When you or someone you care about needs support for an addiction or mental health condition, it’s important to feel truly seen and heard – not just as a patient or a diagnosis, but as a whole person with a unique story. That’s where person-centred care comes in.
Person-centred (or whole-person) care means putting you at the heart of every aspect of your treatment and support. It’s about shaping your care around what’s most important to you.
At Priory, whole-person care is the foundation of how we work. Our Whole You model of care supports every part of your wellbeing – emotional, physical and social – as well as the relationships that matter to you and the sense of purpose that drives you.
We understand that true recovery goes far beyond managing symptoms; it’s about helping you rebuild your life and feel more like yourself again.
The key principles of person-centred care
Person-centred care means being understood as an individual – not just your symptoms, diagnosis or medical history. It means taking the time to understand who you are, what matters to you, and what you want from your time in treatment.
That’s what person-centred care is all about: working together to support your recovery in a way that feels right for you.
There are a number of key principles that underpin person-centred care:
- Dignity, compassion and respect – care should always treat you as a person first, listening without judgement and respecting your background, culture, values and preferences. You’re not just a patient – you’re a person with a past, a present and a future, who deserves to feel safe and understood
- Tailored, co-ordinated support – no two people experience mental health difficulties or addiction in the same way, meaning care can’t be one-size-fits-all. Whole-person care brings together the right mix of therapies and support for your situation, joined-up and always guided by evidence-based best practice
- Shared decision-making – care works best when you’re part of the process. Instead of being told what to do, you’re involved in choices about your care, with clear explanations, answers to your questions, and support to make informed decisions
- Building on your strengths – person-centred care isn’t only about addressing challenges but also about reconnecting with your strengths – whether that’s your resilience, creativity, sense of humour, or a hobby that brings you joy. By building these into your care, you can move forward with greater confidence and a sense of purpose
- Looking at the bigger picture – whole-person care considers the bigger picture – not just how you’re feeling today, but where you’d like to be in the days, weeks and months ahead. That means taking into account your mental health, physical wellbeing, relationships, lifestyle and long-term ambitions
Whole-person care in practice at Priory
At Priory, whole-person care isn’t just a philosophy – it’s something you experience from the moment you get in touch with us.
Our Whole You model of care ensures that every part of your wellbeing is supported, because recovery from mental health conditions and addiction is never just about symptoms. It’s about emotional health, physical wellbeing, relationships, social connection and purpose – the five pillars of our approach.
Here’s how we bring each of these pillars to life in your care:
- Emotional health – we provide expert, non-judgemental care for issues like anxiety, low mood, trauma, addictions and unhealthy coping behaviours. Our accredited professionals use evidence-based therapies tailored to your needs, with ongoing support options – including free aftercare and digital tools – and the reassurance that we’re here for you when you need us
- Physical wellbeing – we deliver tailored care to help ease issues like poor sleep, fatigue, pain and other symptoms linked to your mental health. We offer medical detox when needed, in a safe, supportive environment – so you never have to face withdrawal alone. Whether you’re attending in-person or joining sessions online, we provide calm, welcoming spaces that support recovery. Holistic activities like yoga also help promote balance and improve physical wellbeing
- Relationships – we offer support to help you rebuild connections with family, friends or partners, and to understand your own patterns of relating to others. Using a trauma-informed approach, we help you make sense of complex relationships, explore attachment styles, recognise triggers and develop healthier ways of engaging. We can also involve loved ones in your care where it supports your recovery
- Social connection – we help you overcome isolation, reconnect with others and build confidence in social settings. We help you explore loneliness, reshape unhelpful patterns, and discover the value of connection and community in ways – and environments – that feel right for you
- Purpose – we support you to break free from unhelpful habits, explore new ideas and make positive choices in all areas of your life. We’ll guide you to rediscover what motivates you, build on your strengths and create meaningful experiences that feel valuable, interesting and give you a sense of achievement
Here’s what that approach looks like in practice – how our care is tailored, delivered and experienced every step of the way:
Tailored treatment plans
Your treatment plan is built around all aspects of your wellbeing, shaped by your specific needs and preferences, and always guided by clinical best practice to ensure it’s both safe and effective.
