LOTILKO PROGRAM

Lotilko Program

The Lotilko Program was launched in 2020. A comprehensive care program for young people aged 9–18. Through the Lotilko Program, we provide comprehensive, long-term treatment for children experiencing chronic mental health difficulties and their families. Our aim is to help children effectively mobilize their underlying psychological resources and healthy aspects of their personality through art psychotherapy based on visual art and drama, while also involving the family through therapeutic, educational and supportive work. This can be provided when the child or young person receives several levels of therapeutic support, including individual, group and/or family therapy based on professional recommendations, and enters the therapeutic program following a thorough assessment. The program is organized by the Pro Juventa FoundationFurther information about the Foundation is available on its website: www.projuventa.huBelow, you can learn how the program is structured. A small part of the program is fully funded, financial assistance may be requested for certain forms of care, while no reduced fees are available for other elements.

What Does the Lotilko Program Include?

The following elements are all part of the full academic-year program, and families commit to the program as a whole.

Art Therapy Group with a Psychotherapy Focus

Led by two therapists, the group meets once a week for 90 minutes. The process includes three parent consultations per year, an end-of-phase session and the delivery of a comprehensive final program report.

Individual Therapy

Participants in the program receive weekly individual therapy at MURMO at a mutually agreed time.

Psychiatric Follow-Up

Because participants experience difficulties requiring child psychiatric care, children and adolescents in the comprehensive program receive psychiatric follow-up and, in some cases, medication support. MURMO provides regular psychiatric follow-up at individually arranged appointments, usually once a month. We can only collaborate with an external specialist psychiatrist who is able to participate in our joint case discussions when necessary.

Family-Level Support

During the program, families participate either in 90-minute family therapy sessions every two weeks or in five 60-minute family consultations over the course of the academic year. These sessions are also integrated into the comprehensive therapeutic process. Their aim is to help families understand how family functioning may contribute to the development and maintenance of difficulties, as well as to recovery.

Parent Group

For parents and caregivers whose child or foster child participates in the program, we organize a five-session monthly support group.

Coping Skills Training for Adolescents / Mentalization-Based Parent Group

This short, three-session training program focuses on self-harm and possible suicidal thoughts. During the training, adolescents learn specific coping techniques that we encourage them to begin using throughout the program. Parents also attend three targeted educational sessions where they learn about the mental states in which self-harm is most likely to occur. Through practical exercises, they learn supportive techniques that can help them assist their child in difficult situations.

Parent Club

Free of charge for families participating in the program. Parents participating in the program are required to attend at least three of our online psychoeducational events. These events explore topics including eating disorders, attention difficulties, self-harm, abuse, autism, gender identity, the online world and addiction at a level specifically designed for parents. Parents attending the events also have an opportunity to ask questions.

Professional Collaboration

The professionals involved in the program are members of the MURMO Team, allowing us to monitor progress through weekly and, in many cases, daily case discussions. The professionals carefully select the children placed in each group. If they determine that the chosen form of therapy is not suitable for a participant, the professional team may recommend a different approach even after the process has begun. In such cases, prepaid fees will be refunded. For group programs, this applies only when the change is made after the first or second session and payment has already been completed. Parents provide feedback on long-term progress. With their consent, the results are also shared with our collaborating professional partners.

Schedule

• September: initial interviews and establishment of the therapeutic framework
• October 1–May 31: comprehensive therapeutic phase
• June: joint feedback sessions and completion of the process
• July: delivery of written summaries and completion of individual processes
• August: break and rest period

Volunteering

Families participating in the Lotilko Program are supported by our volunteers in training, who have been trusted members of our foundation for several years. Their professional supervision and guidance are provided by the MURMO Team.

Framework of the Therapeutic Process

Attendance is required for all therapeutic elements of the program. Any departure from the individual therapeutic plan may only be made following a professional recommendation and consultation with the program coordinator. If a participant becomes ill and cannot attend in person, we ask them to join online. Online participation in group sessions is limited and must be discussed with the relevant group leaders. In the event of a more serious illness or a school trip, sessions may be rescheduled at a previously agreed time. This does not apply to group sessions or educational events. During the program, participants may not interact online through games, Messenger, Facebook or similar platforms, except during online therapeutic sessions. They may not form close friendships, romantic relationships or intimate relationships with one another while participating in the program. We ask parents to provide particular support in maintaining these boundaries. Our groups remain small throughout the academic year. Clinical groups have a maximum of eight participants.