Day therapy treatment

What is day therapy treatment?

Day therapy at Nightingale Hospital consists of short-term intensive treatment for a range of general psychiatric conditions, including addictions and eating disorders. The programme is delivered in two ways: face-to-face or online. Our day therapy programme is a flexible treatment option that takes into consideration your usual daily responsibilities, such as working, family life or study.

Following an initial free assessment, a bespoke group therapy timetable will be devised for you. This will depend on your individual needs, coupled with recommendations from your treating consultant psychiatrist.

The therapy programme is delivered on weekdays from Monday to Friday and there is flexibility regarding how often you attend. Our day therapy programme can be purchased as a full day or half-day package, or on an individual group basis. A full day consists of three groups and a half-day consists of two.

It is designed to be a short-term intensive treatment approach for those needing support. You must be referred to the programme by a consultant psychiatrist, and remain under the care of one for the duration of treatment.

Who is day therapy treatment suitable for?

You may ‘step down’ from inpatient treatment to join our day therapy programme. This process provides support in managing the transition from fully supported 24-hour hospital care, back to usual living arrangements within the community. Continuity is provided to you by remaining under the care of your consultant psychiatrist. Discounted day therapy is available for all Nightingale Hospital patients leaving inpatient care and transitioning to day therapy.

Additionally, day-patient treatment is also appropriate for those who do not require inpatient treatment, but who would benefit from more intensive support than outpatient treatment can provide.

Our day therapy programme offers flexible treatment options that take into consideration your usual daily responsibilities such as working, family life or studying.

Who is day therapy treatment not suitable for?

• Patients under 18 years of age
• Patients considered ‘high risk’, such as high level of self-harm or suicide risk
• Patients with limited support structures or crisis plans
• Patients requiring a high level of support
• Patients displaying difficulty working with group boundaries
• Patients with severe trauma

Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

Day therapy treatment at Nightingale Hospital

Day therapy groups

There are various day therapy groups offered at Nightingale Hospital.

Day therapy team

Our day therapy treatment is delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team which includes a consultant psychiatrist and therapists who offer expertise and support.

Length of day therapy treatment

The length of the programme will depend on the nature and severity of your situation. A member of the day therapy team will review your progress during the programme and any changes to your therapy care plan can be made.

At the beginning and at the end of the treatment, you will be asked to complete a PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire) and GAD-7 (Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment) as a tool for you to see the positive changes and progress you are making throughout treatment.

Free aftercare groups

Once discharged, you are invited to attend a free aftercare support group which is held every Wednesday evening. This group is available for all patients to access for up to a year after the completion of their day therapy programme.

Paying for day therapy

If you self pay: Prior to commencing day therapy, self-funding patients will be asked to provide their payment details in order to set up an account with the hospital. Patients will be billed for their attendance each week, and the Patient Services Team will contact patients weekly to take payment. Patients will receive emailed copies of their invoices.

If you have medical insurance: Nightingale Hospital is accredited by all major health insurers. Prior to the commencement of your programme, you will be asked to provide policy details so that your individual level of cover can be established and pre-authorisation for treatment obtained. A refundable deposit will be required should there be a delay in your insurance being authorised. This will be refunded once the cover has been approved.