The goals of psychiatric rehabilitation: an ethical analysis

This study addressed the question under what conditions ought client-centered psychiatric rehabilitation work towards goals set by its clients. This was done by means of an ethical analysis of goal setting in psychiatric rehabilitation, using standard ethical principles of health care and a case study for illustration. The analysis demonstrated that client-centered psychiatric rehabilitation ought to work towards goals set by its clients under the conditions that they not involve serious danger and are not induced by severe mental impairment. When these conditions are not fulfilled, it may be most helpful to engage the clients in critical dialogue so as to reach an agreement regarding the setting of goals for their psychiatric rehabilitation. Special ways of engaging clients with severe mental impairments in such dialogue may have to be explored.