Person-Centered Thinking

PERSON-CENTERED THINKING

“We cannot look at the future as a continuation of the past…The things that got you where you are, are seldom the things that keep you there.” — Charles Handy, British business philosopher

Mental Model  “…our deeply held internal images about

how the world works.“ – Senge Come from:

our family of origin,culture of origin, religious or secular ethical backgrounds, meaning we've made out of our life experiences. 

Deeply rooted assumptions

Paradigms  Our view of reality – the lens we use to

make sense of the world. “self-reinforcing mental model.“ – O'Connor & McDermott

I have beliefs about the world.I unconsciously seek out data that supports

those beliefs.I unconsciously ignore/reject data that does not

support those beliefs.The data I accept reinforces my beliefs about the

world.

“The real act of discovery consists not in finding new lands but in seeing with new eyes.”— Marcel Proust

Do you see a man’s face?

Do you see a man’s face?

Looking down or climbing up?

What do you see?

Moving?

“We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” - Cicero

The Words We Use… Advocate Help Service Caregiving Options Institution Home Independence Facility Nursing Home

How do you

know?

Getting to the Heart of It As a group read through your scenario and

discuss the situation Answer these questions:

What is your first thought? What comes to your mind?

What emotions are you feeling?What paradigms are shaping your thoughts?What actions would you take?Where is the person-centeredness?How do the additional facts affect your

opinion/actions?What else did you want to know?