Description

In this book, Jean Pierre Wilken and Dirk den Hollander introduce the CARe model (Comprehensive Approach to Recovery and Rehabilitation), a method designed to support people facing complex challenges such as mental illness, disability, addiction, poverty, or social isolation. The model is grounded in relational care, strength-based practice, and recovery-oriented thinking.

Recovery is described as a personal and unique process, where individuals rebuild confidence, learn to manage vulnerabilities, and regain meaningful social roles. The CARe model supports this through four core actions (CUES):

1. Connecting – building genuine relationships.
2. Understanding – gaining insight into strengths, vulnerabilities, and recovery.
3. Ensuring – providing safety, stability, and practical support.
4. Strengthening – helping people use their strengths and the opportunities within their social network and community.

Developed over 35 years by the authors and colleagues, the CARe model draws on psychosocial rehabilitation, the recovery movement, the presence approach, and strength-based/empowerment approaches. It is widely used internationally across mental health, social care, disability services, addiction care, and community-based support.

The book outlines the model’s principles, the practical application of its four core actions, working with social networks and environments, and how organizations can embed recovery-supportive care. It also introduces tools for learning and evaluating practice, such as the CARe worker profile and the CARe fidelity scale.