Adapted from WRAP’s Values and Ethics

We support hope. It is clearly understood that people get well, stay well for long periods of time, and do the things they want to do with their lives.
The old messages we used to get that told us we would never get better, that we would likely get worse over time and that there is nothing we can do to help ourselves were wrong.

We promote self-determination, personal responsibility, empowerment, and self-advocacy.

In our groups and programs, people are always treated as equals, with dignity, compassion, mutual respect, and unconditional high regard; as unique, special individuals, including complete acceptance of diversity with relation to culture, ethnicity, language, religion, race, gender, age, disability, sexual identity, and “readiness” issues.

No one, no matter how educated they are or the position they hold has the right to predict the course of our future, of our life. In our groups, everyone leaves their “hat” or title at the door and participates in the process as equals.  Doctors, case managers, people who have had health difficulties for years–all are equal in our groups, treating each other with mutual respect while learning and growing together.

We believe that there are “no limits” to recovery.

We are totally voluntary. The person who is participating in decides if they want to do it, when they want to do it, how long they will take, what it will include, and who assists and supports them in the process.
The person who is participating is the only expert on themselves.

Our focus is on individual strengths and away from perceived deficits.

We focus on the things we do well, and avoid focusing on negative self-judgments or the findings of deficit-based assessments.

The use of clinical, medical, and diagnostic language is avoided.

Whenever possible, people work together and learn with peers, to increase mutual understanding, knowledge, and promote wellness.

The emphasis is on strategies that are simple and safe and away from strategies that are invasive or that may have serious or devastating side effects.

It is understood that difficult feelings and behaviors are normal responses to traumatic life circumstances, and that what is happening in your life is not a “symptom” or a diagnosis.