Mental health
Meena Hussain and Charlotte Keally are therapy co-ordinators in a high-dependency rehabilitation hospital . Here they reflect on the development of a relaxation group , following occupational therapy-led discussions on engagement levels with the therapy programme .
Mental health
Feature
Relaxation to increase engagement in therapy
Meena Hussain and Charlotte Keally are therapy co-ordinators in a high-dependency rehabilitation hospital . Here they reflect on the development of a relaxation group , following occupational therapy-led discussions on engagement levels with the therapy programme .
C ygnet Oaks , in Barnsley , is a highdependency rehabilitation hospital for adult males recovering from mental illness . At a recent occupational therapy meeting we discussed engagement levels with the therapy programme , specifically reflecting on engagement with relaxation sessions .
We noticed that the one-to-one relaxation sessions and old resources were not engaging enough for our service users . We wanted to provide something that would benefit more of them . Our aim was to offer a tool that would help them relax and also teach them new skills and practices that could be beneficial for their recovery .
One purpose of occupational therapy is to build and enhance skills for a successful recovery . The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ’ s quality standards for rehabilitation for adults with complex psychosis ( NICE 2020 ), state that adults with complex psychosis should have access to relaxation during their rehabilitation and recovery programme .
We collaborated to create a comprehensive seven-session plan incorporating various relaxation practices suitable for different needs . The programme is open to all service users at Cygnet Oaks and has no exclusion criteria .
The relaxation sessions are diverse , including breathing techniques , body scans , mindful eating , guided imagery , mindful music , mindful colours , DIY relaxation , and outdoor mindfulness .
It is essential to note that the relaxation sessions came with a disclaimer warning that some practices , such as body scans , could trigger negative feelings , especially for individuals who have experienced trauma , particularly when focusing on specific body parts ( Treleaven 2018 ). In preparation for the sessions , we prepared the relaxation room with sensory equipment such as mood lighting , diffusers , candles and calming music , to create a peaceful environment . We ’ ve noticed that our service users tend to enjoy group sessions more when they have access to tea and coffee , but we realised that caffeine could be counterproductive for this particular group .
As a result , we decided to offer a variety of herbal teas as a hot beverage option to promote relaxation . After the session , we received positive feedback from the group , with service users mentioning that the herbal teas were ‘ refreshing ’ and the aromas were ‘ relaxing ’.
The relaxation sessions begin with the aims , introduction and theory , which allow service users to gain some understanding of relaxation techniques , how to use them and their benefits . Next , the session consists of a relaxation exercise led by the group facilitators .
Some sessions , such as guided meditation and body scans , require the service users to spend the time in a relaxed state . Other sessions of the programme are more interactive and require a different level of engagement , such as sensory colours , where we would delve into how colours can make us feel , or outdoor mindfulness where the service users are guided to do a ‘ mindful scavenger hunt ’.
The sessions then end with time to reflect , with questions relating to the technique and general feedback .
The group intended to give service users the chance to learn relaxation skills and to practise them . The group was planned as an evening activity , allowing the service users to wind down at the end of the day while also taking part in something therapeutic and valuable .
Johnson et al ( 2022 ) investigated the outcomes of relaxation sessions delivered at a secure mental health service . They found that there was a significant decrease in tension among those who engaged . Additionally , users reported that the exercise was valuable and that the skills learned would be beneficial in the future .
36 OTnews April 2024