Press Release 06 August 2024

The Retreat Clinics commit to ongoing Autism, ADHD and mental health support following August Council planning meeting

The Retreat Clinics are pleased to announce continuing support for people seeking counselling, psychotherapy and autism & ADHD assessments, following approval for the proposed development of the Retreat Hospital site by specialist property developer and restorer P J Livesey at the York Council planning committee meeting on August 1st.

The Retreat Clinics has worked closely with P J Livesey and the development will see the original Retreat buildings back in use, with the beautiful grounds accessible to enjoy by the whole community.

Ruth Dixon, the Retreat Clinics Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to know that the building and grounds will be cared for and maintained. As a charity founded in York in 1792, we will continue to work with Autism, ADHD and mental health; we’d like to be in York for another 228 years!”

The Retreat Clinics continues to offer mental health support and autism and ADHD assessments for children, young people and adults from the Tuke Centre on the same site as the original hospital, as well as online and from Hampden House in Manchester. After stopping inpatient services in 2018, the larger Grade 2* listed site was no longer needed, and The Retreat was keen that the history of the original building should be honoured.

The Retreat was the first organisation in the world to offer moral treatment for people with mental health issues, treating its patients with respect and dignity. It’s world history for York to feel proud of.

Express yourself with art therapy

Do you sometimes feel its difficult to really explain how you are feeling in words? There are other ways you can express how you feel…

Sometimes it’s a sound, like a sigh or a scream. Or an action that helps people understand how you are feeling, like when you cry or tense up.

Being able to express yourself using art materials can be another way to help you and others understand your feelings.

Like splashing some paint around to show you are confused or excited.

Or stamping your hands into some clay to vent your anger.

Or making marks with pens or pencils to express your frustration with something.

Or making a drawing to help you work something through which is making you anxious or sad.

Art can be a great way to express yourself; it can be a mindful experience to calm your anxiety, it can be an expressive activity to work through your problems and share with people you feel safe with.

You could see an art therapist and use art materials and making as part of the therapeutic process. Art therapy can redirect attention away from worrying thoughts which in turn can help regulate the nervous system. If this is something you are interested in for either your self or your child, please contact the Retreat Clinics.

Limited Funding Available for Free Therapy for Children and Young People

Our Quaker led charity has provided mental health services for over 200 years. Our services are firmly based in our values of compassion, collaboration, and community building. We are passionate about helping people, giving hope, and building resilience. We’re aware that for many people it’s difficult to find the resources to fund therapy, especially now, and so we have dedicated a small fund to provide free therapy for children and young people whose family is in receipt of means tested welfare benefits. Our therapy services are now available in Manchester, York and online (depending on the clinical safety of online work).

What are we offering?

We are offering a limited number of places for up to 10 free therapy sessions, to children and young people whose family is in receipt of means tested welfare benefits.

How do I know if my child needs this?

Your child may be struggling with difficulties around anxiety or low mood or patterns of behaviour. As this is only time limited therapy, we suggest that this therapy is most suitable for young people who have mild-moderate difficulties. Please note, therapy generally isn’t suitable for people who feel in crisis or who need urgent mental health support.

How will it work?

We will ask you to complete a brief form and provide some information about the welfare benefits you are receiving. We can go through this process on the phone with you or send you the form to complete if you prefer. One of our clinical team will then triage your referral and, if eligible, you will be offered an initial 50 minute appointment with a therapist. Following this session you may be offered up to 9 additional sessions, most likely with the therapist you have already met.

How can I find out more?

We would be happy to talk to you on the phone about the service and whether you might be eligible. Please call us on 0161 445 2099 (Manchester), 01904 412551 (York) or email us on info@theretreatclinics.org.uk

How to care for someone following the loss of a child.

This blog contains emotionally sensitive information, please take care. If you feel that you need to talk to someone more urgently than therapy, please find a list of useful organisations who offer support below. If you feel that you need immediate support, please contact The Samaritans or your GP or other forms of crisis support.

The loss of a child profoundly impacts the lives of parents and their loved ones. When someone you care about has lost a child, it can be hard to know how best to support them. Each person’s grief experience is unique, and finding the right words can be hard. Often, we worry about saying the wrong thing or upsetting the person which can lead to us not saying anything at all or becoming distant from them.

Below are some ideas on how best to support someone who has been through the devastating loss of a child.

