Review: Timberlawn Trauma Program in Fair Park Area Near Dallas, Texas

The Timberlawn Trauma Program is located at Timberlawn Hospital in the Fair Park area of Dallas, Texas. Directed by Colin A. Ross M.D. and based on his research, the program targets individuals who experienced trauma such as childhood abuse, war, or natural disasters. The program's website, http://www.timberlawn.com/trauma.htm , states "The Trauma Program focuses on the effects of trauma and unresolved attachment issues." Trauma can cause a wide variety of symptoms spanning more than one disorder. Thus, most of the patients have been diagnosed with two or more disorders before entering the program.

I have been a patient in the Trauma Program three times over the course of three years (most recently, July 2007). My first stay was the longest: 2 ½ weeks inpatient plus 2 weeks in the partial (outpatient) program. The second lasted only 5 days, and the third 12 days inpatient. I had been in other mental hospitals before, and I quickly realized that this one was much better than any other.

First, individual therapy (IT) is given 3 times a week. The therapists are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) or Psychologists. Although sometimes mishaps occur and a patient may not start their IT immediately, this is rare. My therapist for each of my visits was a psychologist who had a talent for hearing what I was not saying. He did not coddle me or reassure me when it wasn't appropriate. Instead, he confronted me with truth and present-day reality: yes, I had experienced considerable abuse as a child. It was very painful and I didn't deserve it. Still, it was over and I survived. It did not have to maintain a hold over my life unless I allowed it to do so.

Overall, the other patients I spoke to were pleased with their therapists as well. There were always complaints, but (with only one exception) the other therapists were competent and skilled. Most of them conducted therapy groups in addition to IT, so I did get to know them myself. They were caring, yet maintained professional boundaries. Regardless of what was said, they did not exhibit shock, disgust, or amusement. Any of those emotions could have harmed the patient who was sharing.

Second, the Trauma Program conducted all the therapy groups on its schedule. I had been in hospitals before that had several groups scheduled per day, but only one (or none) actually occurred. In those instances I felt I was being shortchanged, and I certainly didn't get any benefit from groups that didn't happen.

The groups we had at Timberlawn included Process Group, Cognitive Therapy, Trauma Education, Recreational Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, and Anger Management. The only group I avoided was Recreation, as I judged it to be a waste of time. However, the few times I did attend I had fun, which was a nice change from the more serious work in other groups.

Process Group met daily and gave us a chance to talk about problems, whether related to IT and past trauma, or related to our daily lives in the hospital. The therapist leading the group made comments about our sharing, and if we wanted feedback from other patients there was plenty available! The fact that we had it every day made Process even more useful.

Cognitive Therapy was an important group for me. It focused on changing distorted thinking patterns into more realistic patterns. For example, one of the most common cognitive distortions is called 'catastrophizing.' If I make a mistake at work, then begin thinking 'The boss will write me up for this. I will get a negative review. I won't be promoted. I might even be fired! Then I won't get a good recommendation. I'll never be able to find a job! How will I survive?' I have worked my minor error into panic over unemployment - I have created, in my mind, a catastrophe where none actually exists.

In Cognitive Therapy we learned to recognize and alter these distortions. When Dr. Ross was available, he conducted this group himself. It was essentially a public individual therapy session, since he worked with one individual each group. I participated in this myself once and, in spite of feeling 'on the hot seat' for an hour, I experienced significant changes in my thought patterns. It was clear to me that the session was highly beneficial - another advantage to the Trauma Program!

Trauma Education group helped me understand how my past experiences translated into present difficulties. For example, I learned about attachment to the perpetrator (the abuser), and how that caused me to seek out similar individuals in my adult life. Many of the principles were unique to the Trauma Program since it is based on the writings of Colin A. Ross M.D. (note: two other U.S. hospitals use Dr. Ross's Trauma Model, but I do not know for certain how it is implemented there). I learned how the experience of trauma creates the cognitive distortions mentioned above. I also found out during my first stay that sometimes once is not enough, because the effects of trauma are complex and may unfold gradually over time. It was very reassuring to know that when I needed to return a second and eventually a third time.

In Art and Music Therapy I was able to express long-buried emotions and let them go. I appreciated the inclusion of right-brain therapies such as art and music along with left-brain cognitive therapy. However, I was disappointed that music was only held one day a week. We had excellent music therapists who were able to choose songs that would touch us deeply, creating profound emotional change. I believe that the program would greatly benefit from increasing Music Therapy to three days a week.

Third, each patient is assigned a psychiatrist who oversees his or her psychotropic medications. I personally met two of the three psychiatrists during my stays, and found them to be highly skilled doctors in addition to being warm and friendly. They were up-to-date on the latest medicines and side effects. Most importantly, they inspired trust.

My complaints relate not to the Trauma Program itself but to other hospital staff. Many patients had special meal requirements due to medical conditions, religion, or personal preference. We had a chronic problem with incorrect meal preparation. This was true each of the times I was there. Contacting the cafeteria staff was largely ineffective, even when it was the hospital dietician or the on-site program director who contacted them.

The nursing staff was better, but not good. About 50% of the nurses appeared to know very little about mental illness. Many of them made it clear they didn't want to be there. Some of the medication nurses were not familiar with common psychiatric meds and consequently tended to make mistakes. However, the other 50% were completely different - responsive, caring, understanding, knowledgeable. These were the ones that made me smile when I saw them.

Overall, I found the Trauma Program to be excellent! It addressed the exact difficulties I was having, in contrast to a generic setting that teaches non-specific mental health practices. The mental health professionals interacted appropriately with me and the other patients. Individual and group therapies were utilized, with a multidisciplinary approach. I would definitely recommend the Timberlawn Trauma Program to anyone who is experiencing psychiatric problems and has a history of trauma.