Who this service is for
The Fitzjohn's Unit delivers outpatient services for patients suffering from severe psychological disorders.
Many patients have had a history of severe emotional problems in childhood, including physical and psychological ill-treatment, disorganised parenting and broken homes.
Others will have had less obviously adverse personal histories. Some may be expressing their difficulties in maladaptive ways: presenting wih severe symptoms; self-destructive or suicidal acts; or leading disrupted, disorganised and unfulfilled lives.
This may include individuals who are experiencing psychotic episodes, or who been diagnosed with one of the following illnesses:
- personality disorder (including borderline personality disorder)
- mood disorders (including bi-polar disorder)
- eating disorders and certain psychosomatic disorders
Why refer to this service?
Each of our clinicians has experience of treating and assessing patients with these sorts of conditions in a wide variety of health service settings, including primary care, community mental health care, and both specialist and general NHS in-patient units.
This is an audited service. This means that all patients are asked to complete a range of confidential questionnaires to allow a proper evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment.
Treatment offered
The complex needs of this patient group means that this service offers longer term, more intense therapy than more general services. The main treatment programme consists of individual psychotherapy (usually twice weekly) for two years, and this is followed by group psychotherapy, which is tailored to the needs of individual patients.
Regular reviews of each patient's assessment and therapy are an integral part of the programme.
How to refer
We accept referrals from GPs, consultant psychiatrists or other senior professionals who may refer directly to any of the Fitzjohn Unit's senior clinicians. It is usually necessary for us to receive special agreement from the relevant Health Authority for assessment and treatment.
Please call 020 7435 7111 for more information, or submit a referral in writing to:
Fitzjohn’s Unit
Tavistock and Portman
120 Belsize Lane
London
NW3 5BA