Ask the person if they’d like to talk and let them lead the conversation. They will know whether they want to continue, or whether they need time away from the conversation.
Use the child’s name and when they are ready, share your memories – keeping their memory alive and respecting their existence is important for many parents in this situation.
Be accepting of all their feelings – it is quite normal for the parent to feel angry- at the situation, at the child for dying, at the system around them. In an attempt to provide comfort, people sometimes sharing well-meaning phrases like ‘everything happens for a reason’ or ‘time will heal’ etc. Instead of sharing your beliefs around death, focus on compassionate listening, and let them know its ok to experience a range of emotions, and there is no timeline for grief. Through acknowledging all their emotions, you can normalise these and make it a safe place for them to talk.
Understand that something this traumatic will have a significant effect on them. They may act differently – such as seeming distant or detached. This can be common when the pain we feel is overwhelming as the mind protects itself by taking a step away.
Consider inviting them to coffee or to meet with friends – sometimes we worry that we shouldn’t invite a bereaved parent to socialise, however this can sometimes be a welcome distraction depending on how they feel that day. Don’t be disheartened if they do not accept the offer, they might feel differently next time, or may still appreciate the invitation.
Remember that grieving can take different lengths of time for different people, and don’t give up after a few weeks. After the funeral, support and offers of help often drop away, keeping contacting and offering help and support where you can is often well received.
During this challenging time, it can become hard to perform everyday tasks, this can be particularly challenging if the parent has other children to care for. Offering practical assistance such as dropping off a meal, offering to run errands, offering to pick up their other children from clubs etc. can be a way to show your support.
Hold the space and the silence – sometimes people just want to be around other people for comfort, but do not want to talk or don’t know the right words. Don’t feel the need to fill the silence or “make them feel happy”, instead, be there for whatever it is they need in that moment. That may be that they want to cry, shout or simply just ‘be’.
When the person is ready, they might want to reach out to specialist organisations for support. We have listed a range of links for various support organisations below; nobody is ever alone in their grief.

Here at The Retreat Clinics, we offer specialist support for bereavement, and for those who are supporting someone who is bereaved and want a space to talk and process their emotions. We offer open-ended, non-judgemental support at our clinics in Manchester, York and Online.

For more information on how we could help, please visit www.theretreatclinics.org.uk or email info@theretreatclinics.org.uk

Useful links:

Coping with losing a child – The Good Grief Trust

Child Bereavement UK

Sands Stillbirth and neonatal support for families

SUDC UK Support and information following Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood

Citizens Advice Bureau What to do after a death

The Miscarriage Association Support following miscarriage, molar or ectopic pregnancy

Important changes to how we receive Autism and ADHD referrals

What are we commissioned to provide?

The Autism and ADHD services at the Retreat clinics are currently resourced and commissioned to receive an estimated 720 referrals per year (60 per month) however due to an unprecedented increase in demand throughout 2022 and 2023 our referral rate increased considerably and on average we received 1840 referrals per year (153 per month) which unfortunately has impacted on our ability to respond as quickly as we would like to, if you have not heard from us regarding your referral and whether you have been accepted onto our waiting list this will be because you are still in triage – at present we estimate that this delay will be around 12-15 months.

We are commissioned to provide the below assessments per year –

214 Autism diagnostic assessments per year
up to 242 ADHD diagnostic assessments per year – we are also commissioned to provide medication reviews and support, dependant on demand there may be priority given to medication clients within the ADHD pathway due to urgent need, this may impact on the number of ADHD assessments we are able to provide.

Due to the increased demand on our services, we are continually exploring ways to make changes to our assessment pathways so that our clients receive efficient and robust assessments whilst ensuring that we see as many people as we can, however, please be aware that we are unable to beyond our commissioning capacity due to limitations within our current NHS contract.

Update

This is an update regarding changes in the referral pathway for Adult Autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessment Service at The Retreat Clinics in North Yorkshire and York. This is a commissioner led change, resulting from actions from the local NHS Integrated Care Board (formally known as the NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups), to pilot the introduction of the criteria for referral to assessment and a new approach to screening for neurodiversity. This applies to new referrals. The changes come into effect from Monday 27 March 2023.

Why have these changes been made?

Autism and ADHD services across the nation have seen a steady increase in demand over recent decades. At The Retreat Clinics, this demand now far exceeds our capacity as a service with an increase of 400% in referral rates. This issue is something that is currently receiving significant focus from both our local Trust and regional commissioners. The changes have been made to pilot a new pathway and way of working.

