When you are working with your clients, it is important to be cognizant of the language that you are using. When speaking to clients, you want to make sure that you are using Person Centered Language (PCL). This means that you are speaking without judgement or bias, that you are being specific, and that you are being respectful to the client.

When interacting with your clients, please keep in mind these best practices for using Person Centered Language:

• Consider the client and/or family’s perspective and reaction to everything you say
• Be respectful in conversations, and avoid using inappropriate language (such as speaking foully)
• Demonstrate that you are respectful of the language, thoughts, beliefs and values of the client’s racial, ethnic, religious or social background
• Ensure you use pronouns that are reflective of how individuals identify themselves (using he/him, she/her, or they/them)
• Avoid using condescending or negative words

The following table outlines how you can utilize your language to shift to using respectful, objective, person-centered language when speaking with your clients: