Psychology

The psychology team pathway for high-support rehabilitation. The team uses a standardised assessment tool and integrative therapeutic interventions.

On admission a number of assessments will be carried out such as assessing anxiety, depression and the significance of psychosis symptoms.

The psychology team conduct both group and individual sessions.

Modalities used within the psychology department include:

• DBT: Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
• CBT: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• CBT-P: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis
• CRT: Cognitive Remediation Therapy
• Creative Methods: Expressive/Creative Arts Therapies
• ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
• CFT: Compassion-Focused Therapy

Therapy Programme

Within the psychology department there are several groups offered, some groups which can be available to our service users include:

•  DBT Group: Focuses on teaching practical skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to help manage intense emotions and build a life worth living.
•  Mindfulness Group: Focuses on developing present-moment awareness, grounding techniques, and non-judgmental attention to reduce stress and cultivate calm.
•  Journaling Group: Focuses on using structured writing exercises, prompts, and reflection to process thoughts, enhance self-awareness, and facilitate emotional release.
•  Creative Expression Group: Focuses on using non-verbal artistic mediums such as drawing, paint, collaging, and craft, to explore feelings, foster self-discovery, and support emotional healing.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapists follow the OT pathway for high-support dependency rehabilitation. Occupational Therapists use MOHOST, a standardised assessment tool. On admission a number of assessments will be carried out such as self -care, cooking, community, budgeting and interest checklist. Occupational Therapists focus on activities on daily living and for service users to be able to carry out their daily tasks as independently as possible.

Interventions are conducted in both group and individual sessions. Through care plans Occupational Therapist will set relevant goals with service user to work towards independence and to prepare for discharge into the community.

Therapy Programme

Cygnet Lodge Kenton offers service users at least 25 hours of meaningful activities per week.

Occupational Therapists focus on a varied and balanced Therapy Programme to focus on self-care, leisure and productivity. The Therapy timetable is given to the service user on their first day of admission. Service users are encouraged to attend groups and activities on the ward as part of their rehabilitation.

Planning meeting/Community meeting
Every day starts with a meeting for service users and staff to share plans for the day, therapy timetable, lunch menu, laundry rota, allocations for the day.

The weekly community meeting also highlights service user’s feedback, 132 rights, and any maintenance issues. Service users are encouraged to chair and take minutes of the meeting. All service users are encouraged to attend on a daily basis.

Life Skills Group
This group focuses on topics such as healthy lifestyle, sexual wellness, different cultural backgrounds, skills needed to promote independence.

Moving On Group
A group that focuses on safe discharge. Topics include: support in the community, budgeting, vocational skills including CV writing and interview practice, and more.

Leisure trips
Weekly trips in the local area to explore community activities such as bowling, cinema, golf, shopping, coffee shops and farm. This is an opportunity to develop a range of social skills, community skills and travel training.

Cooking Group
Service users cook as a group from planning the session, writing a shopping list, shopping for ingredients and cooking the meal. Service users learn new recipes and work as a team.

Get Moving Group
Ward based or in the community: yoga, relaxation, strengthening exercises as a group held in the garden, in the community; walking to the park and use outdoor gym.

Creative Group
This group focuses on art and crafts with different topics and materials. Service users are involved in leading the group as well as buying material needed. We celebrate exploration, expression and creativity.

Weekend Activities
On site weekend activities include pampering, jewellery making, board games, movie night or a karaoke session.

Service users are encouraged to lead their own individual and group activities alongside staff led activities. We have a “Grab & Go” activity pack trolley to encourage this.

Please see our Community Activities page for more information on information on community based leisure trips and activities.