Love hearts, refreshers and whams: the “pick ‘n’ mix” experience of working therapeutically at the Cassel

Purpose The Cassel Hospital is currently an NHS in-patient and day-patient service that functions as a psychotherapeutic community. It has had an interesting historical journey through the past 100 years of its existence. The purpose of this paper is to highlight aspects of the therapeutic work at the Cassel that are seen to facilitate personal growth and development for both staff and patients working there. The authors reflect on their collective experiences of working therapeutically as patients and staff at the Cassel, in differing services and at different times. The authors seek to identify particular and distinct therapeutic aspects in the process of treatment. Design/methodology/approach The authors relate their own experiences of working at the Cassel Hospital, in an example of autoethnographic research. The authors provide unique personal details of this experience. In their discussions, the authors allude to some previous quantitative and qualitative research studies undertaken at the hospital. Using a collaborative approach, they arrive at a description of ways of working therapeutically at the Cassel. In the body of authors’ reflections, they describe how they have tried to use their experiences, and knowledge gained at the Cassel, to advance the planning and development of clinical services elsewhere and to facilitate the functioning of some like-minded organisations. Findings The authors collaboratively develop a “Pick ‘n’ Mix” model of treatment that incorporates a range of therapeutic options from which each patient can chose to build a unique road to change, learning and development. Originality/value Each author relates their own unique, personal experiences of working at the Cassel Hospital. The authors discuss and explore their experiences together and arrive at a description of ways of working therapeutically there. In their reflections, each author describes how they have used their experience and knowledge from their time at the Cassel to advance the planning and development of clinical services elsewhere and to facilitate the functioning of some like-minded organisations.