What do the changes mean?

Please meet with your General Practitioner (GP) if you are seeking a diagnostic assessment for Autism/ADHD and you live within North Yorkshire and York. Your GP will be able to guide you through and explain the new pathway. Referrals will be directly through a web-based screening and assessment system called Do-it Profiler.

What is Do-it Profiler?

Please watch the video in the following link which explains it all: https://doitprofiler.com/

Whilst the Do-it Profiler does not give a diagnosis, the Neurodiversity Screener will identify characteristics and provide a unique profile describing strengths, challenges, and the skills to develop at home, socially and in the workplace. The profile will also identify where reasonable adjustments should be made which should start as a basis for discussion with occupational health, employers, and educational environments. All clients who complete the profile will receive immediate functional guidance and signposting to support networks.

Once logged in, the profiler will ask you an initial set of questions to determine whether you will be referred on to The Retreat for an assessment for diagnosis or be directed through the profiler for access to support and useful resources. Everyone who completes the profiler will receive immediate functional guidance and signposting to support networks. These changes are part of a pilot, and the commissioners welcome your input. There will be an opportunity to provide feedback within the profiler tool which we would encourage you to do. This will help the commissioners to collate information as part of our evaluation and inform future commissioning decisions.

For some people, a referral is still appropriate and will be made to us through the profiler. Please allow time for our clinical team to consider your referral (called ‘clinical triage’ please note there is a delay in receiving your referral and accepting/rejecting your referral this wait is estimated between 12-15 months). Once we have considered your referral, we will be in touch with you directly to let you know if a diagnostic assessment will be offered – we will backdate any referral accepted onto our waiting list to the date the referral was made.

Please note that due to limitations on information provided to our clinical team resulting from the use of the profiler we may request further information from you and your GP to support your referral prior to triage.

For further information on the Do-It Profiler, including technical support, any questions on how friendly it is for Autism, ADHD and learning difficulties, or what to do if you don’t have access to a device or technology, please contact:

If you are within North Yorkshire: hnyicb-ny.engagement@nhs.net

If you are within York: hnyicb-voy.contactus.yorkhcp@nhs.net

The Retreat Clinics are not providing the Do It Profiler, as this is a commissioner change to the pathway. Therefore, please do not contact us to seek guidance or advice on the Do It Profiler, as we will only be able to provide you with the same information as explained here.

Can I access assessment and treatment from an alternative provider?

This is a piloted change to the commissioned pathway and the eligibility criteria will therefore also apply to other providers, including online private providers. Referrals which fall outside of the eligibility criteria will not be reimbursed by the NHS.

If you are eligible for assessment, you have a legal right to choose your specialist provider. We suggest you discuss this option with your General Practitioner. You may also prefer to obtain private care, but please ensure you clarify the details with your General Practitioner, as for ADHD services, there are no shared care arrangements in place between primary care and private providers and you will be expected to continue to pay for your medication rather than this being prescribed by your local practice. Using an alternative provider may offer you more timely access to assessment and treatment. That said, it is worth clarifying with the provider what they provide before getting a referral to avoid disappointment. Eligibility criteria applies to all providers and general practice will be encouraged to direct patients to the Profiler and not make NHS referrals to other providers. Referrals which fall outside of the eligibility criteria will not be reimbursed by the NHS.

What if I disagree with this change of pathway for the diagnostic assessment? Where do I go to for any complaints or queries?

Please contact:

If you are in North Yorkshire: hnyicb-ny.engagement@nhs.net

If you are in York: hnyicb-voy.contactus.yorkhcp@nhs.net

Please do not call The Retreat Clinic’s administration team to enquire about the change to the pathway and process: our team will not be able to advise or comment on the Do It Profiler, or the commissioner led changes. They will only be able to advise you with the same information provided here: you need to make contact using the details above.

I am not a ‘new’ referral, what does this mean for me?

The commissioner-led change is for referrals received from 27 March 2023.

If you or your referrer have received notification you are on our ‘awaiting triage’ list, we will be honouring this and triaging your referral. Please do not contact us to enquire about waiting times, as we cannot comment specifically or individually on how long it will take us to triage your referral. For current waiting times (CLICK HERE)

If you or your referrer have received notification that your referral has been accepted, then you will remain on our waiting list and we will be in touch when it is time for your assessment.

