Substance Abuse and Abuse Q 63
When planning the therapeutic milieu, it is most important to select group activities which:
A. Match the clients’ preferences.
B. Are consistent with clients’ skills.
C. Achieve clients’ therapeutic goals.
D. Build skills of group participation.
Correct Answer: C. Achieve clients’ therapeutic goals.
Activity groups are used to enhance the therapeutic milieu and to meet the clinical and social needs of clients, e.g., to minimize withdrawal and regression, to develop self-care skills, etc. In group therapy settings, it includes the social community consisting of others who are part of the group. Using the combined elements of positive peer influence, trust, safety, and repetition, the therapeutic milieu provides an ideal setting for people to work toward their therapeutic goals.
Option A: Support can come in many forms, from creating a safe environment to establishing expectations, boundaries, and consistency. The therapeutic milieu should be an environment where people are safe from both physical and emotional danger. Ideally, this environment should be homelike, providing as much privacy as is possible based on resources and the client’s individual needs. The therapeutic environment should also be a place where people feel safe to express themselves and participate without fear of rejection.
Option B: The environment should provide routines such as scheduled daily activities, mealtimes, and free time. This may also include staff-led social skill training, psychosocial education, group therapy, individual therapy, occupational training, recreation therapy, and art therapy.
Option D: Having established norms that are consistent throughout the therapeutic environment helps people better understand what will be expected of them and what they can expect from others. While behavioral expectations are important, people should also be allowed to exercise as much of a sense of personal control as possible.