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École de Psychoterapie
Institutionelle
de la Chesnaie
Chateau de la Chesnaie
41120 Chailles, France
tel: 00-33-02-54794827
fex: 00-33-02-54794057
clinique-la-chesnaie@wanadoo.fr |
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 At Clinique
La Chesnaie some 100 patients are cured at the same time from all
over France and in some cases from abroad. The most of patients
suffer from acute or chronic mental illnesses, and there are always
patients with symptoms of addiction. Beside the classical methods
of cure, many forms of individual and group therapy are applied.
The atmosphere of the institute is receptive and supportive. |
When
applying for hospitalization the patient spend one day at the institute.
During this short period he/she has the opportunity to get experiences
on everyday life of the clinique, and to make an appointment with
one of the physicians. This preliminary consultation is the starting
point for planning the treatment. The great number of applicants
causes that in many cases the patients must wait for a certain time;
the urgent cases are, of course, exceptions.
As
the patient has spent one day at the clinique before the treatment
period, and has met one of the physicians, the place is not totally
unknown for him/her. From the very beginnig, he/she is supported
by one of the helpers: his/her money, papers and clothes are placed,
he/she is guided around the institute, the services and the other
patients are presented etc. The adaptation is never easy, but usually
the patients are able to tolerate the new circumstances. The visits
of relatives and friends are organized in agreement with the physician.
Beside
the medicinal treatment other therapeutical forms are applied at
the clinique as well. Among others, the methods of movement-therapy,
gymnastics, psychomotorical treatment, yoga, relaxation according
to Schlultz's autogen training and different sports are used. The
primary aim of these therapeutic forms is recovery of the harmony
of brain, spirit and body and the development of social skills.
The theatre-therapy is for example, such a particular therapeutic
form, where the movement, the acceptance of rules and the dimension
of playing are mixed with creativity. |
The
mentally ill patients many times need some social help. The main
aim of this work is to make the patients to re-discover the social
contacts, re-build their own identity and social bounds. It is very
important, that the relations and orientations of the patients are
examined in concrete situations, related to concrete actions. The
social help actually means that the patient is thought to manage
different situations (e.g. arranging affairs at offices, looking
for flat or job, etc.)
The
other aspect of social work is the connection with patients' relatives
and friends. The proper relation and understanding usually is an
important step to recovery.
The
new employees of the clinique have to take part is a two-year course
to complete their knowledge with the information about the clinique's
local specialties. The employees of the clinique are obliged to
take part in seminars and conferences as well, and they have to
keep live contact with other institutions with similar character.
The clinique
always accepted students for practice. The period of the practice
lasts form one month to one year. A member of clinique's team supports
the students; once in a week they have a gathering where they can
discuss experiences.
The
members of clinique's team also have gatherings, from October till
June, once in a week. There they discuss, among others, the recent
researches; in these seminars the patients are welcome, as
well. During the summer period, the so-called "little university"
substitutes these seminars.
The
library and the videotheque are used mainly by the employees and
student |
In the
creative activities of the clinique the Club plays the main role.
The Club has good contact with the local cultural organizations.
Its members make performances, concerts, they visits exhibitions,
castles etc. They have an important role in preparation of the feasts
of the clinique.
In
the framework of the club, there are different workshops: ceramic-
and photo circle, movie-club, library and prelection-club, theatre.
Occasionally other circles are formed, where the participants can
learn many things from making kites to dancing African dances. |
In the
framework of Private University the members of the club invite professionals
of certain fields, who discusses with participants different themes,
led by a patient and a member of clinique's team.
Once
in a year a plant-exhibition is organized, where rare flowers and
plants and herbs are presented to the public. In these exhibitions
take part other institutions as well.
The
primary aim of the Club is - from the very beginning of its existence
- to support the patients culturally and morally and to inform the
public about the nature of mental illnesses. It offers an opportunity
for people to meat, and eventually to work one another, to be able
to engage different roles in society. It gives the possibility for
patients to re-discover their own identity.
The
Club organizes a big communal feast in the country, and it has been
organizing for 25 years jazz concerts once in a month. At these
concert the patients can meet the musicians and the "civilian"
participants - so the traditional isolation of the psychiatrically
hospital is eased even in this way.
The
club has a social service, which in Paris and neighborhoods is to
help the re-integration of ex-patients into the society. The social
workers held consultations for those who need it, and they have
a counseling service as well. |
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