Daily Group Therapy:Group meetings take place every day, Monday through Friday, and are attended by all clients who must arrive no later than 9 a.m.The group process is a powerful and effective form of therapy, a learning and growing experience for everyone,The basic rule of group therapy is to put into words all the feelings and thoughts that come to consciousness during group sessions, regardless of how ridiculous, frightening, or embarrassing they may seem to you.It will be necessary to continually remind yourself of this basic rule, and that this is not a customary social situation.You are not in group therapy to meet new friendsnor even to have enjoyable discussions.You are here to help yourself, by learning how and why other people react to you in the way they do and how you react to them.Any opinion or impression you have is valid and should be aired freely, providing it is not disruptive of the overall process.

NOTE:In joining the group, you assume the responsibility of holding in the strictest confidence any knowledge gained during group sessions about any other member of the group.Nothing that is said during a session may be repeated to anyone outside the group, nor to any member of the group outside the actual meeting.If there is something you left unsaid to another member of the group at one session, wait until the next session to bring it forward, or discuss it in private with a counsellor present.

Rules and Regulations:

1. All clients are absolutely forbidden to engage in the distribution and/or use of alcohol, drugs, or any other mood-altering substances.Should any client become aware of such actions by other clients, staff is to be informed immediately.When requested by staff, all clients will submit a urine sample without argument or appeal.

2. All clients are absolutely forbidden to lay hands on another client in a manner that may reasonably be interpreted as intimidating.Physical violence, verbal abuse, and threats of violence are also forbidden.Should any client become aware of such actions by other clients, staff is to be informed immediately.

3. All clients are absolutely forbidden to engage in sexual or intimate contact of any nature with one another, or with any other person or persons, anywhere on the premises.Nor are pornographic materials of any sort to be brought onto the premises.Should any client become aware of such actions by other clients, staff is to be informed immediately.Furthermore, exclusive or cliquish relationships between two or more clients are forbidden.

4. Clients are not to bring cash, credit cards, convenience cards, cheques,car keys, cell phones, pagers (or any other type of private communication device) onto the premises; if any of these items are brought to Vitanova by a day client, they are to be surrendered to a staff member for safekeeping upon arrival, to be returned at the end of the day.

   Domiciliary clients who bring such items onto the premises at admission will surrender them to a staff member who will log the item(s) and hold them securely until discharge.In advance of admission, domiciliary clients will be advised of the quantity of clothing and personal items allowed.At domiciliary admission, each client’s person, baggage, and baggage contents are subject to search by staff before baggage is permitted on the residential floor.During day program hours, domiciliary clients are not permitted on the residential floor (which will be locked) without staff permission.

5. All clients will note the posted schedule of activities.Participation is mandatory, unless excused by staff for appropriate reasons (e.g., briefly, to use the bathroom, or for an extended period of time due to illness).For day clients, this means from 9 am to 5 pm.Transportation to Vitanova must be arranged by the day client, via next of kin or another responsible individual known to and approved by staff.

6. Meal preparation, service, and cleanup are done by clients, with the assistance or under the direction of staff.Unless you are detailed to one of these tasks, the kitchen and food storage areas are off limits.Food is to be consumed only in the ground floor dining room area, or on the rear patio when set up for that purpose with staff permission.All clients are expected to be present at all meals.

7. Access to the grounds beyond the area of the fountain or the rear and side patios is limited to scheduled activities.Day clients are not to leave the premises during day program hours, nor are visitors allowed during those hours, except with the permission of staff.

8. Smoking is restricted to designated areas where containers are placed for the disposal of cigarette butts.The disposal of cigarettes in any other manner is strictly forbidden.

   Domiciliary clients are absolutely forbidden to smoke on the residential floor. Extra packages of cigarettes belonging to domiciliary clients are to be given to staff for safekeeping.

9. Clients are not allowed the use of a telephone except for genuinely important reasons, and at the discretion and under the supervision of staff.

   Domiciliary clients are not allowed the use of a telephone for one month after admission.

10. Clients must not have any medication in their possession.Day clients who must take prescribed medications during program hours will arrange for a sufficient supply to be turned over to staff in advance.

    Domiciliary clients will turn over all medications to staff for dispensation as prescribed.

11. Fire escapes and balconies are not be used as smoking areas, nor to access other levels.

12. Bathrooms must be kept clean and disinfected at all times. Within the time provided in the daily schedule, clients must clean all bathroom fixtures (door handles, tubs, showers, sinks, and toilets, including bowls, bases, and handles) and mop all floors using the cleaning agents supplied.

    Domiciliary clients are responsible for the care of all bathrooms on the residential floor. Beds are to be made and rooms left in a clean and tidy state every morning. Soiled laundry should be kept separately in a laundry bag, or in one of the storage boxes in the laundry room.

13. Domiciliary clients will be ready for bed at “lights out” (11.30 pm Sunday night through Thursday night and 12.30 am Friday night and Saturday night) and rise promptly at the appointed time each day.