Using the Tidal Model involves working collaboratively with individuals receiving care, focusing on their personal journey towards recovery and well-being.
The Tidal Model is a psychosocial model developed for mental health recovery. It emphasizes a person-centered approach, viewing recovery as a journey rather than a fixed destination. The core idea is to help individuals navigate the 'tides' of life by discovering and using their personal strengths and resources.
At its heart, using the Tidal Model means engaging with the person's story and helping them reclaim their life. It's about being truly present and interested in the individual's unique experience.
Core Principles of the Tidal Model
The application of the Tidal Model is guided by foundational principles that shape interactions and care planning. The reference highlights several key values essential to its use:
- Value the voice – the person's story is paramount: This is perhaps the most crucial element. Using the Tidal Model means actively listening to the individual's narrative without judgment. Their experiences, perspectives, and goals are the starting point and central focus of all interventions.
- Respect the language – allow people to use their own language: Avoid clinical jargon. Encourage individuals to describe their experiences, feelings, and needs in their own words. This validates their reality and facilitates clearer communication.
- Develop genuine curiosity – show interest in the person's story: Approach each interaction with sincere interest. Ask open-ended questions to understand their world, their challenges, and their hopes. This curiosity builds trust and encourages sharing.
- Become the apprentice – learn from the person you are helping: Position yourself as a learner. The individual is the expert on their own life. Your role is to understand their expertise, their coping mechanisms, and their unique path to well-being.
Practical Application: How to Implement the Tidal Model
Implementing the Tidal Model involves specific practices rooted in its principles. It shifts the focus from problem-solving by the caregiver to collaborative exploration with the individual.
Here's how these principles translate into action:
- Focus on the Story:
- Initiate conversations by asking about their current situation and what matters most to them right now.
- Listen attentively to their history, challenges, strengths, and aspirations.
- Document their story using their language where possible.
- Use the Person's Language:
- Pay attention to the metaphors or phrases they use to describe their feelings or situation.
- Reflect their language back to them to show understanding.
- Avoid imposing diagnostic labels or clinical terms during your core interactions unless necessary for formal documentation or shared understanding.
- Cultivate Curiosity:
- Ask "What happened?", "What was that like for you?", "What helped you get through that?", "What do you want to happen next?"
- Explore their strengths, skills, and resources they may not even recognize they possess.
- Show genuine interest in their daily life, interests, and relationships.
- Adopt the Apprentice Role:
- Ask, "How do you manage when...?", "What works for you?", "What have you learned from this experience?"
- Learn about their coping strategies, their resilience, and their personal wisdom.
- Collaborate on care planning, seeing it as a joint project where the individual leads the way.
Key Actions in Using the Tidal Model
Using the Tidal Model means focusing on the "10 Key Committments" which guide practice (beyond the foundational principles listed in the reference). These commitments translate the principles into actionable steps, broadly including:
- Know the Story: Active listening and engagement.
- Secure Safety: Collaboratively developing safety plans.
- Develop Genuine Curiosity: Asking open-ended questions.
- Use the Available Resource: Identifying and utilizing the person's strengths, family, friends, community links.
- Develop the Care Plan: Co-creating a plan based on the person's needs and goals.
- Give the Gift of Time: Spending unhurried time with the person.
- Reveal Personal Wisdom: Helping the person identify what they have learned from their experiences.
- Know That Change is Constant: Recognizing that things can and do change.
- Be Transparent: Explaining processes and decisions openly.
- Use the Team: Working collaboratively within the care team and with the person's network.
In essence, using the Tidal Model is about fostering a relationship of trust and collaboration where the individual is empowered to navigate their own journey towards recovery, supported by compassionate curiosity and respect for their unique story and wisdom.
