Tidal Model of Mental health Nursing

Developed by Phil Barker and Poppy Buchanan-Barker of University of Newcastle,

UK, it is a philosophical approach to the discovery of mental health. It is grounded
on the notion that by helping people reclaim their personal story of mental distress,
using their own personal stories and metaphors, people begin to express something
of the meaning of their lives. And according to them, this is the first step towards
helping them recover control over their lives.

The tidal model is applied through six key philosophical assumptions (Barker 2000):
1. a belief in the virtue of curiosity: the person is the master of their life, the world
authority on their life and their problems. By expressing genuine curiosity, the
professional or for our case the student nurses can learn of the person's story and
acquire information.
2. Recognition of the power of resourcefulness: Focus on how the person can
recover, rather than focusing on problems, deficits and/or weaknesses.
3. Respect for the person's wishes: Rather than being autocratic and paternalistic
4. Acceptance of the paradox of crisis as opportunity: Rather than viewing the
problem as a crisis, changing the person's perception of things that this is a good
avenue for healthy change
5. Acknowledging that all goals must belong to the person
6. The virtue og pursuing elegance: which is the simplest possible means should be
sought

There are also values of the tidal model which are vital for the professional/student
nurses and for the client as well. This can be distilled into ten commitments. (1)
Value the voice- the person's story is paramount. (2) Respect the language- allow
people to use their own language. (3) Develop genuine curiosity- show interest in
the person's story (4) Become the apprentice learn from the person you are
helping. (5)Reveal personal wisdom people are experts in their own story. (6) Be
transparent both the person and the helper, Professionals/student nurses are in a
privileged position and should model confidence, by at all times being transparent
and helping to ensure the person understand exactly what is being done (7) Use
the available toolkit the person's story contains valuable information as to what
works and what doesn't. (8) Craft the step beyond the helper and the person work
together to construct an appreciation of what needs to be done "now". (9) Give the

gift of time time is the midwife of change. The question that should be asked is,
"How do we use this time?" (10) Know that change is constant this is a common
experience for all people. (Barker P 2001).
The Tidal Model assumes that nurses should only do what is absolutely necessary to
meet the persons needs. This emphasis on doing what needs to be done might
help avoid fostering dependence or otherwise institutionalizing people. (Barker,
2000)