I am seeking a word, or term, to refer to the people I serve,\u00a0 that is shorter than the current term, ‘the people I serve.’ I am seeking to find language to describe the people I serve, that is concise, and and feels accurate.<\/p>\n
It was considered best practice<\/em> to refer to the people I serve as patients<\/em>, in the last incarnation of professional clinical practice, but, even then, the word ‘patient’ left an unbalanced, ‘power over’ flavour in my mouth.\u00a0 I feel that in my current clinical practice, I am reaching for a term that feels more equal; something that honours the wisdom and sovereignty of the people I serve. I am seeking a word that honours the collaborative process, with equity; I am not more powerful, or important, than the people I serve. We are equal peers in the process, more like colleagues, than patients.<\/p>\n I have tried the word clients, but it feels dissonant somehow. I have used the word ‘peeps’ to describe the people I serve, with more comfort, though it is not as easily understood a term, by as many people as would be ideal. I am seeking a term that can be general, inclusive, and still clear.<\/p>\n I am open to creating a word or term, so long as the word can be easily understood, and feels respectful in all of the aforementioned ways.<\/p>\n I welcome\u00a0 the ideas and wisdom of the people I serve in developing appropriate terminology to honour the profound nature of the collaborative, therapeutic relationship we engage in the process of the profound healing work we nourish together.<\/p>\n Please feel free to share your thoughts, feedback, and ideas with me, either in the comments below, or an email: hhctraske@gmail.com<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I am seeking a word, or term, to refer to the people I serve,\u00a0 that is shorter than the current term, ‘the people I serve.’ I am seeking to find language to describe the people I serve, that is concise, … Continue reading