The Solving Problems in Everyday Living Model: Toward a Demedicalized, Education-Based Approach to “Mental Health”

Abstract

We argue that human existential pain and threat may usefully be helped by a noncoercive educational approach that also resonates with many interpersonally focused psychological approaches, rather than by the widely touted current medical model of “mental health” treatment (using psychoactive drugs and supportive psychotherapy). First, the “progress” leading to the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is briefly reviewed, highlighting the scientific limitations of the medical model. Next, an educational model of self-understanding and change, based on Popper’s fallibilism, Freire’s critical pedagogy, and Miller’s feedback-informed treatment is explicated. Finally, some options for funding and testing the model are discussed. We hope this offers mental health clinicians another important alternative to conceptualize the helping encounter to ameliorate personal problems in living.