Philosophy of the Counseling

Mental Health and Addiction Counselors at Myrtle House are fully trained and competent in contemporary diagnostic and treatment procedures. In keeping with Counseling tradition, the spirit with which these theories and techniques are applied is consistent with Counseling's humanistic roots

The Wellness Model

One of the best perspectives for assisting individuals in resolving their emotional and personal issues and problems is the Wellness Model and the 12 Steps of AA. In contrast to those who espouse a more purely medical model, counselors see formal diagnosis as just one aspect of the overall personhood of the client.

Counselors see the client as having relative strengths and challenges across a number of areas: Emotional, intellectual, physical, social, occupational, and spiritual. To an Mental Health Counselor, the client is never “just a diagnosis.” In recognizing the whole person of the client, the counselor nurtures the client’s many strengths to achieve the greatest wellness possible.

The goal of counseling is to empower individuals to resolve their own problems independently of mental health professionals, and to teach them to identify and resolve problems autonomously in the future.

Counselors believe that most people have the strength and capacity to manage their own problems, even if they haven’t yet learned the tools. We prefer to help people to help themselves, rather than become dependent on professional supports.

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