The community intensive therapy team: development and philosophy of a new service

The Community Intensive Therapy Team (CITT) has been operating since 1998. It was developed to cater for the needs of patients with complex difficulties referred to a specialist Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAMHS) in South Wales, UK. The patients served by the CITT are comparable with patients who might be referred for admission to an inpatient unit and include patients with eating disorders, psychosis, affective disorders, adjustment disorders or repetitive self-harm. The theoretical model used is based on a biopsychosocial model which aims to empower and support family members. The philosophy of the CITT is to work with the child and family in their own environment, tailoring the therapy to the needs of all concerned. CITT makes use of the strengths within the patient, the family and extended family, the agencies already involved and the environment. Since its introduction, the CITT has been able to manage all the complex referrals made to it from the generic Tier 2/3 CAMHS teams it serves, with minimal recourse to inpatient beds.