Trauma and Dissociation Unit

About Trauma and Dissociation Unit

Specialised care for patients struggling with significant and complex abuse and trauma issues.

Belmont Private Hospital's Trauma and Dissociation Unit (TDU) was established in 1997. We offer inpatient and day patient education programs to patients with trauma-related disorders. We also provide a service for people experiencing the impact of trauma, on their current lives.

The goals of the Trauma and Dissociation Unit are to:

• Facilitate a sense of safety and security. Our team will assist you with your safety goals and the development of a workable management plan. This is essential to our working unit and your inability to comply with this may mean that you are, at this stage, unable to work within our model of care
• Assist and support you whilst working on past abuse and trauma issues
• Encourage a sense of empowerment through the recognition and development of internal resources
• Promote skill building which enables you to plan effectively for the future, enhance existing social and work functioning and deal constructively with daily functioning

There is a consistent emphasis in the program on approaches focused on personal responsibility, consideration of others and patients’ active involvement in their treatment.

Expectations regarding such issues are addressed prior to, and throughout admission.

Patients are asked to sign an agreement on admission which outlines both Belmont Private Hospital and the Trauma and Dissociation Unit guidelines. Failure to adhere to these agreements and guidelines may result in discharge prior to completion of our three week program.

All patients will need to have a primary treating Therapist in the community, to continue ongoing care.

Program Outline

Our three-week inpatient program encourages a more focused approach to your specific treatment goals. It has four essential components:

Group Program

This closed group ensures a therapeutic environment with creative discussion and expressive groups. Each week, a theme or topic is chosen by the patient group and all group sessions relate to this theme. Program topics may include:

• Grief and loss
• Shame and guilt
• Emotional regulation
• Anger management
• Boundaries
• Effective communication
• Core beliefs, or how we see ourselves, other people, the world and the future

Consultations with Psychiatrists

You will be seen by your Psychiatrist at regular intervals during your inpatient stay. The frequency of these sessions will be individually negotiated between yourself and your
Psychiatrist.

For interstate patients, it is important you understand that your allocated Psychiatrist will oversee your care as an inpatient only. They are not your primary Therapist.

Individual Work

Ours is a working unit and as such, we expect you to have realistic goals. If this is your first admission, your goal is to establish rapport with our clinical team and work within our model of care. Other goals may include developing safety strategies, working on a specific memory or learning coping skills. There is also a strong focus on developing and maintaining healthy boundaries and self-management. These skills will assist your transition from the unit to your home.