Therapies & Treatment Programmes

Clinical care built around the individual

At The Ark, no two treatment programmes are the same. Following a comprehensive clinical assessment on arrival, each individual’s programme is built collaboratively, drawing from a broad range of evidence-based therapeutic modalities and adjusted continuously throughout their stay.

A defining feature of residential mental health care in South Africa is the volume of individual one-to-one sessions included in every programme. This is central to how we work.

What does a treatment programme at The Ark include?

The below outlines the clinical sessions and excursion elements included across our four programme lengths.

Group therapy, additional therapeutic input and specialist sessions may also be available depending on individual need and clinical recommendation.

7 days

10 days

14 days

21 days

Clinical

Individual psychology sessions

7 days

3

10 days

4

14 days

4

21 days

6

Support therapy (equine, music or occupational)

7 days

1

10 days

1

14 days

2

21 days

3

Continued care planning sessions

7 days

10 days

1

14 days

2

21 days

3

Private personal training (inc. fitness assessment)

7 days

10 days

3

14 days

4

21 days

6

All group therapy & activities

7 days

10 days

14 days

21 days

Blood screening for imbalances

7 days

10 days

14 days

21 days

GP consultation

7 days

1

10 days

1

14 days

1

21 days

1

IV drip of choice

7 days

10 days

14 days

1

21 days

1

Excursions

Half-day safari

7 days

10 days

14 days

21 days

1

Elephant encounter

7 days

10 days

14 days

1

21 days

1

Off-site activity of your choice

7 days

2

10 days

3

14 days

4

21 days

6

*This table is indicative and not exhaustive. Additional group therapy, specialist sessions and therapeutic input may be available based on individual clinical need. All programmes are subject to the admissions assessment process.

Detox unit

The Ark has a dedicated detox unit for clients requiring medically supervised detoxification prior to or alongside their residential programme. Typical detox costs for a 3-day stay:

  • R35,000
  • £2,500 GBP

*Please note this excludes blood work, IV drip (if required), and any additional medical interventions. Detox requirements are assessed as part of the admissions process.

Our therapeutic modalities

The on-site clinical team draws on a broad range of evidence-based approaches. Selection is based on each individual’s presentation, goals and preferences.

Modalities available include:

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Person-centred and psychodynamic therapy
  • Equine-assisted therapy
  • Art therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Mindfulness and breathwork
  • Solution-focused therapy

*This list is not exhaustive. The Ark’s multidisciplinary team includes some of South Africa’s most experienced practitioners across a wide range of therapeutic disciplines.

Why the volume of one-to-one sessions matters

Group-based sessions and programmes can be an important aspect of an individual’s journey to wellness, when combined strategically with individual sessions.

That’s why one-to-one sessions with a high degree of therapeutic contact forms the foundation of every mental health treatment programme here at The Ark in South Africa. This level of individual clinical attention is what allows treatment to be genuinely responsive to the person, rather than the programme.

FAQs

The Ark offers a broad range of evidence-based therapies including CBT, DBT, EMDR, equine-assisted therapy, art therapy, music therapy and occupational therapy. The specific combination is determined collaboratively following a comprehensive clinical assessment.

A referral from a therapist or psychiatrist isn’t required for mental health presentations, but is recommended. For the Wellness programme, a GP referral is sufficient.

A referral from a therapist or psychiatrist isn’t required for mental health presentations, but is recommended. For the Wellness programme, a GP referral is sufficient.