Frequently Asked Questions

Our Trauma Reduction Programme is a fixed-cost, time-limited intervention designed to reduce reactivity in the nervous system. This is proven in turn to reduce the symptoms of most common mental health disorders and illnesses as well as support recovery from chemical and behavioural addictions.

How much does it cost?

The Trauma Reduction Programme is more affordable than our standard ad-hoc treatment charges. The basic programme costs GBP 1,900 and the intensive programme is GBP 3,500. These fees are paid in advance for a committed 10 week period of treatment.

What do I get on it?

The basic Trauma Reduction Programme gives you 1 one-to-one trauma reduction session per week with a specialist clinician, access to three trauma reduction groups a week, Monday to Wednesday at 6pm, and a 5-hour psychological educational on-line video series. The intensive programme includes an additional one-to-one trauma reduction individual session per week.

What happens if I need more treatment after ten weeks?

When you complete your 10 week Trauma Reduction Programme, you can discuss any after care needs which you might have with your clinician, or with the clinical director. You may well get what you need from Khiron House during this programme and be ready to move on from trauma work. If you feel that some ongoing support would be worthwhile then there are a variety of options from occasional group work to engaging in further intensive treatment.

What is the group structure?

The groups are based on talking therapy and behavioural boundary rules. There are a maximum of ten people in each group and after your first session we ask for a regular commitment to attend that group each week.

Who takes the groups?

We have various therapists who take the groups on each night of the week. Prahlad Galbiati holds the Monday group, Vijay Rana on Tuesday and Benjamin Fry on Wednesday.

When are the groups held?

Between Monday and Thursday, from 6pm until 7.30pm.

What would my treatment plan be at Khiron House day clinic?

Your treatment plan depends on your assessment with one of our senior consultants. A treatment plan will be created by our lead clinician and regular appointments will be booked in for you. Individual sessions will occur on the same day and at the same time each week and you will be encouraged to attend a regular group session too if you can.

How much does it cost?

Please contact our clinic on 020 3601 5254 to discuss fees for individual sessions and/or groups.

Would I be assigned to one specific clinician?

After your initial consultation, our lead clinician would suggest a specific therapist who they believe would work best with you. To build a relationship with a regular therapist is an important part of your treatment. If you find you have any issues with your therapist then please let them know as they have regular meetings with our clinical supervisor to discuss clients' progress and treatment plans. If you are concerned or unhappy about your treatment at any time, you may request a discussion about your treatment plan with the clinical director to review it.

Can I pay by instalment?

We invoice at the end of the month for all sessions and groups. We usually require invoices to be paid on presentation.

Is there a sliding scale for fees?

We do not offer a sliding scale but you can get access to more cost-effective treatment if you use our Trauma Reduction Programme. Please see above or call the clinic on 020 3601 5254 to discuss this in more detail.

Is it covered by health insurance?

We will do everything we can to help you to process an insurance claim accurately. The outcome of your claim will depend on your policy and your insurer.

Do I have to commit to come every week or can it be more ad hoc?

A regular commitment to attend weekly sessions will increase your healing, and through that you will experience a reduction in your symptoms and a rise in your capacity to cope with stressful situations or even everyday life.

What is the cancellation policy?

We have a 48 hour cancellation policy for both groups and individual sessions.

Do I need a prior assessment before coming to the clinic with a psychiatrist or specialist?

We routinely offer assessments at the clinic before creating any treatment plan with you so it is not necessary for you to see a psychiatrist or specialist for an assessment prior to coming here.

Is there a set time for treatment or is it open ended?

An individual's length of treatment is very much dependant on how you respond to the therapy and the therapists. This varies with everyone so it can be difficult to stick to a certain time limit. You have the opportunity to ask our lead therapist during your assessment for a rough time for treatment but this may change during your treatment plan.

Khiron House Recovery Clinic

Are there set admission dates or are patients admitted on a rolling programme?

