What is the CRM Model?
The Collaborative Recovery Model (CRM) is a practice model developed over a number of years at the University of Wollongong that incorporates evidence of practices that have previously assisted people living with enduring mental illness. Influences include Positive Psychology, Pyschosocial Rehabilitaton Principles, Motivational Interviewing and Theories of Change.
CRM is consistent with the values of the recovery movement and is now being implemented in organisations in most states of Australia and internationally.
CRM has been designed to have the following benefits:
- Generic skills that can be used flexibly
- Approaches that are relevant across case management and psychosocial rehabilitation contexts
- Emphasis on issues of autonomy, hope, responsibility and individual experience which are central to the concept of recovery
- Skills based components that have an evidence base
- An emphasis on measurement, consistent with the need for mental health services to generate evidence.
Summary of Evidence Base
The summary of evidence stemming from the process of development of CRM suggests:
- CRM training improves staff attitudes to recovery
- CRM training improves the quality of care plan/goal setting documentation
- Stages of psychological recovery can be measured
- Goals set by consumers vary across the stage of psychological recovery in mental illness
- Between session tasks completed by consumers are related to mental health outcomes
- Positive approaches (e.g. goals, strengths, gratitude) are popular with consumers