We believe that people have the right to make decisions about their own lives, including whether or not to accept help. Professional support and guidance must be based on respect for individuals and recognition of their right to make choices about what kind and amount of help they want. Growth and change are incremental, and an important part of the helping process is encouraging people to reflect on how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect the quality of their experiences. The most effective care actively engages people in setting and attaining their own goals. We promote the expectation that treatment may happen in a single and relatively short span of time, over a longer term of care, or throughout a number of episodes over a person's lifetime.