4,224 Comments for Northampton State Hospital

The previous pictures didn't show much evidence of the edge of the mezzanine being blocked off. It looks very odd, to me, to see a balcony like this with no edging. It's almost pulling you forward into the room, thanks to the perspective.

The curve of the mezzanine is also very aesthetically pleasing.

On this side of the building are several spots where there is a fenced-in space (almost like a crawl-space but with room to stand) with stalactite-like mineral deposits hanging from the ceiling. Some were several inches long, looking like little icicles.

I personally feel a good therapist should have enough empathy to be able to get at least a faint sensation of what their people are going through to be any good at what they do. That way they can answer the questions that the person may be unable to articulate. The majority of folks I currently work with are nonverbal. so you REALLY have to try to figure out what they are doing, thinking, and feeling so you can best assist them in increasing their independence.

A lot of other therapists (probably ones who are much better than I am, to be honest) believe that you need to build up a pretty stiff wall between yourself and the people you see. That is the case for many patient populations, but that's why I love working with folks with intellectual disabilities. I don't have to be all formal and business-like and fake - I can be myself and they can be themselves and we all slob around and get dirty together, but we have a good time. We are on each others' level and it's a lot more truthful. They don't like something you did, they hit you in the face. Lesson quickly learned - don't do it that way next time. They do something you think is fantastic, you give them plenty of attention and reinforcement and pretty soon you'll each be members of the others' "biggest fan" club.

Best job in the world, and they actually pay me money to do it! :-)

lynne, you truley know.... to understand dont you have to emphasise....

However, it IS true that we are always "madder" than the people with whom we work. :-)

i hate to rain on your parade, but those were the scratches used in the movie 'In Dreams' which was filmed in Northampton. pretty cool

Better than low ceilings... they really open up the rooms, I like them.

maybe the staff were madder than the patients..

i reckon it lead out to a balcony overlooking a river and cafes and bars with a table laid with the finest china and cutterlery...etc...etc....

this ward would make a fucking nun violent......

realy high ceilings, just to freak you out a bit more....

crackle glaze.... my favourite effect..

i bet theres been a few faces pressed against those panes of glass........

makes you wonder if they were using lsd and other physcadelics in their "treatment".

thats how we still build multistory carparks in the uk, its called pot and beam,,,,,,