RAI Means Life.
We are often asked what does RAI stand for. RAI is not an acronym, rather it is a word borne out of Northern Nigeria on the African continent, that means spirit, mind, and soul- Life.
At RAI Counseling, this is our essence because we believe that where there is Life, there is Hope. For this reason, we lead with and are driven by three core values of Compassion, Respect, and Empowerment.
Compassion
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, compassion is defined as the “sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”[1]In essence, the ability to understand the emotional state of another person, and quite literally can be defined as “to suffer together.”
At RAI Counseling, we understand that our clients are taking the important decision to come to us for support, because of an awareness of their emotional state. This understanding fuels our compassion and is a continuous motivation for us to help and support others. Compassion inspires us to do what we can to ease another person’s suffering.
Respect
To treat someone with dignity is to treat them as being of worth, in a way that is respectful of them as valued individuals. To understand this definition of respect, one must first identify the two dimensions it represents: first is the self-worth as perceived by the individual, which motivates them to seek help. The second is the worth of the individual as reflected in the respectful attitudes and practices of others towards them.
At RAI Counseling, we find the strengths, and not just focus on the problems of our clients. We firmly believe that promoting respect and social inclusion as keys to healing.
Empowerment
Empowerment should be seen as both an individual and a community process. We understand that in reaching out, our clients are taking the first brave step towards gaining greater control over decisions and actions affecting their health.
At RAI Counseling, we lead as partners with our clients, to ensure that they understand their role in the healing process. We encourage client participation, and ensure that our clients are provided with the knowledge and skills to perform a task in an environment that recognizes community and cultural differences.
RAI Cares
At Rai Counseling, we remain committed to leading with Respect, Compassion & Empowerment as we help our clients find useful ways of coping, increase self-awareness and self-compassion, and work towards a more balanced and enjoyable life.
With the three core values always at the forefront, our diverse team of experienced Master's level and Licensed therapists provide a variety of counseling services and resources to children, youth, adults, families, and other professionals.
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compassion