BY DECLAN VARLEY
A new book which explores a model of treatment developed in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services for people experiencing mental health difficulties associated with overcontrol, such as mood disorders, eating disorders and certain personality disorders has been recently launched.
Since its inception, the Group Radical Openness (GRO ) model is being practised in a range of centres across Ireland and the United Kingdom, including personality disorder units, prisons, eating disorder programmes, as well as in community mental health settings.
Overcontrol can become costly and lead to difficulties such as a deep sense of loneliness, which along with isolation, is one of the biggest predictors of mental health difficulties. It is a style of coping that includes keeping others at a distance, having a strong desire for order and control, and difficulty experiencing and expressing emotions. It often develops in early life in an effort to feel safe.
In their new book, Group Radical Openness: An Intervention for Overcontrol, Kiltullagh-resident Dr Rachel Egan, Principal Clinical Psychologist at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, and Dr Richard Booth, former Director of Psychology at St Patrick’s, introduce the model of treatment called Group Radical Openness, an innovative group therapy programme aimed at people who have difficulties with overcontrol.
The book opens with the background and evolution of GRO and supports clinicians with a guide and tools on how to assess overcontrol and implement GRO practices.
Speaking at the book launch in St Patrick’s University Hospital, Dr Rachel Egan said overcontrol can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, often with loneliness at its centre.
“GRO has the potential to transform the way we approach mental health treatment. By focusing on the importance of connection and co-regulation, we can empower individuals to take an active role in their own healing process.
“St Patrick’s Mental Health Services strives to be at the forefront of research and developing new and responsive models of care. It is through this dedication to research that innovative programmes such as GRO can be developed, allowing us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those experiencing mental health difficulties,” she said.
Dr Richard Booth said they have seen consistent improvements in traits associated with overcontrol from those who have completed the GRO programme, and it is exciting that a mental health treatment developed in Ireland is already attracting international interest. “It is important to foster innovation and embrace new models of treatment and we’re thrilled that we’ll be able to expand the reach of GRO through the publication of this new book.”
The treatment programme has been very well received by service users. Since it began eight years ago, over 400 service users have participated in the programme. One such participant said: “GRO is an incredible programme, delivered with empathy, integrity and honesty, it helps to build a safe space for us to become more open. It has had long lasting positive outcomes for me and what I’ve learnt and experienced has become an integral part of my everyday life.
Group Radical Openness: An Intervention for Overcontrol is published by Routledge.
