Palm View takes a four-prong approach to care that incorporates Therapeutic Methodologies, the ‘On my Own Program’, addresses Dual Diagnosis (Substance Abuse Treatment where appropriate) and Mindfulness Skills. These four program cornerstones are delivered from a strength-based, person-centered approach. Our goal is to treat each person individually based on their skills sets and goals while always being mindful that the end goal is placement at the lowest level of care that is safe for each individual client.

Therapeutic interventions are influenced by:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy,
• WRAP classes (Wellness & Recovery Action Plans),
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy,
• Art Therapy,
• Dual Diagnosis for Substance Abuse,
• Narrative Therapy,
• and Mindfulness practices.

For those clients who have experienced unresolved Trauma we take a trauma-informed approach and try to aid the client in understanding the perception of the trauma as opposed to reliving the trauma. We do this first through rapport building and developing a safe space in which the client feels supported during this process. Then we build coping skills so that when the trauma-focused work begins the client has the appropriate skills to keep themselves from becoming overwhelmed. This provides a safe foundation for working through the trauma, thus removing it as a barrier to success and well-being.

Palm View Clinical Staff has developed a program “On My Own” that focuses on necessary life skills to be successfully integrated back into the community with the knowledge of how to care for oneself, do basic housekeeping and laundry, good nutrition, basics of budgeting and money management, using good interpersonal and social skills to build and maintain a support network, maintain psychiatric stabilization through the awareness of triggers and mastery of coping skills, medication management skills, how to reach out for support, utilize community resources, including public transportation, and how to be their own best advocate.

The ‘On my Own’ program is a 24-week program designed to build consecutively on skills learned. By focusing on a particular component for the entire week the program allows clients to learn, apply, and practice sills learned. Repetition is a key component to developing learned skills or building habits. The following components are covered through rehabilitative group therapy, activities and opportunities to practice the skills:

• Personal Hygiene
• Housekeeping
• Laundry
• Client’s own health
• How to make and keep Doctor Appointments
• Medication Education
• Independent Medication Management
• Nutrition
• Basic Budgeting and Financial Skills
• Cost-Conscious Shopping
• Self-Care Activities
• Safe Sex & Birth Control options
• Relationship and Interpersonal Skills
• Self-Advocacy
• Cultural Awareness & Sensitivity
• Responding to Racism & Stigma
• Exploring Spiritual Support options
• Educational Opportunities & Interest Assessments
• Volunteer Opportunities (Peer Support)
• College or Vocational Programs
• Employment Preparation
• Learning the Public Transit System
• Utilizing Community Resources
• Develop a Personalized Wellness Recovery Action Plan to take with them upon discharge.

For those clients who come to us with a history of self-medicating or a substance use disorder we provide Dual Diagnosis process groups. Due to the high number of clients we serve that have co-occurring disorders (at any given time 70% to 90% of our population) we emphasize treatment in this area. It is often one of the foremost barriers to success that we deal with. This is an alcohol and drug free campus; this includes the use of marijuana. Despite the legalization of marijuana there is significant evidence showing that mild-altering substances interfere with our “feeling good” hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. In addition, substances in all forms are primarily unsafe to use in conjunction with psychiatric medications. Palm View has recently partnered with the Hospitals and Institutions Division of Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Weekly meetings are now held within the facility by NA facilitators. Staff also encourages our clients to attend local AA and/or NA groups that we have identified in the area.

The scope of our Dual Diagnosis approach is to encourage abstinence but to also address harm reduction strategies because we understand the challenges our clients face in dealing with both mental health issues and addiction.  We incorporate addiction education, how alcohol and drugs impact the brain and moods, how they can conflict with other medications, and identify successful coping skills to forestall cravings. Through mindfulness practices we aid clients in finding alternative activities to regulate their emotions.

 This is a smoking campus (in designated areas only), but for those wanting to quit using tobacco products we work with their primary care physicians to obtain nicotine patches or gum to support them in their efforts. 

Mindfulness practices have been found by research to be very effective in battling depression, and especially in preventing both psychiatric and substance abuse relapse. Since mindfulness has entered the mainstream extensive research has supported the fact that mindfulness is also very effective in treating other types of mental health disorders such as anxiety, panic attacks, and in overall stress reduction which can mitigate psychotic episodes. We incorporate mindfulness practices into our group and exercise activities as well as closing each evening with mindful meditation to aid clients with their sleep habits.