Montrose Manor has designed an integrated treatment programme with a highly experienced counselling team that has been treating people with various Eating Disorders for many years. With information from the client, family members and referring agents, an individualised treatment programme is created.
We understand that Eating Disorders and other co-occurring psychiatric conditions may emerge after treatment has been initiated. Psychiatric consultation and medication prescription (when required) are part of the treatment package.
Addressing concurrent Eating Disorders is easily done through our dedicated Eating Disorder programme at Montrose Manor. We understand that clients require non-verbal interventions to by-pass their intellectual defences (denial) and access the underlying psychological issues – hence our use of, inter alia, Drama and Art Therapy.
The family program at Montrose Manor is run by a team of counsellors with in-depth experience in the treatment of eating disorders. Amongst their many strengths is the ability to counsel family members, while appreciating the stage of treatment that the client is at.
Besides the people in our treatment programme, the setting of Montrose Manor is of significance. It is a house in the community, not a hospital. Exercise and leisure activities are both key aspects of sustained recovery. Given our location on the slopes of Table Mountain, nature walks are readily organised.
Not being a hospital, we can offer people a longer length of time in treatment, allowing the gains of treatment to be consolidated.
Throughout a person’s stay at Montrose Manor, attention is given to discharge planning. The final month of treatment is used to practice their newly acquired skills and planning for relapse prevention. Cape Town has a well established recovery community. Our clients are taken off-site to various Twelve Step meetings at least three times a week. This is but one crucial step in bridging to the real world, post-discharge. At the time of discharge, a detailed report, highlighting areas that will require psychotherapy and / or ongoing pharmacotherapy, is sent to the mental health professional who will be taking over follow-up care of our ex-clients.