milieu therapy, a type of psychotherapy model in which the total environment is used in treating mental and behavioral disorders. Therapy is primarily conducted in a hospital or other institutional setting, where the entire facility acts as a therapeutic community. The emphasis is on providing pleasant physical surroundings, structured activities, and a stable social environment where behavior modification and personal growth are promoted through patient-group interaction, staff support and understanding, and a humanistic approach. Individual daily routines and treatment modalities, such as drug therapy, occupational therapy, and sensitivity training, are determined by the patient’s emotional and interpersonal needs. See also situational therapy.
