https://doi.org/10.1177/00221678221136240
Journal of Humanistic Psychology
1–20
© The Author(s) 2022
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DOI: 10.1177/00221678221136240
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Harm Reduction,
Humanistic Psychology,
and the CRPD
Gianna D’Ambrozio
1
, Lisa Cosgrove
1
,
Samantha Lilly
2
, and Timothy McCarthy
1
Abstract
Harm reduction, which was initially developed as a public health response to
illicit drug use, has relevance to the prescription of psychotropic medication.
Indeed, focusing on the agency of people who use drugs—licit or illicit—
facilitates a more authentic engagement with treatment. In this paper, we
show how the framework of harm reduction is congruent with the guiding
principles of both humanistic psychology and the Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Moreover, applying a harm reduction
model to psychotropic drug use raises awareness that there are risks to
taking these medications, risks which are frequently glossed over because
of the emphasis on medication adherence and compliance. We provide case
examples of organizations that take a person-centered (vs. medication-
centered) approach to people experiencing mental health crises. In their
unique ways, these organizations embody the principles of harm reduction
and the humanistic impulse that informs the CRPD.
Keywords
coercion, harm reduction, humanistic psychology, Open Dialogue, persons
with disabilities, psychotropic drug use
1
University of Massachusetts Boston, USA
2
The Fulbright Program, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Corresponding Author:
Gianna D’Ambrozio, Doctoral Student, Department of Counseling Psychology, University of
Massachusetts Boston, 100 William T. Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02125, USA.
Email: Gianna.Dambrozio001@umb.edu
1136240JHP XX X 10.1177/00221678221136240Journal of Humanistic PsychologyD’Ambrozio et al.
research-article 2022