Evaluating therapeutic communities

TCs in the service of health learning

Abstract

In the current paper core problems of evaluating therapeutic communities
(TC) are addressed. Evaluating outcomes is a challenge as usual methods
grounding evidence-based practice do not work in these complex and
individualized contexts. Measuring and even conceptualizing therapeutic
success seems a major problem. Authors propose a new perspective,
defining therapeutic success in the recovery-oriented culture of therapeutic
communities as building clients’ recovery competence and prepare them
for the lifelong learning of sober lifestyles. Some possible methods to
explore changes in clients’ identity and attitudes are discussed. Process
evaluation is a natural focus in most therapeutic contexts and requires the
introduction of qualitative techniques, including ethnographic methods.