Wabash Valley Alliance

Assessment
Effective treatment depends on an accurate understanding of each patient. Each patient admitted to Wabash Valley Alliance receives a comprehensive evaluation. All inpatients are medically evaluated through a physical examination, and other procedures and laboratory tests as indicated. Information from patient interviews, family interviews, referral sources, clinical observations, the medical evaluations, and psychological tests are combined by the attending professional staff members and the multi-specialty treatment team to form a diagnosis.

Treatment
The comprehensive evaluation provides the basis for the treatment plan specifically designed for each patient, targeting what he or she needs to achieve to be ready to return to the community.

Individual sessions with the attending psychiatrist and other professionals are utilized. Therapist and client together work toward understanding emotional conflicts, achieving insight, and learning skills to cope with those problems of life that have become overwhelming.

Group therapy affords the client the opportunity to achieve the special insights that come only from talking with others going through similar problems and finding that they are not alone. In sessions directed by a professional therapist, patients are guided in their learning from each other. Educational groups, such as assertiveness training or cognitive therapy, help teach skills that promote healthy relationships and self-confidence.

Medications are often an important part of modern psychiatric treatment, helping to relieve symptoms and allowing the clients to deal with problems more successfully. At Wabash Valley Alliance, every client's medications are prescribed and monitored by psychiatrists. Our nurses and pharmacist provide patients and families with information that helps them understand and use their medications safely and correctly.

The staff helps make Wabash Valley Alliance a structured therapeutic environment. Our nursing staff encourages patients to feel comfortable talking about their problems and planning what they will do about them. Instead of bed rest, meals in bed, and hospital gowns, the client remains as close to a normal schedule as possible. A regular daily routine helps establish healthy patterns of eating, sleeping, activity, and leisure. Our dietitian helps patients analyze and improve their nutrition.

To feel their best, people need to have fun, socialize, exercise and use their mental and artistic abilities. Therapy, education, and recreation by our Activity Therapists provide opportunities for patients to learn new skills, feel good about themselves and other people, and have successful leisure experiences to carry over beyond discharge.

The Family's Role
Families and friends are encouraged to participate in educational programs, family therapy, or in a supportive role. The use of family therapy recognizes that family relationships and problems are important and sometimes stressful to the client, but also that the client's illness can be a source of deep pain and anxiety for family members. Therefore, considerable attention is paid to the often complex interrelations between the client and the family, and the specific needs of each.

Discharge Planning
To help discharged patients continue to build upon the gains made in the hospital, aftercare plans are designed as a part of each client's program. Every effort is made to ensure a smooth return to family life, work or school, and the community. Linkage with our outpatient facilities and aftercare programs helps maintain the progress made during hospitalization and reduces the likelihood of remission.

The Team Approach
Depending on the needs of each client, the treatment team may consist of various individuals, including:

• Psychiatrist
• Psychologist
• Clinical Social Worker
• Registered Nurse
• Psychiatric Technician
• Certified Dietitian
• Pharmacist

The entire staff at Wabash Valley Alliance is dedicated to quality care.