Re: Words as commodity/client

Phil and Eric,

I am curious about tis exchange about the word "client."  I used to work in a group home that used what they called the "psychosocial rehabilitation" model of service, which they set in opposition to the prevailing medical model, where doctors deliver services to passive patients.  So for that reason they (well, we, I suppose) used the word "client" to imply a more active role on the part of the person seeking, rather than receiving, service.  This is my paraphrase of what I remember as their paradigm, my actual experience did not in many ways reflect this philosophy.  The actual practices to me seemed abusive, but definitely the terminology and the stated philosophy seemed progressive. 

Anyway, my question is, Phil, why are you uncomfortable with the word "client"?  This sentence should be read as simply a request and not a challenge, because I have no deep loving relationship with the word myself, I simply grew used to it and see it as a better alternative to "patient," given the context I explained above.

And Eric, why do you vehemently defend this word?  Again, I have been out of the "mental health" system for a long time, and I was only a case worker when I was in it, so please read this as a genuine question and not a challenge.

Renee Hayes