The Center for Rapid Recovery's treatment philosophy presumes that cultural norms, behavioral codes and values are inextricably linked to health outcomes and have a considerable impact on how patient access and response to services. The influence of cultural background upon a society’s definition of illness and appropriate illness behavior has been well documented by numerous and anthropological field studies. In general these studies have shown that perception and definition of illness, the function it serves, the medical care sought, and the adjustments made are rooted in social-group factors- religious beliefs, group values, family organization, and child –rearing practices. CRR’s philosophy is grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy and based on the belief that there are culturally-determined differences in the perception of how problems are identified experienced and resolved.

CRR utilizes a strength based competency model which incorporates cognitive and faith-based health belief approach to examine the cultural context of risk behaviours and to achieve value outcomes. Within the context of the strength based competency model, individuals are guided to learn new and more effective ways to think, feel and respond to external and internal stimuli. The model is concretized in the belief that the individual’s potential  and ultimately their strength will emerge as they acquire functional skills in personal, social and familial areas.  

For clients of all programs, CRR utilizes proprietary algorithms to establish culturally relevant, strength-based partnerships between the patient/physician and counselor. Having identified a host of treatment access barriers, CRR has incorporated an acknowledgement of basic health beliefs (typically embraced by African, Caribbean and Latino populations) into a series of surveys to identify beliefs that may impede or enhance access to care and impact health outcomes. The health belief surveys are administered as a pre-test, and then re-administered to each client as a repeated measure on a quarterly basis. The counseling session establishes a client therapist partnership and a welcoming forum to discuss beliefs, behaviors, hopes and fears.  Beliefs are discussed for content and segregated into one or two categories those, which impede or improve health outcomes. Comparing questionnaire results over time enables CRR to monitor changes in beliefs about disease transmission, health management, and treatment compliance. Changes in perception are validated by comparing them to other outcome measures, including decreases in viral load, compliance with a prescribed medical regime, including a reduction of alcohol and illicit substances and adherence to the therapy visit schedule.