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Helped me to open up more

Posted By J-RR

"Helped me to open up more"

About: Community Forensic Services / Nottinghamshire MBT Service

(as a service user),

I think that the group/treatment helped me to open up more and trust others (group members and facilitators) which has been a difficulty for me.  I feel I actually connected with people whilst being able to be truthful about who I am and how I feel.  I feel it’s helped me actively listen as well as try to help others, let them help me and not feel judged by them.  I have learned to keep the other person’s thoughts and feeling in mind during social interactions most of the time, sometimes it can be after the fact though.

I found some group members difficult to relate to (they just gave advice, felt they were condescending).

I felt a little lost after the group ended and I think more therapy may be helpful but I know the NHS doesn’t have enough money.

I think the therapy has given me hope that things can get better and I’m still practising the techniques and it’s getting easier to mentalize which means that there are a lot less mis-understandings.  I feel I’m more patient with people and understanding that they don’t always act like they do just because of me.

I found the facilitators excellent, I can’t thank my 1:1 facilitator enough for all she has done for me, making my thoughts and feelings feel valid and challenging the negative ones.  Also supporting me by pushing me to open up, making sure I didn’t fall back into my old way of thinking and avoiding.

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Responses

Response from Louisa Hagan, Service Manager, Community Forensic Services, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 4 years ago
Louisa Hagan
Service Manager, Community Forensic Services,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 04/10/2019 at 17:20
Published on Care Opinion at 17:20

Thank you so much for your feedback, it's really positive to know that you have experienced the treatment as helpful and that it's had a positive impact on your day to day life. It feels that the hope that things can be different has been really important.

I am pleased to hear that you have had such a helpful and supportive relationship with your facilitator, I will make sure this feedback is passed on.

I hear what you are saying about the ending of therapy as we appreciate this can be a difficult time, particularly when people have accessed services over several years. As you say, funding within the NHS does mean that access to services can be limited/impacted on by funding constraints. This issue is something we are aware of and it is in our minds when thinking of our own service development and developing our awareness of what is available within the community when treatment with us is complete.

It seems like you have really been able to make good use of the group treatment/therapy model which allowed you to be more truthful and honest in your connections with others. It can be difficult when working in groups with others who perhaps you feel don't use the therapy as helpfully as you would hope, I hope this has been something you have been able to share with your 1:1 facilitator and have been supported to think about within the group space.

I would like to wish you all the best for the future and I hope that you are able to continue to use the understanding and awareness you have gained in the therapy and continue to build on this.

Best wishes, Louisa

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Response from Peter Wright, Executive Director, Forensic Services, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 4 years ago
Peter Wright
Executive Director, Forensic Services,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 04/10/2019 at 18:19
Published on Care Opinion at 18:19

Thank you for this posting. I was very encouraged by what you say, especially: "I’m still practising the techniques and it’s getting easier to mentalize." These are profound shifts in perspective taking. And I am sure that given the work you have done, things can indeed get better.

With best wishes.

Peter

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