Transition from asylum to therapeutic residence

Beyond the Asylum: How Therapeutic Residences are Redefining Mental Healthcare

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the shift from institutionalized psychiatric care to community-based therapeutic living, and how it impacts patient recovery and well-being."

For many years, psychiatric hospitals were the primary solution for individuals facing mental health challenges. However, these institutions often inadvertently perpetuated isolation and dependence. Today, a growing movement emphasizes deinstitutionalization, with Therapeutic Residences (TRs) emerging as a vital component of psychiatric reform.

Therapeutic Residences offer a community-based living arrangement designed to support individuals transitioning from long-term hospital stays or those needing a structured environment to manage their mental health. These residences aim to foster independence, social integration, and a higher quality of life.

This article explores the transition from asylum-style care to therapeutic residences, drawing upon a case study to highlight the challenges, successes, and the crucial need for individualized, compassionate care in this evolving landscape of mental healthcare.

From Hospital Walls to a Home: The Therapeutic Residence Model

Transition from asylum to therapeutic residence

Traditional psychiatric asylums, while intended to provide care, often operated under a logic of long-term containment. This could lead to a loss of autonomy and difficulty reintegrating into society. Therapeutic Residences represent a paradigm shift, prioritizing rehabilitation and community engagement.

The core principles of the TR model include:

Individualized Care: Recognizing that each person's needs and experiences are unique, TRs emphasize personalized treatment plans and support systems.
Community Integration: TRs are typically located in residential neighborhoods, encouraging residents to participate in local activities and build social connections.
Skill Building: Residents receive assistance in developing essential life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and managing medication.
Empowerment: The goal is to empower residents to make their own choices, exercise their rights, and pursue their personal goals.

This approach fosters a sense of belonging and helps residents regain control over their lives, offering a stark contrast to the often-restrictive environment of traditional asylums.

The Ongoing Journey: Challenges and Future Directions

The transition from asylum to therapeutic residence is not without its challenges. Individuals may struggle with adapting to a new environment, building relationships, and managing their newfound independence. It's crucial to acknowledge that each person's journey is unique and requires ongoing support and understanding.

As the case study highlights, maintaining a connection to familiar places and faces, even within the context of a TR, can be vital for some individuals. The psychiatric institution, despite its limitations, may represent a sense of identity and security for those who have spent significant time within its walls.

Moving forward, it's essential to continue developing innovative approaches to mental healthcare that prioritize individual needs, community integration, and empowerment. By fostering a sense of belonging and providing the necessary support, therapeutic residences can pave the way for a brighter future for individuals living with mental health conditions.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s1415-47142010000300006, Alternate LINK

Title: A Arte De Morar... Na Lua: A Construção De Um Novo Espaço De Morar Frente À Mudança Do Dispositivo Asilar Para O Serviço Residencial Terapêutico

Subject: Psychiatry and Mental health

Journal: Revista Latinoamericana de Psicopatologia Fundamental

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Tania Kuperman Sztajnberg, Maria Tavares Cavalcanti

Published: 2010-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are Therapeutic Residences?

Therapeutic Residences (TRs) are community-based living arrangements designed to support individuals with mental health conditions. They offer an alternative to traditional psychiatric hospitals, fostering independence, social integration, and a higher quality of life. They aim to assist those transitioning from long-term hospital stays or those requiring a structured environment for managing their mental health, providing a stark contrast to the often-restrictive environments of asylums.

Why is the transition from asylums to Therapeutic Residences significant?

The shift from traditional psychiatric asylums to Therapeutic Residences is important because asylums often inadvertently perpetuated isolation and dependence, hindering patient recovery and community reintegration. TRs prioritize rehabilitation, community engagement, and personalized care, offering a more supportive and empowering environment. This approach helps residents regain control over their lives and build essential life skills, ultimately fostering a higher quality of life.

What are the key principles that guide Therapeutic Residences?

The core principles of Therapeutic Residences include Individualized Care, Community Integration, Skill Building, and Empowerment. Individualized Care ensures that each person receives a personalized treatment plan. Community Integration encourages residents to participate in local activities. Skill Building assists residents in developing essential life skills. Empowerment allows residents to make their own choices, exercise their rights, and pursue their personal goals. These principles work together to create a supportive environment that fosters independence and social integration.

What are the broader implications of Therapeutic Residences?

The shift to Therapeutic Residences has implications for individuals, healthcare providers, and society as a whole. For individuals, it means greater autonomy, improved quality of life, and increased opportunities for community engagement. For healthcare providers, it signifies a move towards more personalized and effective care. For society, it represents a commitment to deinstitutionalization and the destigmatization of mental health. TRs ultimately aim to improve mental healthcare by prioritizing individualized, compassionate care.

What are some of the challenges associated with Therapeutic Residences?

The transition from asylum-style care to Therapeutic Residences presents challenges. Individuals may struggle with adapting to a new environment, building relationships, and managing newfound independence. Ongoing support and understanding are crucial during this transition. Despite the challenges, the benefits of Therapeutic Residences, such as fostering independence and promoting community integration, make them a vital component of psychiatric reform.