For clients in Natchaug Hospital’s Older Adult Program, group sessions are therapeutic, but at times can trigger strong emotions.
“We ask clients in group certain questions each day. Are you safe and sober? What’s your mood today? What’s a risky situation for you?” said Janet Ragno, LCSW, lead primary therapist for the Older Adult Program. “Sometimes, one person’s story or words can trigger feelings of anxiety or depression or substance abuse cravings in one of their peers.”
Therapists are always ready to step outside with a client in need and take them into an office or waiting room, but staff wanted a place for clients that was more calming or soothing.
So when each Natchaug program was allocated $1,500 for client needs, thanks to donations made through the hospital’s annual appeal, the staff at the Older Adult Program decided to create an “oasis room” for stressed out clients.
The oasis room offer clients a peaceful and relaxing environment for decompressing from group therapy or for one-on-one sessions with therapists. The room is designed to be therapeutic and features soft, low lighting; a woodland scene with a tabletop water fountain; comfortable rocking chairs; aromatherapy; soothing music; and decorations that include plants and inspirational sayings.
“The oasis room offers a safe space for clients to sit and decompress before they talk with a therapist about what worries them,” Ragno said. “We want to teach them that there are ways to cope with and manage anxiety, depression or cravings before they escalate.”
Clients are also encouraged to consider making an oasis room of their own.
“It’s important to have a calming place, and when they see the oasis room, they realize they can create a safe place like this in their own homes,” Ragno said. “It’s a coping skill that they can take with them and use in the future.”