Book Review: The Tidal Model

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.