not experiencing symptoms of psychosis;
- able to commit to an eight week program;
- able to work in a group setting and follow instructions; and
- able to establish goals and be motivated to work towards these goals.
Referral process
For referral to this program, email a completed mental health and addictions program referral form (PDF), including the name of the psychiatrist following the client and the client’s current diagnosis as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to: MHADayTreatment@easternhealth.ca.
A maximum of 12 clients can attend at one time. Prior to acceptance to the program, each client will have an intake appointment for assessment of readiness to attend. Each client is expected to attend and participate in all group sessions daily. While attending the program, each client will be assigned a primary therapist.
Where we are
3rd Floor West
St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital
154 Lemarchant Rd,
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5B8
How to reach us
Telephone: 709-777-5252
E-mail: MHADayTreatment@easternhealth.ca