As long as there is space we can admit a resident at any time. If the clinic is full we operate a waiting list and will advise you as soon as we know that a place is due to become vacant.

Is there a list of things that I will need to bring with me?

Once you have booked into the clinic you will receive an information pack with all the instructions you need to prepare for your stay at Khiron House.

Is there a waiting list?

When the clinic is full there is a waiting list. We will advise potential residents as soon as we know when a bed will become available.

How much does it cost to get treatment at Khiron House?

Our prices are not published on the website but please do get in touch if you would like to explore getting well at Khiron House and we will discuss our fees with you. A stay of 90 plus days is the core clinical recommendation with a minimum stay of 60 days, although you are of course free to leave at any time. Payments can be made by bank transfer or credit card (credit card payments will incur a transaction fee).

Do you give discounts or pay referral fees?

Trauma expresses itself in many ways and so we try to limit the variables both in and around treatment. Our pricing policy is therefore very simple. We don't give discounts or pay referral fees.

Do you offer scholarships or pro bono places?

We have a very small number of scholarship referrers who will refer clients to our clinic on a reduced payment basis. They are trusted by us to make these judgments externally and neither the clinic staff or management are involved in these decisions. We do not advertise who our scholarship referrers are.

What else do I have to pay for?

Despite its fully serviced setting Khiron House is a therapeutic community not a hotel. As part of the clinical programme residents are encouraged to live towards independence. This means that all the normal activities of living in your own home are replicated at the clinic. You will have to pay for your own groceries and toiletries, medication, and any other personal or medical needs.

Can I pay the fees by instalment?

Trauma work needs time and residents need careful preparation for leaving. We ask to have treatment paid for in advance so that we can ensure that clinical needs do not get compromised by financial problems.

Do I need to sign up for a set number of days and pay in advance?

We request a minimum stay of 60 days although you are of course free to leave at any time. In order to be able to treat you safely we request 60 days payment in advance. Every 30 days you will be asked to top up your payment. This ensures that we always have 30 days to prepare for a client's departure if they have financial difficulties. We never want to have to rush anyone out of treatment. Our top priority is our residents' health and safety.

I am in receipt of benefits, will you be able to provide me with the necessary documentation for me to continue to receive them?

We can provide you with any documentation you require to validate your treatment. However we can not advice on benefit entitlements and you will have to check if staying at the clinic will affect your payments in any way.

Can I claim for this treatment on my health insurance?

We will do everything we can to help you to process an insurance claim accurately. The outcome of your claim will depend on your policy and your insurer.

What happens if I choose to leave early, will I get a refund?

You can leave at any time and you will receive an immediate refund of any days not used. Your unspent money is held on deposit in a client funds' bank account and will not be used for the operating costs of the clinic.

Where can I find out more about Somatic Experiencing©?

Peter Levine pioneered Somatic Experiencing© and supports it through his foundations. You can read all about it at traumahealing.com.

Who are the therapists?

The therapists are all experts in trauma reduction. The senior staff have been hand picked and introduced into the Mellody House model by Benjamin Fry. You can find out more about them at our people page. Benjamin Fry is at the clinic every day and manages the clinical team.

Do you provide medical doctors or psychiatrists at the clinic?

We keep a close eye on residents' medical needs but do not supply doctors at the clinic. If you already have a relationship with a GP or psychiatrist which you are happy with then we work with them to manage your care. We encourage you to stay in touch with your doctors and can arrange transportation for you to visit them if required. Alternatively we can arrange for a local practitioner to see you. If your medical costs are not covered by the NHS you will need to pay for them yourself.

How do I know if this treatment is right for me?

If you have got this far then chances are that something in you knows that this is right for you. But we understand that the financial and time commitment is huge and that you would like assurances. If you get in touch with us then we can look at your history and assess your case. You may have to see Benjamin Fry for a consultation either in London or at the clinic. If necessary you might also need to see one of our trauma reduction experts too. We want this to work for you and our community.

