Theory and Practice of Person-Centered Mental Health Services

Abstract

Person-centered approaches have been demonstrated to be effective in a variety of mental healthcare contexts and across different service user populations. In this overview, the author explores fundamental notions of such person-centered approaches (PCAs) with examples from health (clinical) care, research, education, and leadership of successful person-centered applications in the mental health field. He then extends this conversation further by looking at related challenges, particularly where person-centered approaches are lacking and may be applied. He challenges various areas in mental health services by addressing commonplace examples in which person-centered approaches do not appear to occur. He concludes with a call to action for profound person-centered change at the level of self and with others, which may lead to fundamental transformation of the mental health system.