Individual therapy, group therapy, and therapeutic programming
Individual therapy, group therapy, and therapeutic programming
During a Brookhaven stay, therapy and therapeutic programming may be part of the patient’s care plan. Programming may include individual therapy, group therapy, skills practice, supervised activities, psychoeducation, safety planning, discharge preparation, and structured time on the unit.
Not every patient has the same schedule or the same therapy needs. The care team may adjust programming based on symptoms, observation status, safety needs, clinical goals, participation, patient preference, and discharge planning.
9:00 coping skills. 10:00 orientation. 11:00 remember what you did.
Quick summary
- Individual therapy may focus on current symptoms, safety, coping skills, trauma-informed support, care goals, and discharge needs.
- Group therapy may focus on skills, education, emotional regulation, communication, safety planning, relapse prevention, or daily structure.
- Therapeutic programming can include supervised activities, day room programming, journaling, movement, art-based activities, or structured practice.
- Participation may be encouraged, but programming may be adjusted for safety, observation status, symptoms, accessibility, or clinical needs.
- If a group or activity feels overwhelming, triggering, unclear, or unhelpful, tell staff so the care team can review options.
- Urgent safety concerns should be shared with unit staff immediately and should not wait for the next group or therapy session.
Individual therapy
Individual therapy is a one-on-one session or check-in with a therapist or qualified care-team member. The frequency, length, and focus of individual therapy may vary by patient need, unit schedule, staffing, and the current care plan.
| Focus area | What may be discussed |
|---|---|
| Current symptoms | Mood, anxiety, sleep, intrusive thoughts, distress, triggers, or changes since admission. |
| Safety planning | Warning signs, coping steps, support contacts, risk changes, and what to do if symptoms worsen. |
| Coping skills | Grounding, emotional regulation, communication, problem solving, distress tolerance, or routine planning. |
| Care goals | What the patient wants to work on during the stay and what support is needed after discharge. |
| Discharge preparation | Follow-up care, support people, home safety, transportation, medication access, and next steps. |
Group therapy
Group therapy gives patients a structured space to learn skills, practice communication, build routine, and receive support around shared treatment goals. Groups may be led by therapists, nurses, counselors, social workers, or trained facilitators.
- Coping skills and grounding practice.
- Medication education or symptom education.
- Emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
- Communication, boundaries, and relationship skills.
- Safety planning and relapse prevention.
- Discharge readiness and follow-up planning.
- Sleep, routine, self-care, and daily structure.
- Creative, movement-based, or supervised therapeutic activities.
Group availability may change by unit, staffing, patient mix, safety needs, and the daily schedule.
Therapeutic programming
Therapeutic programming is structured time that supports the care plan. It may not always feel like traditional therapy, but it can help patients practice skills, build routine, reduce isolation, and prepare for discharge.
| Programming type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Skills practice | Helps patients practice coping, grounding, communication, and emotional regulation. |
| Psychoeducation | Explains symptoms, medication basics, safety planning, recovery steps, or follow-up care. |
| Supervised activities | Provides structured time, social support, and safe activity under staff supervision. |
| Creative or reflective activities | May include journaling, art-based exercises, worksheets, or guided reflection. |
| Discharge preparation | Supports safety planning, follow-up scheduling, home routines, and support-person planning. |
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Daily schedule and participation
Brookhaven may post or share a daily schedule for groups, meals, medication times, provider reviews, day room access, supervised activities, quiet time, and visiting windows. Schedules may change based on unit needs.
- Ask staff which groups are recommended for your care plan.
- Ask whether a group is optional, strongly encouraged, or part of a treatment goal.
- Ask how to join if you missed the start of a group.
- Ask what to do if you need a break during programming.
- Ask whether observation status affects which activities you can attend.
- Ask whether individual support is available if group participation is difficult.
How therapy connects to care goals
Therapy and programming are often connected to the patient’s treatment goals. The care team may review participation, barriers, progress, safety needs, and what supports will be needed after discharge.
| Care goal | How therapy may support it |
|---|---|
| Stabilization | Build routine, reduce immediate risk, and identify what helps symptoms settle. |
| Safety planning | Create steps for warning signs, coping tools, support contacts, and emergency needs. |
| Coping skills | Practice tools for distress, anxiety, anger, intrusive thoughts, triggers, or overwhelm. |
| Communication | Practice asking for help, setting boundaries, and planning support-person involvement. |
| Discharge readiness | Prepare for follow-up care, medication access, safety steps, routine, and support at home. |
If therapy feels difficult
Therapy and groups can feel overwhelming, especially during an inpatient stay. Tell staff if programming feels unsafe, triggering, confusing, inaccessible, too intense, or not useful. The care team may be able to review the plan or offer another option.
