The emphases on a sustaining relationship creates a collaborative set and reduces the resistance to participation in a program that is developed over time to meet each individual's specific needs. All staff including the patient take part in decision making and carving out this well designed program. In designing a program, we have to develop goals that are achievable and which help our patients understand that their program is designed to help them gain a measure of freedom outside of a hospital and in independent living. The use of medication is part of the overall treatment approach at the Anne Sippi Clinic. However important as it may be, we are aware of its limitations with the long term schizophrenic patient.
Medication is prescribed and used judiciously.
We believe that in small doses it can contribute to the well being of our patients. We have seen some patients benefit therapeutically when there is a good alliance with the prescribing physician and the psychotherapist. When this collaboration is established with the treatment specialists, the patient is more responsive and willing to participate in the program that she creates with the treatment team. Realistic and achievable goals are established and the patient and therapists have direction and a sense of educated purpose in their efforts. We are sensitive to the importance of reducing medication so that the patient and the therapist know that their efforts are responsible for making corrective changes in the patient's life, not just the symptomatic changes that medication brings about.