Behavior modification approach in a partial day treatment center.

Abstract

Since the beginning of the program in September 1970, we have found that a combined behavioral program of individual therapy, home intervention, and group therapy to be the most effective for maintaining a person in his community. In addition, we have not seen a need for a full eight-hour day in the clinic. Rather, we operate on the principle that it is more adaptive to keep a patient functioning in the community (natural environment) with support from us. For the extremely or severely disorganized person, we have found the application of behavior modification principles to be the most useful in the terms of establishing and maintaining adaptive behaviors, of interruptin and decreasing maladaptive behaviors and of offering support and guidance (generalization) to patients and families. We have also increased the amount of individual therapy and intensified the home intervention program. These changes have been based upon subjective data as well as objective data (change in patient behavior while receiving and following a particular mode of therapy). The program has undergone many changes since its inception. We have found the behavior modification modality to be effective for establishing a program that patients can generalize to their community setting. Our constant thrust is to utilize already existing agencies in the community and to optimally assist the patient so that he may remain in his community. We have gone from an eclectic program to a systematic behavior modification program. The present behavioral program has been demonstrated to be an effective modality for the training of personnel. We are grateful to our staff for their cooperation and suggestions in making the program successful. In addition, we are indebted to our late Director, Curtis W; Gifford--a loyal and dedicated friend. We particularly appreciate his administrative skills and encouragement in developing an autonomous program.