Treatment and care

The Sandalwood Programme offers a staged approach to assessment and intervention and provides stakeholders with the opportunity to invest their resources in a planned programme of treatment which is transparent and committed to delivering the contracted services.

Phase One

This stage of the programme will include a comprehensive multidisciplinary team assessment and formulation leading to a proposed treatment plan. During this stage we will also provide a high level of security and observation thus reducing the opportunity for self-harm and increasing the likelihood of stability. We will also focus on developing insight and motivation to work towards recovery as well as providing psycho-education in relation to BPD and the recommended interventions.

Phase Two

This stage of the programme is for people who have achieved a degree of stability and insight and involves active engagement in the therapeutic programme. DBT will be offered to all people who can make a commitment to attending the therapy, even if that commitment is tenuous at first. People who are unable to make a commitment will be offered other therapeutic interventions which utilise schema therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). There will also be a focus on providing treatment for complex post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) where clinically appropriate. In addition, we will utilise pre-commitment strategies to increase motivation for attending DBT. The nursing staff will provide essential support for the therapeutic work and will be actively involved in encouraging the use of DBT skills and/or other therapeutic coping strategies. During this stage the Occupational Therapy team will provide a range of group and individual interventions and will commence community integration. Health and fitness interventions will be available as well as a range of other activities.

Phase Three

This stage of the programme is for those people who have made significant progress at stage two. They will be stable and ready for a greater level of community integration. They will still be working at a deep level in therapy but they will be independently utilising their skills in order to address their distress. There will be a significant reduction in emotional dysregulation and risk of self-harm. This stage of the programme is paramount as it provides active support to people as they move towards a greater level of independence. In doing so, it reduces the fears of abandonment and inability to cope which are prevalent in people with BPD and which often leads to relapse if appropriate interventions are not provided at this stage because they are withdrawn too early.