What are your current waiting times?

Waiting times for assessment:

We recognise and appreciate that people requiring our Autism & ADHD services have lengthy waiting times. This is something we are trying to address. Whilst we acknowledge how difficult it is to wait, we ask people to please not contact the service regarding their wait time as this is often changeable but unfortunately lengthy. For current waiting times (CLICK HERE)

Virtual reality mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) programme

University College London, The Retreat Clinics and Tend VR are conducting a study exploring mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) delivered through virtual reality (VR). We are recruiting adults who have experienced recent anxiety or depressive symptoms to test this innovative approach over a 10-12-week period.

If you would like to take part, we will be asking you to complete interviews, surveys, and journal entries to provide feedback on your experience receiving the VR MBCT programme at home. The programme and the VR equipment will be provided, free of charge.

If you are interested in participating in this mental health study and advancing the progress of VR to improve mental health, please complete the Expression of Interest Form (EOI) here (https://form.jotform.com/232274250844353).

If you have any questions after you have looked at the EOI then please email research@tend-vr.com. You can find a taster video of the immersive VR programme here https://youtu.be/sUFrwHGqBXg

Full details of involvement will be available in the participant information pack which will be sent to you once you have been enrolled on to the study. Contributing your experiences could support the development of new technologies for mental healthcare.

Children’s Cancer Charity Collaboration

September is childhood cancer awareness month and we are delighted to formally announce our collaboration with ‘The Joshua Tree’.

The Joshua Tree (based in Cheshire) is a children’s cancer charity that is dedicated to working closely with families affected by childhood cancers.

As a registered charity ourselves, The Retreat Clinics are pleased to be offering shared funding with The Joshua Tree to allow more families who are in need of therapy or mental health support to access it.

The Retreat Clinics in Manchester has a team of dedicated clinicians including counsellors, EMDR practitioners, CBT therapists, Family therapists and play therapists to name a few. This project will offer short term therapy to young people and/or their families either in our welcoming clinic in Withington or online where appropriate.

We look forward to working alongside The Joshua tree.

Youth Mental Health Day

How to support healthy mental health in children and teenagers

When we think about being ‘healthy’, we jump straight to the thought of exercising, eating and sleeping well. However, making sure we have a healthy mental well-being is just as important. To celebrate Youth Mental Health day, we want to talk about different ways that children can improve their mental health at difficult times.

Staying connected. The past few years have been a time of isolation and disconnection from those around us. The ways in which we socialise shapes our individual identity into the person we are today. Staying connected it can offer us ongoing benefits for our mental health, relieving stress and anxiety, as well as improving our overall self-esteem and mood.

Social media is a tricky one. It can have a positive role in promoting communication between friends and family. But can become troublesome if it is the only connection children have. Social media can have negative effects such as increasing feelings of loneliness and lower self-esteem when seeing other people’s “perfect lives”, which is why it is so important to limit our screen-time. This can also benefit sleep as allowing yourself a technology free bedtime routine can ameliorate your sleep pattern and overall wellbeing. Spending time away from your phone and in the outdoors, rather than being trapped inside behind a screen can bring many benefits such as increasing vitamin D intake, providing exercise and allowing time to appreciate nature and our surroundings.

Listening to music can help reduce both anxiety and depression, boosting overall self-esteem. Music acts as a form of art that brings people and communities together. So, whether this means singing out your stresses or writing your feelings down as lyrics in a song, making music a part of your day-to-day can help children and young people to express themselves, feel connected to a community and bring a sense of joy and release.

Set aside time to reflect and focus on yourself. Having habits that you can do on a daily basis are so important to our overall mental health. Practicing small acts of kindness each day can help to boost your mood. Setting aside some time in your day to play outside with your friends, cook a meal for your family or have some time outdoors. By doing these you may feel more connected and appreciate the smaller things in life.

The Benefits of Online Therapy

Online counselling and therapy are a modern approach to mental health support where therapy and mental health services are provided remotely online. The primary aim of online counselling is identical to traditional face-to-face therapy: to provide an outlet for individuals to explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviours in a safe, confidential environment. The key difference is the delivery method. Instead of visiting a therapist’s office, clients can access professional mental health support from the comfort of their own home, or any location with internet access.

