What Is a Therapeutic Area?

Also known as a therapeutic group, a special structure of a mental hospital-like environment or psychological treatment station can enable patients to engage in various activities within the scope of social standards, and gradually cultivate patients' ability to form an independent life with special education techniques in order to recover normal life. There is a doctor or nurse who specializes in psychotherapy in the psychological treatment station. Everyone who comes to the treatment will register with the treatment card and follow up regularly. The area governed by this psychotherapy station is called the therapeutic community. ^[1]

Unlike short-term inpatient rehabilitation programs, the therapeutic community originated from

Cohen (1985) summarized the common features of the therapeutic community, namely 12 characteristics: policies that require hard work to enter people; charismatic leadership; emphasis on personal responsibility; help each other; self-reflection and remorse; structure and discipline; a set of reward and punishment systems; the state of the extended family; isolation from the outside world; staff members are not considered special characters; cultivate non-violent, honest and other qualities; emphasize work. Some of the greatest concerns about therapeutic communities also stem from these characteristics. The shortcoming of this model is that its core value is separation from society. Long periods of isolation and emphasis are consistent with the collective. As with other treatments, how effective it is depends on how well the method is suitable for the visitor. ^[2]

Therapeutic community, mostly for patients with antisocial personality disorders. In fact, it is a living and learning environment in which they participate in activities to control and change their deviations. Here, they can get rid of those bad habits that have been acquired or learned, interact with other members participating in this activity, and explore new and more suitable methods and ways of recovery. During discussions, patients are often accompanied by emotional vents, including anger. After training, patients will gradually learn to control their anti-social behavior and adopt more acceptable ways to deal with their emotions and relationships. Many studies have proved that this group therapy is more effective than individual psychotherapy. ^[3]