The Good Lives Model (GLM) is a strength‑based framework we use at The New York Mental Health Group to help individuals build meaningful, fulfilling lives while lowering the risk of reoffending. Rather than focusing only on preventing harmful behavior, GLM emphasizes creating positive life goals and developing the skills and resources needed to achieve them.

Key Principles:

• Holistic well‑being: We treat the whole person, not just risk factors.

• Primary goods: We support universal human needs like connection, purpose, autonomy, and inner peace.

• Skill‑building: Clients learn to reach goals in safe, pro‑social ways.

• Personal agency: Individuals are empowered to actively shape their future.

In Practice:
Our clinicians work collaboratively with clients to identify values and life goals, understand unmet needs driving past behaviors, and build personalized plans that foster mental health, social support, and legal compliance.

Benefits:
This approach enhances motivation for change, builds self‑worth, reduces stigma, improves long‑term outcomes, and supports safe, sustainable reintegration into society.