Short-term day treatment programmes for patients with personality disorders. What is the optimal composition?
Research evidence indicates that approximately 10 h a week is a sufficient intensity for short-term day treatment programmes for patients with personality disorders. In this article, we discuss which therapeutic components should be included in such a programme. Relevant research and clinical literature are reviewed. The fit between the therapeutic components and the programme as a whole is discussed according to: 1) scientific evidence of the effectiveness of the therapeutic components, 2) a sound theoretical rationale, 3) evidence of user satisfaction among patients, 4) clinical experiences of staff, 5) comprehensiveness and consistency, and 6) available therapeutic skills and resources. We advocate an 11-h treatment programme comprising small group psychotherapy, art group therapy, large group psychotherapy, cognitive group therapy, problem-solving group therapy and optional adjuncts (cognitive behavioural group therapy) for patients with additional anxiety and eating disorders.
Karterud
Sigmund
S
Department for Personality Psychiatry, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. sigmund.karterud@psykiatri.uio.no
Urnes
Øyvind
Ø
D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011575:Psychoanalytic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D011614:Psychotherapy, Brief / Q000379:methods*; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome