social therapy

Social therapy, also known as milieu therapy, extends group therapeutic principles to create a therapeutic community within institutions. The goal is to restore patients' mental health by fostering a positive, supportive atmosphere and engaging them in occupational, recreational, and educational activities. This approach involves a flexible, democratic social structure where all staff members collaborate, and patients actively participate in hospital life to the extent their disabilities allow. Group therapy itself, which involves a therapist working with a group of patients, uses member interactions to benefit each individual. This can help modify behaviors, such as those related to eating, and provides support for various challenges like cancer, alcoholism, and abuse.12