- Ask for a break or quieter space if available.
- Ask whether individual support is available.
- Ask whether a different group or activity may fit better.
- Ask whether staff can explain the goal of the group.
- Ask whether sensory, mobility, language, or trauma-informed support is available.
- Ask whether your care plan should be reviewed.
Patient left when the chairs began facing him.
Privacy and group expectations
Group therapy requires respect for other patients’ privacy. Staff may explain expectations before or during group so everyone understands how to participate safely.
- Do not share another patient’s personal information outside group.
- Do not record, photograph, or identify other patients.
- Use respectful language and follow staff directions.
- Share only what you feel able to share.
- Ask for a break if the topic becomes overwhelming.
- Tell staff privately if another patient’s comments or behavior feels unsafe.
Request changes or accommodations
You can ask the care team to review therapy or programming if the current schedule does not meet your needs. Some requests can be handled by unit staff, while others may require provider, therapist, or care-team review.
| Request type | Who may review it |
|---|---|
| Different group or activity | Therapist, group facilitator, nurse, or care team. |
| Individual support | Therapist, social worker, nurse, provider, or assigned care-team member. |
| Sensory, accessibility, or mobility support | Unit staff, therapist, accessibility support, or care team. |
| Observation-related activity limits | Nurse, provider, safety reviewer, or care team. |
| Care plan change | Provider, therapist, nurse, social worker, case manager, or full care team. |
Question template
Use this template for nonurgent therapy or programming questions. If the concern affects immediate safety, severe distress, medical symptoms, or whether the patient can safely stay on the unit, ask staff directly.
Ask about therapy or programming Click to open / close
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Subject: Question about Brookhaven therapy or programming
Hello Brookhaven Care Team,
I have a question about therapy, group therapy, or therapeutic programming.
Patient name:
[Full name]
Patient date of birth:
[DOB]
Unit or room, if known:
[Unit / room / not sure]
Requester name:
[Your full name]
Relationship to patient:
[Patient / family member / caregiver / guardian / support person / legal representative / other]
Programming question or concern:
[Individual therapy / group therapy / supervised activity / day room programming / care plan goals / accessibility / sensory support / other]
What is currently happening:
[Describe the group, activity, schedule, or concern]
What would help:
[Different group / individual support / explanation of goals / break option / accommodation / care plan review / other]
Does this affect safety, distress, symptoms, or participation?
[Yes / No]
If yes, explain:
[Details]
Is this urgent or needed today?
[Yes / No]
If yes, explain:
[Safety / severe distress / discharge today / medication issue / other]
Best callback number:
[Phone number]
Please let me know who can review this question and what options may be available.If the concern is urgent
Do not wait for the next group, therapy session, or portal reply if the concern affects immediate safety, self-harm risk, harm-to-others risk, panic, dissociation, severe distress, medical symptoms, or whether the patient can safely stay on the unit.
- If the patient is on the unit, tell the assigned nurse or nearest staff member immediately.
- If a group or activity triggered severe distress, ask staff for support right away.
- If medication effects are affecting participation, ask for clinical review.
- If the concern affects discharge planning, ask the nurse, therapist, social worker, or case manager before discharge continues.
- If the patient is not on campus and there is immediate danger, use emergency services.
FAQ
Is group therapy required?
Participation may be encouraged or connected to the care plan, but expectations can vary by patient, unit, symptoms, safety needs, and observation status. Ask staff what is expected and why.
Can I leave a group if I feel overwhelmed?
Ask staff what to do before leaving, especially if you are on an observation level or activity restriction. Staff may help you take a break or find another support.
Can I request individual therapy instead of group therapy?
You can ask. Brookhaven may review the request based on clinical need, staffing, the care plan, safety, and what support is available.
Will I have the same therapist every day?
Not always. Therapy and programming assignments may depend on unit schedule, staffing, care needs, and which team members are available.
Can therapy topics affect my discharge plan?
Yes. Therapy participation, safety planning, coping skills, support needs, and discharge readiness may be considered during care-team review.
What if I do not understand the purpose of a group?
Ask the facilitator or unit staff to explain the goal in plain language. You can also ask how the group connects to your care plan.
Attendance: six patients, one empty chair, one name spoken by everyone.
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