Focus On Treatment

We treat private and statutory funded clients from all over the world from a range of cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds. No distinction is made between addictions, histories or background. Everyone is required to undertake an assessment prior to admission - in person or by telephone. We discuss your social history, addiction, medical, psychiatric and forensic history and assess your motivation for recovery.

On admission our doctors will give you a medical assessment and prescribe as necessary. Medicated withdrawals are available for anyone using substances prior to admission.

You will have a personal admission care plan which is is reviewed every four weeks throughout treatment. You are expected to meet the challenges and keep within agreed boundaries. The emphasis on personal integrity and honesty, gives you strong foundations for long-term recovery from addiction.

Download our Treatment Guidelines

PRIMARY CARE

This initial period of treatment lasts for 12 weeks. Medicated withdrawal is available at this stage if necessary. You will be allocated a residential space on admission in one of two Primary Care properties: Meijer or St David's. At all times you will be escorted when not on Western Counselling Services premises.

The Primary Care stage of treatment focuses on the addiction and its impact on the addict, their family, friends and community. For individuals this can often mean general health-care concerns.  Our Medical Liaison worker runs single sex health-care groups such as Well Woman and Well Man clinics and smoking cessation groups which are available to all clients.  Daily routine includes attendance at two or three group therapy sessions per day in addition to workshops, lectures and one-to-one counselling. 

During Primary Care you are not permitted to leave your accommodation or the Centre without the permission of a member of staff, and at all times you must be accompanied. These restrictions on your movements are part of relapse prevention during the most vulnerable phase of your recovery. You will walk daily from your assigned accommodation to the Centre. The first group therapy session is at 9.30am.

If you are funded by a statutory agency you will be required to pay your DWP Benefit payment to Western Counselling. This is your contribution towards your treatment costs and is an agreement you have with your funder. You must therefore either change the payment to Western Counselling's bank account, or commit to withdraw the necessary monies every fortnight from your account to ensure you do not end up in debt.

Visitors are permitted during your stay and this can be discussed and arranged with your Counsellor, they are usually arranged after week 4-5, earlier if you have young children. Visits take place outside of the Centre. More

 

SECONDARY CARE

In Secondary you are supported as you begin your reintegration into the community and are expected to attend educational or vocational training courses and start voluntary work. Our Secondary Care clients live in Clarence Park Lodge. (View Accommodation) To be eligible for second stage treatment you must be have been abstinent from all mood-altering substances for a minimum period of four weeks. You must have completed a programme of primary care conducive with the 12 Step philosophy (we accept referrals from other primary care services) and have a good understanding of abstinence.

While in treatment you are required attend four group therapy sessions per week and at least two one-to-one counselling sessions. You will be encouraged to review the therapeutic work undertaken in Primary Care. You will explore relapse triggers; discuss reintegration into the community, family relationships and support networks.

Essential parts of the programme are the weekly workshops/lectures on various topics: Relapse Prevention, Budgeting/Money Management, Parenting and Goal Setting. You are also expected to attend educational or vocational training courses at the local college and start voluntary work in the community.

Within the house community you will also learn life skills such as planning and cooking meals for all the residents. We also encourage clients to take an interest in our allotment, its development and harvesting produce to use in meal preparation. 

Attendance at external support meetings such as AA or NA is a fixed element of the programme and will increase your support network for relapse prevention. We require you to attend a minimum of three meetings per week. More

 

HOLISTIC THERAPY

Every week Professional therapists come to the Centre. You can request regular, or one-off holistic therapy such as Indian Head Massage, Reiki and Relaxation. Counsellors may also recommend treatments which they feel will benefit particular clients.

AFTERCARE

Aftercare is available free of charge every Saturday morning to all ex-clients of Western Counselling who are drug and alcohol free and/or abstinent from their addictive behaviours. Attendance is initially weekly or fortnightly. This eventually becomes monthly dependent on you and your personal needs. Ex- service users attend a group session and also have access to one-to-one counselling.