Clinical Team
Clinical Manager:
The team is led by the Clinical Manager who has a background in the NHS, having worked in acute psychiatry and the community. This is combined with years of experience working in the field of Eating Disorders. She has extensive working knowledge of care service models, budgeting systems, national and local developments and research-based practice.
Consultant Psychiatrist:
The Consultant Psychiatrist will conduct an initial assessment and will see the patients regularly thereafter.
Medical Practitioner:
Our Medical Practitioner will perform a medical examination and obtain bloods for screening. As we are a therapeutic environment and not an acute area we are not equipped to nurse complex physical needs. These will be overseen by NHS providers or in an emergency situation, the local A&E Department. Blood tests are conducted throughout the treatment as appropriate.
Dietician:
Our Dietician will consult with the patient then formulate a dietary plan which is implemented immediately. This is reviewed periodically and updated in response to changing circumstances.
We appreciate how difficult meal times will be for the majority of patients, therefore all staff eat with the patients giving intense support and encouragement. Throughout therapy, consideration is paid to exploring responses and perceptions and behavioural modification programmes are often followed at meal times.
Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
CBT is the most widely researched and effective psychological treatment for eating disorders. This mode of therapy focuses on the patient's behaviour and the thoughts and beliefs that perpetuate this. At Riverdale Grange the therapist and patient will work collaboratively with the goal of challenging these thoughts and beliefs to enable to patient to move towards agreed behavioural changes.
Complementary Therapy
Our Complimentary Therapist is a specialist in aromatherapy and massage, Reiki and Neuro Linguistic Programming. It is recognised that such therapy offers a safe, relaxing environment where the therapist can build a trusting rapport. This is with the added bonus of the patient benefiting from the effects of the oils and exploring tough and body exposure, which is useful when addressing body image.
Art Therapy
Art Therapy can be particularly helpful to people who find it difficult to talk about their problems and concerns. At Riverdale Grange Art Therapy takes the form of both individual and group sessions. The group sessions are an opportunity for members to explore common concerns and themes and to share perceptions, and experiences in a safe and closed therapeutic environment. Individual sessions are more focussed on the needs and concerns of the patient and the agent is set by them.