Our trauma-informed approach means we take time to understand your past experiences and how they may be affecting you today – tailoring your therapy sessions to reflect this. This may be supported by wellbeing and holistic activities – such as mindfulness or exercise – where appropriate.
We’ll continue to monitor and adapt the approach to help you stay engaged and make progress in a way that feels manageable and meaningful to you.
Collaborative, expert teams
You won’t just be supported by one person – you’ll have a full multidisciplinary team behind you. Our psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, nurses and other professionals work together to build a complete picture of your needs.
This team-based approach means your care is joined up, consistent and entirely focused on you, helping you feel supported across the emotional, physical, social, relational and motivational aspects of your recovery.
You’re involved in every step
We’ll always involve you in decisions about your treatment. You’ll have the chance to ask questions, explore different options, and tell us what’s important to you – whether that’s the style of therapy, the type of support you’d like, or the goals you’re working towards.
We’ll make sure that your care feels like something you’re part of, not something that’s happening to you.
Flexible formats to fit your life
Where possible, treatment should work around your life – not the other way around. That’s why we offer a range of flexible options, including outpatient sessions and focused day programmes that allow you to live at home, online therapy you can access from anywhere in the UK, or a more intensive inpatient stay if you need round-the-clock support.
No matter where, when or how you receive treatment with us, we’ll make sure you feel welcomed, comfortable and supported in a safe space. Together, we’ll find the setting and schedule that best suits your needs.
Support for families and carers
When it’s helpful and appropriate, we’ll also involve your family or loved ones in your care. This could include family therapy sessions that you attend together, or separate family support sessions just for them.
If you’re staying with us as an inpatient, we also welcome and encourage visits from your loved ones, as we know how important those connections can be – not just for you, but for the people who care about you too.
Accessible help, tailored to you
Accessing the right support should feel straightforward, not overwhelming. That’s why, as part of our whole-person care approach, we offer clear, flexible and affordable routes into treatment – giving you options that are centred around your individual needs right from the start.
To help you get started, our free online self-assessment tools allow you to reflect on common mental health symptoms and decide whether it might be time to seek support.
For more complex needs, we offer expert diagnostic assessments to help us understand the full picture. This includes formal mental health assessments for a range of conditions, specialist assessments for autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as dedicated child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) assessments. These options ensure we can support you in a way that truly reflects your needs and experiences.
We also offer a range of flexible addiction services, with different price points, so that support is available in a way that fits your life and your budget. This ranges from online and outpatient support to intensive, round-the-clock care – all starting with a free addiction assessment to help us understand your unique needs and determine the right path forward.
These pathways form a vital part of our whole-person care approach. We believe support should be clear to navigate, flexible to fit your life, and available in a way that’s both personal and financially accessible from the very start.
Why person-centred care matters
Person-centred care is a powerful approach that helps you feel understood and empowered to make meaningful progress in your life.
Here’s why person-centred care is so important — for you, your loved ones, and for us at Priory:
- Better engagement and outcomes – when people feel heard and involved, they’re more likely to engage with treatment and stay committed to recovery
- Improved quality of life – person-centred care helps build confidence, restore happiness and support life goals beyond clinical treatment
- Stronger relationships – person-centred care helps rebuild connections with families, friends and care teams, giving you a reliable network of support to lean on during and after treatment
- Long-term recovery – by focusing on strengths, coping strategies and future goals, progress is more likely to be sustained after treatment ends
- Care you can trust – because whole-person care is embedded across Priory, you can trust it to be delivered consistently and compassionately, helping you move forward and live your life to the full
Whole-person care gives you the chance not just to recover, but to rediscover who you are – beyond a diagnosis and beyond what you’ve been through. At Priory, it’s how we help you take meaningful steps towards a future that’s entirely your own.
What matters most to you is what matters most to us.