The following post is from our Recovery-Centered Clinical System (RCCS) Tidbit of the Month series. Each month, the RCCS Steering Committee creates practices to support our recovery culture within our programs and among staff. Click here to learn more about the RCCS.

RCCS Tidbit of the Month: Authentic Power

A Component of the Five Awarenesses of the RCCS Program Culture

At Telecare, we are committed to recovery-based services. As part of that journey, we’ve made significant strides toward reducing and eliminating the use of coercion and force in mental health care.

No Force First

In the 1990s and early 2000s, industry leaders like Bill Anthony began challenging mental health providers to rethink the use of force. He famously stated, “There is no such thing as ‘forced recovery.’” Actions like seclusion, restraint, or forced medication starkly contradicted the principles of recovery.

Telecare adopted the “No Force First” approach in our subacute and SNF programs. This commitment was guided by the principles of our Recovery-Centered Clinical System (RCCS) and trauma-informed care, making it clear that the use of force is a treatment failure. Over time, many of our programs successfully eliminated seclusion and restraint.

Our work didn’t stop there. We developed Creating Healing Environments, a toolbox rooted in RCCS, Trauma-Informed Care, and the Sanctuary Model developed by Dr. Sandra Bloom. This approach, used in subacute and acute programs, focuses on creating safe, healing cultures that reduce the need for control and coercion.

While the journey has been successful, it hasn’t been without its challenges. We learned to understand our clients’ trauma histories better and address their loss of power and choice. CPI training and the RCCS Control-Choice Continuum have been critical in helping us navigate risk and create opportunities for clients to practice self-control and decision-making.

Practice:

Shifting the power dynamic requires constant attention to how we use power in our programs, from how we speak to the rules we create. Here’s how you can begin making that change:

For Program Leaders:

Review program rules: Are any rules creating bogus power? Can they be safely modified to offer clients more choice and control?
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is the rule?
- Why do we have the rule? Does it still make sense, or does it unintentionally create adverse outcomes for clients and staff?
- How can we modify the rule to provide more choice and authentic power?

For Program Staff:

Work directly with clients to explore areas where they feel powerless. Help them identify opportunities to build authentic power and take steps to regain control over their lives.

For Everyone:

Reflect on recent actions or behaviors that may have resulted in a power-over outcome. Ask yourself:

Is there anything different I can do next time?
How can I practice now to create a more powerful outcome?

By focusing on authentic power and collaboration, we can further our commitment to recovery and make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.