The continuing care clinic: outpatient treatment of the chronically ill

The need for continuing care of chronic psychiatric patients within the community is a pressing problem that calls for development and testing of new treatment methods. This paper describes one such method, the Continuing Care Clinic, an outpatient program for chronic patients who have not responded well to other outpatient treatment approaches. The clinic's structure, treatment rationale and procedures, and clinical results over a 31/2-year period are described. Among specific treatment features discussed are the use of multiple therapists, focus on available personality strengths and on reality issues, and patient-staff group interaction as an adjunct to individual psychotherapy.