At ARCA, treatment is a part of the recovery process and an opportunity for the restoration of a healthy life. The carefully structured treatment process is designed to meet emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual needs.

Although most of the treatment is provided in a group setting, treatment is individualized to meet each patient’s needs. Patients meet individually with doctors and therapists who will collaborate with the patient in the development of treatment goals. These treatment goals will then drive the treatment activities with which the patient will be involved. Below is a description of treatment activities.

Medical Consultations

A physician will meet with the patient to complete an initial assessment of needs. He or she will continue to meet with the patient periodically to review progress. He or she will discuss any problems the patient may be having psychologically, emotionally, and medically.

Individual Therapy/Treatment Planning

The patient will meet individually with an assigned therapist. During these sessions the patient will develop treatment goals and activities the patient can do to help you meet goals.

Groups

Classes are designed to help patients gain knowledge and learn new skills which will help them in their daily lives. These classes are geared toward topics with which many people are struggling. Classes are not lectures but discussions which encourage patients to think and talk about how they will put addiction treatment principles into practice.

Group therapy works as it allows individuals to connect to other people who can share the burden and joys of their experiences. In the group, members help each other by sharing those experiences and their wisdom learned. The group facilitator will lead the discussions about topics which are relevant to each patients healing and recovery.

Family Meeting

ARCA encourages patients to involve their family in treatment by meeting together with a therapist. During the meeting a therapist will educate the family on the illness and help them understand the role they play in healing and recovery. Patients may discuss any family concerns they may have.

Nursing Consultation

The nurse will meet with you to review medical history with the patient and ensure the patient understands any medications.

Treatment Team Members

A patient’s treatment team may consist of the following professionals.
• Psychiatrist – a medical doctor who specializes in mental health
• Clinical Social Workers and Professional Counselors – Master’s level educated
professionals who are licensed by the state of Missouri to provide treatment for mental health disorders.
• Registered Nurses

Patient care is coordinated by the therapist and oversight is provided by the psychiatrist. The therapist does not have to complete all patient care tasks. Patient care includes: Assessments, Program orientation, Nursing intervention, Group treatment, Safety planning, Family engagement, Discharge Planning, Medical intervention, Weekly individual check in. (Safety, Structure, Predictability, Support and Engagement)

Continuum of Care

Because recovery from a psychiatric disorder or chemical dependency is an on going progression, ARCA offers a full range of services to meet a patient’s changing needs. When admitted to a program, the treatment team considers the appropriate level of care for each patient. Generally, upon discharge from the program patients attend individual counseling.

Following up with physicians is often necessary. Other opportunities for continued care include short-term education/counseling groups addressing issues such as stress or anger management. Participation in a community support group like AA or NA may also be helpful.

In order to provide patients with the best continuous care, patients are asked to provide names of primary care physicians, primary psychiatrists, and therapists. ARCA provides copies of discharge summaries to these professionals with the intent to give health care providers information to allow a seamless flow of treatment. Patients are given the opportunity to sign consent forms that permit this during orientation.

Patient Collaboration in Treatment Process

Patient’s needs are assessed by social workers, psychiatrist, nursing and therapist. The therapist combines the identified problems/treatment needs into a problem list which is reviewed with the patient to ensure patient collaboration. From this problem/needs list a treatment plan is created with the patient. Family input is sought, as appropriate, before the treatment plan is completed; measurable goals are set. Objectives and interventions which support the goals are developed.

Patient Groups

Patients are assigned to a group based on the patient’s needs. Groups provide an opportunity for skills acquisition and application as well as validation and support. (Structure, Predictability, Support, Engagement).

Groups are based on:
A. CBT – appropriate for mental illness (psych) and dual diagnosis treatment
B. Mixture of CBT and Stages of Change based Substance Abuse – appropriate for dual diagnosis and addiction treatment

There is a combination of psycho-educational and process groups each day. Specific topics for psycho-educational groups are based on the needs of the patients in the group.

Skill Acquisition

One of the goals of IOP is to provide patients with an environment that will enable the patient to acquire and practice new skills. Improvements in self-efficacy (person’s confidence in knowing that he or she can take the steps necessary to accomplish a desired behavior) and self-liberation (commitment to behavior change) are necessary to make these behavior changes.

A patient who completes IOP curriculum should acquire the following knowledge and skills:
1. Understanding that a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions are connected and that a person has the ability to make change in themselves.
2. Understanding of their diagnosis as well as development and use of a personalized relapse prevention plan to include continued psychosocial and medical care as appropriate for their needs.
3. Personalized processes to improve self-care which may include: mindfulness, distress tolerance skills, and safety planning.
4. Development of personal daily routine which sets priority for self-care to include: sleep, nutrition, hygiene, physical exercise, planning one’s leisure and professional life.
5. Development of healthy interpersonal communication and relationships