This Research Group brings Centre for Social Futures members together to explore therapeutic communities, psychotherapy, enabling environments, compassionate environments, psychologically informed environments (i.e. PIEs and PIPEs), successful caregiving environments (e.g. the secure base model), etc. Such therapeutic services occur in numerous settings including mental health, learning disability, personality disorder, and dual diagnosis.

The group will analyse the latest developments in research and evidence in the field and future improvements in both the academic arena and the realm of frontline practice. Psychotherapeutic and sociological perspectives will be explored, alongside a consideration of mental health and these communicating communities. Qualities of effective psychosocial environments include attachment, containment, communication, inclusion, and agency (Haigh, 2013); these core principles of therapeutic communities will be examined in relation to theory and practice, plus current challenges with patient, public, clinician, political, and commissioner engagement. The developing notion of compassionate environments will also be debated. Additional topics include: young people’s environmental needs in in-patient and community settings.

We have hosted a range of meetings for group members and wider-audience events since 2015. Dates of our forthcoming meetings will be available here soon. To join the members list, please contact Jenelle or Emma.

IRG Lead: Dr Jenelle Clarke

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Deputy Lead: Emma Joyes

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Related Projects:

Emma Joyes, PhD

"Creative Practice as Mutual Recovery explored within Forensic Mental Health"

This research is funded as part of a larger AHRC/RCUK Connected Communities grant, entitled 'Creative Practice as Mutual Recovery (CPMR): Connecting Communities for Mental Health and Well-being'. The programme of research investigates how Creative Practices (creative activities from the fields of the Arts and Humanities, for example creative writing, painting, literature, drawing, singing.) may afford an opportunity for mutual recovery of mental health and well-being among both staff or carers and those receiving care from mental health services. This research explores the Creative Practices which occur within one inpatient Forensic Mental Health (FMH) site, consider its contribution to wellbeing and explore the potential for Creative Practices, engaged with by staff or residents, to be of reciprocal or mutual value.

Project supervisors: Professor Paul Crawford, Dr Melanie Jordan, Dr Gary Winship

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