The Therapy Services Maxton Specialist Services Offer

Therapy & Psychological Support

Restoring Well-Being, Guiding Transition, Rebuilding Lives

Leaving prison is far more complex than simply walking out the door. Re-entering the community involves navigating changed relationships, lost routines, societal stigma, and underlying emotional trauma. Former inmates frequently face severe psychological challenges—including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and isolation—which, without structured intervention, can lead to instability, relapse, or recidivism.

At Maxton Specialist Services, we recognise that true rehabilitation requires more than practical support—it demands deep, empathetic, and structured psychological care. We support individuals through the inner emotional processes required to build a stable, positive future.

New for 2026: Emotional Support and Transition (EST) Program

Program Snapshot:

Availability: Offered to all clients immediately upon release.
Duration: 5-Week / 5-Hour Structured Intervention.
Proven Engagement: 100% take-up rate since its trial launch in January 2026, based on direct feedback from our qualified counsellors and therapists.

Every client released into our care is offered 5 dedicated hours of our specialised Emotional Support and Transition (EST) therapy. Designed to ground individuals during their crucial first weeks in the community, the program follows a 5-step curriculum:

Session 1: Understanding Transition and Change
Session 2: The Stages of Transition – Processing Endings
Session 3: Navigating 'The Neutral Zone'
Session 4: Embracing New Beginnings
Session 5: Transition Management – Moving Forward with Purpose

Get In Touch

I have worked with Maxton for 11 years. I met Sheena and Val at HMP Standford Hill open prison. She has supported me over the years despite me being recalled on several occasions.

I have been to rehab 3 times and I am finally clean. She helped house me on many occasions and I was supported through grants to provide me with the essentials I needed to live in my home. I am disabled and she got all my benefits sorted out.

Her team have been great and provided me with one- to -one support when I have needed it.

I still work on my recovery everyday but I know it’s the best option for me other than prison. It is hard out here but working towards a stable life is better than where I have been in prison. I have had Counselling and this has helped me. I also had several sessions with Marisa of Intense Custodial Support. This has really helped Thank you

Michael

Our Theoretical Approach:

William Bridges' Transition Model

To successfully guide individuals through post-release challenges, our therapeutic framework is built around William Bridges' Transition Model.

Understanding the Difference Between Change and Transition:

Change is the external event (e.g., walking out of prison, moving into accommodation). It happens quickly.

Transition is the internal, psychological process people undergo to internalise and come to terms with the new reality.

Successful rehabilitation requires supporting the person through their inner transition, rather than rushing external change..

The 3 Stages of Psychological Transition:

Phase 1: Endings (Letting Go)

Transition paradoxically begins with an ending. Clients must identify what they are leaving behind, acknowledge loss, and manage the temporary identity crisis that comes with post-release adjustment.

Phase 2: The Neutral Zone (The Core of Transition)

Immediately post-release, clients enter an "in-between" state where the old reality is gone, but the new life isn't fully formed. While this stage can bring confusion and flux, it is the essential seedbed for new growth. Through mentor support and community integration, we stabilise clients through this zone.

Phase 3: New Beginnings (Re-orientation & Purpose)

Marked by a release of positive energy and a fresh identity, clients establish new values, build healthy relationships, and understand their active, positive role in society.

Core Counselling Services: Initial 12-Hour Package

Before an individual can fully commit to deep, long-term therapeutic work, they must first reach stability in the Neutral Zone. Once grounded, our structured therapy yields exceptional, long-lasting outcomes.

Funded Allocation: Maxton provides 12 hours of funded, 1-to-1 counselling for all clients who request psychological support during their initial intake assessment.

Proven Long-Term Success: Client outcomes have proven overwhelmingly positive for those completing their 12 sessions, with even higher rates of long-term success for individuals who continue therapeutic support post-Approved Premises (AP).

How We Manage the Transition Process

Our therapy team works hand-in-hand with housing officers, mentors, and community support services to deliver effective transition management by:

Communicating Clearly:

Helping clients understand why internal psychological shifts take time.

Assessing Individual Impact:

Gathering personal insight into how release impacts each client's unique mental health.

Ensuring Transition Readiness:

Preparing clients emotionally before moving into deep therapeutic processing.

Monitoring Progress:

Tracking emotional milestones through all three transition phases to ensure long-term stability and prevent crisis.

Whether you are a probation officer, local authority partner, or prospective client looking to learn more about our EST program or 12-hour counselling packages, our clinical team is here to support you.