The therapeutic milieu: changing themes and theories.
Since its development close to 40 years ago in England, the therapeutic milieu, or therapeutic community, has undergone significant alteration and corruption by the emphasis on community care, increased use of pharmacotherapy, quick staff turnover, and lack of psychoanalytically trained staff. The hallmarks of milieu therapy, however, such as patients' participation in decision-making, collective responsibility for ward events, a multidisciplinary staff, and a belief in the rehabilitative potential of the environment, remain a part of many modern inpatient settings. The author believes that milieu therapy remains a viable treatment modality, and he offers guidelines for optimizing its potential.Dr Shah Faisal, a
Kashmiri doctor, made his family proud by topping the Union Public Service
Commission (UPSC) examination 2009

Dr Shah Faisal's home in Srinagar opened its doors to happiness and
celebrations after a rather tumultuous past. Nine years ago, his father, a
school teacher, was killed by militants in the border district of Kupwara.
Life wasn't easy for Faisal and his family after that. However, Faisal's
determination has brought his family out of the drudgery and onto a new and
better life.

For Faisal's mother, Mebeena Begum who had three children to look after,
it's a dream come true. "He had a dream and that was fulfilled. He had a
dream to qualify for the IAS and top the examination. Today we see his dream
has been fulfilled as he has topped the exams," she said.

"I am proud.