S.A.F.E. Alternatives - Self Abuse Finally Ends

S.A.F.E. Intensive™

Self-injury is a choice.
There is only pain, not relief, in self-injury. Self-injury negatively affects all portions of a person's life-physical, mental, emotional and social.

There is no compromise with self-injury. The goal of treatment is complete abstinence.

S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® is a world-renowned treatment program that has helped thousands of people successfully end self-injurious behavior. It has been in operation for over 20 years. A treatment team of experts uses therapy, education, and support to empower clients to identify healthier ways to cope with emotional distress. The S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® philosophy and model of treatment focus on shifting control to the patient, empowering them to make healthy choices, including the choice to not self-injure.

S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® is a 30-day comprehensive treatment program for patients 13 and over who engage in repeated self-injurious behavior.  The multidisciplinary treatment team used individual, group, and family therapies, to support and empower individuals to make healthy choices in dealing with emotional distress.  The treatment program is divided into approximately 15 days of inpatient programming and 15 days of partial hospitalization, based upon the individual needs and treatment plan of each patient. The programming is voluntary, and therefore, patients must be motivated to stop the self-destructive behavior.  Upon admission a safety contract is signed, in which the patient agrees to refrain from any self-injurious behaviors for the entire length of treatment.  This includes but is not limited to traditional forms of self-injury such as cutting and burning, as well as less traditional forms of self-injury such as restricting food. If a patient engages in any form of self-injury while in the program, the treatment team will determine if a written warning, probation, or discharge is warranted.  Premature discharges, transfers, and extensions of programming, are based on an individual's history of participation and need, and therefore, in conjunction with the attending psychiatrist, are at the discretion of the treatment team.

The patient is responsible to actively participate in all groups, complete sixteen writing assignments, complete two role plays, and to participate in individual and family therapy. Patients will be asked to address all forms of self-injury, including food and nutrition issues. In addition, patients are expected to identify alternatives to self-injury and to utilize the various alternatives provided by the program.  Patients are expected to follow their individualized treatment plans, adhering to recommendations for both emotional and physical health.  Patients are to abide by all terms specified in the safety contract and hospital policies.

Program overview:

• The program operates 7 days per week
• Self-injury evaluation and intake screening at no charge
• Individual, group, milieu, and family therapy
• Impulse control management
• Education and support
• Medication management
• Case management
• Collaboration with referring professionals
• Aftercare planning

Treatment Team:

• Psychiatrist
• Clinical Therapist
• Registered Nurse
• Behavioral Health Support Staff
• Expressive Therapist

Program Requirements

• Sign the S.A.F.E. Contract
• Identify alternative ways to manage impulses
• Actively participate in all groups, including individual and family therapy
• Address all forms of self-injury, including food and nutrition issues

S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® Medication Philosophy

The S.A.F.E. ALTERNATIVES® philosophy is centered on individuals expressing feelings rather than suppressing them or acting on them. This philosophy extends to the use of routine and PRN medications. The goal for S.A.F.E. patients is to experience core affect and learn to tolerate their feelings. We believe that the least amount of medication possible should be prescribed. For example, anti-anxiety agents mask the patient's true affect. If a patient is anxious we want them to learn that they can tolerate the anxiety (versus reaching for medication to suppress it), and learn to process the underlying issue. This subsequently teaches the patient appropriate ways to manage their feelings and provides them with a sense of mastery over their emotions. Therefore, anti-anxiety medications and changes in prescription medication should not be prescribed unless absolutely necessary and in consultation with the treatment team. In addition to emotional distress, many of our patients report somatic complaints. With regards to PRN medications (pain relievers, anti-anxiety, and other dis-inhibitors) patients will be asked to perform alternative activities such as verbally processing their issue, using one or more of their alternatives and/or completing a PRN medication log prior to requesting or taking the medication.

Appropriate Candidates

Males and females (13+years) whose self-destructive behavior negatively impacts their lives are eligible. Adolescents who do not require inpatient hospitalization and whose safety can be maintained on an outpatient basis are appropriate candidates.

Funding

Many commercial insurance plans and Medicare will pay for this treatment. Coverage by Medicaid is determined by the state in which the client resides-clients may contact us via info@selfinjury.com or 800.DONTCUT® for more information. Each insurance company has its own set of criteria for admission and each policy has its own unique package. The patient services/intake department will be able to assist in determining individual policy coverage.