The Merismos Model
The Merismos Model has five basic principles that all Counseling Providers follow. These five principles have been adopted from the Principles of Trauma Informed Care.
1. Safety
2. Transparency
3. Choice
4. Collaboration and Mutuality
5. Empowerment
Safety – includes creating spaces where people feel culturally, emotionally, and physically safe as well as an awareness of an individual’s discomfort and unease.
Transparency and Trustworthiness –This includes providing full and accurate information about what is happening and what is likely to happen next.
Choices – This includes the recognition of the need for an approach that honors the person’s dignity.
Collaboration and Mutuality – this includes the recognition that healing happens in relationships and partnerships with shared decision-making.
Empowerment – this includes the recognition of an individual’s strengths. These strengths are built on and validated.
EXPLANATION OF “MERISMOS”
THE MERISMOS – “DIVIDING ASUNDER” OF SPIRIT AND SOUL
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the “Dividing” “Asunder” of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” HEBREWS 4:12-13 –
DEFINITION OF MERISMOS?
➢ Merismos is the Greek word translated “dividing asunder” in Hebrews 4:12. The English word for Asunder means to separate, dismantle, set apart, or to dissect.
➢ The word Merismos is a compound word from two Greek root words: merizo, which means “to part, to separate, to dismantle, to disunite,” and meros, which means “to get as a section or allotment, a division or share.” Therefore, merismos means “a separation or distinction made between separate parts.
➢ Merismos means taking all the facets of a man and separating them into the categories of spirit, soul, and body, then breaking down each of these areas into further components for revelation and clarity in order that we may have a greater understanding of the heart and soul of man.