Crescent Clinic :: Private Psychiatric Clinic

The Young Adults Programme (YAP)
The YAP at Crescent Clinic has a fully functional Young Adults Program that provides a specialised and integrated service to both adolescents and their parents/caregivers. We are proud to announce that this is the only private facility in Johannesburg that offers an intensive in-patient treatment program for adolescents. The treating team comprises of professionals who have a special interest and expertise in adolescent psychiatry. The designated team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists. The multi – disciplinary team uses an eco – systemic approach in treating adolescents. Essentially, this model focuses on the individual in the context of all their various environments for example their family, school, friends, etc. Thus, adolescents are treated holistically by the multi – disciplinary team. Essentially, we aim to explore and engage in all the subsystems that impact on an adolescent’s life.

Adolescents that are admitted, range from 16 – 18 years and must be school going. The clinic also admits adolescents with psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar mood disorders, mild personality difficulties and other associated adjustment problems. However, the clinic does not cater for severely oppositional and defiant behaviour. It is required that a preadmission screening be done by two of the treating professionals.

The 3 week program includes three weeks of in-patient treatment and may include further out-patient treatment if required.

No patient of school going age should be allowed to remain in the clinic for longer than 72 hours without being referred to YAP. Any patient of school going age admitted into Crescent Clinic for treatment, should be referred to the program manager of YAP for orientation to the program. We do appreciate that adolescence is the time of acting out and asserting oneself. Therefore, team decisions are made around rules, consequences, visitors and time outs.

No non-clinic based psychologists should be allowed to work with the YAP patients while the patient is on the YAP. The YAP patients will be assigned a clinic-based psychologist, who will liaise with the external psychologist during admission. Due to unique containment concerns and need for consistency on the team, all YAPS will be treated by the two assigned psychiatrists, Dr Kim Ullyatt and Dr Alma Kalaba.

We cannot fully guarantee the safety of high risk patients, especially when they are admitted after hours. YAP patients provide the clinic with a unique set of containment criteria, and we would not like to compromise in any way regarding the safety of any of our patients. For patients that are high risk, please wait until the next working day, and consult with the nurses and a member of the therapeutic team before admitting the patient. For after hours admissions please refer to the general hospital until such time as you have the opportunity to assess whether we would be able to contain and treat the patient on YAP.

Preadmission Assessment
It is recommended that the patient have an initial assessment with two of the treating professionals to determine his/her suitability to the treatment program. It is a voluntary program, so it is recommended that patients be willing to engage and participate fully.

Family Communication with the Clinic
We understand that there would be some separation anxiety experienced by both the patients and their parents, so if there are any major concerns you may contact one of the treating members. However, you can be assured that you will be contacted by a staff member in the event of importance.

Visiting and Telephone use
It takes approximately a week for the patients to really settle down into the routine of the program, for this reason visitors and phone calls may be allowed on the fourth day of their admission. Visitors are allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 18H00 – 20H00 and on weekends and Public Holidays between 14H00 -17H00. Should you want to have time out with the YAP patient over the weekend or public holiday kindly discuss this with the treating doctor. Please note that visitors will be determined by the theraputic team. They will include family and /or one close friend.

Individual Therapy
YAP patients receive individual psychotherapy by the assigned psychologist three times a week and receive case management for additional containment.

Family Therapy
It is believed that the cornerstone of the recovery process for the young adult is to be reintegrated back into their family. It is for this reason that the parents/caregivers are engaged during the initial phase of the treatment process. The parents are initially seen by the program manger to explore family dynamics and concerns. Subsequent co-therapy family sessions are held to deal with the family dynamics that unfold.

Group Therapy
Patients attend structured group sessions where they have the opportunity to develop their skills on communication, assertiveness, taking responsibility, etc within a group context. Themes that are explored include emotions, conflict, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, and self harm.

Prism Group
The Prism group therapy model was designed specifically for teenagers and is geared around creating awareness and learning self regulatory behaviours. This group is held weekly.

Life skills and Lectures
All groups and lectures are compulsory. The young adults need to attend all lectures which are educational and skills based.

Therapeutic Relaxation
Patients are encouraged to attend the weekly relaxation class where they are allowed to de-stress and learn relaxation techniques.

Life story
Each patient on the YAP is given the opportunity to present their life story. This is an opportunity to share and learn from your peers. In presenting your life story you would have the opportunity to assess your assets and stumbling blocks in your recovery.

Exercise
We believe that exercising is an important component in recovery. You would be asked to attend exercise daily in order to promote a healthy life style. Exercise is done under supervision.

Climate Meetings
Climate meetings are held weekly with the YAP patients as a feedback session. It provides an opportunity to raise issues of concern and to open communication around the practicalities around the program. The program works on a merit and demerit system encouraging positive reinforcement and consequences for negative behaviour. A group leader is elected each week and is given responsibilities within the program that assists in character building and acquiring of leadership skills.

Media Education
The YAP patients are exposed to age appropriate media that they are requested to review and apply to their daily life.

Ward Rounds
Ward rounds are held twice a week with the multi-disciplinary team to discuss progress and therapeutic interventions on individual cases.

Unit Manager: Cindy Naidu
Yap Coordinator: Yvonne Waldeck
Consultant Psychiatrists: Dr Alma Kalaba, Dr Ullyatt
Consultant Psychologist: Deirdre Hartley, Michael Benn & Liane Lurie
General Practitioner: Dr Louise Chalmers
Nursing Service Manager: Karin Coetzee
Occupational Therapy Assistant: Pakiso Mohapi
Evening Supervisor: Freja Dennison, Elize Charalambous