Therapeutic Communities 
 
Therapeutic Communities (TCs) offer the benefits of group therapy, with the added element of an 'living learning environment' that intensifies the experience and benefits.  TCs have a rich history, starting in the 1940s in an effort to help soldiers with trauma. The democratic model as we know it today developed out of the idea that by giving the community the treatment that you would give a patient, it can develop the therapeutic value that will profoundly benefit its members. It does this by promoting a culture of connection, inclusion, empowerment, democratisation, communalism, curiosity, and enquiry. The TC model is most often used in the UK in environments where it is recognised that a 'therapeutic culture' is needed, for example in hospital wards, children's homes, and prisons. They are particularly recognised to be helpful for people with personality disorders/difficulties. However, with the 'epidemic of loneliness' in our modern world, there is an increasing recognition that the people in our everyday communities would benefit from the sense of belonging and connection, and the therapeutic value that a TC can provide. 

A TC is not something that can be easily developed. It is more than a group therapy and cannot be formed and led by one clinician alone. Just like any other community, it made up of the people within it, and they decide how it develops. But unlike any other community, it intentionally upholds values and principles that ensure that it is therapeutic for members. Members spend time together to share decision-making and co-create the TC itself, and the structure of the time and space together are psychologically informed and intentionally designed to help improve health and wellbeing for its members. 

Dr Brittni Jones has a special interest in therapeutic communities, and contributed leadership for one in the NHS for eight years. She is now a 'Therapeutic Community Specialist' and continues to visit therapeutic communities across the UK to support with reviews of their accreditation with the Royal College of Psychiatrists 'Community of Communities'. She is interested in how the learning and principles of these TCs within institutions and organisations could be more broadly used within the local community.

You can read more about therapeutic communities here. If you are interested in TCs and would like to learn more or explore contributing to or participating in one in the North East London or West Essex area, please get in contact. You could be part of starting something new!