All too often, I find myself knee-deep in discussions about language. “What do we call X?” “Wouldn’t it be better to be more ‘inclusive’ and use this other word instead?”
Nowhere is that more evident when it comes to the world of mental illness.
Finding that the word “patient” is too medically oriented, Carl Rogers — 50 or so years ago — suggested a more agnostic term, “client” (such as a lawyer or accountant might have a client). And while I agree client is a more agnostic term, Rogers unfortunately and unintentionally opened up an entire can of worms.
One that haunts us to this day and interferes with our basic ability to communicate when it comes to mental health concerns.