Ashburn’s Treatment Options
If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health, you are not alone. Reaching out for help is a brave step, and at Ashburn we’re here to walk alongside you. Our team provides care in a safe, respectful and therapeutic environment, where healing takes time and support is always available. Many who come to us are facing more than one challenge at a time. Our treatment approach is designed to be flexible, compassionate and holistic, helping people to make real progress in their recovery.
Our multidisciplinary team includes psychiatrists, psychotherapists, nurses, a dietitian, occupational therapists, a clinical pharmacist, GPs, and non-clinical staff – all contributing to the day-to-day life and care of the Ashburn community.
What We Help With
Some of the issues people come to Ashburn for include:
- Addictions and substance use
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression and other mood disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress, including sexual abuse and trauma
- Life crises and adjustment difficulties
Inpatient care involves residing in our hospital where there is 24-hour nursing care. Accommodation and meals are included in this service. Funding may be available through Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, ACC, or privately. Health New Zealand or ACC funding is typically for people with more severe, complex, and long-standing mental health problems.
Day patient care is for those who reside in the Dunedin community and attend the therapeutic programme during the week. Lunches are provided.
Taking the Next Step
If you think Ashburn is the right place for you or your loved one, the first step is to talk to a GP or health professional about making a referral. They can guide you through the process and help decide what type of care may be most suitable.
Reaching out for support is not always easy, but it can be life-changing. We’re here to provide compassionate care, practical treatment, and a community of support to help you move forward.
Therapy Components
Our daily therapeutic programme emphasises groups, where you are encouraged to work through issues and learn to understand your feelings, thoughts, and the behaviours of others.
Small Psychodynamic Therapy Groups
You might participate in a psychodynamic therapy group. These are generally facilitated by a psychotherapist or OT and a nurse, and include eight to ten patients who meet twice per week. Our small group meetings are critical to your success and community support, as they encourage members to form a strong cohort of people engaging in treatment together.
Large Groups & Community Meetings
These meetings include doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, along with patients. We explore topics including personal challenges, the dynamics between community members, and themes occurring across the community. A once-weekly forum for all patients and staff explores practical issues that affect the day-to-day life and themes of the community.
Your Participation is a Key Component
As part of our democratic therapeutic community, patients are active participants in their own treatment and in the running of the community itself. This collaborative approach encourages personal responsibility, empowerment, and lasting recovery. It also helps people rebuild a sense of connection and belonging – key ingredients for genuine well-being.
Treatment at Ashburn is grounded in psychodynamic psychotherapy, supported by a range of evidence-based therapies, group work, and practical activities. Each person’s treatment plan is tailored to their individual needs, focusing on the whole person rather than a single diagnosis or label.
Individual Psychotherapy Sessions
When you arrive, you will be assessed for suitability for psychodynamic psychotherapy. Therapists can provide supportive psychotherapy or in-depth psychodynamically-orientated psychotherapy.
Living & Learning Activities
These activities, including gardening, cleaning, and cooking, are undertaken as a community. You are expected to participate and be able to help – even in minor ways. These are opportunities for new and learning experiences, as well as relationship development.
Creative & Recreation Activities
It is often a very important part of your treatment to learn how to use ‘downtime’ effectively. Art, music and sport are encouraged in the day-to-day programme and we organise groups around these activities. Weekend and evening activities offer maximum therapeutic benefit.
Treatment Options
Ashburn provides psychiatric assessment and treatment including in-depth psychotherapeutic input within the context of a Democratic Therapeutic Community.
We have two programmes on offer:
- Our general Democratic Therapeutic Community Programme (which includes group work, individual psychotherapy, psychiatric treatment and reintegrative activities)
- Our shorter-term, 10-week Addictions Programme
It is more usual for ACC patients to enter our general inpatient programme, and the Addictions Programme can be incorporated later if it is felt to be useful during treatment.