The Sydney Clinic in collaboration with accredited private specialists, health professionals and nursing staff contributes to the provision of rehabilitation using a variety of evidence-based treatments.

Psychopharmacology

Prescribed psychiatric medications are offered as part of the treatment program to assist with management of psychosis, anxiety and depression, and to provide a safe detoxification from substance abuse. This program includes instruction in pharmacology, effects on mental health and physiology, substance abuse treatments, biochemical interactions, management and compliance, and common side effects. Medications are prescribed and routinely monitored by consultant psychiatrists and nursing staff for effective treatment while in hospital and referral for ongoing medication following discharge.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

CBT is an approach that has been successfully applied to a wide range of psychological problems from anxiety disorders and depression, through to eating disorders and schizophrenia. CBT involves a range of techniques aimed at altering patterns of thoughts, behaviour, and in turn, emotion, and achieves this through educating patients of the relationship between thoughts, behaviours and consequences. CBT is an evidence-based brief therapy, which produces effective results within a limited number of interventions and often involves practical exercises and homework designed to allow the client to practice skills.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

DBT is a well-researched approach designed primarily for the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorders but has also been useful in the treatment of other personality related problems and for emotion regulation. DBT aims to improve the patient's quality of life through skills acquisition, acceptance, mindfulness and interpersonal effectiveness, while reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, self harm and feelings of emptiness. Many people have benefitted greatly from this program; having helped turned their lives around. Studies show that the 12 month program is effective for preventing re-admission to hospital for 75% of people who completed the program.

Acceptance Commitment Therapy

ACT is a psychological intervention based on modern behavioural psychology, including Relational Frame Therapy, which applies mindfulness and acceptance processes, and commitment and behaviour change processes. Its approach aims to increase psychological flexibility and to change or persist in behaviour when doing so serves a valuable outcome. Acceptance is taught as an alternative to experiential avoidance or resistance, especially when doing so would cause psychological harm. ACT promotes non-judgemental contact with psychological and environmental events as they occur, while changing the way the individual relates to unhelpful thoughts.

Mindfulness and Relaxation

Mindfulness is a technique used commonly in a variety of psychological therapies and aims to relieve distress by focusing the thoughts on the present moment. It involves accepting thoughts and feelings without judgement and without trying to push them away. The practice promotes awareness and reduces anxiety and stress.

Relaxation sessions are also offered for stress-relief and to promote healthy responses to treatment. This practice uses techniques for deep breathing and calming down the mind and body.

Art Therapy

Art Therapy helps clients to change and grow on a personal level using art materials in a therapeutic relationship. Art Therapy helps to work through difficult thoughts and feelings and to explore ways of living a more creative and fulfilling life. Art Therapists do not teach clients to produce artwork that looks attractive or ‘artistic’; clients do not need any skill in art. Instead, art therapists engage clients to experiment with art materials and techniques to express themselves in their own unique way. As they develop their ability to communicate their internal experiences, they can move forward in their lives.