What is a Therapeutic Community?

I was a staff member at the Ovis Farm Project indifferent departments in the community. For example,
Devon, England, for three years. The Project is run onone may oversee the kitchens to ensure that the
the Therapeutic Community model.necessary provisions are ordered each week to fill the
The Therapeutic Community is a self help approach tomenu requirements. They would also ensure that the
treatment for people with addiction and relatedhygiene standards are met, and to help others prepare
problems. It is a drug-free environment in which peoplemeals for the community. Another resident may look
recovering from drug and alcohol addiction are able toafter the grounds or maintenance work.
live together in an organized and structured way. The4. Resident Profile
aim is to promote change and make possible aMost residents of Therapeutic Communities are
drug-free life in the community when they move on.considered to have hit 'rock bottom' whether they
1. The values of a Therapeutic Communityvoluntarily enter a community or arrive through the
The Therapeutic Community believes that people cancriminal justice system. Many residents have been drug
change and creates an environment that helps toaddicted for years and have a history of criminal
facilitate change. The Therapeutic Community allows aactivity or other legal problems. Although many
person to grow by fostering an environment whereresidents arrive with a host of health related problems,
people are valued and accepted.most Therapeutic Communities stipulate that residents
A strong sense of belonging to a nurturing communitymust be healthy enough to undertake physical labour
in an atmosphere of trust and security, is a centraland participate in training programmes and other
tenet of the therapeutic community. Members of thegroup-related activities.
therapeutic community need to take responsibility forThe admission process for Therapeutic Community
themselves, others and their environment.residents should be rigorous. It typically involves an initial
Members of the community must be positivelyvisit or phone call, admission to a waiting list, an
motivated to change, and to accept the communitrules.orientation process, one or more intake interviews, and
These rules uphold the values and norms of thein many cases, medical, legal and psychological
community, which are a reflectionof those held byassessments, and consent to treatment. A thorough
society.initial assessment may help reduce the drop out rate
Therapeutic Community principles can be applied towhich is most critical during the first 30 days.
the therapeutic care of a wide range of people5. Staff Profile
2. The Physical Environment of a TCStaff participate as members of the community. Staff
Some Therapeutic Communities operate in closedoften share everyday tasks with the residents, as well
systems like a prison or, say, a nursing home foras facilitate group meetings and one to one sessions.
people recovering from mental illnesses. The residentsStaff are able to express their own reactions to
of these, and similar institutions, may not have a say inevents and situations, and accept challenge or criticism
whether they enter in institution, but they are generallyfrom residents. Many staff members in the smaller
able to volunteer for the Therapeutic Community. In acommunities may have been former residents. In this
prison that operates this model, a separate wing mayway the traditional 'them and us' split between
be used.professionals and service users is broken down. This
Therapeutic Communities operate in purpose-builthelps to develop a sense of trust and intimacy enabling
structures, as well as a range of converted buildingsresidents to experience different relationships with
such as schools, churches, or a farm. The size,authority or parental figures. Staff and senior residents
grounds and design of facilities also vary, but areare also able to act as role models, by being open and
generally adapted to the types of educational andhonest. This carries the risk of staff becoming
vocational training offered by the Therapeuticover-involved, which makes staff supervision essential
Community. At Ovis Farm the residents were able toin this way of working.
work with the farm manager on the work element of6. Education and Training
the programme. This probably represented one dayThe elements of treatment at the Therapeutic
each week. In its way, it was a unique feature that thisCommunity typically include addiction treatment,
project could offer because of its location.education, primary medical and dental care, vocational
The residential capacity of a Therapeutic Communityskills training (e.g. cooking skills, carpentry, general
program commonly ranges from 50 - 150 residents. Anmaintenance, and computer skills), on- and off-site job
ideal size is often described to be in the range of 80 -placement, and in rare cases, on-site resident-run
120 residents. This suits big institutions but in recentbusinesses. Christian run Therapeutic Communities will
years the Therapeutic Community model has beengive some opportunity for residents to address their
applied to smaller groups, like Ovis Farm, of maybe aspiritual needs but will not insist that residents are
dozen residents.Christians when they enter, or that they become
Therapeutic communities are generally openChristians during their stay.
environments where residents choose voluntarily to7. The Daily Timetable
live for a period of 6 to 12 months, and in some cases,Residents can expect a highly structured and
longer. Although strict limits are placed on residents'demanding daily routine within the Therapeutic
comings and goings, residents who comply with allCommunity. The typical day includes a 6:30 or 7:00 AM
house rules and programme requirements maywake-up call, morning and evening house meetings, job
gradually earn privileges to leave the facility throughfunctions, therapeutic groups, life skill seminars,
day, overnight or weekend passes, particularly to visitvocational training sessions, some personal time,
parents, partners or children.recreation, and individual counselling when necessary.
The key interior spaces in a Therapeutic CommunityWeekend schedules are somewhat less demanding,
consist of areas where the operational, educational,although Saturday mornings may be taken with group
and therapeutic activities of the program are held.meetings. A Christian run Therapeutic Community may
Common spaces include lounges, training rooms, thehave a commitment to attend a church service on
dining room, and kitchen. Private spaces includeSundays. This is not just a spiritual consideration, it
administrative offices and conference rooms. Theallows members of the Therapeutic Community an
residents have their own private rooms, and someopportunity to increase their support network and
staff may live on site.generally meet positive people outside of their usual
3. The Social Environmentpeer groups.
Residents take on more responsibility as they learn theStructure and routine are integral to the daily running of
concepts of the Therapeutic Community and are ablethe Therapeutic Community
to help fellow residents. It is their understanding and8. Moving On
application of the Therapeutic Community conceptsThe most important part of any recovery programme
that gives a resident more responsibility, not the lengthis probably preparing the resident for 're-entry' into the
of their residency. In this way, the group or peercommunity. This term sounds a bit like a space craft
dynamic is a persuasive influence on residents' desirereturning to the earth's atmosphere. In some ways, this
to become more responsible and accountable.is a sound metaphor. If this is not done correctly the
Residents take on supervisory responsibility in theresident can burn up and disintegrate rapidly.