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THE TIDAL MODEL:
A GUIDE FOR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Phil Barker and Poppy Buchanan-Barker, Brunner-Routledge

ISBN 1583918019, £17.99

Star Rating: 4/5

The stresses and strains of life are likened to ocean travel linked with the risks of reefs and shipwreck in this book on working with people with mental health problems, writes Alan Cooper.

Some readers will find this book's use of metaphor exciting and useful. I am less convinced about it, but I am convinced that the authors are saying things that every mental health professional should hear.

The final chapter contains the metaphor of "The Compass" and is the culmination of the authors' efforts in criticising mental health practice based on the psychiatric paradigm of the medical model.

The Compass comprises 10 points to guide practice and its key concepts are to value the person and respect the individual's life story.

Alan Cooper is a trainer and consultant, Osiris Training and Consultancy.