SLS uses evidence based Outcomes

Betty is a 29 year old woman who came to SLS with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorders as well as a learning disability. Her main symptom was picking at her skin. She did this so much to herself that she disfigured her appearance. After careful assessment her care team formulated a combined medication and computer aided behavior therapy plan which gradually reduced the areas on her face and arms where she picked. Eventually the care eliminated almost all of her picking and she was able to be weaned off all medications. Her TBT graph (graph of target behavior symptoms) shows her overall progress. She is now working and living more independently.

Tom a 34 year old man who suffered mild brain damage was diagnosed with dual diagnosis, impulse control disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. He had a long and unsuccessful treatment history. He could be belligerent and provocative to others. He had a history of drinking binges. Since his brain injury he had not been able to work. For over three years his care team worked with him to help him develop better self-control and find work. Using our TBT system we identified in an evidenced based manner three medications that help to reduce his target symptoms (depakote, Zoloft and buspar). When he was admitted he was on 6 psychotropic medications none of which were the ones that we found effective. His TBT graph shows how he responded. Once his medications were stable we focused on his alcohol problem and his vocational rehabilitation. Today he attends AA and is working full time despite his brain injury.

Sally a 50 year old woman with severe schizoaffective disorder and a history of lethal suicide attempts has been successfully treated with medication a a systematic program of psychosocial rehabilitation. She is in a Case Management program and does volunteer work and attends community activities. Her mental condition has been stable for over seven years. Her TBT graph documents her recent progress.

Henry was a 25 year old male diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, dual diagnosis and major depression. He had a history of ADHD, and a verified history of psychotrauma that included sexual abuse by non-family members and physical and psychological abuse by neighborhood bullies that last for months. He was treated numerous times both inpatient and outpatient with only limited success. His care at SLS focused on trauma and dual diagnosis. He made steady progress and was discharged to work and part time college.

Sara age 19 had six previous inpatient treatment episodes. She came to SLS with diagnoses of borderline personality, dissociative identity disorder, major depression and post traumatic stress disorder. She had attempted suicide twice in the past and had a very difficult relationship with her family. Sara was very needy and required a lot of support. Her therapist focused on her trauma history and her neediness as well as her dissociative behavior. Her progress was slow and she was discharged to a supported apartment program for additional care.

John a 23 year old male who had a psychotraumatic childhood and could not get going with his life was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and dual diagnosis. He had a history of cutting himself, abusing drugs and alcohol, living through a traumatic home life, and having brief psychotic episodes. His care team addressed his dual diagnosis using motivational interviewing, harm reduction and ERP therapy for cravings. He was given low doses of two medications which helped him to cope with anxiety and distorted thinking. His psychotherapy focused on trauma and life management issues. Despite several drug relapses John has made progress and is now living on his own and working while in our outpatient case management program.