The Rise of Online Therapy

In recent years, there has been a shift in the way people seek mental health support. Traditional face-to-face therapy sessions are no longer the only option available for those who seek counselling. Instead, online therapy has surged in popularity with counselling services now accessible via the internet through video calls, voice messaging, real-time chat, and email exchanges. The rise of online counselling can be attributed to numerous factors, with convenience and accessibility being two key reasons.

Understanding Different Therapies Online

The Retreat Clinics offers a range of therapies and counselling support online across the United Kingdom.

Our online therapies include CBT, counselling, psychodynamic psychotherapy, EMDR, transactional analysis, integrative psychotherapy and more. These are available for adults, children and young people (depending on child’s age).

The Retreat Clinics also offers on online psychotherapy group which is a small group facilitated by one of our group analysts. This format can be extremely useful for people who wish to explore how they relate to others, or to share and learn from others within the group. For more information, visit Group Therapy | York, Manchester, Online – The Retreat Clinics

Couples therapy, Psychosexual therapy and family therapy are also available online.

The Advantages of Online Counselling

With advancements in technology, the world of mental health support has evolved significantly. There are several key benefits of online therapy that make it a preferred choice for many.

Convenience and Flexibility

One of the most significant benefits of online therapy is its convenience. Traditional therapy requires setting an appointment, commuting to the therapist’s office, and adjusting your schedule around these appointments. On the other hand, online therapy sessions can be scheduled at a time that suits you best, eliminating the need for travel and offering greater flexibility. Whether you prefer early morning sessions, evening appointments, or weekend sessions, remote therapy can adapt to your schedule.

Accessibility

Another advantage of online counselling is its accessibility. For individuals living in remote areas, those with physical disabilities, or even those with busy schedules, reaching a traditional therapy office may be challenging. Online therapy allows you to access professional mental health support from anywhere with an internet connection. No matter where you are located, you can connect with a therapist and begin your journey towards improved mental health.

The benefits of online therapy extend beyond just convenience, accessibility, and anonymity as online sessions can make it easier for individuals to seek the help they need.

In the realm of mental health support, online therapy has emerged as a game-changer. This modality offers a range of options to meet diverse needs. Each form of therapy caters to specific situations and challenges, providing targeted and effective support for those who need it.

In conclusion, the benefits of online therapy extend far beyond these practical advantages. It’s about making mental health support more accessible, more convenient, and less intimidating. By breaking down barriers to mental health services, online counselling paves the way for a world where seeking help for mental health issues is as normal and straightforward as visiting a doctor for a physical check-up. Of course, many people prefer the traditional format of being in a therapist’s office and sitting with someone in person, which is why The Retreat Clinics is pleased to be able to offer both remote and in-person sessions, based on your preference.

To find out more about the services we offer, visit www.theretreatclinics.org.uk

International Self-Care Day

Today is International Self-Care Day! A day for people to reflect on whether you are giving yourself that extra bit of time and to consider ways that you can take care of yourself.

When you think of ‘self-care’, what do you think of? Is it running yourself a bubble bath, having a pamper day or a movie marathon? These all sound fun, but there is more to it than putting a face mask on and popping slices of cucumber on your eyes. Even the smallest actions can have long-term impacts, and the more you practice, the easier it will be to use them in times of distress and need.

When we seem to be struggling with our mental health, we tend to push aside the things that can help us. Like getting ourselves out of the house, doing activities we enjoy, or simply engaging in conversation. However, it is important to encourage ourselves to do these things and to try to take care of ourselves. Gently challenging ourselves to do these small advancements can help the overall way we are feeling.

Days like these encourage us to be extra kind to ourselves and to reset. They can prompt us to engage in activities that can make us feel better.

To honour this day, we want to encourage you to take time in your day to use your self-care strategies or to put a new one into place. Self-care can look different to everyone, and so we want to highlight some tips on how to maintain your health and wellbeing.

Incorporate some form of exercise into your life to release those feel-good endorphins and enhance your sense of wellbeing.
Ensure you get enough sleep to remain calmer and reduce levels of stress hormones.
Limit screen time to free up time to have fun playing and making social connections.
Stay connected with friends and family to increase your feelings of happiness and self-worth.
Discover new hobbies and interests to lower stress levels and increase the desire to continue improving your skills.
Seek support and guidance if needed to help develop coping strategies to deal with stressors as they arise.

By doing these 6 steps, you can aim to boost your overall mood and wellbeing.