From Pedestal To Personhood: Staff In The Clubhouse

Go back to Resource Library
By April 23, 2015 No Comments

Authors: Lawrence Hallinan & Helen Nistico - Schizophrenia Fellowship of Victoria, Bromham Place Clubhouse

Year: 1994

Event: 1994 TheMHS Conference

Subject: book of proceedings

Type of resource: Conference Presentations and Papers

ISBN: 0646251104

Abstract: In many traditional clinical settings there are often certain beliefs regarding the staff. These beliefs distinguish staff from consumers and are identified as the elements that make up the “professional pedestal”. By contrast the clubhouse model promotes an entirely different understanding of staff. Furthermore the model contains certain attributes that actively work to subvert the development of a “professional pedestal”. In clubhouse, staff lose the expectation and status of being professional and gain “personhood”, the freedom to be people who are learning and growing. The description of “personhood” is one of liberation and growth as a human being. The experience of “Personhood” has also many challenges, personal and work related. The experience of clubhouse staff shows that involvement with consumers can be one of inspiration and fulfilment for staff as well as consumers.

This resource is only available for subscribers. If you have a subscription, please log in. Otherwise, click here to purchase a subscription.