The White Paper: A Partnership Between Consumer & Provider: Rule #9

It Must Be Based On
A Partnership Between Consumer & Provider

We would like a partnership with the providers where needs and expectations are clear to all parties.

This partnership would be marked by

1. equal participation in treatment, and
2. open, honest communication.

We want a relationship with a service provider that leaves us feeling safe

▪ to agree, or
▪ to disagree on issues, without

▪ fear ▪ of ▪ repercussion ▪ or ▪ punishment. ▪

It should be an environment

1. void of coercion, and

2. one that encourages
the asking of questions
by all parties.

This reinforces trust between consumer and provider, and vice versa.

This idea of
developing a partnership
suddenly puts us
all on the same page.

We become collaborators
and
advocates together

and begin a new vision
of

Recovery
and
Healing.

When we see the professional reach out to us and open up, we think of the professional less as a drug dispenser and more as a person helping to maintain trust and hope.

When this occurs,

it shatters the "us versus them" mentality
that has existed in the mental health culture, by

1. making a statement that we are partners, and that

2. we are working together on common goals.

Another important part of developing a partnering relationship is to open up the communications to negotiations.

Being flexible and open to new ideas, and trusting that our opinions and feelings count and are important, builds partnerships.

These ideas, opinions, and feelings are what keep us well at times, whether the professional agrees or disagrees with them.

This partnership also includes treatments that are

◊ more individualized, and

◊ more comprehensive in relation to us as a whole person.

A professional sharing something about him/herself helps create trust with us as well. Examples of information that can be shared is 'where you went to school', 'why you are a psychiatrist or therapist, social worker, etc.

to Rule # 10