Mentors Therapy
When young people first arrive at Mentors, they are often out of control, manifested in aggression, or self injurious behaviours. Once control is established, work begins to help create or regain self-esteem and confidence.
Consultant input - Our support staff include a therapist who undertakes direct sessional work with our young people and a Chartered Clinical and Forensic Psychologist who provides additional consultancy and advisory services. We also have access to a range of other professionals to meet specific identified needs, including speech and language therapy
Primary model - Our daily programmes and interactions with young people are based on Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, a well respected intervention based on clear stages for stabilising and normalising behaviour:
- Managing the Crisis – on arrival young people are likely to be experiencing heightened emotions following disruption of their previous living situation They may be angry, scared, confused, anxious. The first task is to make them feel safe in their new environment by providing a structured, nurturing nad containing environment.
- Planning - the first stage of the process is to develop child-specific placement goals . These goals are drawn up with the close involvement of the young person and significant others and subsequently agreed with the placing authority.
All our care staff are fully trained in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) which provides a model for daily living, for stabilising behaviour and for moving on. - Goal-focused treatment - goals are incorporated into a completely individual care programme . This involves giving the young person exposure to a wide range of valuable experiences and activities enabling them to review and understand their behaviour, acquire the skills to manage their emotions and make more informed, rational and appropriate decisions.
- Clear boundaries - TCI incorporates firm boundaries which are clearly explained to the young person concerned. There is a strong emphasis on negotiation and agreement in order to create an atmosphere of safe challenging and active listening.
- Normalising Routines - household routines are created where the young person shares responsibility with an adult for cooking, cleaning, shopping, personal hygiene and other day-to-day tasks, through school attendance and through outdoor activity.
If you need advice or assistance with a young person, call us today and speak to one of our Directors.