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• Clinical Psychologists
• Evironmental Educationist
• Registered Nurses
• General Practitioners - Visiting
• Psychiatrist
• Occupational Therapist
• Advising Social Worker
• Research Officer
• Aftercare Officer |
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The Treatment Programme |
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(a) Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is an interpersonal,
relational intervention used by trained psychotherapists to aid clients
dealing with issues related to the problems of life. This usually
includes increasing the individual’s sense of wellbeing and reducing
subjective discomforting experiences.
Psychotherapists employ a
range of techniques based on experiential knowledge and building
dialogue. This often includes behaviour changing skills, designed to
improve the mental health of a patient, or to improve group
relationships (such as in a family). Therapists working at the centre
approach each case on merit and a strategic mode of treatment
personalised to individual needs.
On arrival each patient is evaluated to enable the team to:
• make a full DSM-IV diagnosis
• obtain the medical and psychiatric history
• develop a background and collateral information network
• make a face-to-face analysis
• plan a tailor-made psychotherapeutic treatment programme, and
• assess the need for psychotropic medication
Upon
admission, the patient is allocated to a psychotherapist who will be
responsible for the treatment, feedback to the other health
professionals and the aftercare of the patient.
Patients receive
regular psychotherapy sessions. At least once a week, psychotherapists
present their cases to a multi-disciplined professional team to
coordinate the whole treatment programme.
(b) Psychopharmacological treatment
Okonguarri
acknowledges the importance of modern medicine in the treatment of
psychological disorders. We are constantly in tune with the latest
developments regarding psychotropic and other drug interventions. This
service is rendered by Okonguarri’s distinguished panel of visiting
medical practitioners (including a psychiatrist), and assisted by our
professional nursing staff. Routine pathological tests are also done to
ensure your physical health is taken care of.
Patients are
examined by the medical team and, when necessary, referred on for
further medical investigations, for example, MRI brain scans. Another
reality, HIV and AIDS cannot be separated from mental health. To this
end we have an antiretroviral clinic offering full counseling.
Compliance of people on these drugs is keenly monitored.
(c) Environmental / group therapy
One
of the cornerstones of Okonguarri’s philosophy regarding the treatment
of mental ailments lies in the understanding of the natural ecosystems.
We believe that if the complex interactions of all the elements of
nature are understood by the participant, it will inevitably lead to a
better understanding of one’s own role within this system. This
understanding will improve one’s condition and help one to cope with
future problems. During environmental therapy, intensive exposure to
these principles are given by means of:
• in vivo interaction with nature
• environmental educational talks
• extra-intensive overnight exposures
• movement therapy
• relaxation techniques
The
group therapy principles of Yalom are broadly used by the therapists in
collaboration with the environmental educationist. Upon admission, each
patient is allocated to a group of a maximum of 12 participants. Group
allocation is done in accordance to psychological evaluation.
(d) Therapeutic Community
A
therapeutic community is a safe micro-cosmos (a small world within a
big world), which includes all the basic elements of human existence.
In this ‘small world’, individuals can experiment with new interaction
styles to improve psychological functioning in the ‘big world’.
Current
research has shown that people with personality disorders, such as
anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress and substance abuse problems
benefit greatly from treatment administered within the capsule of a
therapeutic community. This is why Okonguarri is specifically
located in seclusion, encouraging participants to partake in a more
symbiotic relationship with others and nature.
The following are taught to participants in the therapeutic community:
• inter-personal care
• empathy
• support
• self responsibility
• group problem-solving skills
• reconstruction of the original family system
• culture building
• altruism
• catharsis
• installation of hope
• cohesiveness
• universality
• identification
(e) Family therapy
The
latest addition to the centre is the establishment of a family therapy
unit, located 3 kilometres from the main facility. The facility houses
one family at a time and extended family members may be included. The
same concept of involvement with nature is followed here as well.
Therapy
at the unit is conducted in line with teachings from Mony Elkaim,
Maurizo Andolfi and Jay Haley. This therapy is short and intensive with
families being accommodated for an average of 4 nights. During their
stay the family is totally reliant on one another, with absolutely no
outside interference. Families are re-introduced to the basic elements
of being a family unit, while the families’ physical health is also
catered for.
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Research and Training |
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Okonguarri is one of the few training institutes offering a full-time,
paid internship for Clinical Psychologists in Namibia. It is registered
with the Council for Social Work and Psychology. Okonguarri is a member
of the international Association of Therapeutic Communities. It is also
a guest member of the International Community of Comunities under the
auspices of the Royal College of Psychiatry U.K.
Staff members are also regularly attend courses and workshops in
order to keep up with global trends and best practices in psychotherapy.
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©2008 ProDG
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