Person Centered Thinking is a guided process for learning how someone wants to live and developing a plan to help make it happen. The outcome is the life the person wants, not just the plan that describes it.
What It Is:
- Mindset and practice intended to support positive change.
- A more intentional way of listening and responding to others.
- A practice of considering the balance between what is important to and important for a person.
- A commitment to listen and act on what is learned.
What It Is Not:
- A "quick fix" or a shortcut.
- About the paper.
- A fad.
- Standard, one size fits all.
- Only for those who are "ready" or who can tell you with words what a good life is to them.
South Dakota Gathering
The Gathering is a platform for sharing ideas, thoughts, and learning. A place to become inspired, make connections, and to be reminded that we share the same purpose and struggles. A Gathering is an interactive event during which all are teachers and all are learners.
Why Use Person Centerd Thinking Skills?
Person Centered Thinking (PCT) tools are helpful in many circumstances, particularly in the current environment of doing more work with fewer resources. PCT is a way of stepping back from the typical cycle of putting out fires and using a proactive approach to learning and providing supports. Rather than responding to symptoms we see by scheduling meetings to problem solve, PCT provides a way to addres the real issues behind symptoms.
When we have a way to sort what is really important to people, what our primary responsibilities are, what's working and what's not working, we can take action in a way which truly impacts people's lives and move forward rather than in circles. PCT also provides a common language everyone can understand to help support the person.
- Creates opportunity for the person to have a voice and positive control in their day to day life
- As a problem solving tool to diffuse difficult situations and conversations
- For skills in partnering with those who receive paid or natural supports for better life outcomes
- More natural ways to contribute to a person's plan and help them have a better life
- To be better able to use and act on the information in a person's plan
- By using the skills daily, find people we support will better equipped and willing to communicate what makes them happy, which supports work best from their perspective. When listened to and acted upon, this results in fewer occurrences of "behavioral" challenges.