In the person-centered model, how is the client viewed?

In the person-centered model, the client is viewed as a whole person with unique strengths. This approach emphasizes the individual as more than just their diagnosis or symptoms, recognizing the complexity and richness of each person's life, experiences, preferences, and capabilities. By focusing on the person's strengths, the therapeutic process becomes collaborative and empowering, allowing clients to take an active role in their own care and decision-making. This perspective fosters a supportive environment that enhances personal growth, well-being, and overall quality of life, aligning with the principles of therapeutic recreation.

In contrast, other perspectives that view clients merely as cases to be diagnosed, participants to be managed, or subjects for research limit the understanding of the individual and fail to recognize their inherent value and potential as active agents in their lives. This narrow approach can inhibit the development of a meaningful therapeutic relationship and diminish the effectiveness of interventions tailored to the client's unique context and needs.