Our Programs: Day Services
Day Services
The objective of day programs is to deliver group therapy that provides patients with the skills and support to help improve the quality and enjoyment of life and break the cycle of relapse, and therefore the need for hospitalisation. The individual programs are designed to promote the use of effective coping strategies and a return to normal functioning.
Before commencing a day program you will need a referral from your GP or psychiatrist. All patients attending a day program at Northside Clinic must be under the care of a private psychiatrist. The psychiatrist does not need to be credentialed with Northside Clinic. If you don’t have a psychiatrist, the Easy Access coordinators at Northside can help you find one. Many patients also benefit from working with a psychologist or other health professional as part of their treating team to provide ongoing support.
The day programs are provided by an experienced team of health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists and specialist nurse therapists. In most cases the costs are covered by private health insurance. If you do not have private health cover, please phone the Clinic for the cost.
Anxiety Program
Monday 9.30 am to 3.00 pm
Our Anxiety day program is for people who experience difficulties with anxiety (eg panic attacks, worry, avoiding situations due to fear) that interferes with their quality of life. Attendance is for 8-12 weeks depending on individual needs. After this time patients will be assessed on an individual basis and either referred to a different program or discharged in consultation with their treating team.
The program focuses on issues identified by research to be important in triggering and maintaining anxiety. These include:
- Avoidance
- Unhelpful thinking
- Problem solving
- Facing fears
- “Fear of fear”
- Assertiveness
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and education about anxiety, including acceptance and mindfulness, are important elements of the program. The goal is to help people respond positively to their negative thoughts and to be able to live the kind of life they would like, without being held back by fear.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping patients learn strategies to tolerate and accept painful thoughts and emotions. ACT helps patients identify their value systems and develop a set of effective and realistic goals to work towards living a rich, full and meaningful life.
Drug & Alcohol Program
Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri: 9.30 am to 3.00 pm
Mon, Wed evenings: 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm
Sat: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Our Drug and Alcohol program is abstinence based. We support patients as they work towards the goal of living a drug and alcohol free life. The Drug & Alcohol day program focuses on two stages of recovery. Stage one addresses coming to terms with living drug/alcohol free and includes relapse prevention techniques.
Stage two focuses on the underlying issues relevant to the development of emotional wellbeing and ongoing abstinence. The program provides a supportive framework in which people can safely address their particular life issues and the underlying psychological problems; as well as share creative solutions to help achieve the goal of abstinence that leads to a fulfilling and healthy life.
Patients in the drug and alcohol day program do not need to be under the care of a private psychiatrist however we do encourage patients to have other support networks. All patients must have a GP in their treating team. Commitment to the day program is the important step and the treating team at Northside assists in selecting the program that will suit the needs of the individual.
Admission to the inpatient program is not necessary for all patients, but for the majority it is essential. The depending factors are the current drug and alcohol use. In order to facilitate an admission to the day program without having been an inpatient we require a detailed GP referral. Our psychiatrist will then review the patient’s referral prior to deciding on the next course of action.
Eating Disorders Program
Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat: 8.00 am to 1.00 pm,
Fri: 10.30 am to 3.30 pm,
Wed: 2.30 pm to 7.30 pm
The Eating Disorders day program is designed for patients who are ready to begin the lengthy journey of recovery. The program is designed to meet the needs of patients suffering from Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, EDNOS and Binge Eating Disorder, as they begin to change and challenge eating disordered thoughts and behaviours, removing the restrictions that these place on their lives. In general we do not differentiate between the individual eating disordered behaviours.
Groups are open and patients have a choice to attend between 1-4 days depending on their individual needs and current availability. The program has been set up in such a way as to be flexible around work, university or school. Accountability is crucial to recovery therefore the program focuses on encouraging personal empowerment through choice.
Patients must have a BMI>17 to attend. Patients who have a BMI under 20 are required to gain weight at 500g per week in order to remain in the program. Patients who are above a BMI of 20 are required to be working on stopping eating disordered behaviours to remain in the program.
All eating disorder patients must be under the care of a dietitian. Patients who attend during the week are seen by our day program dietitian. Patients who only attend Friday and/or Saturday must be seen at least monthly by a dietitian specialising in eating disorders. We can assist with this if required.
Patients who have not had an inpatient admission for their eating disorder require an assessment by the treating team to ensure their suitability to the program. This assessment with include medical suitability.Mood Disorders Program
Mon & Tue: 9.30 am to 3.00 pm
This program is specifically designed for patients with depression and offers support, psycho-education and skills development to effectively manage symptoms and to improve the quality and enjoyment in life. It is an 8-12 week course and both days are compulsory. In this supportive group there is an opportunity to practice implementing these skills. Participants are also given assistance in developing a weekly plan for achieving goals that are related to meaningful areas of life.
The Mood Disorders day program covers issues that have been identified by research as being important in the onset and maintenance of depressed mood. These issues include:
- Difficulty with motivation and activation.
- Grief and loss.
- Self esteem.
- Depression about being depressed.
- Unhelpful thinking.
- Relationship satisfaction.
- Acceptance of painful feelings.
Supportive Program
Wed, Thu, Fri: 9.30 am to 3.00 pm
The Supportive day program is designed to give support, education and skills training to improve the quality and enjoyment in life for people experiencing mental health problems, and to help prevent relapse and repeated hospital admissions. This program assists patients who would benefit from a supportive, less structured therapeutic environment.
Rather than focusing directly on mood, anxiety, psychosis or other specific types of disorders or issues, the Supportive day program is inclusive and accepts patients suffering from a myriad of issues and symptoms. A combination of therapies is utilised to deliver a program in a supportive, encouraging and learning environment.
The group provides relief from social isolation and enables patients to discuss their current difficulties in a supportive environment and receive assistance with problem solving and goal setting. The supportive nature of the group allows members to disclose much about their issues and provides the opportunity for constructive feedback from peers. Feedback is a valued component of the group therapy experience.
For further information or to make a referral please call
Michelle Cox, Day Program Coordinator
02 9433 3555 or by email enquiry.nsc@ramsayhealth.com.au
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