“An essential part of this mission is to maintain an emphasis on engaging in meaningful therapeutic activities and in recognizing the inter-relatedness and importance of the therapeutic use of self and physical environment. Offering humane and self-nurturing choices for prevention and crisis de-escalation, is essential and afforded in an organized and safe manner through therapeutic exchanges in sensory modulation rooms” (Champagne, 2008).
Sensory rooms are therapeutic spaces specifically designed to promote sensory modulation and create a stimulating and calming atmosphere that facilitate self-organisation and positive change. “It’s a room where clinicians can work with service users who might be feeling anxious or wound-up and need to be calmed, or others feeling depressed who need to be stimulated,” (Mitchell, 2010). Sensory rooms also offer opportunities for self-discovery and meaningful therapeutic activities. The use of sensory rooms for individual and group treatment for clients help to link skills learned in the hospital environment and transfer these learned sensory strategies to clients home environments.
“A number of DHBs in New Zealand have set up dedicated sensory rooms within their acute mental health units to accommodate the practice of sensory modulation" (Mitchell, 2010). I see this as an exciting development as sensory rooms are beneficial for client recovery. Having a quiet, safe and respectful place of retreat is much more supportive for client recovery than seclusion.
Predominantly sensory rooms;
• Help to create a safe space
• Facilitate the therapeutic alliance• Provide opportunities for engagement in prevention and crisis de-escalation strategies, as well as a host of other therapeutic exchanges (to teach skills, offer a variety of therapeutic activities, etc.)
• Promote self-care/self-nurturance, resilience & recovery
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