Here are some answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Montreux Counselling Centre treatment program.

How is the treatment at Montreux structured i.e. what type of therapy? (one-on-one counseling, art therapy, etc.)

Though there are general structural applications such as daily counseling sessions, it is recognized that each client has specific needs and desires, e.g. One client may not feel that art therapy is beneficial initially and may wish to have only counseling sessions until a later time. Another client may find it the easiest way of expression when articulation is difficult. Therefore, daily interactions depend on coordinating the individual requirement of the client within the existing structure.

Depending on need, each client may receive two to four sessions daily, generally with different counselors in order to maximize understanding of concepts and philosophy. One-on-one therapy sessions are essential given the emotional fragility and feelings of undeservedness from the client.

Physical expression comes in many forms, such as, yoga, tai chi, gentle movement, dance, and as the program progresses, most sports. Massage, reflexology or Reiki can be part of the program if so desired. Clients often specify their interests. As much activity as is safe for the individual can be included and provided for within the client's program or arranged separately by the parent, spouse or guardian.

What types of activities are available to sufferers when they are not in session?

An activity coordinator will work with clients, parents and sessional counselors to facilitate the interests and abilities of each given client. Some of the activities include tennis, swimming, golf, horse riding, gentle hiking, badminton, classes for language, sculpture, painting, jewelry making, gardening, knitting, beadwork, musical instrument or voice lessons, and cooking classes. These classes can be enjoyed separately or with a friend, parent, spouse or guardian.

Should/can clients attend school, work or volunteer outside the program?

Given that the attention span of a client with CNC is difficult and limited, it is advisable that for the first while, at least, the focus be dedicated entirely to his
                  program.

Why is there no group counseling?

One of the most common statements from clients on beginning therapy is "Don't worry about me. She needs help more than I do." Therefore, being faced with the pain of others, and realizing that these clients are self-programmed to help everyone before considering themselves, group therapy can prevent them from being helped. One-on-one counseling allows the sensitive client to concentrate and focus on her own needs.

About three-quarters of the way through therapy, when subjective negativity has lessened radically, group therapy can be provided if wished for. Our experience is that by this time the client is more interested in moving on to normal, outside relationships and healthy interactions.

How much is the accompanying parent, spouse or guardian involved; does this person receive assistance, counseling?

Whether the parent, spouse or guardian involved receives counseling or assistance, depends entirely on the circumstance, the age and wishes of the client. Parents, spouse or guardians who accompany or live with the aforementioned individual are welcome to be included in the program for guidance and counseling should that the required. Support for siblings is also available upon request. Individual frameworks will be discussed and decided on according to need.

What are the counselor's credentials?

Each counselor has been hand-trained in the philosophy of the Montreux Method. The staff is selected based upon relevant education, which includes years of experience as a client shift care-worker, character, insight, vision, patience, and compassion. Continuing education is on going in treatment methodology and philosophy.

What is an average length of stay for a client?

The average length of stay for a client can be from fifteen to twenty-four months and depends entirely on the ability of the client to grasp, incorporate and implement the philosophy to his desired outcome. It is important that the client not feel pressured to hurry treatment. Overly placing expectation on the client may negate the entire process. Remember, it took approximately two years to develop this mindset and many years thereafter, to confirm it. Certainly it deserves adequate time to reverse. The goal, after all, is complete recovery.

What type of follow-up care is available?

Follow-up care and monitoring is available and deemed important after treatment is ended. Two to five years of monitoring is the ideal if wished for by the client. Oftentimes people are excited about life and living and bored with remembering and rehashing their experiences. There are others however, who are delighted to send pictures of their husbands or wives, babies, travels and keep in regular contact. This is, of course, wonderful for all of us.

Are there medical conditions which preclude admission?

At this point in time, we do not take patients who are medically compromised. Our focus primarily is with reversing Confirmed Negativity Condition which is not listed as a psychiatric disorder as such. CNC is a term coined by Peggy Claude-Pierre in her book, 'The Secret Language of Eating Disorders' to describe a self-negating state of mind. We have found that in attending to this mindset, any ensuing manifestations disappear. Clients are chosen on an individual basis. Each case is considered independently.

How 'sick' must a CNC sufferer be to gain admission?

Montreux realizes that the CNC condition in itself is adequate to qualify for admission. Often times 'sick' or compromised individuals are not obvious in their physical presentation. It is currently mandatory that potential clients are medically stable. Each client is selected based on an individual assessment and interview.

How does treatment differ from a teenager to an older sufferer? (30's, 40's)

Given that clients, at the time of acceptance into our program, are generally in a state of emotional arrest, the area of treatment requires nurturing at any age. Respect and response to individual presentation is foremost. There is sometimes as much difference between two people aged 40 as is there between someone who is 40 and a teenager. Treatment is devoted to individual need at any age.

How is the food issue addressed? (Are meal plans assigned; Do clients have to eat food they are not comfortable with; Will they be assisted with food
                  choices, etc.?)

Though manifestations of CNC do not necessarily involve themselves with eating disorders, should food be an issue for the CNC sufferer, and the client, parent and/or guardian wish it, assistance will be provided upon request. Any meal plan or food choice will be discussed and approved by client, parent and/or guardian.

Is there written information to assist parents who are working with their children?

At present 'The Secret Language of Eating Disorders' by Peggy Claude-Pierre, is the only book available on this subject. However, early next year there will be a second book profiling from birth to manifestation the person who is likely to develop Confirmed Negativity Condition. An accompanying workbook will be available to assist loved ones, parents and professionals through the reversal of CNC.

Are there training seminars available to parents/guardians of sufferers in order to assist them in facilitating recovery?

Seminars are available upon request. Please visit www.paradigminstitute.ca for further information.

Can someone ever fully recover from CNC?

It should be noted that while the vast majority of the clients who come to us for treatment do achieve complete recovery - they have completed the program - there are a percentage who have left the program, of their own volition, prior to the point at which we felt it was appropriate for them to do so. We therefore do not claim, nor have we ever claimed, to have a 100 percent success rate. Rather, we have shown that 100 percent recovery can, and should be achieved.