Person-centered Practice Carole Harvey, Ph.D., LISW-S CARF Consultant and Surveyor carole3008@yahoo.com

When you think of being “person-centered”, what comes to mind?

Aspire to Excellence! Person-centered care refers to the practice of basing key care decisions in an organization on individual resident strengths, needs, abilities, preferences, and expectations.  A person-centered approach is integral to often a culture change in addressing the needs and expectations of all stakeholders and is increasingly viewed as an essential aspect of delivering quality service. Adapted from The New York Hospital Association

Person-Centered Planning Person Centered Planning discovers and acts on what is important to a person. It is a process for continual listening and learning, focusing on what are important to someone now and in the future, and acting on this in alliance with their family and their friends when appropriate

A person-centered approach addresses: Identified competencies needed by personnel Confidentiality requirements Customer service, including staff, clients & visitors Diversity and the acknowledgement of the strengths there are in our differences

A person-centered approach addresses: Ethical codes of conduct The promotion of wellness, for clients and staff The rights of persons served and the rights of personnel The UNIQUE needs of clients

A person-centered approach acknowledges: A client’s history of traumatic experiences A need for, and value of, a personal safety plan That there are precursors to aggressive behavior and that we need to know what they are for each individual, including taking preventative measures

A person-centered approach acknowledges: That interpersonal interactions, including how personnel interact with each other, may impact the clients’ behaviors Recovery and wellness-oriented relationships enhance treatment outcomes as well as organizational health That we have alternatives and supports when handling a crisis in a respectful manner

SNAP! Strengths Needs Abilities Preferences A person-centered approach in assessment and treatment/discharge planning Strengths Needs Abilities Preferences SNAP!

A person-centered approach to “snap-ing” Strengths: readiness for treatment, resilient, “likes being around people” / friendly and articulate Needs: sober support network, relapse prevention skill-building, safe housing, “get GED”, health care, trauma healing, “learn to have fun without drugs” Abilities: plays several musical instruments, writes poetry, good home maintenance skills Preferences: male therapist, small groups, “education about eating better”, “8-10 hours of sleep every night” SNAP should be present at assessment and during treatment / discharge planning; SNAP can evolve during course of treatment

More about treatment planning Based on SNAP!!! Reflective of the client’s age, development (including literacy), culture / ethnicity Reflective of the client’s expectations as well as the expectations of the treatment team Plan gives attention to integration and inclusion of client into his/her community, the family, and natural supports Goals are expressed in CLIENT’S WORDS – but does not need to ONLY be client’s words “I want to feel better about myself” To improve self-efficacy and positive self-talk as relapse prevention strategies

Summing it up! What do YOU do to demonstrate person-centered values, philosophy, and practices?