In this way, investing in your mental health pays off even more.
Mental health care can always be better and faster ... This is what U-center and others are constantly striving for. As of April 6, 2021, U-center is off to a flying start with its revamped treatment program. What will this provide clients with serious mental health and addiction problems? We ask psychologist and program coordinator Yvo in den Bosch and e-health project leader Saskia Timmer.
Renewed treatment program
Why an updated treatment program? 84% of clients are already satisfied, right?
"We treat briefly, intensively and with a carefully tailored combination of different therapies. This makes us unique and gives us a high success rate," Yvo says proudly. "At the same time, there is always something to innovate. Also because different developments came together. For example, there was a request for a shorter treatment time in the clinic. And the client council asked us: 'Why does that intake take so long? We want to start treatment as soon as possible.' That's why we largely replace the first week in the clinic with an online intake. Among other things, clients prepare for their admission via digital questionnaires. When they arrive at our facility, we get off to a flying start right away."
Does anything change during treatment at the clinic?
"Yes," continues Yvo, "treatment will be even more intensive and will be integrated with e-health." "Not because e-health is 'in'," Saskia clarifies. "But because we know from research that e-health can enrich and deepen treatment. Through the online environment, clients can also engage in their treatment outside of treatment appointments. Before, during and after their stay in the clinic. For example, they can read about what is covered in their therapy. Keep a diary. Or review information. This is useful: we know from research that clients do not even remember fifty percent of what their therapist says."
What about the outpatient treatment phase, when the client comes home?
"Many clients describe the clinic as a warm bath," Yvo observes. On the one hand, the hospitality: the friendly, warm environment. On the other hand, the supportive contact with practitioners and clients. They often feel truly seen and understood for the first time. It is not always easy to let go. That is why we now organize contact with fellow patients and involve the home environment in the treatment. Also (when indicated) the outpatient treatment goes from seven to eight weeks. We start intensively and slowly build down."
Doing homework, reading ... Are there other benefits to e-health?
"Besides additional treatment options, our online program also provides direction and guidance," says Saskia. "Clients' problems are complicated: otherwise you wouldn't come to U-center. As a client, you can sometimes get a little lost in that. Fixed online therapy components, based on national treatment guidelines, show you the way from now on. We can turn them on and off to suit your needs." Yvo adds: "The advantage of e-health is also that practitioners get help with questionnaires and psycho-education. This allows them to focus even more on what is most important for the client: feeling seen and heard."
Are clients even waiting for 'online'?
"Of course, I could say a resounding 'yes,'" Saskia says with a wink. "But not all clients have a good idea of what modern mental health care means. They think of being in an institution or sitting in a room talking to a psychologist. But in this day and age, it's much more about taking charge of your own treatment and life. So you're very actively involved. E-health helps with that. A former client was watching the online offering. She was like: this is great, so easy and clear and the themes are so well chosen. She was actually wildly enthusiastic."
Quote
Clients' problems are complicated: otherwise you wouldn't come to U-center. As a client, you can sometimes get a bit lost in that. From now on, fixed online therapy components, based on national treatment guidelines, will show you the way.
Saskia Timmer - e-health project leader
A tour of the clinic in the South Limburg town of Epen, is it possible?
"It's important to know that we first do a comprehensive screening procedure beforehand that is entirely dedicated to securing whether the pathway at U-center is appropriate for the request for help. We will make a thorough recommendation about that. By telephone, we will go into more detail about the reason for the application. To qualify for treatment at U-center we always need a referral letter from the family doctor or psychiatrist. We also receive the medical records of previous treatments so that we can make a good assessment of the problem and the personal situation. This is an essential part of being able to give good advice. All of these documents are also important for health insurance. Without information about any previous treatments, the client may not be eligible for admission to U-center and will not be reimbursed (in part). Once all documents have been received in good order by U-center and reviewed by a directional clinician, you will be asked to complete a series of questionnaires online.
Through these questionnaires, we get a good picture of the complaints and concerns and together we can see what the client wants to work on. Once all the information is available, we take another look with a directional clinician to see if treatment may be appropriate.
If after the online intake we think inpatient admission is appropriate, we invite the client and his or her loved ones to an inpatient intake day," explains Yvo. "Then they get to know the location and practitioners in advance. If U-center is not the right answer or there is not enough click with our way of working, we will help find a more suitable solution. Signing up now demands more from clients than before, but with good reason. Coming to a clinic for six weeks is a big investment. This can have a significant impact on clients and their home environment. Then if the preparation is done very carefully, I think we will do everyone a big favor."
How does the new treatment program benefit clients?
Yvo: "The hope is that clients will have an even better therapeutic experience. That their treatment will feel even more like an expert and streamlined process in which they are central. And that they feel seen and supported from moment one, can get started quickly and have an even softer landing when they return to their home environment. I am eager to hear what clients and referrers think of our revamped treatment program. From the client council, at least, we are getting rave reviews."