How does residents leaving and new ones arriving affect the group dynamics?

Change is the only constant in life. As people leave and enter treatment at Khiron House the group dynamic will change. This gives residents a chance to build new relationships and to revaluate old ones. One of the joys of treatment is to observe how quickly you can start to observe an improvement in your own condition relative to new residents as they arrive.

What facilities are there at Khiron House?

Khiron House is a comfortable communal home with all the noraml conveniences of a well appointed house. The house has a television and computer facilities for the community.

Will I have my own bedroom?

All the bedrooms at Khiron House may be shared. One of the symptoms of trauma is isolation and a key element of the treatment plan at the clinic is the community. It may be possible to have a room to yourself for a while due to resident numbers as people come and go, but it can not be guaranteed.

Do the bedrooms have an en-suite bathroom?

All the bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms or a shared bathroom for two rooms only. If you have to share a bathroom it will always be of the same sex.

Will I be allowed visitors?

Visitors are not allowed into Khiron House but residents are allowed to go out into the local village with visitors if they get the permission of the senior staff to do so. This would be given for weekends and probably only after the resident had been at Khiron House for a few weeks.

Can I go out whenever I want?

Regular outings are organised by the clinic for the residents. Residents are not allowed to come and go on their own but may get permission to go out in groups. Of course you can leave at any time, but that would mean that you have ended your treatment at the clinic.

Will I have too much time on my hands? What will I do all day? Is there a set structure?

Residents at Khiron House have a regular and intense clinical schedule, but this does not mean that every minute of their day is managed for them. An important part of trauma healing is down-time to allow the nervous system to integrate the changes. The clinic has a programme of less intense activities and also plenty of free time for more personal activities. Typically residents find it hard to keep up with all of the activities available.

Will I be able to smoke?

Smoking is only allowed in a dedicated area outdoors. It is not covered from the rain or protected from cold or wind. Smoking in any other area may result in immediate discharge from the clinic.

Do I have to cook for myself?

Community is a therapeutic component of the treatment at Khiron House. You will share a kitchen with other residents and cook for yourself. This can be done individually or in groups as you wish. The clinic's goal is to prepare you for independent living. If you can't cook, we'll teach you. No-one starves at the clinic.

Will I do my own laundry?

The clinic has washing machines and dryers for the use of residents. There is a dry cleaners in the local town.

Will I be able to watch TV?

There is a television with freeview at the clinic. Residents are allowed to use it with the supplied remote headphones.

Can I send and receive letters?

Yes.

Can I take my mobile phone and/or laptop?

You can take a mobile phone and laptop to the clinic but they will be kept for you in the office. You can have access to them if necessary for reference and you can take your phone with you if you go on an unsupervised outing.

Can I take my radio/cd player or iPod?

You can take your own music to Khiron House so long as you are able to use headphones with it. If you are using music to isolate you may be asked by the clinical staff to keep your equipment in the office.

Can I take my camera?

Confidentiality and privacy are very important in treatment so cameras are strictly prohibited at the clinic.

How many people are in residence at any one time?

Khiron House expects to average around 6 to 12 residents over time.

What if I don't get on with the person I am sharing a room with?

One of the cornerstones of recovery from trauma is to begin to get an awareness of what is a trigger and what is your trauma. We try to identify what is our baggage and how it reacts to our life and situations. Therefore much of the work at Khiron House is to understand how we react to other people and take care of that appropriately. However there needs to be a balance between triggers and treatment. If sharing a room with someone is becoming overwhelming then we will move you. Our priority is to make your treatment effective.

Can I take my car to Khiron House or does someone else have to bring me?

Yes. It will be parked securely in the grounds and the key can be kept in the office.

I can't find an answer to my question here. What shall I do?

We're sorry your question has not been answered yet. We will do our best to answer it for you directly in person and then add it to this list. Please do Contact us us and tell us what you would like to know. It might also help someone else one day.

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