Recovery Model
A philosophy emphasizing personal empowerment, hope, and meaningful life beyond symptom management in mental health treatment.
Full Definition
The recovery model is a paradigm in mental health care that focuses on supporting individuals in developing the skills and accessing the resources needed to live fulfilling lives in the community, rather than simply managing symptoms. This approach emphasizes hope, empowerment, meaningful life roles, and personal responsibility while recognizing that recovery is possible even with ongoing symptoms. Key principles include consumer choice, cultural responsiveness, strengths-based planning, and peer support. The model represents a shift from the traditional medical model's focus on pathology and professional expertise to one that values lived experience and self-determination.
Usage
Usage note: Capitalize when referring to the specific philosophical approach; lowercase when used generically.
In Context
- "The program adopted a recovery model approach, emphasizing client strengths and self-determination in treatment planning." — program evaluation report
- "Staff training focused on implementing recovery model principles in daily clinical practice." — training curriculum