Anyone done any kind of residential mental health retreat/rehab?

[SABM10]

Hi all,

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place - I have considered mental health and addiction etc but want a bit more traffic!

Bottom line, I have a place on a residential retreat thing for C-PTSD, BPD, depression/suicidal thoughts, low level psychosis and addiction issues. It's in Thailand but along the lines of the Priory. Intensive EMDR, DBT, CBT, talking therapy as well as general wellness/yoga/group sessions etc. I have tried all of the above at various times and found them helpful to an extent but ultimately it's a small slice of my week and then I go back to my usual life. I feel like I need to fully immerse myself and cut myself off from everyday stresses, at least for a while. The retreat is four weeks and I have factored in a week at the end to relax/decompress. EMDR in particular can be brutal. I am also considering giving in notice at my work and hoping for PILON/ pay in lieu as I have already exhausted my sick pay with various hospital admissions/sectionings.

Not sure I have a specific question other than whether anyone has done similar and if it helped? Do you think it's a good idea?? It will basically obliterate my savings but at the moment I'm just seeing and hearing the anxiety from my parents every time I see or speak to them that I may have done or be about to do something stupid and I can't do it to them any more - I need to do SOMETHING. Any advice or experience or even words of encouragement most welcome!

It depends what you think it will achieve. If you've found those treatments helpful in the past then a more intensive stint could be positive. However, I would caution to manage your expectations and don't expect to be 'cured' - anything else will be a bonus.

I did a 30-day rehab at The Priory. Sounds like you know to expect a lot of work! I took the view that it was a one-off opportunity (employer's insurance paid) and I was going to make the most of it. It was a transformative experience for me, perhaps the most significant period of my life. I followed it up with more therapy and groups.

You become very close with your 'classmates', inevitably due to the intensity, and we all provided both support and entertainment for each other. I'd say pick your friends carefully: about half my group were getting drugs brought in, shagging counsellors or each other, and grumpily putting up with the therapy because it was a condition imposed by the Bank of Mum & Dad. Everyone was pretty good company; I'm just saying be careful who you get close to.

I came out very healthy!! Doing it in Thailand, you'll be healthier, more relaxed and suntanned. Nice 😎

A family member of mine did this in Thailand - might even be the same place. It saved his life and turned everything around for him. I hope you have just as positive an experience 💓

Would you be willing to give a rough estimate of the cost of something like this please? It sounds amazing and I imagine you come back so much lighter and balanced at the end.

"I did a 30-day rehab at The Priory. Sounds like you know to expect a lot of work! I took the view that it was a one-off opportunity (employer's insurance paid) and I was going to make the most of it. It was a transformative experience for me, perhaps the most significant period of my life. I followed it up with more therapy and groups."

Me too. I didn't have the other stuff going on that you mentioned though! Life changing.

OP good luck in Thailand! It sounds brilliant AND you'll get to soak up all the yummy sunshine

What happens if you become more unwell whilst in Thailand? As in more unwell than this centre can manage?

I would be very cautious about the likely impact of 4 weeks of treatment for a complex and long term problem.

How will there be time to establish a safe therapeutic relationship before commencing EMDR if you're only there 4 weeks?

Can you not use the money to pay for private EMDR in the UK over a longer period with a more stable and secure therapeutic relationship?

Thanks so much for the positivity. I'm going do this.

@user1846385927482658 I don't know, I'm floundering to some extent. But what is the alternative? It's not just EMDR I need, I have complex issues and I think that a residential stay might help bring all of them together rather than doing it piecemeal. They do aftercare sessions via Zoom.

@DoAsYouWouldBeMumBy @GarlicGrace thank you! I'm not looking for a quick fix just hoping that this can be a bit of a boost to get my head straight.

@LifeBeginsNow approx 10k. There are many similar facilities with varying levels of certification etc globally.

@SABM10 please could you let me know the name of your place? PM if you prefer. I know someone who I think could massively benefit from this but who could never afford the UK prices. Thank you!

@TallulahG it's The Dawn rehab in Chiang Mai.

about half my group were getting drugs brought in, shagging counsellors or each other

I'm sorry what?! The shagging counsellors thing is the most concerning, you can't control what people do to and amongst themselves, but paying all that money for that level of unprofessionalism from staff?? That is shocking

Oh if l had tye money l would be asking to come with you.
I have had stints in psychiatric hospitals/ counselling/ CBT for over 30 years.
Just had 6 weeks of assessment for EMDR.. which I'm going to be paying for privately ( NHS waiting list is two years)
The retreat sounds ideal.
As long as their is follow ups and its safe.
Have you done research/ reviews/ been in contact with others that have been .
I'd love to know if you go and how you find it.
Wishing you all the best.

Thanks 😊

Thank you everyone! It's all booked now so there's no looking back!

@Pertangyangkipperbang I'm really lucky that my job (much as it hasn't helped with my mental health and stress levels...) means I can pay for this. I've been on various NHS waiting lists for years now and other than occasionally sectioning me there just isn't any help for mental health via the NHS. Really hope you get the support you need x

How did the retreat go? I'm thinking of booking it for my daughter. I would love to get your feedback. She is just 18 and very vulnerable so I'm worried about it but I would go and stay nearby during the time.

Hey! Which one arr you looking at? I went to the Dawn in Chiang Mai. It was honestly amazing. It was a real mix of ages and backgrounds and we had a few people in their teens/early 20s in our group, all of the group were looking out for them (it was really supportive for everyone generally but we all took extra care of the young'uns!). The therapists were really really good and it was such a good experience apart from that too, lots of group sports and yoga and good food and all that healthy wholesome stuff 😅

I would strongly recommend it BUT with a caveat - there were a handful of people there who had obviously been forced there by parents/family/spouses and were clearly just going through the motions rather than fully engaging. If your DD is going more because you want her to than because she really wants to get better (and obviously I'm not saying that's the case!) then it might be a negative rather than a positive (I remember chatting to a guy who had come with the wrong mindset towards it and him basically saying that because they hadn't 'fixed him' within two weeks there was no point and he'd never try counselling again...). When the reality is that there is no quick fix - what a place like the Dawn does is give you the tools to get better but it requires effort too. Just a slight word of warning as this was something I saw a bit more in the younger people there. But if your DD is fully on board I have nothing but good things to say! PM me if you want any more info etc x

Hi @SABM10. I’ve been looking at this as like you I feel totally out of options in the UK. mental health residential in this country are way beyond what I can afford. I’m new to mumsnet so don’t know how to pm but would really appreciate being able to talk to you about The Dawn. I’d be so grateful if you get this and can respond.

What about the Lifestyle Change programme at Absolute Sanctuary? As you said, it's usually a good idea to take yourself out of the situation and any distractions (work/ stress/family...) and just allow yourself the time to focus on yourself and be looked after.