Acer Lower – Highly Specialised Personality Disorder service for women

Rehabilitation is provided in a therapeutic setting, with a level of security matched to individual needs. The aim of the treatment, rehabilitation and re-socialisation programme is to prepare the individuals in our care either for transfer to an environment of lesser security, or for a life in the community.

Our dedicated clinical teams provide a multi-disciplinary approach to rehabilitation. This includes occupational therapy, social work and vocational training.

Rehabilitation process:

• START assessments
• Integrated approach combining different models of therapy (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Schema informed)
• Pre-engagement group
• Personality Disorder psychoeducation
• Mindfulness
• Systems Training for Emotional Predictability and Problem Solving (STEPPS)
• Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) and ‘My Safety Plan’
• Comprehensive community links to support vocational/educational, self-care and leisure opportunities

Our service user profile

• Female, aged 18+
• Complex mental health needs, challenging behaviours and a primary or secondary diagnosis of personality disorder
• Subject to a section of the Mental Health Act
• May have a history of substance misuse or dependency
• May have experienced regular placement breakdowns
• Sustained relational and social functioning problems
• Forensic or non-forensic history
• Capacity to engage
• Referrals accepted from Tiers 1-4