A therapeutic community is a treatment approach in which the community itself, through self-help and mutual support, is the principal means for promoting personal change.
In a therapeutic community residents and staff participate in the operation of the community, contributing to a psychologically and physically safe learning environment where change can occur.
In a therapeutic community there is a focus on social, psychological and behavioral dimensions of substance use, with the use of the community to heal individuals emotionally, and support the development of behaviors, attitudes and values of healthy living.